Given Name - I-131 Application for Travel Document

[Andsco 89]

Hello VJ members!

 

Let's start by saying that I came into the US with a K1 visa, got married, changed my name everywhere (SSN,Bank,US ID..) and already sent my Adjustment of Status package together with my working permit and papers related to it. Now, after I got the paper I needed from the translator, I am sending the package for I-131 "Application for Travel Document" and the first question is to give my "given name" along with the family name and so on. I changed my name, as I stated before, after I got married and I was wondering if I should put the family name or if I should put my former family name. 

Another question is, when I come back from my trip (if they give me the permit) do I have to go through the line of "visa" or the "legal residents"? And what will I have to show to the officer?

 

Thank you!

[Scandi 4,166]

You should use your legal family name, which is your married name. Your maiden name isn't your name anymore, and you would not want your maiden name on your AP when everything else is in your married name. I was extra careful and sent a copy of my marriage certificate with both my EAD and AP applications to show my name change, though it's not a requirement at all. But both visa, i-94 and passport showed my maiden name so I wanted to add the marriage certificate to show my married name.

 

You are not a resident until your i-485 has been approved, so I would suggest going in the visitors line. You will need your passport and AP document. Bring your marriage certificate just in case if your passport is still in your maiden name, and also the the state ID in your married name if you have it. I would probably bring the i-485 NOA1 too even if not needed, I bet they have ways of finding out about your pending greencard application either way.

Edited August 16, 2017 by Scandi

[Andsco 89]

3 minutes ago, Scandi said:

You should use your legal family name, which is your married name. Your maiden name isn't your name anymore, and you would not want your maiden name on your AP when everything else is in your married name. I was extra careful and sent a copy of my marriage certificate with both my EAD and AP applications to show my name change, though it's not a requirement at all. But both visa, i-94 and passport showed my maiden name so I wanted to add the marriage certificate to show my married name.

 

You are not a resident until your i-485 has been approved, so I would suggest going in the visitors line. You will need your passport and AP document. Bring your marriage certificate just in case if your passport is still in your maiden name, and also the the state ID in your married name if you have it.

Thank you for your reply Scandi! I was wondering as well, should I mark the option that says "I am a permanent resident or conditional resident of the United States, and I am applying for a reentry permit" or just the one that says "I am applying for an Advance Perole Document to allow me to return to the United States after temporary foreign travel"?

I am just not sure because I just applied for the AOS but have not been officially issued the Green Card at this time (I only have the NOA1 at this time).