Mother's name on step children's passport

[sharpie11 6]

Hi ,

I am a US citizen married to an Indian citizen. My wife has two children from a previous marriage, 17 and 5. My wife needs to get passports  issued for both children but its possible (based on our inquiries) that the Indian authorities might put her surname from her previous marriage (with the biological father of the child) in the "Mother's Name" section of the passport for one or both of the kids. She will of course update her own passport to her current surname. Could the different mother's surname in the children's passport cause any kind of problems with US immigration when I sponsor the children thru the I-130 route?  

Thanks!!

[sharpie11 6]

Just replying to my own question, got my response from an immigration lawyer. Should not make any difference as long as we have all the other paperwork such as divorce of previous marriage(s), marriage certificate, birth certificates, custody documents etc.

[pushbrk 12,883]

In this case, the lawyer was absolutely correct.  Make sure each child's I-130 petition is complete with all the necessary documents including birth certificates and your marriage certificate, showing their mother married you.  Birth Certificates show your wife is their mother and your marriage certificate shows their mother is your wife, so that they are your step children.  Be aware that she will need the father's permission or a court order giving her full custody, in order to bring the children to the USA, unless their father is dead.

[sharpie11 6]

Makes sense.. thanks for the detailed response!!

[Auds 223]

Just to fully put you at ease.  I have my maiden name on one child's passport, my married name on other (as my name was changed officially only after the first one's passport was issued).  We had not problems whatsoever - all our papers were done rather recently.