Advice needed please

[casimir 3]

I attended my CR1 visa interview last September 2017 in London. I have since been placed on administrative processing awaiting further documentation proof of a change of middle name which was unofficially made in 1986 without a deed. I was baptized in 1996 and was given a name which I liked and use currently and was changed by deed. The embassy is asking me to provide proof of name change from my birth name in the middle name change or usage I made in 1986. But I do not have any such documentation. I have written to my schools and doctors and due to data protection such documentation is no longer kept for more than 8 years. I did a subject search request on passports for birth and got a record of all passports and names used from birth and submitted it to the embassy and yet they are still asking the same question proof of name change in 1986. 
In March this year I and my wife will be married for two years and we are trying to plan a holiday together somewhere, however the embassy still have my passport. which I will be asking them to send it back.  

What can I do about the proof of name change?

 

    

Edited February 9, 2018 by casimir

[mindthegap 2,610]

In the UK you do not need a formal deed poll for a name change. A declaration written on the back of a ** packet would be legally sound.

 

So despite you having not broken any laws, the embassy presumably want to see something on fancy paper with a seal - precisely why when I changed my name by deed poll I paid one of those deed poll services to produce one for me. 

 

Not sure how you can approach this to be honest, unless you produce a backdated declaration that you now 'find' (not sure of legalities of this, not encouraging breaking the law/ TOS/ etc) . 

You will probably also need your police certificate to reflect each name too.

 

 

 

Oh, and get a second passport. If yours is stuck at the embassy that is a valid reason for issuance.

Edited February 9, 2018 by mindthegap

[Wuozopo 4,293]

15 minutes ago, casimir said:

I attended my CR1 visa interview last September 2017 in London. I have since been placed on administrative processing awaiting further documentation proof of a change of middle name which was unofficially made in 1986 without a deed. I was baptized in 1996 and was given a name which I liked and use currently and was changed by deed. The embassy is asking me to provide proof of name change from my birth name in the middle name change or usage I made in 1986. But I do not have any such documentation. I have written to my schools and doctors and due to data protection such documentation is no longer kept for more than 8 years. I did a subject search request on passports for birth and got a record of all passports and names used from birth and submitted it to the embassy and yet they are still asking the same question proof of name change in 1986. 
In March this year I and my wife will be married for two years and we are trying to plan a holiday together somewhere, however the embassy still have my passport. which I will be asking them to send it back.  

What can I do about the proof of name change?

 

    

 Can you provide written documentation of your contact with doctors and schools where they state in writing they have no record to produce for you?  Are their persons who can sign affidavits to say they knew you assumed a new middle name or knew you by that name and when/where? What about your Mum? Is she the one who started the new middle name? If you show them all the methods you have exhausted trying to provide documentation of you name, maybe they will reconsider. I know a girl who was on VJ several years back who had nothing but a photocopy of her birth certificate (born in India and moved to England as an infant.) Her parents would not give it to her in an effort to stop her immigration. She produced letters/replies to India and Indian embassy in London, a restraining order filed against her father, and a statement that she knew of no relatives who could verify her birth except her parents, who were the ones holding her birth certificate. She got the visa and subsequently US citizenship without a birth certificate. Maybe if you put together a packet documenting all sources you have tried plus what you do have, something will be done for you. 

[casimir 3]

At the interview the consular asked me to get a proof of name change documentation. I went to a lawyer and I got a statorory declaration made and sent in to the embassy with no joy. My police report has every name on it with no trace. I sent in the letters I wrote to the doctors and schools with no joy either. I even got a letter of affidavit signed by my sister with a copy of her passport and birth certificate sent in still negative.  I am just about giving up here

Edited February 9, 2018 by casimir

[Wuozopo 4,293]

59 minutes ago, casimir said:

At the interview the consular asked me to get a proof of name change documentation. I went to a lawyer and I got a statorory declaration made and sent in to the embassy with no joy. My police report has every name on it with no trace. I sent in the letters I wrote to the doctors and schools with no joy either. I even got a letter of affidavit signed by my sister with a copy of her passport and birth certificate sent in still negative.  I am just about giving up here

Sounds like you have certainly done your due diligence. Have you contacted the embassy and listed all you have sent and say you have exhausted every means you know of documenting an undocumented middle name change. Ask them to specifically tell you what else can be done to get your visa moving because you are out of ideas. 

 

Use this form https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/iv-contact/

 

The other option is have your American spouse contact her US Congressman's office and ask them for assistance  inquiring with the State Department on her behalf about getting your visa approved at the embassy in London. Provide a detailed list of everything that has been done to establish your middle name change to no avail. She (or you) will have to sign off on a form that allows your information to be relayed to the congressman.

[casimir 3]

1 hour ago, Wuozopo said:

Sounds like you have certainly done your due diligence. Have you contacted the embassy and listed all you have sent and say you have exhausted every means you know of documenting an undocumented middle name change. Ask them to specifically tell you what else can be done to get your visa moving because you are out of ideas. 

 

Use this form https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/iv-contact/

 

The other option is have your American spouse contact her US Congressman's office and ask them for assistance  inquiring with the State Department on her behalf about getting your visa approved at the embassy in London. Provide a detailed list of everything that has been done to establish your middle name change to no avail. She (or you) will have to sign off on a form that allows your information to be relayed to the congressman.

 

3 hours ago, mindthegap said:

In the UK you do not need a formal deed poll for a name change. A declaration written on the back of a ** packet would be legally sound.

 

So despite you having not broken any laws, the embassy presumably want to see something on fancy paper with a seal - precisely why when I changed my name by deed poll I paid one of those deed poll services to produce one for me. 

 

Not sure how you can approach this to be honest, unless you produce a backdated declaration that you now 'find' (not sure of legalities of this, not encouraging breaking the law/ TOS/ etc) . 

You will probably also need your police certificate to reflect each name too.

 

 

 

Oh, and get a second passport. If yours is stuck at the embassy that is a valid reason for issuance.

I have a feeling the consular is hoping I cancel my case

[mindthegap 2,610]

I doubt that is the case....they are just being particularly awkward asking for documentation that by law doesn't actually have to exist.

 

 

Name changes in the US are a bit more involved and the UK 'procedure' is comical in comparison, so their lack of comprehension is perhaps understandable, but nevertheless you need to escalate this.

 

Find a copy of the UK law,  provide them with it, and also escalate to a congressperson/senator.

 

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by mindthegap

[casimir 3]

Update

Late week I listed all documentations I have sent since my interview concerning my case in an email to the embassy and the following day, I received an email from the embassy notifying me that as follows 

 

"In order to move forward with your case the consular officer has requested for you to have another interview. Please reply to this email to confirm you can attend at the U.S embassy on Friday 23th 2018 at 11.30am?"

 

I replied yes

 

"Thanks you for your email. please bring photo ID to present to security in order to gain access to the embassy. Please note we are in possession of your passport, so please provide either your driver's licence any other government issued photo identification." 

 

Has anyone been called in for a second interview before?

What to expect at the interview?

 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, casimir said:

Has anyone been called in for a second interview before?

What to expect at the interview?

 

I have never heard of a second interview in London. The officer is definitely suspicious of you for some reason. 

[yuna628 9,747]

I don't think I've heard of a second interview either. I would say that you should come prepared with any and all paperwork you sent in previously or recently, copies of UK law, and anything new you can think of. Come prepared for anything, but remain calm, and answer all questions truthfully. Let us know how it goes.

[casimir 3]

1 hour ago, Wuozopo said:

 

I have never heard of a second interview in London. The officer is definitely suspicious of you for some reason. 

I guess time at the interview will tell. I have a clean record with no trace.

Furthermore, following six months in AP and so much additional documents provided. Maybe the officer just wants to say congratulations to me in person. 

 

[casimir 3]

We have our second wedding anniversary coming up in March.

Praying for the best out come, so we need to plan our vacation  

[Nitas_man 3,100]

This new name is on your passport?

[casimir 3]

3 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

This new name is on your passport?

That's correct

[Nitas_man 3,100]

Just now, casimir said:

That's correct

Has your wife contacted the embassy and asked them exactly what they need to see?  You are right, this is very weird.  They usually automatically issue the visa in whatever name is on the passport.