Birth city has changed name

[SMcC 5]

My wife's city of birth changed its name a couple years ago. So, the birth certificate city of birth is not the same as the current. Should I put the current city name and the old name in parenthesis next to it on the I-130 form when it asks for her city of birth?

thanks to all!

[NEco 10]

I think it would be safer for her just to get a new birth certificate  that will reflect the correct city name  just to avoid an RFE  in the  Future 

[ImmHelp123 13]

17 minutes ago, SMcC said:

My wife's city of birth changed its name a couple years ago. So, the birth certificate city of birth is not the same as the current. Should I put the current city name and the old name in parenthesis next to it on the I-130 form when it asks for her city of birth?

thanks to all!

 

I used to work as a volunteer for a citizenship clinic and case across similar scenarios in relation to discrepancies.  However, I have never seen a city change names.  But, we were advised to always list what's on the legal document.

 

USCIS will likely cross-verify all information in the application with the legal documentation.  They simply want to ensure that the documentation provided is legitimate and likely do not care what the city's name is.

 

I hope this helps!

[Liam2021 583]

Just put a current name of that city, and USCIS know about it. You can write a note to let USCIS know if you want.

[Alabamak1 688]

this is a common thing....use the current name of the city and even if the birthcertificate is different they will know this. 

[SMcC 5]

I received a phone call back from USCIS and spoke with an officer. He stated that I should put the name of the city listed on the Birth Certificate on the form and then put the some information, such as an article or other document, that states the name official name change and attach it to the form. He was fairly adamant about this. I found a Wikipedia article that had the exact date when the city changed it's name and attached it to the forms. 

Seems like a lot of hassle for something that should be common sense, but they apparently don't want to be in the position of "figuring it out". 

[pushbrk 12,897]

11 minutes ago, SMcC said:

I received a phone call back from USCIS and spoke with an officer. He stated that I should put the name of the city listed on the Birth Certificate on the form and then put the some information, such as an article or other document, that states the name official name change and attach it to the form. He was fairly adamant about this. I found a Wikipedia article that had the exact date when the city changed it's name and attached it to the forms. 

Seems like a lot of hassle for something that should be common sense, but they apparently don't want to be in the position of "figuring it out". 

Varying opinions on this but I agree with the officer you spoke to on the "misinformation line".  For example, many people from a number of countries were born in the USSR.  That is where they were born.  For example a 40 year old born in Kiev, USSR, might now live in Kiev Ukraine.  USCIS understands this.  No need for an updated birth certificate.  Not sure if it would say anything different, in that example.

[Mollie09 1,543]

Had a friend born in Yugoslavia who still uses that as "country of birth". I'd list whatever is on the original document.

[NEco 10]

22 hours ago, NEco said:

the information i gave was incorrect sorry 

I w

[Ksenia_O 696]

Use what ever is listed on the document.

 

Also, if it "bothers", then new-style birth certificate can be requested from the ZAGS - easy to get and doesn't take a lot of time.

 

For some countries  it's really  required to have a "new' one -  my sister, going though spouse visa,  was requested by the UK Embassy to  get a new-style birth certificate.  

 

But seems like US is more ' flexible" with that. 

 

 

[ImmHelp123 13]

19 hours ago, SMcC said:

I received a phone call back from USCIS and spoke with an officer. He stated that I should put the name of the city listed on the Birth Certificate on the form and then put the some information, such as an article or other document, that states the name official name change and attach it to the form. He was fairly adamant about this. I found a Wikipedia article that had the exact date when the city changed it's name and attached it to the forms. 

Seems like a lot of hassle for something that should be common sense, but they apparently don't want to be in the position of "figuring it out". 

I recommend submitting a formal letter along with the article.  USCIS officers may require further clarification otherwise.  The burden is on the applicant to ensure that the officer is able to understand the record, not the applicant.  USCIS officers have massive dockets.