Beneficiary passport change during process

[MarmiteC 68]

Hi All,

 

I am the beneficiary of a pending I-130 spousal visa.  We're still relatively early in the process.  I have 2 years left on my passport and I wasn't planning to renew it during the process as I needed to not be without it for a while for travelling purposes, but I've now got an opportunity to renew it as I won't be travelling for a couple of months.  I just want to confirm there are no issues with doing this at this stage? Would I also upload my new passport information to 'Unsolicited evidence' on the USCIS account if it arrives before NVC stage?

 

Thanks in advance.

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

since your petition (priority date ) is September 2022,   you have plenty of time before the NOA2 to renew,  so  go for it

[MarmiteC 68]

43 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

since your petition (priority date ) is September 2022,   you have plenty of time before the NOA2 to renew,  so  go for it

Thanks.  Would I then upload it in unsolicited evidence? I think the only place they have my current passport info is the I130A?

[Lil bear 4,181]

Just now, MarmiteC said:

Thanks.  Would I then upload it in unsolicited evidence? I think the only place they have my current passport info is the I130A?

Happens all the time. No need to upload anything right now. At the next step .. NVC.. use the hew pport details on forms. Keep your old passport as well as info

in it may be needed into the future .. as far forward as applying for naturalization 

 

[MarmiteC 68]

1 minute ago, Lil bear said:

Happens all the time. No need to upload anything right now. At the next step .. NVC.. use the hew pport details on forms. Keep your old passport as well as info

in it may be needed into the future .. as far forward as applying for naturalization 

 

Thanks.  

 

Also, when we married we had to state whether I would change my surname or not for the marriage licence (MN).  I chose not to at this time because of additional complications that would have caused professionally in the UK.  I know I will need to change it at the court when I finally get to the US.  Would I then need a new passport and green card at that time? (Just trying to think long into the future and think I perhaps made the wrong decision at the time of completing the marriage licence!)

[Lil bear 4,181]

1 hour ago, MarmiteC said:

Thanks.  

 

Also, when we married we had to state whether I would change my surname or not for the marriage licence (MN).  I chose not to at this time because of additional complications that would have caused professionally in the UK.  I know I will need to change it at the court when I finally get to the US.  Would I then need a new passport and green card at that time? (Just trying to think long into the future and think I perhaps made the wrong decision at the time of completing the marriage licence!)

You can start using your married surname on all your us paperwork. There is no requirement here in the US to state or decide what  name you choose to use  after marriage. Your marriage certificate  is always the link between both last names.

[MarmiteC 68]

1 hour ago, Lil bear said:

You can start using your married surname on all your us paperwork. There is no requirement here in the US to state or decide what  name you choose to use  after marriage. Your marriage certificate  is always the link between both last names.

The marriage licence in Minnesota specifically asked which name I would assume after marriage and stated that if I wanted to change my name at a later date it would have to be done via court?

[Ontarkie 14,214]

7 minutes ago, MarmiteC said:

The marriage licence in Minnesota specifically asked which name I would assume after marriage and stated that if I wanted to change my name at a later date it would have to be done via court?

Take your marriage certificate and use it when you renew your passport.  If a name change is something you want do it now. It does not matter what Minnesota asked at that time because  right now you are not in Minnesota. Do it now save money and time later.  If you take your married name now you can get your passport in your married name. This will have the rest of your immigration documents in your married name. Visa, then GC,  SSN and when you get your DL. Much less hassle then trying to change all those things later and saves a ton of money.

[MarmiteC 68]

36 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

Take your marriage certificate and use it when you renew your passport.  If a name change is something you want do it now. It does not matter what Minnesota asked at that time because  right now you are not in Minnesota. Do it now save money and time later.  If you take your married name now you can get your passport in your married name. This will have the rest of your immigration documents in your married name. Visa, then GC,  SSN and when you get your DL. Much less hassle then trying to change all those things later and saves a ton of money.

So I can legally do that from here? The money wasn't the issue for me at the time as I have other issues in the UK with changing my name now vs later, which was why I chose later. But maybe doing it here is the lesser of the evils. 

[Ontarkie 14,214]

6 minutes ago, MarmiteC said:

So I can legally do that from here? The money wasn't the issue for me at the time as I have other issues in the UK with changing my name now vs later, which was why I chose later. But maybe doing it here is the lesser of the evils. 

Yes you can. 

[top_secret 2,402]

Immigrating to the US spawns allot of new documents.  If it is ones intention to change their name, it is certainly easiest (and cheapest) to change it sooner in the immigration process rather than later.  A single change of name on a passport early in the process can save the individual changes of names later on a Green Card ($455 and probably 18 months),  changing Social Security name,  state drivers license or ID, banking, insurance,  etc. etc.

[iwannaplay54 985]

6 hours ago, MarmiteC said:

The marriage licence in Minnesota specifically asked which name I would assume after marriage and stated that if I wanted to change my name at a later date it would have to be done via court?

Minnesota doesn’t decide that for you

[iwannaplay54 985]

5 hours ago, MarmiteC said:

So I can legally do that from here? The money wasn't the issue for me at the time as I have other issues in the UK with changing my name now vs later, which was why I chose later. But maybe doing it here is the lesser of the evils. 

A passport name change before the visa is issued will domino flip all of your other documents (visa, SS card, and green card) into your married name.  It’s the easiest way to do it.

Edited January 5, 2023 by iwannaplay54

[MarmiteC 68]

9 hours ago, iwannaplay54 said:

Minnesota doesn’t decide that for you

Thanks.  It makes sense to change it now.  I probably wasn't thinking far ahead enough when I made the decision before and as I now have the opportunity to renew my passport it's worth getting it done.  It gives me another headache in the UK but not one which is insurmountable, and will keep me occupied while I wait on the visa process! lol