Name Change After Marriage...Seeking Answers!

[Fahad S 0]

Hello All!

I just found this site and I am so impressed by the wealth of information that's available on this forum. This is a great public service!!

My wife (Canadian citizen) and I got married in July and our marriage certificate was just mailed to me on the 12 of Oct. by the Gov't of Ontario office. The question I have is regarding the name that I can put on the I-130 and I-129F forms for my wife. I wanted to put her new name (she decided to move her maiden name to her middle name and take my last name as hers). However, she hasn't legally changed her name yet Canada and probably won't for another 2-3 months as she is very buy with school and work right now.

Will it be okay if I put her new name on the forms or do I have to put her maiden name on the form, as that is still her legal name? I figured that by doing this now, it will save a lot of hassle later on, but am afraid that this might cause a whole set of new issues. Advice anyone??

Secondly, has anyone filed I-130 and I-129 F forms at the same time to the Texas Service Center? I am in Georgia and that's where I will be submitting the petitions. Just want to see if they rejected someone's forms because the forms were submitted together.

These are the only questions I have. Other than that I am ready to submit the forms for my wife. Let the journey begin!!!

Any help/answers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi Fahad. I don't know the answer to your second question but as for the legal name change.... your wife's legal name is first name, middle name (if any), maiden name, married name. In other words, she can use her first and maiden name, or her first and married name, or her first and maiden and married name. The wedding certificate gives her legal entitlement to all. If you want to save costs later on, go ahead and submit the documents using the name she intends to use from this point onward. But she will need to carry around a copy of the marriage certificate to show proof of legal name change in the interim. The only time (that I'm aware of) where she should not use her married name is if her current passport carries her maiden name. In that case she will need to book airline tickets in the name which is on her passport.

Oh wait. I just realized. This may become an issue if her passport isn't in her married name because she needs it for her visa. You may be better off calling or emailing the Consulate and asking them the question. Good luck.

Edited October 17, 2007 by Krikit

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

She could also just get her name changed on her passport to her married name. Then file using her married name.

[Fahad S 0]

Thank you for your posts. I think I will start use her new married name on the petitions and simultaneously have her name changed on all her Canadian legal documents, including her passport. I'm sure that it shouldn't be that difficult or to get the names on her Canadian documents changed to her married name...I hope!

Does anyone know how long it takes in Canada to get a new passport and how much it costs? I will start on this name change effort tomorrow morning, so that way by the time the petitions are approved, all of my wife's documents should have her new name on it.

What do you guys think of this plan? Does it seem sound and logical? I'm just trying to bounce off and validate ideas!!

Thanks for helping out!

[samaci 0]

Even if you file the I-130 in her married name, it still asks for her maiden name or birth name. So, if some dicuments that you have to submit are in her maiden name, they will see it on the application form. I would file it in her married name, as you could be waiting approx 12 months to get the visa, and I'm sure by then, she will everything changed to her married name. All she needs to do is have her marriage certificate with her. Some places ask for it, some do not. (changing her DL, any bills, credit cards, bank accounts, etc).. I just got my passport renewed in Vanc, and I was able to pick it up exactly 14 days after I applied for it, for an extra $10 dollars. But if her passport isin't up for renewal yet, then all she needs to do is send it in to have her married name added to it. I think it was $12. and form to fill out.

[trailmix 77]

Even if you file the I-130 in her married name, it still asks for her maiden name or birth name. So, if some dicuments that you have to submit are in her maiden name, they will see it on the application form. I would file it in her married name, as you could be waiting approx 12 months to get the visa, and I'm sure by then, she will everything changed to her married name. All she needs to do is have her marriage certificate with her. Some places ask for it, some do not. (changing her DL, any bills, credit cards, bank accounts, etc).. I just got my passport renewed in Vanc, and I was able to pick it up exactly 14 days after I applied for it, for an extra $10 dollars. But if her passport isin't up for renewal yet, then all she needs to do is send it in to have her married name added to it. I think it was $12. and form to fill out.

I think that's good advice samaci. She will need to get a new passport though.

"You may no longer add your married name as an observation on a passport. If you wish to obtain a passport in your new name, you must apply for a new passport". Link

[Fahad S 0]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the help.

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

As trailmix pointed out above your married name can no longer be added to your passport.

For $87 a new passport will be sent to your wife within 2 weeks provided she is still living here in canada. She will have to have ID (Driver's licence, health card, etc) in the new married name first.

[samaci 0]

Even if you file the I-130 in her married name, it still asks for her maiden name or birth name. So, if some dicuments that you have to submit are in her maiden name, they will see it on the application form. I would file it in her married name, as you could be waiting approx 12 months to get the visa, and I'm sure by then, she will everything changed to her married name. All she needs to do is have her marriage certificate with her. Some places ask for it, some do not. (changing her DL, any bills, credit cards, bank accounts, etc).. I just got my passport renewed in Vanc, and I was able to pick it up exactly 14 days after I applied for it, for an extra $10 dollars. But if her passport isin't up for renewal yet, then all she needs to do is send it in to have her married name added to it. I think it was $12. and form to fill out.

I think that's good advice samaci. She will need to get a new passport though.

"You may no longer add your married name as an observation on a passport. If you wish to obtain a passport in your new name, you must apply for a new passport". Link

AAAhh, good to know! I remember reading that probably a year ago, wondering how to change mine!! Thanks

[L_n_O 3]

So then, what do you do if you're moving to the US in Nov, having the civil ceremony in Jan 08.. but your passport doesn't expire til Aug 2009!?

Do you apply for a new one and just go without having a passport for months cuz now you're in the US and it takes forever??

[~Nini~ 2]

So then, what do you do if you're moving to the US in Nov, having the civil ceremony in Jan 08.. but your passport doesn't expire til Aug 2009!?

Do you apply for a new one and just go without having a passport for months cuz now you're in the US and it takes forever??

Why not just get tickets in your maiden name until it's necessary to get a passport change? You can always carry a copy of your marriage certificate with you when you travel. Better yet, the next time you're in Canada for a visit, apply in person for expedited processing for a new passport?

[C&C 0]

Its your choice, but personally I find it easier just to keep the name I've already got all my records and documents in then change the name later. If this is your first marriage and you are on the fence and if by chance hubby doesn't care either... just keep your maiden name. I wish I had the first time round, wouldn't be in this mess now.

[MarieAnastasia 0]

I kept my maiden name and hypenated my married name to it. My passport is in my maiden name. I always keep my marriage licence with it. We married in May 2006 and i have been back and forth to Canada many times and haven't had a hitch yet! When it's time to renew my passport I will put my maiden-married name just like everything else I have......bank accounts, credit cards etc. So far so good!! And good luck to you...