US Immigration from Philippines

Hello everyone, I am so grateful to everybody who have contributed to this amazing website. I have learned a lot of insights and use those to guide me with my Naturalization journey.

I now have a query about the name change process. During the interview I was asked by the IO (who was amazingly nice) if I would like to initiate a name change (I chose NOT to change my name on the n-400 application). Since my current legal name is in my married name, he advised me to do legal name change if I want to use my current married name. His explanation was that ideally, one's birth name (which is my maiden name) should the one reflected on the Naturalization Certificate. I was a bit confused while listening to him, but eventually went ahead and initiated the name change so I can officially use my current married name.

Questions:

1. Is my understanding correct that a married woman can legally change her name (take their husband's last name as their last name) automatically as long as the marriage is valid and there is a marriage certificate that proves it or if a woman prefers to use his husband's last name? If that's the case, then I do not think I need a name change. Technically, my current married name should be one reflected on the naturalization certificate.

2. When I checked my USCIS online account, my profile has changed from my married name to my maiden name. Is this something I need to be worried about? Or will my new name (which is my married name) be reflected on the naturalization certificate during the oath ceremony?

Before we concluded the interview, the IO showed me my new name (on the tablet) which is my married name and stated that the name should be reflected on my naturalization certificate. But seeing my USCIS account profile changed to my maiden name, I am now concern. Every document I have (Green Card, Passport, Social security, DL, Banks, Credit Card, Taxes) is in my married name.

Thank you so much in advance for your insights.

Finally!!! We have our Manila Embassy Interviews scheduled. My questions now are basic, just want to Triple Check the process. We signed up to have my wife s and 2 stepchildren s Visas delivered to our home here in metroManila. While the delivery address is confirmed on our Interview Conformation Email from the Embassy we haven t paid for the delivery service yet unless it was already included in other fees we paid. How does this payment get made? Additionally, I thought I read there was another charge of $220 each for the Visa s. If that s correct how, where do I pay that fee?

many thanks, Marc

Hi Folks,

Another question for those of you who have recently been through the interview process in the Manila embassy...especially those of you who may be in the provinces of the other islands. How long after your interview approval did it take before you had your VISA in hand? Did you pay for the premium delivery option? My fianc is from the provinces near the Toledo City area outside of Cebu. She has her interview on a Thursday in Manila and we are trying to get an idea of when she may be able to receive her VISA so that we can plan our next steps accordingly.

Thanks!

Kawika

Hi Folks,

Not sure where this question should be posted but there seems to be a severe lack of entries on the review of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport reviews. Can some of those who have been through that POE recently post some of their reviews for those who are soon to be experiencing it?

Thanks!

Kawika

My soon-to-be-wife just arrived not too long ago in California and we're looking to get married soon. The LA county clerk's office is booked for at least a few weeks on the marriage license applications/ceremonies and it appears we will not get the wedding date we want if we go with them. I found a few local services that can help us get hitched conveniently at any time but they only issue confidential licenses. Are there any disadvantages with going with a confidential license as opposed to a public one? I've been looking around and getting mixed messages between "it's not a good idea for AOS" and "it doesn't really matter as long as you're legally married". What's the scoop? Does anyone have any personal experiences with this?