Marcelino

Hi All,

We just got married a couple of weeks ago and are now starting the process of applying for a marriage visa/green card for my wife.

She (my wife) came to the U.S. from Russia about 3 years ago. She entered the U.S. legally through a previous marriage to a Russian Citizen who came to the U.S. on a (H1) work Visa.

Her divorce with her ex-husband was final about a month ago. They've been legally separated for two years.

Anyway, my question is this:
She still has her maiden name (she didn't changed her name in the previous marriage) so her Russian passport and entry documents all show her maiden name.

She is now contemplating changing her last name to mine, but we're worried about the complications that may be caused if we changed her name prior to applying for the Visa.

We're worried that if we change her name on her social security card, driver's license, etc. that it would cause problems during the application process for her green card.

Would the INS look at her Russian passport, see that it doesn't match the (new) name on the Social Security Card and tell her that she needs to change her name on the Russian passport - which means that she'd have to leave the country?

Is her Russian passport even required during the application for the green card?

Thanks in advance for any help!
Marcelino

Marcelino

Additional info: I am a Naturalized U.S. Citizen - I don't know if that makes any difference...

Jennifer

Hi Marcelino:

Changing her name shouldn't be a problem. I had changed my name after I got
married, and it's different from the name on my passport. My driver's
license, and SSN all has my married name and when I applied for my green
card/adjustment of status.. I used my married name, and where they asked for
Other names, I put the name in my passport. I didn't have any problems at
all getting my green card, or citizenship.. so you should be alright.

Jennifer

"Marcelino" wrote in message
news:437184.1034096789@britishexpats-
.com...
    > Hi All,
    > We just got married a couple of weeks ago and are now starting the
    > process of applying for a marriage visa/green card for my wife.
    > She (my wife) came to the U.S. from Russia about 3 years ago. She
    > entered the U.S. legally through a previous marriage to a Russian
    > Citizen who came to the U.S. on a (H1) work Visa.
    > Her divorce with her ex-husband was final about a month ago. They've
    > been legally separated for two years.
    > Anyway, my question is this:
    > She still has her maiden name (she didn't changed her name in the
    > previous marriage) so her Russian passport and entry documents all show
    > her maiden name.
    > She is now contemplating changing her last name to mine, but we're
    > worried about the complications that may be caused if we changed her
    > name prior to applying for the Visa.
    > We're worried that if we change her name on her social security card,
    > driver's license, etc. that it would cause problems during the
    > application process for her green card.
    > Would the INS look at her Russian passport, see that it doesn't match
    > the (new) name on the Social Security Card and tell her that she needs
    > to change her name on the Russian passport - which means that she'd have
    > to leave the country?
    > Is her Russian passport even required during the application for the
    > green card?
    > Thanks in advance for any help!
    > Marcelino
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Andy Platt

You are worrying over nothing. The INS is well used to the fact that names
change after marriage. My advice is that, since she is going to change her
name anyway, have her use her married name on all INS forms (note that there
are some places that specifically ask for maiden name and some places where
they ask for other names that she would put her maiden name down). A copy of
the marriage certificate is OK to tie up loose ends.

She should, when possible, change her passport so it matches any other
documents but it is not compulsory though some airlines have problems with
it. Can she do this through an embassy?

Andy.

--
I'm not really here - it's just your warped imagination.
"Marcelino" wrote in message
news:437184.1034096789@britishexpats-
.com...
    > Hi All,
    > We just got married a couple of weeks ago and are now starting the
    > process of applying for a marriage visa/green card for my wife.
    > She (my wife) came to the U.S. from Russia about 3 years ago. She
    > entered the U.S. legally through a previous marriage to a Russian
    > Citizen who came to the U.S. on a (H1) work Visa.
    > Her divorce with her ex-husband was final about a month ago. They've
    > been legally separated for two years.
    > Anyway, my question is this:
    > She still has her maiden name (she didn't changed her name in the
    > previous marriage) so her Russian passport and entry documents all show
    > her maiden name.
    > She is now contemplating changing her last name to mine, but we're
    > worried about the complications that may be caused if we changed her
    > name prior to applying for the Visa.
    > We're worried that if we change her name on her social security card,
    > driver's license, etc. that it would cause problems during the
    > application process for her green card.
    > Would the INS look at her Russian passport, see that it doesn't match
    > the (new) name on the Social Security Card and tell her that she needs
    > to change her name on the Russian passport - which means that she'd have
    > to leave the country?
    > Is her Russian passport even required during the application for the
    > green card?
    > Thanks in advance for any help!
    > Marcelino
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com