Hi everyone!

I have a Q here..

I noticed that all my immigration related papers coming from NVC doesnt include hyphen on our names. My husband's name is Jay-R, and my last name is hyphenated with his. (eg. ALDAMA-SANTIBANEZ )

Now, checking my Immigrant Data Summary and my Visa, It all doesn't show any hyphen.

Would this matter? Did any vjers here got the same situation?

Any input will help. Thanks!

-jyz

Hi! I've encountered similar problems when dealing with banks and government agencies. I asked a lawyer friend why the banks do not allow me to hyphenate my surname and he said it is not accepted legally. Unless you have some sort of affidavit that says you want to use your hyphenated surname from now on and your kids will have to use that too. If you notice, all legal papers you sign will omit the hyphen and will automatically use your husband's surname and your maiden surname will be your middle name.
so to avoid legal loopholes, i only use my hyphenated surname when signing my prescription pad

thanks docjazzie for the reply..

yeah i think so.. but my husband's opinion, he guess it wouldn't matter. I have checked his documents. His Cert of Naturalizarion, it doesn't show hyphen on his name, as well as his DMV. His SSN card does.

Some banks allow me to, but some dont. Some allow my hyphen some dont.
I just dont know if this will matter or not.

DFA allowed me to use the hyphen. My last name in my passport is hyphenated. I am sure USEM/NVC double check all things, and guess they saw it.

Hmmm...

Docjazzie, so your visa doesn't show hyphen as well?

I am wondering if this will be a problem upon my entry in the US. I just got my visa, and about to leave next month.

thanks.

-jyz

I'm not worried at all about the hyphen not showing on the visa. The immigration officers are gong to be used to Dept of State not using it.

hi jyz!
i don't have a visa yet.. but all my legal documents only have my married name i dont think it's gonna be a problem, jyz. Don't worry
God bless!

Docjazzie and rjp44, thanks for your replies..

Just this morning I called USEM. Ms. Grace told me that it won't be a problem since their system does not accept special characters. I also asked what will happen to my SSN and GC, but she said it will also depend on the system of of the office to which i am applying for. My husband's first name on SScard shows a hyphen, and his DMV doesn't. Good thing I have his name for a pattern.

She also said what's important is i have my full name on the lower part of the visa, but upon checking my name wasnt complete pa rin, only four letters of my middle name, so i told her. She double checked and make me hold for a minute, and she told me that it will be okay since my name is too long to fit since they have limitation on characters for that.

Whew what a relief. No more thing to bug me now. My next step will be the PDOS and stamping at CFO. Wish me luck!

Hope this info helps too for some who will have the same confusing situation as mine.

-jyz