Hi everyone,
My husband and I are about to start the process of getting a visa and before we start to fill out all the paperwork I have a question...

Should I get a new passport to show my new last name? In Egypt its not common to have your husbands last name as I think, but I want to have his last name in America and would really love to change my horrible pic!! lol.. Would it be nice also to show in my passport for interview, etc my new name? My old passport shows many stamps and trips to egypt so would that be a problem ? If I get a new one, what name am i supposed to use in all my paperwork? Thanks KRISTY

Hi Kristy. Are you talking about getting yourself a new US passport with your married name in it? I sent in my US passport for the same reason and was really surprised when it came back with the name change on the last page of the passport. The photo ID page remained the same and they put my new married name on the very last page of my passport that is for Amendments and Endorsements. It reads: This passport was amended Jul 22, 2004 to change the Bearer's name to read XXXXX XXX XXXXX
I was totally bummed because now I have to explain every time I present my passport that the name change is on the last page.
After we got married (I'm US he's NZ) I changed everything to my married name immediately. Passport, driver's license, bank details, ccs, etc. Thereafter I used my married name for any paperwork on anything not just the visa for my DAH.

Mine was the same, and now I have to take my marriage certificate everywhere I go, as some of the have a funny look on their faces when they see the change of name but no proper proof! It's a pain really!

I think that when I changed mine, I had the option of actually having a brand new passport and went for the change of name only as it was quite expensive at the time.

Kristy

The stamps you have in your passport that say you have been to Egypt Before ..it help in the interview too as an evidence of on going relationship ..It's a good evidence to have , make sure to show it to them in the interview..

Good luck

Salwa

Keep life simple: change your passport when you get to the US. You can use your married name on your petition etc
Mention your plan at your I-130 interview if you want. I don't recall the specifics, but passports issued abroad are not the same as the ones issued at 'home' now. They might have shorter validity, or not be machine readable?

I simply kept everything the same, and will change it all once he arrives. Just did not need anymore confusion. On my forms under other names used I placed my married name there. I too carry my marriage certificate with me and when questioned at a bank etc I can show that and tell them I have a good reason for not changing it, now mind your own business lol.

thanks everyone, I appreciate the nice advice!