Hello All,

I've gathered all my CR1 forms and been looking at all the VJ info. I decided to fill out a few forms to just do a mock run through and came across some questions:

1. When you fill out your name (petitioner) and you are a woman who just got married, do you use your maiden name, or the married name, even though the paperwork to file your name change has not gone through? I want to change my name but should I do this after all the Visa paperwork is done?

2. Did you type or hand fill out your forms? I am making mistakes hand writing, can I use white out?

3. On the G325a, it says fill out all 4 pages. Do they mean just make copies of the 1 page four times?

Thanks in advance for your help. Some of this stuff I coulsnt find info on, or it just wasnt clear to me.

1. You can file the I-130 with your married name if you want.

2. I used Adobe and typed all forms, the I-130 and G-325A

3. No, once you open the G-325A on Adobe you will see that even though each form looks the same, they're not. All 4 pages will all have the same info on them, but at the bottom left hand corner you will see that each one has a different place it is going to. If you use Adobe to fill it out, all 4 forms will have the same info automatically.

Oh wow thanks!

Hi Marlita,

Loving your blog

To answer your questions:

1. There should be a space on your marriage certificate to indicate your married name that you will take on. USCIS will only be concerned with your marriage certificate initially. When it is time for his interview, you should have had time to change any other relevant info (social security card, drivers license, ect..)

2. All USCIS forms are all offered in fillable Adobe PDF. It is much easier if you fill it out on your computer and also save the eyes of the adjudicator (they will appreciate it). Most forms will not allow you to save the information, so be prepared to retype if you need to change something. Use whiteout sparingly.

3. For the G325A, again, it is better to fill out the form on your computer. If you do this, then the form will duplicate all the information for you. You don't want to make a copy of this form because each copy is used by a different agency and indicated on the bottom left-hand side of the form. (ie (1) Ident., (2) Rec. Br., (3) C, (4) Consulate)

You are definitely on the right track with the dry runs. I did many dry runs with the forms and I was not asked for any RFE's.

Best of luck!

Good Answers.

Marlita,

1. Use whichever name you want to use, whichever name you are currently using to introduce yourself.

What "paperwork to file your name change" are you talking about? My wife never filed any paperwork to change her name, she just started giving my surname whenever and wherever she was asked for her name.

Yodrak

After the wedding you will get the "temporary cert" but that is not acceptable w/USCIS. Some will say yes but others have recv'd a RFE. I would wait for the the original before you send it to be on the same side. Also, make sure the Pastor expedites the marriage cert. I think it's an extra $3000JA more if not it can take a while. Mine took about 3 wks after the wedding.

Doesn't your wife have to file a name change paperwork? She has to legally change her name right? Or is it legal once she signs the marrige cert with the husbands name. I'm new to all this marriage stuff , but it sounds like once we sign the marrige cert with me having his name, my name is legally changed. Is this correct?

Are you sure I have to wait for the original? Belwin, told me not to, cause she didnt and it went through just fine. I wonder of its hit or miss. I will defintiely expedite now, thanks for that info.

Marlita,

My wife and I each signed the post-ceremony marriage registration document using our own surnames, the same names that were on the marriage license. (The registration document was the bottom half of the license.) Thereafter, whenever she gave her name, she gave my surname whether verbally or in writing. She did have to write a few letters to people and organizations informing them that she had changed her name due to marriage.

You do not have to change your name if you do not want to. You do not have to change your name with everyone if you do want to change it. For example, you may want to change your name for personal purposes but continue going by your pre-marriage name for professional or business purposes.

Yodrak

I would say to send in the original. Jax was one of the lucky ones that went thru but also remember that her father knows ppl. She was able to send in her packet w/the congressman seal b/c of her "hook up". Not everyone has that so to be on the safe side just have it expediated.

She is probably referring to the I-90.

My wife's passport had her maiden name on it (still does). We used her maiden name on the I-130 petition and on the DS-230 application. As I recall, the embassy would only issue her CR-1 visa in the name on her passport.

Some time after she received her permanent resident card here, we did what the OP is likely referring to as "paperwork to file your name change": we filed the I-90 (online) to get a replacement card with her married name, and simply brought the marriage certificate to the resulting service center appointment.

I was told never to use white-out.. just cross out the mistake and write in the correct answer....