Hi all,
I am a bit confused. Our case has now entered NVC, thus far all documentation of my wife has involved her maiden name (before marriage). She has already gotten passport made out under her new after marriage name. Now that the DS-230 is going to be required, is this where the new name is used for the forms? Or did I miss the transition to the new name at some point before this. It does look like the DS-230 asks for the name and has another line for other names (including maiden name). I am just concerned because all approval documentation and NVC documentation is show with the applicant (my wife's) maiden name.

Trying to understand when the shift to her "current' name takes place.
Probably a simple answer but wanted to verify this, encase it leads to any issues.

Couldn't edit so adding update to my first post:

Hi all,
I am a bit confused. Our case has now entered NVC, thus far all documentation of my wife has involved her maiden name (before marriage). She has already gotten passport made out under her new after marriage name. Now that the DS-230 is going to be required, is this where the new name is used for the forms? Or did I miss the transition to the new name at some point before this. It does look like the DS-230 asks for the name and has another line for other names (including maiden name). I am just concerned because all approval documentation and NVC documentation is show with the applicant (my wife's) maiden name.

But the two fields read as follows:
1. Family Name First Name Middle Name
Makes sense this should be her new after marriage name, correct?

2. Other Names Used or Aliases (If married woman, give maiden name)
And here here name as shown as applicant thus far and on all forms?

Trying to understand when the shift to her "current' name takes place.
Probably a simple answer but wanted to verify this, encase it leads to any issues.

You might want to ask about that at the NVC. I started the I-130 with my wife's maiden name. In retrospect I should have done it in our married name. I kept it maiden all the way through. We decided that we would change her name to mine after she got to the US.

See what they say, there might be some confusion if you do switch it up. Seeing that you already updated the passport do you still have the old one in her maiden name? Keep it for records come interview time. Has it changed anywhere else?

I don't think anyone has changed names mid-process before. You might have to follow through with her maiden name.

I hope this helps...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=1283876

The process is not designed for a name shift between petition filing and visa issue. All the forms ask, in present tense, for the "name". This means the current legal name. If your wife's family name legally changed to yours, then you should have filled out the petition that way.

The visa, however must be issued in the name that matches the passport, so yes, you can make the change on the DS 230 by using the married name and listing her maiden name as an "other names used". Make absolutely certain it is clear to anybody who sees the paper that this DS 230 for Mary Jones is the one that goes with the case file of Mary Smith, in case the barcoding isn't sufficient to do so. Perhaps a cover letter would be in order. If so, make it very brief and come immediately to the point as directly as possible.

fill out the DS-230 with the married name and list the maiden name where it asks for it....

the visa will go in the name that is used in the passport...

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, definately a important clarification.
I am now wondering if I filed everything thus far "incorrectly" but after reviewing most of the paperwork, but on the flip side, her maiden name was still in affect for the majority of the time during this process (at her workplace etc) and she has never held a passport before, has not traveled out of the country, they use another form of identification known as ration cards, which again is her maiden name.

I will certainly call NVC to ask for clarification as her passport is indeed under her new name, and before terminating her employment she had changed her name her name after marriage. Again these took place mid way/latter end of the process.

I suppose I could have had her retain her maiden name and not changed these, but I was under the impression that these steps would help during the interview to demonstrate that the marriage is bonafide (carried in good faith).

But the last post by Marilyn does make sense in that the visa in the end must match her issued passport as that is what will let immigrate to the U.S.

Would appreciate any feedback who happened to make such a name shift as I am going to have to...

the DS-230 is the best time to do a name change


I didn't do that because I changed my name after I had already filed the DS-230 but I just called the consulate and they said just to let them know when I went for the interview....

but if you put the new name on the DS-230 you should have no problems

Haha thanks Marilyn, that takes a huge amount of worry off my chest. Will certain call to confirm as this will be a case that has part of the DS-230 (Part I) filled by me and the rest filed at the Consulate
Thanks for your very quick follow up with your personal experience