I-130: which names? And # of days in VN

[Peter&TT 0]

Hello VJ friends,

I hope someone can help me. I married my wife last Sept 2009 in Vietnam and now prepare to file I-130.

1/ Which lastname should I use when filing I-130 for my wife? (Section C#1, Family name) Should I use her maiden name or my lastname? According to Vietnamese culture, a woman doesn't have to change her lastname after marriage. Going forwards, what should I put down for her lastname on other forms (which doesn't have a line for "Other names used, including maiden name), eg 1040 to avoid confusion? I prefer using my wife's maiden lastname if possible.

When I sent letters to my wife in Vietnam, I always use her maiden name. Will it be an issue given the pickiness of CO in HCMC?

2/ One of the interview questions is "How many days each trip did your husband visit you?"

How do I calculate the number of days I'm in Vietnam? Should I start from the day I left America for Vietnam to the day I left Vietnam for America? I start counting the date I arrive at Vietnam 'til the date I leave Vietnam. Is that good?

Many thanks.

Peter

[ScottThuy 140]

day arrived to day departed... they dont care about travel time... they look at the days between immigration stamp dates..

[Dau Que 6]

Hello VJ friends,

I hope someone can help me. I married my wife last Sept 2009 in Vietnam and now prepare to file I-130.

1/ Which lastname should I use when filing I-130 for my wife? (Section C#1, Family name) Should I use her maiden name or my lastname? According to Vietnamese culture, a woman doesn't have to change her lastname after marriage. Going forwards, what should I put down for her lastname on other forms (which doesn't have a line for "Other names used, including maiden name), eg 1040 to avoid confusion? I prefer using my wife's maiden lastname if possible.

When I sent letters to my wife in Vietnam, I always use her maiden name. Will it be an issue given the pickiness of CO in HCMC?

2/ One of the interview questions is "How many days each trip did your husband visit you?"

How do I calculate the number of days I'm in Vietnam? Should I start from the day I left America for Vietnam to the day I left Vietnam for America? I start counting the date I arrive at Vietnam 'til the date I leave Vietnam. Is that good?

Many thanks.

Peter

Your name won't be legally changed until:

1) It has been signed/ordered by a judge

2) You've been naturalized and permitted to change your first name by a judge.

If neither of the above two has happened, then you MUST use your birth certificate given name for all legal documents.

At home you can call her by whatever name you two agree.

Edited January 24, 2010 by Dau Que