First Name Change

[Luvbird 0]

Hi everyone,

I have filed the I-129f and received the first NOA. (YAY) However, I really want to have my first name legally changed. My first name is legally written out as two first names with a hyphen and it has ALWAYS caused problems on legal documents. For example, the name is too large for paperwork/debit cards, part of the name goes missing, and even when I travel out of country, the name causes an extra "screening" because they simply do not know how to enter my name into the system. My name was too large for the I129f paperwork (had to write it out on a continuation paper) and even on the letter I received for the NOA1, my name was written improperly and had to be corrected. I know, I should have changed my name BEFORE filing the petition but I can't undo what's been done. Now I'm trying to decide when would the "best" time to change my name because I really want to have my name changed before the wedding if at all possible. Has anyone else changed their first name during a petition or while the visa was processing? Would it be better to change my name after NOA2 or when my fiance arrives in the states?

Thanks for any advice.

[Otto 83]

I might suggest waiting until the dust settles before embarking on changing the name.

[payxibka 10,048]

NM

Edited April 6, 2010 by payxibka

[Luvbird 0]

I might suggest waiting until the dust settles before embarking on changing the name.

You're probably right and I was worried that would be the case. Thanks for the speedy reply.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi everyone,

I have filed the I-129f and received the first NOA. (YAY) However, I really want to have my first name legally changed. My first name is legally written out as two first names with a hyphen and it has ALWAYS caused problems on legal documents. For example, the name is too large for paperwork/debit cards, part of the name goes missing, and even when I travel out of country, the name causes an extra "screening" because they simply do not know how to enter my name into the system. My name was too large for the I129f paperwork (had to write it out on a continuation paper) and even on the letter I received for the NOA1, my name was written improperly and had to be corrected. I know, I should have changed my name BEFORE filing the petition but I can't undo what's been done. Now I'm trying to decide when would the "best" time to change my name because I really want to have my name changed before the wedding if at all possible. Has anyone else changed their first name during a petition or while the visa was processing? Would it be better to change my name after NOA2 or when my fiance arrives in the states?

Thanks for any advice.

Personally I would wait until she is in the US. As stated above by someone else, Iowa as well permits you to change first, middle or surname on marriage. I would do it then if you can. Otherwise start looking into the paperwork now and to how long it will take (to make sure that you can change your name in time before the wedding).

Changing it on the paperwork in the middle is far too difficult in my opinion and will make things harder than they have to be.

Good luck!

[Luvbird 0]

Personally I would wait until she is in the US. As stated above by someone else, Iowa as well permits you to change first, middle or surname on marriage. I would do it then if you can. Otherwise start looking into the paperwork now and to how long it will take (to make sure that you can change your name in time before the wedding).

Changing it on the paperwork in the middle is far too difficult in my opinion and will make things harder than they have to be.

Good luck!

I'm not sure if Florida allows a person to change their first name at marriage but I will find out first thing tomorrow when the clerk's office opens. If Florida doesn't allow this then I will wait on the name change.