PASSPORT'S LAST NAME

[lovers0720 1]

I'm kicking myself right now but I hope that this is not a big deal.

I am from the Philippines and is a green card holder (pending ROC) with extension letter.

I'm in the Philippines right now for 3 weeks for a business trip. I totally forgot that my passport's last name is still my MAIDEN name until I was at the airport checking in for my flight here. They let me pass.

Now, my problem is would it going to be a problem when I go back to US and they see that my passport doesn't have the same last name as my Green Card?

I would want to process the name change while I am here but I didn't bring my birth certificate and marriage certificate.

PLEASE HELP!!!!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

do you have the letter for the extension of the greencard? if so, no worries. You should still have the stamp from your entry to the US the first time before you got married right?

[lovers0720 1]

do you have the letter for the extension of the greencard? if so, no worries. You should still have the stamp from your entry to the US the first time before you got married right?

Yes and yes, I still have both.

Thanks for the response!

[pixie77 2]

I didn't have a problem with it coming back. The officer at POE checked the copy and original of my marriage certificate. Just have someone send you your marriage certificate if you dont have it.

[lovers0720 1]

Great! Thanks for this. I will have my husband send me a copy cos I didnt bring it with me

I didn't have a problem with it coming back. The officer at POE checked the copy and original of my marriage certificate. Just have someone send you your marriage certificate if you dont have it.

[Dave&Roza 748]

That is why I am glad my wife kept her maiden name. Passport and GC name is the same. Even so, to travel internationally you must use a goverment issued ID and the name on the ticket MUST match the name on government issued ID. For most former K-1 visa holders that government issued ID is the passport of their home country and for the women the name is typically the maiden name. The complication comes when you want to re-enter the US and the GC is in the married name. Most CBP should be able to realize that you are married and accept the GC and passport with different lastnames wihtout too much trouble, but most people recommend carrying a copy of a marriage certificate to help them make the connection.

Having a copy of your marriage certificate will help, but the rules are that the name on the ticket must match the ID used to check-in with, so I would make certain the name on your return ticket is the same as your passport, or you might get some grief to the point of not being allowed to board that flight--depends on the mood of the person you are dealing with.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited August 1, 2011 by Dave&Roza

[lovers0720 1]

Oh dang - i hope that's not the case. My port of entry is in Houston though and I live in Austin. I guess worst case is I will have my husband and drive to Houston to give me the original marriage certificate.

I didnt think about bringing the marriage cert but I am gonna have my husband send me a copy. Hopefully i wont have any issues in going back to the US.

Actually my I am more worried about my connecting flight through Japan. Though on my way to Philippines, they only checked my Driver's License and not the passport. But Im afraid they will check my passport and it's gonna be my maiden name.

So far I havent heard of this being an issue. So please yall pray for me

Anyway, thanks for your response.

That is why I am glad my wife kept her maiden name. Passport and GC name is the same. Even so, to travel internationally you must use a goverment issued ID and the name on the ticket MUST match the name on government issued ID. For most former K-1 visa holders that government issued ID is the passport of their home country and for the women the name is typically the maiden name. The complication comes when you want to re-enter the US and the GC is in the married name. Most CBP should be able to realize that you are married and accept the GC and passport with different lastnames wihtout too much trouble, but most people recommend carrying a copy of a marriage certificate to help them make the connection.

Having a copy of your marriage certificate will help, but the rules are that the name on the ticket must match the ID used to check-in with, so I would make certain the name on your return ticket is the same as your passport, or you might get some grief to the point of not being allowed to board that flight--depends on the mood of the person you are dealing with.

Good luck,

Dave

[lovers0720 1]

UPDATE: I'm back in the US and didn't have a problem at all. The closest one was when I was still in the Philippines and that is because the attendant seems to be a newbie cos she wasn't sure what to do. But in Japan and in my port of entry (Houston), as soon as I showed them my Greencard and Extension letter, I was all good.

Thanks for the responses again!