Name change process while I-751 waiver application pending

[gina_sanchez 0]

Hi,

I entered in my relationship with all best faith but sadly its heading towards divorce so I need to apply for I-751 waiver application. After marriage I changed my surname in marriage certificate &my passport (back in my country). So when I moved to US on I-130, it was all set. Now due to change in my personal situations is it ok to do a name change during this process &if yes, I have few questions

A] Do I need to do both in US & back in my country?. What is the process like &expected duration to have that in effect.

B] I have to sit for few academic exams where so far I have my old surname (before marriage). So I want to change it back to that one ASAP, else it can be a mess

Yours Sincerely

Edited December 1, 2011 by gina_sanchez

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You can revert to your maiden name on divorce. If you haven't filed your I-751 (ROC) yet, make sure you put your maiden name on the forms and your GC will arrive in your maiden name.

A. No. You don't HAVE to but it will make life simpler. Changing your name in the US is easy, especially seeing you're doing ROC still. Put your maiden name on the ROC forms and that will change your name. Then you just need to go to the SSA with your divorce cert to change your SSN. Same with the DMV (you can only change your licence AFTER you've change your SSN).

B. Just put your maiden name on the forms. Tell them you're in the middle of a divorce. Show them your birth cert to prove your maiden name (if they're difficult) and you shouldn't have any problems.

[gina_sanchez 0]

Thanks a lot. My last few clarifications

You can revert to your maiden name on divorce. If you haven't filed your I-751 (ROC) yet, make sure you put your maiden name on the forms and your GC will arrive in your maiden name.- In that case while my I-751 (Jointly filed) will be pending but I can still file waiver I-751, once we initiate divorce process (Correct ?). Not sure how much time it takes for divorce process to complete but do I need to be present in US to complete divorce process

A. No. You don't HAVE to but it will make life simpler. Changing your name in the US is easy, especially seeing you're doing ROC still. Put your maiden name on the ROC forms and that will change your name. Then you just need to go to the SSA with your divorce cert to change your SSN. Same with the DMV (you can only change your licence AFTER you've change your SSN).- Thanks

B. Just put your maiden name on the forms. Tell them you're in the middle of a divorce. Show them your birth cert to prove your maiden name (if they're difficult) and you shouldn't have any problems.- Sounds good. But I think I still have to go through name change process back in my country (unless I don't plan to do anything ever in that country)

[VanessaTony 3,567]

So have you already file a joint I-751??

[gina_sanchez 0]

Hi, Thanks a lot for responding so promptly. Yes we have filed jointly but now definitely heading towards a divorce situation. I have heard that even divorce process takes time but while its going on, I can still file waiver application. Not sure if while divorce process is going on & i want to file a I-751 waiver, can name change be done ?

Also can i do divorce processing or I-751 processing from outside of US?

Thanks a lot

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi, Thanks a lot for responding so promptly. Yes we have filed jointly but now definitely heading towards a divorce situation. I have heard that even divorce process takes time but while its going on, I can still file waiver application. Not sure if while divorce process is going on & i want to file a I-751 waiver, can name change be done ?

Also can i do divorce processing or I-751 processing from outside of US?

Thanks a lot

Ahhh so you will have to change your joint petition to a self-petition with a waiver. I've heard of doing this over the phone... I don't know how to do it to submit the form (to change your name). Sorry. I would guess that you should make an infopass but I can't be sure. Hopefully someone else will come along and help you

[gina_sanchez 0]

Thanks Vanessa for your response. I would really appreciate if someone can provide me more accurate response. Thanks