Would a JAG officer be able to help?

[Thatgirl2 21]

So I'm iranian and I married a marine about two years ago after entering the states on k-1 . Because religion is really not a big deal for me, we married despite our religion differences. I got my green card about a month ago after AOS. Now the problem that I have is that my iranian passport is going to expire in 2014. Considering the current relations and the sensitivity that comes with my husband being in the military and also the fact that ill have to lie to the embassy about my relationship status ( they won't recognize a Muslim/ Christian marriage ) i dont know if it is a good idea to get a new passport through the office iranian embassy has in Washington. I'm really confused as to what to do about this whole passport situation. Should I go in to the JAG office and ask them ? Is this something they would know ? I have asked this question before, but that was before there was a military forum. Tia

[Khal_Drogo 50]

Hmmm...JAG may be able to point you in the right direction, but I'm not 100% sure they'll be able to provide any concrete answers. Mine had trouble figuring out how to fill out an I-130. You have some time to play with, so hit the JAG, since it's no cost to you and they might know what to do, but be prepared to hire an immigration lawyer.

[Thatgirl2 21]

I'm just insanely worried because to get my new passport, ill have to turn in my current passport, and my that time it will be only form of legal document that will prove I'm an iranian citizen

[Maria5421 2]

My experience with JAG was that they really don't know anything related to immigration. If anything, they'll probably confuse you more than you were in the first place (although it's always worth a try - I give you 99.9% they won't be able to give you an answer) So, you need to look for people who went through a similar experience and see what they did

[Miew-Miew 9]

Immigration law is not one of the main areas of the client services (legal assistance) that JAG provide. This is not to say that you won't get lucky, but like divorce law (Army JAG will only help with seperation agreements not divorces) Immigration law is a bonus not something expected. You would have a better chance at a base that handles a lot of immigration actions- overseas for example, and sometimes the offices have civilian attorneys that specialize in certain areas, immigration being one of them, but it's not one of JAGs specialties...

[Miew-Miew 9]

What I don't get is the part about lying about your relationship status. You are married regardless, right? You might not have to say you as a Muslim married a Christian, (and frankly, I wouldn't- that's nobody's business) but you will have to get your new passport from either the Iranian embassy or back home, and I would imagine you'll have to say you are married. Misrepresenting marriage status is one thing, but I don't think you have to state what religion your husband is.

Does the Iranian passport renewal application have a question that asks religion of spouse? can you enter N/A or not answer?

[biaobiao 40]

do really have to renew your passport personally? you can send it to your embassy right?

with Islamic countries I know they are very strict about religions...

[belinda63 2,981]

We had the same problem until hubby got his US citizenship. We are legally married here but not in Iran. I would say, since you are not legally married under Iranian law, to state you are single. Of course, if I ever decide to visit Iran with my hubby this will cause a mess, since I will be an unaccompanied female traveling with a non-related male. Guess his sister will have to come pick me up at the airport.

[Thatgirl2 21]

What I don't get is the part about lying about your relationship status. You are married regardless, right? You might not have to say you as a Muslim married a Christian, (and frankly, I wouldn't- that's nobody's business) but you will have to get your new passport from either the Iranian embassy or back home, and I would imagine you'll have to say you are married. Misrepresenting marriage status is one thing, but I don't think you have to state what religion your husband is.

Does the Iranian passport renewal application have a question that asks religion of spouse? can you enter N/A or not answer?

They ask for the husband's name , social security number and all that personal stuff. What i don't wanna do is not only lose my passport and cause myself problems, get my husband involved in some big shenanigans with the iranian embassy.trust me on that, the iranian government is that crazy and paranoid.

We had the same problem until hubby got his US citizenship. We are legally married here but not in Iran. I would say, since you are not legally married under Iranian law, to state you are single. Of course, if I ever decide to visit Iran with my hubby this will cause a mess, since I will be an unaccompanied female traveling with a non-related male. Guess his sister will have to come pick me up at the airport.

My guess is you won't even make it past the customs.its a real mess.

As far as MY case goes, I'm scared they might have access to the American data base and be able to pull up my records and marriage certificate and all that

Edited February 25, 2013 by Thatgirl2

[Thatgirl2 21]

do really have to renew your passport personally? you can send it to your embassy right?

with Islamic countries I know they are very strict about religions...

No, I have to fill out a form, get a payment method and send my current passport in the mail.

[Thatgirl2 21]

Well looks like I'm going to have to wait it out. IRI has changed the birth certificates, and to get a new one outside of the country I'm gonna have to send in my birth certificate and my original green card, and that is NOT going to happen