My new last name is missing a "hyphen"

[memmy 3]

Hi everybody,

I have a question about my last name after I got married. I decided to have a hyphenated last name: my last name-husband's last name. I filed all forms for AOS with a hyphen, but got all 3 notifications and a biometrics appointment without a hyphen in-between my two last names. Prior to my biometrics appointment ( about a week and a and a half before) I called USCIS, spoke with a representative, explained that there is a hyphen omission and that it really worries me. She filed my complaint, asked for all kind of info, asked me to spell my last name, and told me to wait for a letter/e-mail verifying typo correction. Well, a month has passed, a biometrics appointment it over, but I received no mail whatsoever telling me they made a correction.... When I was at a biometricts appointment, they still had my double last name not hyphenated, I asked them to hyphenate it. Should I call USCIS again and inquire on any changed made? Or that would not make any difference? Thanks

[Happytobe 164]

This is just a guess.... they don't have my last name hyphenated either. When I had gone on to the site to set-up an info-pass, their system gave me an "error" when I put the hyphen. So I think that is how their computer programs are set-up. Granted we are not to the AOS stage yet and I'm the petitioner... but I think it's the computer program. No worries.

[bigdog 376]

I was told by our IO that USCIS does not like hyphenated names, for what ever that is worth..

[Corredor 10]

The same thing happened to me. In Latin America we all have two last names and I sent the forms with a hyphen between them. In all the NOA letters and correspondence, my last names had no hyphen. Oh well....

[memmy 3]

This is just a guess.... they don't have my last name hyphenated either. When I had gone on to the site to set-up an info-pass, their system gave me an "error" when I put the hyphen. So I think that is how their computer programs are set-up. Granted we are not to the AOS stage yet and I'm the petitioner... but I think it's the computer program. No worries.

How was the last name written on your wife's Green Card?

The same thing happened to me. In Latin America we all have two last names and I sent the forms with a hyphen between them. In all the NOA letters and correspondence, my last names had no hyphen. Oh well....

Did they correct it later on, or you have no hyphen between two last names on your Green Card?

I was told by our IO that USCIS does not like hyphenated names, for what ever that is worth..

Yeah, I've heard about it too. Do I need to call them again? Or it won't change anything?

[Happytobe 164]

How was the last name written on your wife's Green Card?

?

I am the wife petitioning for my husband. My name has not been hyphenated for any of the paperwork, and, as I said, their computer system wouldn't take the hyphen when I set-up an info-pass months ago.

[Coleman21 6]

Wait until the interview date. It is their fault that they omitted your hyphen, so they shouldn't deny you just because your ID has a hyphen and your green card documents doesn't. When your interviewer approves your case at the interview, tell them about the hyphen. As your green card will be one of your IDs, I do think it is best to have a hyphen on your green card. Ask them if they can put your last name hyphened on the green card. If they still can't do it because of whatever reason, then that must be the final answer. But they might be able to put a hyphen on the green card, even though they seem to have not been able to do so on others. It doesn't hurt to ask.

I tell you this because I know that some people on Visa Journey even asked their interviewer at their AOS interview to change their last name from their maiden name to their spouse's last name. It worked for them. So don't worry about the name until the interview, and ask them again at the interview.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Setup an infopass appointment and go speak to someone about it. Perhaps they can tell you if the USCIS computer system just leaves out hyphens, but it is correct in their info, or they can perhaps get it fixed for you if it is still wrong. Also, if you have an interview, you can be sure to let the IO know of the problem with your last name(s) and ask that they make sure your green card is printed correctly with the hyphen.

[memmy 3]

Wait until the interview date. It is their fault that they omitted your hyphen, so they shouldn't deny you just because your ID has a hyphen and your green card documents doesn't. When your interviewer approves your case at the interview, tell them about the hyphen. As your green card will be one of your IDs, I do think it is best to have a hyphen on your green card. Ask them if they can put your last name hyphened on the green card. If they still can't do it because of whatever reason, then that must be the final answer. But they might be able to put a hyphen on the green card, even though they seem to have not been able to do so on others. It doesn't hurt to ask.

I tell you this because I know that some people on Visa Journey even asked their interviewer at their AOS interview to change their last name from their maiden name to their spouse's last name. It worked for them. So don't worry about the name until the interview, and ask them again at the interview.

. Ok, thanks! Is an interview obligatory for everybody, or it depends? I've heard that some people got their GC without an interview.

Setup an infopass appointment and go speak to someone about it. Perhaps they can tell you if the USCIS computer system just leaves out hyphens, but it is correct in their info, or they can perhaps get it fixed for you if it is still wrong. Also, if you have an interview, you can be sure to let the IO know of the problem with your last name(s) and ask that they make sure your green card is printed correctly with the hyphen.

Will I have to pay for an INFOPASS appointment? And where does it usually take place?

[Coleman21 6]

Hmm.. I thought it was obligatory for everybody, but might not be for K1 people.. since you already had an interview in your country, is that correct? I adjusted my status from F1, so I don't really know about K1 people. You probably could find it out easily on this website. Ask other K1 people! I just know that when you lift conditions on your green card, if you get a temporary green card, you most likely do not get an interview.

I went to an Infopass before applying for green card, and it was a lot of help. If you do choose to go to Infopass, you can ask as many questions as you want! So I recommend writing down what you'd like to ask and make sure all your questions will be answered at one infopass! It is completely free. You just go and ask. It takes place at one of USCIS offices. Go to USCIS website and schedule an Infopass. You will enter your zipcode and will choose the nearest USCIS office that accepts Infopass. It'll be most likely the same office as where you'll have an adjustment of status interview, if you do get one.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

. Ok, thanks! Is an interview obligatory for everybody, or it depends? I've heard that some people got their GC without an interview.

Will I have to pay for an INFOPASS appointment? And where does it usually take place?

It is required except for some that adjust from a K-1. There is about a 50/50 chance of not getting an interview, so you may or may not have one.

The Infopass is free and will be held at your local USCIS office, most likely where you had your biometrics appointment, http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f183bd85ef149210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f183bd85ef149210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

[Asya Hackett 0]

Hi everyone,

I don't know what family name I must wait on the G325a form. Should I write my husband family name?

The very last lane....

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Hi everyone,

I don't know what family name I must wait on the G325a form. Should I write my husband family name?

The very last lane....

You have asked this several times and the answer does not change. If you will be using your husband's name since marriage, then you fill out all the AOS forms in your new married name. The name you use is the name that will be on your EAD/AP and green cards. So, if you took your husband's name, then anywhere on any of the forms where it asks for family or surname, you will use that name. Anywhere it asks for maiden name or other names used, you would list your maiden name before marriage,

Edited September 6, 2013 by Jay-Kay

[memmy 3]

It is required except for some that adjust from a K-1. There is about a 50/50 chance of not getting an interview, so you may or may not have one.

The Infopass is free and will be held at your local USCIS office, most likely where you had your biometrics appointment, http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f183bd85ef149210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f183bd85ef149210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

THanks a lot! I called them yesterday, was awaiting available officer for 3 hours, Called today, they told me they thought my first last name was actually my middle name and that is why they skipped hyphen... Made second typo request today. Will write what the result is. Should get some by Sept. 21.

[AmiamiO 0]

Hello Guys,

I have the same issue with my married family name: it is missing the hyphen on my NOA forms ( I am adjusting my status now). I had my biometrics today where the officer put a hyphen there for me. Later I decided to call the USCIS and they told me that their system does not use/ print/ accept hyphens so the cards we will get will not have it either, but it is totally ok which means that we will not have any problems at future workplaces..etc.

so I guess no matter what we do, we will not have our names hyphenated by USCIS.

Hope it helps