Middle Name (G-325A and I-129f)

[ella7883 2]

So we already sent the I-129F package to the USCIS on August 16, 2013 and we got the NOA1 hard copy via mail on August 29, 2013. I'm pretty sure we submitted everything BUT I am now confused about the middle name part. I know I should have searched about this before we sent the packet but oh well... here goes my problem:

I didn't put anything on the middle name field because I only have 1 given name. HOWEVER, in the Philippines, the middle name is the mother's maiden name. Yes we refer to the mother's maiden name as the middle name. I understand that in the US, the middle name is the second given name. I know that middle name is completely different from mother's maiden name and for my I-129F and G-325A form, I followed the US format of writing the name. To give you an example:

US Name Format if the person has middle/second given name:

Name: Isabella

Middle Name: Pauline

Last Name: Lopez

Without middle/second given name:

Name: Isabella

Middle Name:

Last Name: Lopez

In the Philippines, this is how we fill out the forms:

Name: Isabella Pauline

Middle Name: Castro (mother's maiden name)

Last Name: Lopez

***this is also how they do it on official documents like passport and birth certificate.

My question now is, did I do the right thing by not putting my mother's maiden name (a.k.a middle name in the Philippines) on the middle name field on the I-129F and G-325A forms? I don't wanna deal with RFE so we're gonna try to make corrections before we even get one. Others are saying to just wait for the interview to correct it while others are saying make corrections now by calling the USCIS. Been trying to call but I can't get to a human!

Any other pinays here who can shed a light to this? For those pinays who do not have a second given name, did you write anything on the middle name field? did you write your mother's maiden name?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Hank_ 9,174]

You use your name as shown on your birth certificate. You have a middle name (mother's maiden name) and its on your BC.

Its an oops.

[mrsSpitze 9]

I have "2" first names but I used my mom's last name as my middle name - as normal.

My first name now reads: Penelope May

Middle name: Feliciano (my mom's maiden name)

Last name: Pengson

Married version;

First Name: Penelope May

Middle Name: Pengson (my maiden name)

Last Name: Spitze (my husband's last name)

This is what I used for all the forms - SSN, Marriage license, Marriage Certificate, AOS forms, EAD and AP forms.

[ella7883 2]

You use your name as shown on your birth certificate. You have a middle name (mother's maiden name) and its on your BC.

Its an oops.

d**n it! I wanna beat myself up I swear. Anything we can do at this point to correct it? our case status is still on the "initial review" stage. I read another thread for incorrect middle name and the customer rep advised her to send a cover letter with a copy of the beneficiary's bc. you think we need to do the same or just wait til we get RFE?

I have "2" first names but I used my mom's last name as my middle name - as normal.

My first name now reads: Penelope May

Middle name: Feliciano (my mom's maiden name)

Last name: Pengson

Married version;

First Name: Penelope May

Middle Name: Pengson (my maiden name)

Last Name: Spitze (my husband's last name)

This is what I used for all the forms - SSN, Marriage license, Marriage Certificate, AOS forms, EAD and AP forms.

thanks for the reply. there are so many threads about this topic and it confuses me I should have just followed what's exactly written on my bc and passport.

[Tahoma 2,298]

If you want to correct the I-129F at the USCIS, this thread might be helpful: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/377567-corrections-to-an-accepted-i-129f-petition/

[ella7883 2]

If you want to correct the I-129F at the USCIS, this thread might be helpful: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/377567-corrections-to-an-accepted-i-129f-petition/

OMG! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! This is exactly what we need. This forum rocks!

[Hank_ 9,174]

d**n it! I wanna beat myself up I swear. Anything we can do at this point to correct it? our case status is still on the "initial review" stage. I read another thread for incorrect middle name and the customer rep advised her to send a cover letter with a copy of the beneficiary's bc. you think we need to do the same or just wait til we get RFE?

thanks for the reply. there are so many threads about this topic and it confuses me I should have just followed what's exactly written on my bc and passport.

Relax. It's not a deal killer, happens. Don't send ANYTHING to USCIS right now, odds of it connecting with your file are between slim and none. IF you get an RFE for that, then be ready with a copy (you can scan and email a copy no issue, does not need to be original), not bad to have you NSO birth certificate anyway (plus a few extra copies for much later). USCIS could catch it and could request a new G-325A and if the I-129F is wrong also, they would want one of those if not the embassy may ask.

Now later at the embassy it might get questioned, and they might ask you to complete a new G-325A. If the I-129F is wrong regarding middle name also, the embassy may want a new one of those as well; for that possibility I suggest your fiancé send a correct one over with his signature at the time he sends his I-134 and tax return info .

Until then.... relax. Don't stress over this... all will be fine at the end.

Edited September 3, 2013 by Hank_

[ella7883 2]

Relax. It's not a deal killer, happens. Don't send ANYTHING to USCIS right now, odds of it connecting with your file are between slim and none. IF you get an RFE for that, then be ready with a copy (you can scan and email a copy no issue, does not need to be original), not bad to have you NSO birth certificate anyway (plus a few extra copies for much later). USCIS could catch it and could request a new G-325A and if the I-129F is wrong also, they would want one of those if not the embassy may ask.

Now later at the embassy it might get questioned, and they might ask you to complete a new G-325A. If the I-129F is wrong regarding middle name also, the embassy may want a new one of those as well; for that possibility I suggest your fiancé send a correct one over with his signature at the time he sends his I-134 and tax return info .

Until then.... relax. Don't stress over this... all will be fine at the end.

Thank you, Hank! You've helped so many people here. Please don't stop answering our questions! We will follow your advice. Been obsessing about the visa since we filed it. My fiance and I have been together five years, met each other in person twice- 2008 and June 2013 (I hope that's not a red flag) and now we're finally taking the step to be together. just want the whole process to go smoothly.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Having known each other for five years for sure isn't a red flag, quite the contrary, I would call that a big plus.

[Tahoma 2,298]

OMG! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! This is exactly what we need. This forum rocks!

You're very welcome.

Lots of people have corrected their I-129F at the USCIS. For "typos," the correction can be done by phone. For "changes," you can do it by mail. There's no need to wait until your case reaches the Embassy level.

[ella7883 2]

Having known each other for five years for sure isn't a red flag, quite the contrary, I would call that a big plus.

Someone posted a question and she said that she and her fiance have been together for 4 years but they've only met once. someone replied and said that could be a red flag. I don't understand why that can be a red flag as long as they met within the past two years. I panicked a little bit when I read that. My fiancee and I were apart for so long (I hope they won't grill me for that) but we never let a day go by without talking to each other. Ok, I'll stop blaberring now lol.

Thanks again! I feel so much better now

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

The meeting must have taken place in the last 2 years. If longer than 2 years since physical presence, you must meet yet again prior to approval. A good time to do that would be getting together for the interview.

[Tahoma 2,298]

I doubt if you'll have any trouble, but if you're worried about the USEM giving you a problem because you met your fiancé twice in four years, then your fiancé should attend your interview. Problem solved.

[ella7883 2]

The meeting must have taken place in the last 2 years. If longer than 2 years since physical presence, you must meet yet again prior to approval. A good time to do that would be getting together for the interview.

Yes, we met again in Singapore in June 2013 and filed last Aug. 16, 2013 I don't think he can be there for my interview. We're trying to save up as much cash as we can for my plane ticket, wedding, honeymoon and all other expenses.

[ella7883 2]

I doubt if you'll have any trouble, but if you're worried about the USEM giving you a problem because you met your fiancé twice in four years, then your fiancé should attend your interview. Problem solved.

maybe they won't give me a hard time. that was just me being paranoid. always expecting the worst case scenario lol! we have valid reasons why he wasn't able to visit me often. I'm sure they will understand the most important thing is we met within the past two years and we can prove that our relationship is REAL