Advance parole: married name vs maiden name

[Kate and Dan 1]

Hi all,

I recently got married on the K1 visa and have a new surname. I applied for my green card, advance parole and employment authorisation with my new (married) name.

A few questions:

(a) when I have my ASC (biometrics) appointment how do I prove my identity - is my passport (with maiden name) and marriage certificate (to show name change) sufficient?

(b) assuming authorisation to travel is granted, I expect it to be in my married name. Do I need a new passport reflecting my married name so the names on the passport and advance parole are consistent?

Thanks so much!

[sweet cakes 326]

Hi all,

I recently got married on the K1 visa and have a new surname. I applied for my green card, advance parole and employment authorisation with my new (married) name.

A few questions:

(a) when I have my ASC (biometrics) appointment how do I prove my identity - is my passport (with maiden name) and marriage certificate (to show name change) sufficient?

(b) assuming authorisation to travel is granted, I expect it to be in my married name. Do I need a new passport reflecting my married name so the names on the passport and advance parole are consistent?

Thanks so much!

A.) Most of the time, the passport is sufficient but to be safe, just bring your marriage certificate on your biometric appointment. Some ASCs are strict about looking for the name change proof, but some aren't.

B.) You don't necessarily have to apply for a new passport in your married name. You can still use the old passport in your maiden name, as long as it's valid. Again, just bring your marriage certificate as well in case the immigration officer asks for it.

Edited June 16, 2014 by sweet cakes

[Kate and Dan 1]

Thank you so much, appreciate your response

A.) Most of the time, the passport is sufficient but to be safe, just bring your marriage certificate on your biometric appointment. Some ASCs are strict about looking for the name change proof, but some aren't.

B.) You don't necessarily have to apply for a new passport in your married name. You can still use the old passport in your maiden name, as long as it's valid. Again, just bring your marriage certificate as well in case the immigration officer asks for it.

[sweet cakes 326]

Thank you so much, appreciate your response

You're welcome. Btw, I wasn't asked for the marriage cert during my biometric here in NJ, but I brought it still. It's always better to be sure than be sorry and driving 50 mins back again.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi all,

I recently got married on the K1 visa and have a new surname. I applied for my green card, advance parole and employment authorisation with my new (married) name.

A few questions:

(a) when I have my ASC (biometrics) appointment how do I prove my identity - is my passport (with maiden name) and marriage certificate (to show name change) sufficient?

(b) assuming authorisation to travel is granted, I expect it to be in my married name. Do I need a new passport reflecting my married name so the names on the passport and advance parole are consistent?

Thanks so much!

Just to be clear here. Your travel ticket must match the name in the government issued ID used for travel. For domestic travel that can be your DL, GC, or passport, but for international travel it must be the same as the name in the passport you use. If the passport is in your maiden name, it is recommended that you carry a copy of your Marriage Certificate to help the airline employees understand that you are the same person. To avoid this you can change your passport, but that is up to you.

I should point out that you will have more problems with airline employees than you will with CBP when traveling internationally.

Dave

[Kate and Dan 1]

Appreciate your response

Just to be clear here. Your travel ticket must match the name in the government issued ID used for travel. For domestic travel that can be your DL, GC, or passport, but for international travel it must be the same as the name in the passport you use. If the passport is in your maiden name, it is recommended that you carry a copy of your Marriage Certificate to help the airline employees understand that you are the same person. To avoid this you can change your passport, but that is up to you.

I should point out that you will have more problems with airline employees than you will with CBP when traveling internationally.

Dave