Name to use on I-130 (Korean Wife)

[avi8tor220 0]

I am a US citizen living in the states and my wife lives in South Korea. Last week we got married in Korea and received our marriage certificate. On the certificate it lists her maiden name, which I believe is the standard practice in Korea. I am starting the green card process for my wife and I was wondering what name I use for the I-130 application. All her documents, including her passport still has her maiden name. However, I was told that if she wanted to change to her married name, I can do so on the application as long as I provide proof from a document such as a marriage certificate. But the marriage certificate has her maiden name on it. By proof, do they just want to see that we indeed got married and she can then start using my last name, regardless of the name showing on the marriage certificate? Sorry if this is confusing. I just want the process to go smoothly without and hiccups.

[Ryan H 3,925]

To dispatch with the semantics first, the I-130 form is a petition form, not an application form (you are not applying for anything, you are filing a petition).

If she wishes to use your last name, you can fill it out the paperwork (you don't need provide documentation showing such a change) using your last name. However, she will need to obtain a new passport with her married name because the visa will be issued by the name that is in the passport and the green card will be issued by the name that is on the visa.