Need help with names in G325-A

[chimichanga 3]

I am an F-1 student married to a USC and we will be filing for AOS soon. I am in status right now. My question is about a name change which I underwent during my teens. I had a complete name change(first name, last name) to a more western sounding name. My name got changed on all my documents including my Birth certificate. When I filed for my F-1 visa, there was a question "Have you had any other names before" to which I answered "No on the DS 160. My question is any name change worth mentioning now? It would contradict my answer on my F-1 visa application(I am sure the DHS or State Department keeps records and matches answers)

Is that true that USCIS/DHS/State Department/FBI contacts/verifies your answers with the government of your country of origin? I do not have any criminal records or felonies or misdemeanors in the US or my country of origin which is India BTW.

Thanks for all your help guys!

[Jawaree 719]

One always has to be honest & consistent when dealing with the Gov. especially

re:: immigration, in light of current events & the country you hail from there can

be no definitive answers here, there are countries that ppl changes their names at will

very often which also involves scamming so that could be a part of processing those

from such countries, to verify the person name at birth.

Yes if you now changes answers cross referencing will provide DOS with prior answers

one has to be consistent, and your best bet would be to consult with an atty on this matter

[Cheezees 1,514]

You need to be honest and answer "Yes". I hope it was just an error on your part when you previously answered "No". Not having a criminal record does not mean you get to willingly misrepresent your situation just to be "consistent". If you are worried, include a statement explaining the discrepancy. The consequences of being dishonest are never worth it.

[chimichanga 3]

You need to be honest and answer "Yes". I hope it was just an error on your part when you previously answered "No". Not having a criminal record does not mean you get to willingly misrepresent your situation just to be "consistent". If you are worried, include a statement explaining the discrepancy. The consequences of being dishonest are never worth it.

I understand. But how will they find out?

[Cheezees 1,514]

I understand. But how will they find out?

Why does it matter?

Aren't you going to be honest anyway? You would be telling them. Are you going to lie to try to hide it?

Edited December 13, 2015 by Cheezees

[chimichanga 3]

I just dont want to raise any red flags/inconsistencies in my case, thats all.

[Cheezees 1,514]

I just dont want to raise any red flags/inconsistencies in my case, thats all.

And? Don't lie, that's all.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I understand. But how will they find out?

If you are not worried then why are you asking? Of course they will find out if they want to.

Why lie about something as simple as a name change when you have no dirt to hide?

You will put your whole process in jeopardy because no one would trust a word out of the mouth of the guy who lied about his real name.

[Michael and Ganna 105]

Straight up you lied and were not truthful. For what ever your reason is for trying to hide your birth name it raises a red flag in anybodies book. Now that your chickens have come home to roost, it may be best to consult a lawyer.

[Cheezees 1,514]

If you are not worried then why are you asking? Of course they will find out if they want to.

Why lie about something as simple as a name change when you have no dirt to hide?

You will put your whole process in jeopardy because no one would trust a word out of the mouth of the guy who lied about his real name.

Straight up you lied and were not truthful. For what ever your reason is for trying to hide your birth name it raises a red flag in anybodies book. Now that your chickens have come home to roost, it may be best to consult a lawyer.

I gave the OP a way to come clean and get the name change "situation" under control aka tell them you made an error and write a letter to account for the discrepancy. But from their responses it is CLEAR that they lied on their 1st application (it was not a mistake or error) and now they want to continue to lie (they are only concerned with "if" USCIS will find out the 2nd lie they intend to tell).

I think the OP needs to revisit the Terms of Service of the VJ forum. No one on VJ will help you with the following:

"By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree that when using the Service, you will not: Condone or instruct, either directly or indirectly, others on how to commit fraudulent or illegal immigration activities in any way, shape, manner or method."

[chimichanga 3]

Before you people point fingers in judgment, it was an error on the 1st Application and the only way I even started the thread is just to make sure my application goes well and I am not in trouble for being inconsistent. You have nothing better to say? Why even bother! SMH

[Cheezees 1,514]

1. Nice try.

2. Nowhere did you indicate it was an error.

3. Your question about how they would find out means you had no intention of telling them. If you were going to be honest, this would not even be a consideration.

4. After being told what you should do to make things right, you still didn't want an inconsistency. What do you think this says?

[chimichanga 3]

It is not a very black and white issue. My name has been changed on my birth certificate when I was in India and so far only the Indian government knows about my birth name. I do not intend to be dishonest or lie, but I do not have any evidence or document which indicates my birth name. All my official documents have my new/changed name. So I just wanted to make sure how to go about this issue.

[chimichanga 3]

I came to the US on an F-1 VIsa. Prior to getting the visa, I had a complete name change. Now in the DS-160 of the F-1 visa there was a question "Have you ever user other names" and to which I responded "No" as all of my documents were in the new name and I thought it was unnecessary to list it as all my documents are in my new name and the old name isnt anywhere. Now I am married to a USC and we are filing for AOS. In the form G325A there is the same question if I have used any other names. I do not want any issues and want to be truthful and honest.

Should I list my old name? Even if I haven't listed it in the DS-160? If so, Do I need to make some kind of note indicating that?

Thanks.

[Michael and Ganna 105]

Well the question on the DS 160 is very black and white.....Other names you have used....yes or no.... When we filled out the paperwork we also had questions and did not know the right answer, we answered yes and wrote a explanation.

My wife is Ukrainian, born in "soviet times" had a Russian spelled surname. It was changed to Ukrainian spelling when Ukraine separated from USSR and all documents reflect that. Then to make things more confusing, in Ukrainian culture she uses her fathers given name as her last name and that is how her internal papers reflect....

Lucky we had explained everything because it came up in her tourist visa interview.....Her fathers name changes gender when it is given to her.....It is a can of worms, but if you disclose it, you can always explain it in a way a government worker can understand...hopefully