Petitioner's name correction to be explained to USCIS

[kris_hetfield 11]

Hi everyone,

So just to give you some backstory: Before I immigrated to the US and naturalized, the office at the passport office in Sri Lanka had modified my name without my knowledge due to traditional naming systems, where the father's name would appear in front of the son's. So for example, if I'd gone by John Smith my whole life, the passport now said

Other names: Charles (Father's name)

Surname: John Smith

I didn't realize at the time what an issue it would cause and it has caused many problems. I contacted the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington and they took my passport to officiate an alteration on a different page such that my name should now be read as John Smith.

Later on, I made plans to see my girlfriend in Romania, but the embassy would not issue me a visa under this new name as they said that their protocol would only allow them to use the old one on the front page.

So this brings me to my issue. Now that I am applying for a K1 visa to bring my fiancee, under proof of having met within the last 2 years I intend to submit my visa + boarding passes which were under the old name (Charles John Smith). I wanted to explain this issue to them as a supplement to the application due to the name mismatch. Would this be understandable or do you think I would run into issues?

When I applied for naturalization, I showed the passport alteration and brought my Sri Lankan birth certificate which clearly showed my name as

First name: John

Last Name: Smith

The USCIS officer had no issue with this and approved me after showing him the appropriate proof, so I think I have a good chance that they will accept this explanation, but wanted to see if there were any other opinions.

Thanks in advance

Edited July 11, 2016 by kris_hetfield

[kris_hetfield 11]

Hate to do this, but Bump!

[Villanelle 4,123]

Yeah I dont know where everyone is hiding lol.

So on the 129f and the 325g that you fill out there are places to put other names used. You infact did use that name when you traveled so you simply put it down there. To be extra sure the individual reviewing it doesnt mistakenly RFE you for sending in proof of Mr Charles meeting your fiancee and not proof of Mr Smith you can send in a supplement clearly pointing out they are both your names and a brief explanation of your passport issues supported by copies of everything as proof. Its not mandatory but if it makes you feel better then go ahead.

[kris_hetfield 11]

Yeah I dont know where everyone is hiding lol.

So on the 129f and the 325g that you fill out there are places to put other names used. You infact did use that name when you traveled so you simply put it down there. To be extra sure the individual reviewing it doesnt mistakenly RFE you for sending in proof of Mr Charles meeting your fiancee and not proof of Mr Smith you can send in a supplement clearly pointing out they are both your names and a brief explanation of your passport issues supported by copies of everything as proof. Its not mandatory but if it makes you feel better then go ahead.

Hi Damara,

Thanks a lot for your reply, considering that everyone is hiding

I think your suggestion is what I will be following, because it's definitely an issue I ran into with USCIS about a month ago, given that they noticed the discrepancy too and I don't want to run into any RFE issues. I was planning to show a copy of the front page of the passport, the alteration to it, my birth certificate (including a translated copy) and the visa.