Proof of name changes

[ashley_ann 179]

Hello all I have looked around the forum and can’t seem to find much about proof of name changes. We are prepping our I129F application and just need some direction has to what I should provide as the beneficiary.

 

So I was previously married and had changed my name to his. When we divorced I then changed my ID and such with the government, I live in Canada, back to my maiden. 

 

So my question is do I provide evidence of both last name changes? And what would be considered good evidence that I could provide of both if both is needed? 

 

Hope that makes sense and thanks so much in advance

 

 

[Joan58 47]

I included a copy of my Birth Certificate and Divorce Decree

[Kerri1972 3]

Just birth certificate and divorce certificate was all I used also from Canada 

[ashley_ann 179]

Thank you!

[ashley_ann 179]

So I asked this question a while back but I have some more information that came to light so I am going to ask again with more specific information since my searches have come up with nothing too helpful. 

 

So I had been married before and assumed my ex-husbands last name with my drivers, phn etc. However I did not “legally” change it and send the forms to statistics Canada. We are allowed to assume and not legally Change it. Since then I have switched my documentation back to my maiden name which reflects what it still is with statistics Canada. 

 

My question is since I didn’t legally change my name with statistics canada do I still need to provide my other name on the form and if I do how would I prove that? I do believe, I’d have to double check, but my documentation on my divorce says my name now also known as name then but that’s all I’d have for proof if I had to provide it. 

 

This question I felt I had to ask again since I got more specific information regarding the name change issue. 

 

Thanks in advance 

[Mike E 11,723]

All names you’ve used in the past must be declared on any forms that ask for it. I-129F, I-130, AOS, etc. IME you are not asked to prove it.  

 

So for example my legal first name is Michael. But socially and even on a few documents like frequent traveler programs and auto insurance I am Mike. 

 

My wife is Iris socially but her legal name is an Asian name that is something much different.  And in one of her passports the goverment transliterated to the Latin alphabet one less vowel. 

 

All these names were disclosed.  

 

 

[junkmart 320]

43 minutes ago, Mike E said:

So for example my legal first name is Michael. But socially and even on a few documents like frequent traveler programs and auto insurance I am Mike.

 

 

I asked my attorney whether shortened names needed to be listed, and I was told no. So far, I'm ready to be scheduled for an interview. Will update this post if shortened name becomes an issue.

 

Here is a post from a few months ago where I asked about full legal names vs. other names used. The respondent mentioned that he goes by a shortened name, but only listed his legal name. His AOS was approved.

 

Edited April 22, 2019 by junkmart

[junkmart 320]

1 hour ago, ashley_ann said:

So I asked this question a while back but I have some more information that came to light so I am going to ask again with more specific information since my searches have come up with nothing too helpful. 

 

So I had been married before and assumed my ex-husbands last name with my drivers, phn etc. However I did not “legally” change it and send the forms to statistics Canada. We are allowed to assume and not legally Change it. Since then I have switched my documentation back to my maiden name which reflects what it still is with statistics Canada. 

 

My question is since I didn’t legally change my name with statistics canada do I still need to provide my other name on the form and if I do how would I prove that? I do believe, I’d have to double check, but my documentation on my divorce says my name now also known as name then but that’s all I’d have for proof if I had to provide it. 

 

This question I felt I had to ask again since I got more specific information regarding the name change issue. 

 

Thanks in advance 

If you've gone by other last names, then I think you should list the other names. Better to list it than to have it show up in a background check and have to explain why you didn't disclose that information.

[Lil bear 3,831]

3 minutes ago, junkmart said:

If you've gone by other last names, then I think you should list the other names. Better to list it than to have it show up in a background check and have to explain why you didn't disclose that information.

It asks for other names and aliases.  Legal name changes obviously but Aliases are “assumed names or any other name know by”. 

You MUST declare all other names used , legally assumed or nor 

Edited April 22, 2019 by Lil bear

[junkmart 320]

1 minute ago, Lil bear said:

It asks for other names and aliases.  Legal name changes obviously but Aliases are “assumed names or any other name know by”. 

You MUST declare all other names used , legally assumed or nor 

I'm just speaking from others and my own experience. I understand your point, but others have been successful without listing their shortened names, for example Benjamin instead of Ben, or Douglas instead of Doug.

[Lil bear 3,831]

1 minute ago, junkmart said:

I'm just speaking from others and my own experience. I understand your point, but others have been successful without listing their shortened names, for example Benjamin instead of Ben, or Douglas instead of Doug.

The difference initially here is that it was used in official documents such as driver’s licence 

My personal rule of thumb is give them as much as you can and they can ignore it if they choose ... 

[Ontarkie 13,917]

Yes your name was legally changed in Canada. Assuming a married name is still a legal name change, just not the same as going to the courts and getting a name change as that one changes everything down to your BC. 

 

I kept my ex's last name after divorce. I used it all through my K1 process with no issues. Just make sure you put it down as your current name and mark your maiden name in the box for other names used. Once you remarry if you want to take on a new last name just put that name in the box for current name and the ex's and maiden name in the Other names box. 

[Mike E 11,723]

1 hour ago, junkmart said:

I asked my attorney whether shortened names needed to be listed, and I was told no. So far, I'm ready to be scheduled for an interview. Will update this post if shortened name becomes an issue.

 

Here is a post from a few months ago where I asked about full legal names vs. other names used. The respondent mentioned that he goes by a shortened name, but only listed his legal name. His AOS was approved.

 

I respect that view and disagree with it. If a different name shows up in a background check and wasn't disclosed, then that can be a problem. A nick name used in informal conversations is one thing. A nick name used in written business/official correspondence, business documents and social media is another.

 

OP's reticence is about asking to prove she used the other names she is claiming to have used, and I'm stating from experience that she doesn't have to prove she used them.

Edited April 22, 2019 by Mike E

[ashley_ann 179]

Thanks for the help everyone! I really appreciate the clarification and the information. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. 

 

Thanks so much!

[Ryan H 3,790]

~~~Posts merged with existing thread.~~~

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 8:46 AM, ashley_ann said:

So I asked this question a while back but I have some more information that came to light so I am going to ask again with more specific information since my searches have come up with nothing too helpful. 

 

So I had been married before and assumed my ex-husbands last name with my drivers, phn etc. However I did not “legally” change it and send the forms to statistics Canada. We are allowed to assume and not legally Change it. Since then I have switched my documentation back to my maiden name which reflects what it still is with statistics Canada. 

 

My question is since I didn’t legally change my name with statistics canada do I still need to provide my other name on the form and if I do how would I prove that? I do believe, I’d have to double check, but my documentation on my divorce says my name now also known as name then but that’s all I’d have for proof if I had to provide it. 

 

This question I felt I had to ask again since I got more specific information regarding the name change issue. 

 

Thanks in advance 

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 9:00 AM, Mike E said:

All names you’ve used in the past must be declared on any forms that ask for it. I-129F, I-130, AOS, etc. IME you are not asked to prove it.  

 

So for example my legal first name is Michael. But socially and even on a few documents like frequent traveler programs and auto insurance I am Mike. 

 

My wife is Iris socially but her legal name is an Asian name that is something much different.  And in one of her passports the goverment transliterated to the Latin alphabet one less vowel. 

 

All these names were disclosed.  

 

 

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 9:41 AM, junkmart said:

I asked my attorney whether shortened names needed to be listed, and I was told no. So far, I'm ready to be scheduled for an interview. Will update this post if shortened name becomes an issue.

 

Here is a post from a few months ago where I asked about full legal names vs. other names used. The respondent mentioned that he goes by a shortened name, but only listed his legal name. His AOS was approved.

 

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 9:50 AM, junkmart said:

If you've gone by other last names, then I think you should list the other names. Better to list it than to have it show up in a background check and have to explain why you didn't disclose that information.

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 9:54 AM, Lil bear said:

It asks for other names and aliases.  Legal name changes obviously but Aliases are “assumed names or any other name know by”. 

You MUST declare all other names used , legally assumed or nor 

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 9:57 AM, junkmart said:

I'm just speaking from others and my own experience. I understand your point, but others have been successful without listing their shortened names, for example Benjamin instead of Ben, or Douglas instead of Doug.

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 10:00 AM, Lil bear said:

The difference initially here is that it was used in official documents such as driver’s licence 

My personal rule of thumb is give them as much as you can and they can ignore it if they choose ... 

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 11:03 AM, Ontarkie said:

Yes your name was legally changed in Canada. Assuming a married name is still a legal name change, just not the same as going to the courts and getting a name change as that one changes everything down to your BC. 

 

I kept my ex's last name after divorce. I used it all through my K1 process with no issues. Just make sure you put it down as your current name and mark your maiden name in the box for other names used. Once you remarry if you want to take on a new last name just put that name in the box for current name and the ex's and maiden name in the Other names box. 

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 11:24 AM, Mike E said:

I respect that view and disagree with it. If a different name shows up in a background check and wasn't disclosed, then that can be a problem. A nick name used in informal conversations is one thing. A nick name used in written business/official correspondence, business documents and social media is another.

 

OP's reticence is about asking to prove she used the other names she is claiming to have used, and I'm stating from experience that she doesn't have to prove she used them.

 

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 11:39 AM, ashley_ann said:

Thanks for the help everyone! I really appreciate the clarification and the information. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. 

 

Thanks so much!