Process for significantly changing appearance

[GordonRamsey 22]

Hi,

 

I was wondering what will happen if I get plastic surgery and significantly change my appearance while I have a green card or am awaiting an interview for one.

 

What kind of process is there? Would I just get a letter from my surgeon to reaffirm my identity? How would I go about updating the photo on my green card, and would it be necessary? Would I be required to update my foreign passport photo first as a prerequisite by going to an embassy?

 

Thanks

[payxibka 10,044]

10 minutes ago, GordonRamsey said:

Hi,

 

I was wondering what will happen if I get plastic surgery and significantly change my appearance while I have a green card or am awaiting an interview for one.

 

What kind of process is there? Would I just get a letter from my surgeon to reaffirm my identity? How would I go about updating the photo on my green card, and would it be necessary? Would I be required to update my foreign passport photo first as a prerequisite by going to an embassy?

 

Thanks

Identity is confirmed via fingerprints 

[JeanneAdil 6,191]

for a us passport there are rules

 

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/how-to-know-when-you-need-a-new-passport-photo.html#:~:text=If you have undergone significant,will need a nehttps://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/how-to-know-when-you-need-a-new-passport-photo.html#:~:text=If you have undergone significant,will need a ne

[JFH 12,189]

For your foreign passport you will need to check with the passport authority of that country as to what the rules are regarding a changed appearance. 

[Crazy Cat 39,213]

If the appearance change is extreme, I think it would be appropriate to update your Green Card.  Otherwise, it could cause issue when re-entering the US, for example.  For your Green Card, I would send in (to USCIS):

1.  The old GC

2.  I-90 explaining why you want to renew it

3.  The appropriate fee

4.  A notarized letter from you surgeon

5.  New passport style pictures........

Edited July 12, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

You didn’t specify so If you are changing your gender there’s probably a lot more needed than a note from a doctor.

[GordonRamsey 22]

On 7/12/2020 at 11:35 AM, Luckycuds said:

You didn’t specify so If you are changing your gender there’s probably a lot more needed than a note from a doctor.

This was actually why I was asking. What's different with the process for changing your gender as well?

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

12 minutes ago, GordonRamsey said:

This was actually why I was asking. What's different with the process for changing your gender as well?

It looks like you won't need proof from a surgeon but another licensed healthcare professional? Psychiatrist, counselor, social worker etc. Or a court order of your gender change- if you are changing your gender (First name as well) it would probably be best to have a court order that way you can just present that document for changing other aspects of your life (drivers license, passport, health insurance, etc; I work in healthcare and to update someones records we need a photo ID of the their new name with their gender; otherwise it will be listed as preferred name in quotes with their birth name and gender gets a bit confusing if there isn't a document stating other than what they were born) US government only recognizes male or female FYI. From what I gather both your passport and green card have to match genders if you are traveling so I would work on getting those changed at the same time. I would suggest doing some research to gather the most correct info.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-11-part-a-chapter-2

http://myattorneyusa.com/change-of-gender-designation-on-uscis-issued-documents

https://transequality.org/know-your-rights/immigration-documents

https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/files/C9D2EA3F-0350-D9AF-ACAE-BF37E9BC9FFA/attachments/4E8198CB-F277-418B-BBFF-D954B52195BB/8915en_gender-change-on-immigration-docs.pdf

https://srlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/kyr-immgr-eng-color-v2.pdf

 

 

[GordonRamsey 22]

2 hours ago, Luckycuds said:

It looks like you won't need proof from a surgeon but another licensed healthcare professional? Psychiatrist, counselor, social worker etc. Or a court order of your gender change- if you are changing your gender (First name as well) it would probably be best to have a court order that way you can just present that document for changing other aspects of your life (drivers license, passport, health insurance, etc; I work in healthcare and to update someones records we need a photo ID of the their new name with their gender; otherwise it will be listed as preferred name in quotes with their birth name and gender gets a bit confusing if there isn't a document stating other than what they were born) US government only recognizes male or female FYI. From what I gather both your passport and green card have to match genders if you are traveling so I would work on getting those changed at the same time. I would suggest doing some research to gather the most correct info.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-11-part-a-chapter-2

http://myattorneyusa.com/change-of-gender-designation-on-uscis-issued-documents

https://transequality.org/know-your-rights/immigration-documents

https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/files/C9D2EA3F-0350-D9AF-ACAE-BF37E9BC9FFA/attachments/4E8198CB-F277-418B-BBFF-D954B52195BB/8915en_gender-change-on-immigration-docs.pdf

https://srlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/kyr-immgr-eng-color-v2.pdf

 

 

Ok so my process would be something like this?

 

Get SSN

Get State Drivers License

---

Change name w/ court order process

Update Drivers License / Notify USCIS of name change

(If I intend on traveling) Go to Embassy, apply for a new foreign passport with new name supplying court order/updated drivers license as proof

---

Undergo plastic surgery significantly altering appearance and get a letter from my surgeon

Update Drivers License / Notify USCIS

(If I intend on traveling) Go to Embassy, apply for a new foreign passport with new photo with a letter from my surgeon as proof

---

Change gender meeting whatever criteria such as therapist letters/gender reassignment surgery for the court order process

Update Drivers License / Notify USCIS of gender change

(If I intend on traveling) Go to Embassy, apply for a new foreign passport with new name supplying court order/updated drivers license as proof

---

Then apply for my US passport as the correct gender when I qualify for it.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

20 minutes ago, GordonRamsey said:

Ok so my process would be something like this?

 

Get SSN

Get State Drivers License

---

Change name w/ court order process

Update Drivers License / Notify USCIS of name change

(If I intend on traveling) Go to Embassy, apply for a new foreign passport with new name supplying court order/updated drivers license as proof

---

Undergo plastic surgery significantly altering appearance and get a letter from my surgeon

Update Drivers License / Notify USCIS

(If I intend on traveling) Go to Embassy, apply for a new foreign passport with new photo with a letter from my surgeon as proof

---

Change gender meeting whatever criteria such as therapist letters/gender reassignment surgery for the court order process

Update Drivers License / Notify USCIS of gender change

(If I intend on traveling) Go to Embassy, apply for a new foreign passport with new name supplying court order/updated drivers license as proof

---

Then apply for my US passport as the correct gender when I qualify for it.

It seems like it would be easier if you plan on changing your name to do that first - then with that document get the drivers license and SSN - notify USCIS of name change and update passport if needed. Then once you change your gender update everyone again (Drivers license/SSN/USCIS/Passport)

 

If you get your drivers license and SSN now you will have to update both name change and gender.(3 trips to the DMV vs 2) Or you can hold off on changing your name and do everything once you change your gender.