Step-daughter turns 18 and changes last name to mine after filing I-130

[abandonedlosttime 0]

My wife and I were married in Ukraine November 2020, and she began using my last name immediately. My step-daughter has no contact with her biological father so she planned to take my last name once she turned 18 in March 2021. Not wanting to delay the i-130 process, I filed the I-130's online for both of them on April 27th 2021.

 

My step-daughter's name change was completed in June 2021, and we expect her passport to be ready in a couple days. All of the posts I have read on name changes during the I-130 process deal with spouses rather than step-children. The consensus says I should send an email or a letter to the NVC advising them of the name change after the NOA2 is received.

 

I prefer to keep this process as streamlined as possible. Is it advisable to fill out the next round of paper work using my daughter's current name (her last name would be different than on her I-130) and include her former name in the appropriate field on the form? Then upload the translated name change and new passport. That seems like a cleaner process than sending an email or a physical letter.

 

If a letter or email is the correct path, can anyone suggest a point in the timeline where it is best sent? I'm unclear on how the approved I-130 moves from Nebraska/Potomac to NVC to the consulate. It should be electronic and immediate, but I hear the transfer takes a lot of time.

 

Thanks, David

 

3/13/2020 - Met on russiancupid.com

March 2020 - Matched on eHarmony

6/30/2020 to 8/19/2020 - First visit

10/1/2020 - Rented an apartment in Vinnytsia

10/28/2020 to 12/4/2020 - Second visit (out of visa days)

11/20/2020 - Married in Vinnytsia, Ukraine

12/7/2020 - Applied for D-Visa to enter Ukraine as a spouse and apply for temporary residency.

12/28/2020 - Passport received with D-Visa (seven hours before my flight.......)

12/28/2020 to 4/3/2021 - Third visit

1/13/2021 - Granted temporary residence in Ukraine (Total time from visa application was 37 days)

March 2021 - Step-daughter turns 18 and changes her last name to mine.

5/31/2021 to 9/3/2021 - Fourth visit

June 2021 - Step-daughter's name change is completed in Ukraine.

 

USCIS

4/27/2021 - Filed wife's and 18-year-old step-daughter's I-130 package online

4/27/2021 - NOA1 received, Nebraska Service Center (wife)

4/27/2021 - NOA1 received, Potomac Service Center (step-daughter) - 

Waiting.........

- I-130 approved!!

- USCIS sent case to NVC

 

NVC

- NVC received

- Case number assigned

- Submitted DS-261

- Paid AOS fee

- Sent IV and AOS package

- Scan date

- Got DS-261 reviewed on call

- IV bill available and paid the same day (currently "In Process")

- IV bill status changed to "Paid"

- Submitted DS - 260

- Case Complete!!!

- Received interview letter (P4) via e-mail (Interview date --- )

Edited August 24, 2021 by TinCup
added timeline

[arken 4,197]

6 minutes ago, TinCup said:

I prefer to keep this process as streamlined as possible. Is it advisable to fill out the next round of paper work using my daughter's current name (her last name would be different than on her I-130) and include her former name in the appropriate field on the form? Then upload the translated name change and new passport. That seems like a cleaner process than sending an email or a physical letter.

Agreed with this.

Edited August 24, 2021 by arken

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

You'll have to wait until the case gets to NVC.  At that point, you will have to submit a lot of documentation.  I would just submit the legal name change document at that time, and fill out everything in her new name at NVC (including the DS-260).  

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

It will not be difficult as long as she had her name changed legally in court, and not just a decision to make the name change, and go by your last name.  

[pushbrk 12,969]

8 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

You'll have to wait until the case gets to NVC.  At that point, you will have to submit a lot of documentation.  I would just submit the legal name change document at that time, and fill out everything in her new name at NVC (including the DS-260).  

That is the correct procedure.