sunny336

This forum really helped me out during my green card process so I am back and looking for answers..

In order to make it easier to answer my question I would like to provide some general information. I am a German citizen and live in the US with a permanent resident card. I got married to a US citizen in 2012. The marriage did not work out and we are currently in the process of filing for divorce. I currently have his last name here in the US, but I did not change my last name in Germany. My current passport is in my maiden name, my green card is in my married name.

My current passport expires in February and I was hoping to be able to visit my family back in Germany this upcoming January to meet my newborn nephew. I plan on changing my last name back to maiden name on my green card as soon as the divorce is final. My husband and I are not communicating since we are going through the process of getting a divorce.

My question is, is it possible to apply for a new passport in my maiden name, before the divorce is final since I never changed my last name in Germany?

I do not want to go through a name declaration to change the last name on my German passport to my married name and then have to go through the same process again once the divorce is final.

Thank you for any answers to this questions in advance!

Congrats to all the people getting approved! Great news, very happy for you and thinking of all the people that are still waiting, soon!!! :-)

Little late but here's what we send...

Package send on 08/29/2014, Received by USCIS on 09/03/2014 Biometrics on 10/02/2014 Approved on 04/15/2015 Card send on 04/17/2015... now waiting for it to get to our house

1. Copy of our Joint Income Tax Return Form 1040 for 2012 and 2013

2. Original copy of our certified and notarized marriage license

3. Copy of bank statements from July 2012 (month we got married) to August 2014 (current statement available when sending the package) verifying joint checking and savings account

4. Copy of joint car insurance policy

5. Copy of health insurance benefits listing spouse

6. Copy of beneficiary statement showing wife as recipient of life insurance benefits

7. Copy of both driver’s licenses showing identical residence

8. Copy of title and billing information for vehicle purchased jointly.

9. ~ 120 Photos with our families and friends and together, including pictures from the wedding (short description of photo and subjects behind each photo)

10. Emails between my wife and I (the most convenient form of communication for us). <-- one year of emails
11. Copies of cards, little notes we wrote each other for special occasions and holidays and mail address to the both of us.

My service request was put in by a tier 2 officer last week Wednesday,we were approved today and we got a letter in the mail from USCIS today as well, stating that after my call last week they updated our address (our address has not changed in years and that's not why I called last week, called because we we're outside of the 6 month average processing time). During the call the Tier 2 had me confirm the address they had in the system, but that was all. I believe it really just depends on what tier 1/ then tier 2 you talk to. I called so many times, starting once we were two weeks over the six month average. I was told that VSC is behind, still working on August cases (yeah right...) and to call back in two weeks. Then I'd call again two weeks later, same response. When I called last week Tuesday I was (for the first time) transfered to a Tier 2. Who told me "in cases like this" they usually schedule an interview, which is probably why we hadn't heard anything, cause they need to schedule the interview first. I called again the next day, was transfered to a Tier 2 who then put in the service request for us. I didn't ask for it, she offered. So I wouldn't give up, I doubt every single person that works at USCIS knows what they are talking about.

Thank you KASH and nov14filers! We received a text and shortly after that a email stating that the case is updated and card is in production. It's been a ride. How many of you are going to apply for citizenship? I'm undecided on whether or not I'd want to do it. I have 10 years to figure that out now. Thanks again. It took 7,5 months, several calls to check on case with tier 1 (~3-4), two calls that were transferred to tier 2, and one service request to finally hear back.

On April 15 we ordered your card.. Yes!!!!!!!!!

The wait is finally over. Approved after 225 days of waiting. I'll list what we send in our package tonight, at work right now. I hope to see all of you being approved very soon, I know how you guys feel, hang in there! Have a great day everyone We're beyond happy to be done with this.

I sure did...they said that the Tax Return was incomplete which is rubbish, they said that the bank statements wasn't for the entire time we were married so I need every single statement, I sent a bill showing we bought the car together, I sent two affidavits, photographs together, car insurance.

Any further documents to send?

I'm very sorry to hear about your RFE, we filed about two weeks before you and we haven't heard anything so far.

My suggestions, maybe draw up Living will and/or Power of Attorney? Good to have in general. Mail/bills addressed to both of you, pictures, all bank statements, all the other things you've named sounded good!

Are both of you on the title of the car you bought together?

I hope this waiting game is over soon and you get approved quickly after responding to the RFE.

Good luck!

I just got an RFE in the mail...anybody know what else to send - I want to cry

So sorry to hear that. What did you send for the I751? It will be easier to give tips when knowing what you've send in the first place.

Keep your head up!

Good night everyone

Any approvals this week? We called on Wednesday (4/8) and had a Tier 2 issue a Service Request for our case. It's been over 7 months without any news.

When we first filed for the GC in 2012 the whole process was a lot faster. I don't think they have a specific order for the received applications. I've seen one Vermont Oct 2014 filer being approved.

Hopefully we get some positive news soon!

I called today as well. I was told they'd have to transfer my call and then the lines were all taken and I received my call back just now. The woman I spoke with was very rude throughout the call. She asked for my information and the reason for my call. I told her my case has been processing for about 7 months now and I would like an update. I was told that I received the one year extension letter for a reason, this process can take up to a year. I mentioned the average processing time they have online (6 month).

I was then told that for cases like this they usually schedule an interview. I am not sure what she meant by "cases like this". I am still trying to get over the rudeness I experienced. I hope she didn't know what she was talking about.

We'll just have to keep waiting. That the processing times aren't accurate is annoying. Well. Hopefully we all get good news soon Happy Easter everyone!

I called yesterday as well. They told me that they are still running behind (currently working on cases from 08/25) and that they are unable to open a inquiry at this time..I should call back in 9 days. I was told the exact same, 9 days ago. When trying to open the inquiry myself online, it tells me I am within the processing window. It's been 7 months and one day.

Good evening!

I was wondering what kind of evidence the people that have been approved send in for the I751?

It's been almost 7 months for us now and we're still waiting. I've called their hotline twice, last time (this Thursday) I was told that I was indeed outside of the average processing time but that

instead of doing the inquiry quite yet, to call back in 9 days. It's so frustrating...

Thank you in advance. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Please add me to the Vermont list. Thank you!

Date of I-751 = August 29th

NOA Date = September 3rd

Biometrics = October 2nd

Hope to see all of us approved soon! Good luck everyone.

Possibly. I just hope to get good news soon.

I'm aware of that. Makes you wonder what system they have with processing cases.

I actually ended up calling today (more or less out of fear our mail person would have lost yet another piece of mail, in case of an rfe, this would be very bad.. Just wanted to make sure). I was told Vermont currently works on cases from August 27th.We'll keep on waiting.

Oh and how many of you have called/ send an inquiry to check on their September case status? I am tempted but might give it some more time.

Hi everyone! I filed the I751 in September (with Vermont). They received the package on September 3rd. Had my biometrics on October 2nd and since then it's been a waiting game. Haven't heard anything and I've been checking online once every two hours, every day. Hope to see all the Vermont cases approved soon, California seems to be processing a lot faster. Have a nice day everyone. Just have to be patient.