Tricia599

....the name on the passport will be the name on the visa and GC....

This was not our experience. My husband decided to add my last name to his (long story that has caused more aggravation and explanations than I care to count, but it's something he wanted to do). So our brazilian marriage certificate shows his name change and we changed most of his documents, but not his passport, since he still had 3 years left on it. We filled out all the forms with his new "married" name, but his passport still has his old "maiden" name (he hates it when I call it that). His passport visa and green card (both the conditional and the permanent) show his married name. His passport is up for renewal this year, so we'll finally get that changed now.

So unless something has changed, you shouldn't have a problem with the maiden name in the passport at the consulate or beyond (we had a 751 interview at the USCIS office in our town and no worries there either).

Good luck!

Update for the OP - we had our interview this morning. We were very nervous! But in the end, all went well. We were recommended for approval.

We brought everything that we could think of - the originals of everything we sent for the original petition and RFE plus anything else that we could get our hands on that showed we were married. We ended up with 3-1.5" binders. We also hired an interpreter to come with us. My husband's english is pretty basic, so I just felt better with someone there (I sent the local USCIS office a letter asking if I could bring an interpreter and they called me and said it was OK).

When they finally called us in, the interviewer was very nice. We were sworn in and after asking some basics questions of each of us - full name, birthday, address, etc. - most of the questions were directed to me. Where did I work, what were my hours, where did my husband work, what were his hours, how long had he worked there, what kind of house do we have, how many bedrooms, where is our bedroom, what did we do for christmas and new year's, do we have health insurance. Basic stuff. He took notes while I answered. After about 10 minutes, he said that everything looked ok. He asked to see our mortgage docs (we bought a house since we originally filed in May), our joint checking statements, and documents showing we have health insurance together. He looked at everything and gave it all back to me. He then asked my husband a few things - what did he get me for christmas, and a few other basic questions. That was it.

He even said he is not sure why they called us for an interview, since we had good evidence to start with. So I suppose sometimes you have to go through some rough stuff to appreciate the good stuff. Ain't that the truth!

Good luck with your interview. If you're prepared, you will do just fine. If I can give any more info, let me know!

Interview went well. We were recommended for approval. The man who interviewed us said he would do his best to get us approved in the system today. This was indeed an experience! We are much relieved.

Good luck to all who are still waiting!!!

California Service Center (21 applicants, 20 approved 95%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

BIANCA'N'DOUG........05/02/11........05/??/11.......06/13/11........09/27/11....

SHEFELLFROMHEAVEN....05/03/11........05/05/11.......06/06/11........09/01/11.... (card received 9/08/11)

ALEX & RACHEL........05/03/11........05/06/11.......06/15/11........10/06/11.... (card received 10/13/11)

NW MUSHROOM..........05/03/11........05/05/11.......07/11/11........12/23/11.... (RFE received 12/10, Response Sent 12/12)

CHRISTERA22..........05/06/11........05/09/11.......06/06/11........09/06/11.... (card received 9/12/11)

DIAZY................05/09/11........05/10/11.......07/06/11........09/28/11.... (Early bio 6/20) (Card received 10/03/11)

TRICIA599............05/10/11........05/11/11.......06/20/11........01/19/12.... (RFE received 10/21/11, Interview Date 1/19)

RROBIN...............05/10/11........05/12/11.......06/20/11........11/18/11....

FRENCHY..............05/16/11........05/17/11.......06/14/11........09/21/11.... (card received 9/26/11)

DANIELWHITE..........05/16/11........05/17/11.......06/22/11........10/07/11.... (card received 10/13/11)

SEPTEMBERGOLD........05/17/11........05/25/11.......06/27/11........10/17/11.... (card received 10/21/11)

SUZANNYO.............05/19/11........05/23/11.......06/27/11........07/14/11....

DALE_TRISHA..........05/20/11........05/23/11.......08/03/11........10/20/11.... (card received 10/24/11)

CANADIANMADE.........05/20/11........05/23/11.......06/13/11........09/20/11.... (card received 9/24/11)

RASBERRY.............05/20/11........05/23/11.......06/23/11........10/11/11.... (card received 10/15/11)

S

BLONDPRINCESS........05/23/11........05/31/11.......06/27/11........10/17/11....

SFU + TFU............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/21/11........10/03/11.... (card received 10/7/11)

D&I..................05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/20/11........11/05/11.... (RFE received 10/19) (card received 11/07/11)

ON-QUEUE.............05/24/11........05/25/11.......07/20/11........12/01/11.... (Early Bio 7/06), Card received 12/08/2011

THREEC...............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/15/11........06/27/11.... (Card received 6/29/11)

ANGELA & PAUL........05/31/11........06/02/11.......07/11/11........--/--/12....

Vermont Service Center (50 applicants, 15 approved 30%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

WELSHDAN.............04/27/11........05/03/11.......08/10/11........--/--/12....

YOINK................05/02/11........05/05/11.......07/08/11........--/--/12.... (Scheduled Late Bio)

HARRY_SIDHU..........05/02/11........05/10/11.......06/24/11........--/--/12....

TINKERBELLUK.........05/02/11........05/09/11.......06/17/11........--/--/12....

JEAN0414.............05/03/11........05/05/11.......06/20/11........--/--/12....

SHERRY09.............05/??/11........05/06/11.......06/20/11........--/--/12....

EDINA................05/04/11........05/09/11.......06/27/11........--/--/12.... (early bio 06/24)

RAHEEMB..............05/??/11........05/09/11.......??/??/11........01/06/12....

SWANTIGER............05/04/11........05/24/11.......06/27/11........--/--/12....

KMEHMOOD1............05/06/11........05/10/11.......06/26/11........--/--/12.... (Early bio 6/07)

PRINCESS_MARICAR.....05/06/11........05/10/11.......06/17/11........--/--/12....

J&N79................05/07/11........05/09/11.......06/17/11........--/--/12....

CLAUSKI..............05/07/11........05/10/11.......06/15/11........--/--/12....

JOHN HALL............05/09/11........05/11/11.......06/26/11........12/16/11.... (card received 12/24)

CHIC.................05/09/11........05/12/11.......06/27/11........--/--/12.... (NOA1 info derived from immigration lawyer.)

FLORIDA RES..........05/10/11........--/--/11.......06/17/11........01/11/12.... (never received NOA1)

HARRY_SIDHU..........05/10/11........05/??/11.......06/24/11........--/--/12....

VIP1.................05/11/11........05/16/11.......06/23/11........--/--/12....

MARY AND ENRIQUE.....05/12/11........05/16/11.......07/19/11........--/--/12....

SUZUKIWOOKIE.........05/13/11........05/17/11.......06/21/11........01/04/12....

FURIOUSNG............05/14/11........05/19/11.......06/23/11........12/16/11.... (Card received 01/05/2012)

~LAURA AND NICK~.....05/14/11........05/17/11.......06/28/11........--/--/12....

BOBONIJA.............05/14/11........05/17/11.......07/22/11........--/--/12....

AUDREYBELLA..........05/16/11........05/18/11.......06/23/11........01/04/12.... (Card received 01/09/2012)

MADWOMAN.............05/16/11........05/31/11.......--/--/11........--/--/12....

DEIDRE...............05/17/11........05/19/11.......07/20/11........12/30/11.... (Early bio 06/28 Raleigh-Durham)

HELLOMIFFY...........05/17/11........05/20/11.......06/27/11........--/--/12.... (Early bio 6/16 New York)

VMM..................05/17/11........05/20/11.......06/23/11........--/--/12....

DAGOBERT.............05/19/11........05/23/11.......07/28/11........--/--/12....

PATTU RANI...........05/19/11........--/--/11.......07/11/11........--/--/12....

TJBRUM...............05/19/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/12....

EDDY67...............05/19/11........05/23/11.......08/15/11........--/--/12....

RUPA.................05/20/11........05/23/11.......07/11/11........01/09/12....

SYMBIOSIS............05/20/11........??/??/11.......08/01/11........--/--/12....

TOSHKA...............05/20/11........05/31/11.......06/21/11........--/--/12....

ANGUS28..............05/23/11........05/25/11.......06/30/11........01/10/12....

SAUKOZSA.............05/23/11........05/26/11.......06/29/11........01/06/12.... (Early bio 6/16)

METEORO0915..........05/23/11........05/26/11.......07/11/11........01/10/12....

RAZORBACK............05/23/11........05/27/11.......07/06/11........--/--/12....

DFFKTLZL.............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/30/11........01/05/12....

NYCFENG..............05/24/11........05/??/11.......06/16/11........12/30/11....

JENNYWU..............05/24/11........05/31/11.......07/20/11........01/05/12.... (Card received 01/09/2012)

WINIFREDBEE..........05/??/11........05/27/11.......07/11/11........01/09/12....

SAL AND JAY..........05/26/11........06/01/11.......07/13/11........--/--/12....

CHRIS39..............05/26/11........05/31/11.......07/17/11........--/--/12....

CATT.................05/26/11........05/31/11.......07/13/11........--/--/12....

OPHELIA783...........05/27/11........06/01/11.......07/06/11........--/--/12....

JAMES_N_KAREN........05/27/11........06/01/11.......07/25/11........--/--/12....

DARKLUCK909..........05/27/11........05/30/11.......06/21/11........--/--/12.... (Early bio 6/17 New York)

ADRIAN01.............05/31/11........06/02/11.......07/13/11........--/--/12....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

I can let you know after the 19th, since that's when ours is. I really don't know what to expect. The appointment letters said we should bring supporting evidence and originals of everything we submitted copies of already. Our RFE was for proof of communal residence, which we don't have a lot of, since we lived with my mom until a few months ago. But I have a lot of stuff showing us at the same address over the years, so I hope that satisfies them. I seriously underestimated the amount of stress involved in this process.

Updating with interview date. Yikes!!

California Service Center (21 applicants, 19 approved 90%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

BIANCA'N'DOUG........05/02/11........05/??/11.......06/13/11........09/27/11....

SHEFELLFROMHEAVEN....05/03/11........05/05/11.......06/06/11........09/01/11.... (card received 9/08/11)

ALEX & RACHEL........05/03/11........05/06/11.......06/15/11........10/06/11.... (card received 10/13/11)

NW MUSHROOM..........05/03/11........05/05/11.......07/11/11........12/23/11.... (RFE received 12/10, Response Sent 12/12)

CHRISTERA22..........05/06/11........05/09/11.......06/06/11........09/06/11.... (card received 9/12/11)

DIAZY................05/09/11........05/10/11.......07/06/11........09/28/11.... (Early bio 6/20) (Card received 10/03/11)

TRICIA599............05/10/11........05/11/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 10/21/11, Interview Date 1/19)

RROBIN...............05/10/11........05/12/11.......06/20/11........11/18/11....

FRENCHY..............05/16/11........05/17/11.......06/14/11........09/21/11.... (card received 9/26/11)

DANIELWHITE..........05/16/11........05/17/11.......06/22/11........10/07/11.... (card received 10/13/11)

SEPTEMBERGOLD........05/17/11........05/25/11.......06/27/11........10/17/11.... (card received 10/21/11)

SUZANNYO.............05/19/11........05/23/11.......06/27/11........07/14/11....

DALE_TRISHA..........05/20/11........05/23/11.......08/03/11........10/20/11.... (card received 10/24/11)

CANADIANMADE.........05/20/11........05/23/11.......06/13/11........09/20/11.... (card received 9/24/11)

RASBERRY.............05/20/11........05/23/11.......06/23/11........10/11/11.... (card received 10/15/11)

BLONDPRINCESS........05/23/11........05/31/11.......06/27/11........10/17/11....

SFU + TFU............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/21/11........10/03/11.... (card received 10/7/11)

D&I..................05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/20/11........11/05/11.... (RFE received 10/19) (card received 11/07/11)

ON-QUEUE.............05/24/11........05/25/11.......07/20/11........12/01/11.... (Early Bio 7/06), Card received 12/08/2011

THREEC...............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/15/11........06/27/11.... (Card received 6/29/11)

ANGELA & PAUL........05/31/11........06/02/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

Vermont Service Center (44 applicants, 4 approved 9%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

WELSHDAN.............04/27/11........05/03/11.......08/10/11........--/--/11....

YOINK................05/02/11........05/05/11.......07/08/11........--/--/11.... (Scheduled Late Bio)

HARRY_SIDHU..........05/02/11........05/10/11.......06/24/11........--/--/11....

TINKERBELLUK.........05/02/11........05/09/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

JEAN0414.............05/03/11........05/05/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11....

SHERRY09.............05/??/11........05/06/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11....

EDINA................05/04/11........05/09/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 06/24)

SWANTIGER............05/04/11........05/24/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11....

KMEHMOOD1............05/06/11........05/10/11.......06/26/11........--/--/11.... (Early bio 6/07)

PRINCESS_MARICAR.....05/06/11........05/10/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

J&N79................05/07/11........05/09/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

CLAUSKI..............05/07/11........05/10/11.......06/15/11........--/--/11....

JOHN HALL............05/09/11........05/11/11.......06/26/11........12/16/11.... (card received 12/24)

CHIC.................05/09/11........05/12/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11.... (NOA1 info derived from immigration lawyer.)

FLORIDA RES..........05/10/11........--/--/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11.... (never received NOA1)

HARRY_SIDHU..........05/10/11........05/??/11.......06/24/11........--/--/11....

VIP1.................05/11/11........05/16/11.......06/23/11........--/--/11....

MARY AND ENRIQUE.....05/12/11........05/16/11.......07/19/11........--/--/11....

SUZUKIWOOKIE.........05/13/11........05/17/11.......06/21/11........--/--/11....

FURIOUSNG............05/14/11........05/19/11.......06/23/11........12/16/11.... (Card received 01/05/2011)

~LAURA AND NICK~.....05/14/11........05/17/11.......06/28/11........--/--/11....

AUDREYBELLA..........05/16/11........05/18/11.......06/23/11........--/--/11....

MADWOMAN.............05/16/11........05/31/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

DEIDRE...............05/17/11........05/19/11.......07/20/11........12/30/11.... (Early bio 06/28 Raleigh-Durham)

HELLOMIFFY...........05/17/11........05/20/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11.... (Early bio 6/16 New York)

VMM..................05/17/11........05/20/11.......06/23/11........--/--/11....

DAGOBERT.............05/19/11........05/23/11.......07/28/11........--/--/11....

PATTU RANI...........05/19/11........--/--/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

TJBRUM...............05/19/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

EDDY67...............05/19/11........05/23/11.......08/15/11........--/--/11....

RUPA.................05/20/11........05/23/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

SYMBIOSIS............05/20/11........??/??/11.......08/01/11........--/--/11....

ANGUS28..............05/23/11........05/25/11.......06/30/11........--/--/11....

METEORO0915..........05/23/11........05/26/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

DFFKTLZL.............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/30/11........--/--/11....

NYCFENG..............05/24/11........05/??/11.......06/16/11........12/30/11....

WINIFREDBEE..........05/??/11........05/27/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

SAL AND JAY..........05/26/11........06/01/11.......07/13/11........--/--/11....

CHRIS39..............05/26/11........05/31/11.......07/17/11........--/--/11....

CATT.................05/26/11........05/31/11.......07/13/11........--/--/11....

OPHELIA783...........05/27/11........06/01/11.......07/06/11........--/--/11....

JAMES_N_KAREN........05/27/11........06/01/11.......07/25/11........--/--/11....

DARKLUCK909..........05/27/11........05/30/11.......06/21/11........--/--/11.... (Early bio 6/17 New York)

ADRIAN01.............05/31/11........06/02/11.......07/13/11........--/--/11....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Happy New Year to all!

Congrats to all those approved! Just an update since everyone from CSC is almost done - we had an RFE in October. As we were closing on our house and had other assorted stress, I didn't send in our response until 12/17. In a letter dated 12/22, we got a letter stating that we were being referred for an interview. The letter actually arrived on New Year's Eve. Yeah, that sucked.

So after having a few days to kick it around, I am still pretty worried, but we'll get through it. We got our RFE for proof of communal residence, which is hard, since when we lived in Brazil, we lived in his houe (I couldn't own anything since my residency was still pending when we left), and when we moved here, we lived with my parents until last October when we bought the house. I sent what I had with the RFE - new house docs, explanation of our residence history, a few letters mailed to both of us, and 5 affidavits with pics and such from family and friends. I'm at a loss for what else to give, because I am pretty tapped out for evidence. If the interview is like the one we had in Rio de Janeiro, where we had a binder (that I am sorry to say I cannot find after the move) of stuff that no one even asked to look at, that would be great. But I don't know. My husband's english is still not fantastic - he can get by, but there is still a lot he doesn't understand. That is my main worry.

So if anyone has any advice, please feel free to pass it along! It would be appreciated!

California Service Center (21 applicants, 19 approved 90%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

BIANCA'N'DOUG........05/02/11........05/??/11.......06/13/11........09/27/11....

SHEFELLFROMHEAVEN....05/03/11........05/05/11.......06/06/11........09/01/11.... (card received 9/08/11)

ALEX & RACHEL........05/03/11........05/06/11.......06/15/11........10/06/11.... (card received 10/13/11)

NW MUSHROOM..........05/03/11........05/05/11.......07/11/11........12/23/11.... (RFE received 12/10, Response Sent 12/12)

CHRISTERA22..........05/06/11........05/09/11.......06/06/11........09/06/11.... (card received 9/12/11)

DIAZY................05/09/11........05/10/11.......07/06/11........09/28/11.... (Early bio 6/20) (Card received 10/03/11)

TRICIA599............05/10/11........05/11/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 10/21/11, Referral for interview received 12/31)

RROBIN...............05/10/11........05/12/11.......06/20/11........11/18/11....

FRENCHY..............05/16/11........05/17/11.......06/14/11........09/21/11.... (card received 9/26/11)

DANIELWHITE..........05/16/11........05/17/11.......06/22/11........10/07/11.... (card received 10/13/11)

SEPTEMBERGOLD........05/17/11........05/25/11.......06/27/11........10/17/11.... (card received 10/21/11)

SUZANNYO.............05/19/11........05/23/11.......06/27/11........07/14/11....

DALE_TRISHA..........05/20/11........05/23/11.......08/03/11........10/20/11.... (card received 10/24/11)

CANADIANMADE.........05/20/11........05/23/11.......06/13/11........09/20/11.... (card received 9/24/11)

RASBERRY.............05/20/11........05/23/11.......06/23/11........10/11/11.... (card received 10/15/11)

BLONDPRINCESS........05/23/11........05/31/11.......06/27/11........10/17/11....

SFU + TFU............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/21/11........10/03/11.... (card received 10/7/11)

D&I..................05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/20/11........11/05/11.... (RFE received 10/19) (card received 11/07/11)

ON-QUEUE.............05/24/11........05/25/11.......07/20/11........12/01/11.... (Early Bio 7/06), Card received 12/08/2011

THREEC...............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/15/11........06/27/11.... (Card received 6/29/11)

ANGELA & PAUL........05/31/11........06/02/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

Vermont Service Center (44 applicants, 3 approved 7%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

WELSHDAN.............04/27/11........05/03/11.......08/10/11........--/--/11....

YOINK................05/02/11........05/05/11.......07/08/11........--/--/11.... (Scheduled Late Bio)

HARRY_SIDHU..........05/02/11........05/10/11.......06/24/11........--/--/11....

TINKERBELLUK.........05/02/11........05/09/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

JEAN0414.............05/03/11........05/05/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11....

SHERRY09.............05/??/11........05/06/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11....

EDINA................05/04/11........05/09/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 06/24)

SWANTIGER............05/04/11........05/24/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11....

KMEHMOOD1............05/06/11........05/10/11.......06/26/11........--/--/11.... (Early bio 6/07)

PRINCESS_MARICAR.....05/06/11........05/10/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

J&N79................05/07/11........05/09/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

CLAUSKI..............05/07/11........05/10/11.......06/15/11........--/--/11....

JOHN HALL............05/09/11........05/11/11.......06/26/11........12/16/11.... (card received 12/24)

CHIC.................05/09/11........05/12/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11.... (NOA1 info derived from immigration lawyer.)

FLORIDA RES..........05/10/11........--/--/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11.... (never received NOA1)

HARRY_SIDHU..........05/10/11........05/??/11.......06/24/11........--/--/11....

VIP1.................05/11/11........05/16/11.......06/23/11........--/--/11....

MARY AND ENRIQUE.....05/12/11........05/16/11.......07/19/11........--/--/11....

SUZUKIWOOKIE.........05/13/11........05/17/11.......06/21/11........--/--/11....

FURIOUSNG............05/14/11........05/19/11.......06/23/11........12/16/11....

~LAURA AND NICK~.....05/14/11........05/17/11.......06/28/11........--/--/11....

AUDREYBELLA..........05/16/11........05/18/11.......06/23/11........--/--/11....

MADWOMAN.............05/16/11........05/31/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

DEIDRE...............05/17/11........05/19/11.......07/20/11........--/--/11.... (Early bio 06/28 Raleigh-Durham)

HELLOMIFFY...........05/17/11........05/20/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11.... (Early bio 6/16 New York)

VMM..................05/17/11........05/20/11.......06/23/11........--/--/11....

DAGOBERT.............05/19/11........05/23/11.......07/28/11........--/--/11....

PATTU RANI...........05/19/11........--/--/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

TJBRUM...............05/19/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

EDDY67...............05/19/11........05/23/11.......08/15/11........--/--/11....

RUPA.................05/20/11........05/23/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

SYMBIOSIS............05/20/11........??/??/11.......08/01/11........--/--/11....

ANGUS28..............05/23/11........05/25/11.......06/30/11........--/--/11....

METEORO0915..........05/23/11........05/26/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

DFFKTLZL.............05/24/11........05/25/11.......06/30/11........--/--/11....

NYCFENG..............05/24/11........05/??/11.......06/16/11........12/30/11....

WINIFREDBEE..........05/??/11........05/27/11.......07/11/11........--/--/11....

SAL AND JAY..........05/26/11........06/01/11.......07/13/11........--/--/11....

CHRIS39..............05/26/11........05/31/11.......07/17/11........--/--/11....

CATT.................05/26/11........05/31/11.......07/13/11........--/--/11....

OPHELIA783...........05/27/11........06/01/11.......07/06/11........--/--/11....

JAMES_N_KAREN........05/27/11........06/01/11.......07/25/11........--/--/11....

DARKLUCK909..........05/27/11........05/30/11.......06/21/11........--/--/11.... (Early bio 6/17 New York)

ADRIAN01.............05/31/11........06/02/11.......07/13/11........--/--/11....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Thanks. I appreciate your optimism! Since we were married for a year in Brazil before we applied for his CR-1 visa, I assumed this was pretty open and shut. It never occurred to me that we wouldn't be approved straightaway. But after a few days to ponder, I'm still worried, but not as worried, I suppose.

Good luck to you in your case!!

Happy New Year!

In today's mail we got a notice that our ROC case has been relocated to our local field office and that we are going to be called for an interview. I am a little freaked out about this, so I would appreciate any advice from anyone who's been through this. I don't know what to expect - do I need a lawyer? If the interview goes poorly, can I appeal? How do I prepare?

Some background - we sent in our ROC petition in May. Our original evidence contained:

*Copies of Permanent Resident Card

*Copy of US Federal Tax Return Transcript for the following Tax Periods:

2008 – “Married filing Separately” as my husband was not a US resident at the time I filed;

2009 – “Married filing Jointly”

2010 – “Married filing Jointly”

*Copy of our Driver’s Licenses showing the same address;

*Copies of our joint checking account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in September 2009;

*Copies of our joint savings account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in March 2010;

*Copies of our joint savings account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in June 2010;

*Copy of the original beneficiary form showing MY HUSBAND as the beneficiary to my supplemental life insurance offered by my employer;

*Copies of my employer’s Human Resources Management System showing MY HUSBAND as my dependent and beneficiary for insurance plans offered by my employer (annual, also most recent year’s election summary);

*Copies of installment loan, memorandum of title, registration, and insurance for jointly owned vehicle purchased in April 2011;

*Copies of our joint credit cards;

*Copies of our cell phone statements (at quarterly intervals) that show phones on the same family plan;

Please note, the plan is registered under my mother’s name. Individual names of the phone owners do not appear on the bill until the August 2010 statement;

*Copies of our boarding passes for a trip to Brazil in November 2010;

Please note, we have not changed our names in our passports to reflect our married names. As a result, the boarding passes are issued in our previous names.

*Photos from trips taken together

At the end of October, we got the RFE asking for more evidence of a good faith marriage and proof of communal residence dating back to the date of our marriage. he problem is, and I explained this on our cover letter, since we moved to the US in July 2009 we've been living with my parents (we bought our own home this past October). So we had no joint mortgage, utility bills, etc. Previous to that, we lived in his house in Brazil, which was in his name only since I could not own property not being a permanent resident (I had conditional status since our marriage in May 2008. By the time we left, the process had not been completed).

At the time we got the RFE, we were in the process of a messy closing on our new house, so I put this on the back burner. I sent in our response on December 17 with the following:

*Copy of the RFE letter

*Copy of my husband's perm. resident card

*Copy of the original cover letter listing the original evidence

*Letter signed by my husband and I explaining our residence since marriage

*Letter from my mom stating that we lived with her since arriving in the US in July 2009 and including emailed receiptis from gift baskets she had sent to us while in Brasil

*Copy of the declarations page of our homeowners policy issued in October 2011

*Copy of the settlement statement for our new mortgage

*Printout from our county auditor's site showing joint ownership of our house

*Copy of the change of address confirmation from USCIS when we moved to our new home

*Copies of mail sent to us at my mom's address and the new house

*Letters and affidavits of support (5) from friends and relatives.

I don't have anything else to show them. Add to that the fact that my husband's english still is not fantastic (he was working for a friend of ours up until the end of September when he got a job in a local garage and was "on the books") Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

*

Thanks for all of the advice. Since we're already packing, I am going through everything to see what we can come up with. We'll include the affadvits anyway.

Thanks again!!! We'll keep our fingers crossed!

I am in need of some advice. I posted this in the May 2011 Filers thread, but I would appreciate any advice from everybody, since I assume not everyone reads the May 2011 thread...

So bad news...we got an RFE requesting proof of a good faith marriage and residence from 2008-2011 (we came to the US in July of 2009). The problem is, and I explained this on our cover letter, since we moved to the US in July 2009 we've been living with my parents (we actually just bought our own house - we're closing next week). So we have no joint mortgage, utility bills, etc. Previous to that, we lived in his house in Brazil, which was in his name only since I could not own property not being a permanent resident (I had conditional status since our marriage in May 2008. By the time we left, the process had not been completed).

As a side question, is it usual for the USCIS to ask for the evidence of residence from the period before the initial approval? We went DCF and that initial CR-1 approval was based on our marriage, so I would think that we already proved that part at the Consulate in Brasil.

I can have my mom write a letter stating that we were living with her, but per the RFE letter, affidavits are not acceptable proof. So I am feeling pretty stuck. I can see if I saved any letters addressed to both of us, but as I was focusing on the financial side (tax returns, co-mingled funds, etc), I'm not sure what I have. Below is what we sent in the first place - it's a cut and paste from our cover letter. Thanks in advance for any advice!!!

What we sent:

*Copies of Permanent Resident Card

*Copy of US Federal Tax Return Transcript for the following Tax Periods:

2008 – “Married filing Separately” as my husband was not a US resident at the time I filed;

2009 – “Married filing Jointly”

2010 – “Married filing Jointly”

*Copy of our Driver’s Licenses showing the same address;

*Copies of our joint checking account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in September 2009;

*Copies of our joint savings account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in March 2010;

*Copies of our joint savings account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in June 2010;

*Copy of the original beneficiary form showing MY HUSBAND as the beneficiary to my supplemental life insurance offered by my employer;

*Copies of my employer’s Human Resources Management System showing MY HUSBAND as my dependent and beneficiary for insurance plans offered by my employer (annual, also most recent year’s election summary);

*Copies of installment loan, memorandum of title, registration, and insurance for jointly owned vehicle purchased in April 2011;

*Copies of our joint credit cards;

*Copies of our cell phone statements (at quarterly intervals) that show phones on the same family plan;

Please note, the plan is registered under my mother’s name. Individual names of the phone owners do not appear on the bill until the August 2010 statement;

*Copies of our boarding passes for a trip to Brazil in November 2010;

Please note, we have not changed our names in our passports to reflect our married names. As a result, the boarding passes are issued in our previous names.

*Photos from trips taken together.

We're closing next week as well, but we weren't asked for anything from my husband, who is in the middle of ROC. We did have to state he was a permanent resident on the loan application though - it was one of the standard questions.

Just a tip, if you add your spouse as an authorized user on your credit cards (get them a card in their name on your account), your credit history will become their credit history. So even though my husband has only been here 2 years and only working a short while, he has my 20 years of credit history on his credit report, so his score is almost as good as mine. Because of that we got a really great rate. So if you have good credit, get your spouse a card on your existing accounts.

So bad news...just got the call from home that we got an RFE. They are requesting proof of us living together from 2008-2011. The problem is, and I explained this on our cover letter, since we moved to the US in July 2009 we've been living with my parents (we actually just bought our own house - we're closing next week). So we have no joint mortgage, utility bills, etc. Previous to that, we lived in his house in Brazil, which was in his name only since I could not own property not being a permanent resident (I had conditional status since our marriage in May 2008. By the time we left, the process had not been completed).

I can have my mom write a letter stating that we were living with her, but other than that, I'm not sure what else I can send. Below is what we sent in the first place - it's a cut and paste from our cover letter. Thanks in advance for any advice!!!

What we sent:

*Copies of Permanent Resident Card

*Copy of US Federal Tax Return Transcript for the following Tax Periods:

2008 – “Married filing Separately” as my husband was not a US resident at the time I filed;

2009 – “Married filing Jointly”

2010 – “Married filing Jointly”

*Copy of our Driver’s Licenses showing the same address;

*Copies of our joint checking account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in September 2009;

*Copies of our joint savings account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in March 2010;

*Copies of our joint savings account statements (at quarterly intervals) that was opened in June 2010;

*Copy of the original beneficiary form showing MY HUSBAND as the beneficiary to my supplemental life insurance offered by my employer;

*Copies of my employer’s Human Resources Management System showing MY HUSBAND as my dependent and beneficiary for insurance plans offered by my employer (annual, also most recent year’s election summary);

*Copies of installment loan, memorandum of title, registration, and insurance for jointly owned vehicle purchased in April 2011;

*Copies of our joint credit cards;

*Copies of our cell phone statements (at quarterly intervals) that show phones on the same family plan;

Please note, the plan is registered under my mother’s name. Individual names of the phone owners do not appear on the bill until the August 2010 statement;

*Copies of our boarding passes for a trip to Brazil in November 2010;

Please note, we have not changed our names in our passports to reflect our married names. As a result, the boarding passes are issued in our previous names.

*Photos from trips taken together.

We just received RFE today dated october 14. Can someone add this to the new list please? They are requiring more evidence.We really have sent all we could in. Since the start of this process his Liscense has expired and has been issued a new one. Maybe thats the reason?

I am sorry to hear that! We had a 6/20 biometric date too...I was hoping that we were just down at the bottom of the pile for the week of 6/20 since a few people with biometric dates after us had been approved. So it looks like we'll be getting an RFE as well. We're preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.

Good luck to you!

Hi there,could I ask you for the name of the website that you mentioned for expats in Brazil??

Regards

Sure. It's www.gringoes.com - there is a great forum if you're working out visa issues in Brazil.

My husband and I were in the same situation when we first married in Brazil. We hadn't planned on moving to the US at that time - I just wanted him to meet my family. We went for a tourist visa, but it wasn't an automatic thing. At the toursit visa interview, the consular guy asked us why we weren't going for the immigrant visa. I really looked like we were headed for a denial (which freaked out my husband so he just clammed up), but the consular guy started talking to me, which is what saved us and got the approval (turns out we both went through the same exchange student program in high school to Brazil). He flat out told us that they routinely deny tourist visas for recently married spouses because they think that you are trying to circumvent the immigration process - which is much more expensive and time consuming. This has been confirmed by a number of people I know on another formum dedicated to expats in Brazil. It's a "guilty before proven innocent mentality" there, so I would asusme that is true of all of the "developing countries" (I don't know what the correct PC term is for it now).

Long story short, if you are just going to visit, I would say that the tourist visa is the correct visa. However, if you are recently married - less than 2-3 years - be prepared for a denial. Go with your wife to the interview and make sure that you have some really stong evidence of her ties to your home country in your application - everyone that I have spoken to about this has said that the consular person never looked at any of the supporting evidence you bring to the interview, so the most weight is put on the applicaiton. I am positive that if my husband had gone to the interview alone, he would have been denied.

Sorry to be such a downer, but an approval is possible. Good luck!!

You can file your I-129 and/or I-130 at any of the consulates in Brasil, so maybe that is what is causing the confusion. However, all the interviews for immigration are done in Rio. That's just how they roll.

I am also confused. Is she your wife or your girlfriend? If she's your girlfriend, you don't have time to get married if you want to start your job in 30 days - unless you have all your documents ready (authenticated and translated) and you can get around the cartorio waiting period. But as you probably know, nothing is easy in Brasil....

If you are already married, then you could file DCF and then head to the US by yourself and come back for the interview. (I'm sure other VJ'ers will pipe up if this is not correct).

Just as a general question that has nothing to do with the topic - how did you get permanencia without marriage? Investor visa?

My husband and I did this. Our circumstances were a bit different in that we didn't plan to come back to the US, but the process is the same if your live in Brasil for more than 6 months and will file DCF.

With regards to taxes, you still need to file them. If you do get a job in Brasil, there is a place to declare your income on the 1040. More than likely, it will be less than the threshold and you won't owe anything.

If you want to move back to the US, your wife will need a sponsor(s). You are always the primary sponsor, and if you don't have enough income/assets to get you over the guideline wage, you'll need a co-sponsor. There is no way to get around that.

My advice is to go into this with your eyes wide open. Living day-to-day in Brasil is a heck of a lot harder than being there as a tourist. Getting a job - even an entry-level job - is tough for Brasilians...it's even worse for foreigners. Depending on where you live may make some difference. If you are going to be in a bigger city like Rio, SP, Salvador, etc., you may have better luck. But when you get a bit outside those, your pickings will be slim. And realistically, you probably won't make anywhere near enough in six months or a year to get you to the US requirement.

As far as getting married and applying for residency - be prepared. Do your homework and figure out exactly what you need. I often tell my husband that Brasil's motto should be "We don't make anything easy." As much as I love it there, it's a big pain to try to get anything done quickly that involves the Feds. Have your fiance go to the local Cartorio and get a list of what you need to present before the wedding. Every city is different, and usually every person's answer is different. Better to have more docs than not enough. Many, if not all of your documents will need to be translated by an offical translator in Brasil.

Permanent residency is the same way - find out what you need. You fiance should be able to get a list of what's required from the Federal Police. The forum on gringoes.com is another excellent resource for people moving/getting married/applying for residency in Brasil that has a lot of good advice. There are sample lists to give you an idea of what's needed for getting married/applying for residency. I used that when I was getting married/requesting residency as much as I do visa journey now that we're in the immigration pipeline.

Good luck. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to tell you what I know.

Today's the day for Biometrics appointments!

California Service Center (12 applicants)[/font]

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

SHEFELLFROMHEAVEN....05/03/11........05/05/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

ALEX & RACHEL........05/03/11........05/06/11.......06/15/11........--/--/11....

NW MUSHROOM..........05/03/11........05/05/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

CHRISTERA22..........05/06/11........05/09/11.......06/06/11........--/--/11....

DIAZY................05/09/11........05/10/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

TRICIA599............05/10/11........05/11/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11....

RROBIN...............05/10/11........05/12/11.......06/20/11........--/--/11....

FRENCHY..............05/16/11........05/17/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

DANIELWHITE..........05/16/11........05/17/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

SUZANNYO.............05/19/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

DALE_TRISHA..........05/20/11........05/23/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

CANADIANMADE.........05/20/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

Vermont Service Center (21 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

YOINK................05/02/11........05/05/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

TINKERBELLUK.........05/02/11........05/09/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

EDINA................05/04/11........05/09/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

SWANTIGER............05/04/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

KMEHMOOD1............05/06/11........05/10/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

J&N79................05/07/11........05/09/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

CLAUSKI..............05/07/11........05/10/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

JOHN HALL............05/09/11........05/11/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

VIP1.................05/11/11........05/16/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

MARY AND ENRIQUE.....05/12/11........05/16/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

FURIOUSNG............05/14/11........05/19/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

~LAURA AND NICK~.....05/14/11........05/17/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

AUDREYBELLA..........05/16/11........05/18/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

DEIDRE...............05/17/11........05/19/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

HELLOMIFFY...........05/17/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

VMM..................05/17/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

DAGOBERT.............05/19/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

PATTU RANI...........05/19/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

RUPA.................05/20/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

ANGUS28..............05/23/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

SAL AND JAY..........05/26/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Received NOA yesterday!

California Service Center (8 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

SHEFELLFROMHEAVEN....05/03/11........05/05/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

ALEX & RACHEL........05/03/11........05/06/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

NW MUSHROOM..........05/03/11........05/05/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

CHRISTERA22..........05/06/11........05/16/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

DIAZY................05/09/11........05/10/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

TRICIA599............05/10/11........05/11/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

RROBIN...............05/10/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

FRENCHY..............05/16/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

Vermont Service Center (11 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

YOINK................05/02/11........05/05/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

EDINA................05/04/11........05/09/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

SWANTIGER............05/04/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

KMEHMOOD1............05/06/11........05/10/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

J&N79................05/07/11........05/09/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

CLAUSKI..............05/07/11........05/10/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

VIP1.................05/11/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

MARY AND ENRIQUE.....05/12/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

FURIOUSNG............05/14/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

~LAURA AND NICK~.....05/14/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

AUDREYBELLA..........05/16/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Add us to the list! Package ready to go out in tomorrow's mail...just need to get my immigrant's singature on the 751 form. I'd forgotten how nervous this whole process makes me feel! Good luck to everyone!

California Service Center (4 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

SHEFELLFROMHEAVEN....05/03/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

ALEX & RACHEL........05/03/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

NW MUSHROOM..........05/03/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

TRICIA599............05/10/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

Vermont Service Center (4 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

YOINK................05/02/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

EDINA................05/04/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

SWANTIGER............05/04/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

SAGI79...............05/07/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

My husband and I got married in Brasil. I was living there at the time, so we were able to file for DCF (we didn't decide to move to the US until about a year after we got married), so I can't offer any advice on the visa, but I figured I could throw in my two cents about getting married. Getting married in brasil is not hard, you just have to have all of your ducks in a row - and that entails a lot of running around. If you want advice, please feel free to send me a message.

Let me admit up front, I did not read the entire thread. But, I am in the Cleveland area also, so that struck a chord.

Although I have not used them personally, there is a free legal clinic offered by the Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network. (http://immigrantsupportnetwork.org/programs/) I found them when I was looking for ESOL classes for my husband. Maybe they will just refer you to someone else, but it's worth a shot. I'd be willing to bet there are others if you Google it.

Also, you can try the local law schools to see if they have any recommendations. I know that Case Western Reserve has a law clinic that they offer (http://law.case.edu/clinic/). I am sure Cleveland State also offers something as well, but I am more familiar with Case since I went to school there.

Good luck!

For what it is worth...

I (the US Citizen) married in Brazil and added my husband's last name to mine. I didn't change any of my documents - passport, SS card, driver's license, etc - until after we had gotten his visa approved and were both back in the US (we lived in Brazil and filed DCF). I never had a problem with any of my documents being in my maiden name, at least for US Officials (Brazilian feds were another issue altogether...I honestly think Brazil should adopt the national motto "We don't make anything easy.", but I digress....). I changed my SS card to my married name at the same time my husband applied for his SSN at my local SS office, where I had to provide my marriage certificate to prove the name change. Very simple process.

I had to do this a few years ago, and I didn't have any problems. As long as you have both passports, you will be fine.