zayzay_04

Thank you all for your input. I went to the Philippines consulate website & it said to report "change of last name" and so that is what struck my concern. I also have a friend who married a filipina recently after she arrived on a k-1 visa & they applied for the gc the same way with the middle name ommitted, and replaced with fathers surname. When they went to there biometrics a few weeks ago they told them that she couldn't apply like that & that they would have to write a letter to USCIS & let them know that they made a mistake & that they want the gc with original middle name. So, does anyone understand why they said this? Was is a lack of knowledge of the situation? My wife & I had our biometrics done in Detroit, MI and I believe there's was in Grand Rapids, MI. I think that maybe there was confusion & if they had never saw that before, they may have given them that advice. They did give them the biometrics though. So, this was the reason why I expressed some concern with this name change situation. So, as in my friend's case, when they get there passport can they opt to use the first name, original middle name, and new surname? Or will they have to use the traditional? Would this be a potential problem as far as travelling goes, with there names not matching up? Thanks for your replies & information. It is well appreciated.

As for her passport, she still has two years left on it yet. I understand that this needs done & we are planning to send in for Report of Marriage & Name Change this week. Thanks again,

Isaiah

You can not renew her Philippine Passport unless u report ur marriage here first. That is the number 1 requirement.

When she get a new passport ,the form will ask u what name u want in her new passport. So it's simple just put Michelle Ignacio Miller and that's it.

Or Michelle Amador Miller perhaps

Okay, my wife & I were married back in 09 & we used her maiden name as her middle name, and got rid of her original middle name. So her name was Michelle Ignacio Amador and it is now Michelle Amador Miller. We were able to get this name on her 2 year gc, and social security office. We are getting ready to file for a legal name change so that she can actually get a state ID in her new name as well. I just wanted to make sure before we went ahead with the state legal name change procedures. My only worry is about the filipino passport. We haven't sent a report of marriage yet or tried to ammend her passport from her old name to her new name yet. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Philippines consulate on this. Will they change both her surname & middle name on her passport? Or will they just change the last name. If they only changed the last name would this cause problems with travelling? I want to make sure on this before we do a legal name change & then end up having to try changing everything again so that all of the documents match. We really want to use Michelle Amador Miller but if it isn't possible we wouldn't mind Michelle Ignacio Miller. So, any info would be a big help. Thanks!

The same date that you reported for your spouses change of address.

Yeah, I reported the change of address late as well for my spouse. So, when you say the date I reported do you mean the date that I actually reported it(even though that I reported it later than the date we actually moved)?

My spouse's paperwork didn't even have a place to put the actual date that we moved & our move actually took awhile to complete, so is it fine to just put the date that my spouse reported it as the "effective date for change of address" even though this was awhile after our move was actually complete?

So what do I put as the effective date of change of address? Do I put the date that I actually moved or today's date? Thanks

Nope, you should be fine just file it ASAP. The I-865 is easily overlooked.

Thanks. I appreciate your reply.

Back in January of 2010 my wife obtained her conditional green card based on a k-1 visa. We recently moved within the last few months. I just found out that this change of address needs to be registered with the USCIS. I did the online change of address for my wife, & noticed that I still have to file a change of address for myself with an I-865 I believe. I realize that I'm doing this a little late & was wondering if this will affect us any with our standing with the USCIS? I'm worrying about it. I have yet to print my Change of address & send it. I'm doing that today but was wondering about this...thanks

I don't quite get why you're confused. You essentially requested a new card when you went there and changed her name on the old one. They have to send you a new one which will match the rest of her documents. The second one doesn't have the DHS work authorization because now that she has a green card, she no longer needs any authorization from DHS to work. Her green card says she is allowed to live and work in the U.S.

Sorry for the confusion. We did get her name changed ect. on the second card that we got back a few months ago. That card had the DHS work authorization on it though. I actually went back and asked them why the work authorization wasn't taken off and they said that she will have to be a citizen first. So I accepted that as the rule, and didn't question it. I do remember when we applied for that card they said that it will have to be cleared with USCIS first. Well, the card was sent anyhow but it had the DHS on it. So, I put two and two together and just accepted what the ss office said to be fact. So, that clears it up for me. It was just wierd that we got that card without requesting it or anything. The last card we got was actually the one that we requested...so for them to send us another one took me by suprize. Thanks for the reply...

We just had something wierd happen. A few months ago my wife got her conditional greencard based on a k-1 visa. We had a social security card, and then after she got her greencard we went ahead and changed the name on it. Now through the mail, without being to the ss office in quite some time, we got a second social security card...The first one had the DHS work authorization on it, well this new one that we got doesn't have that. We still have a way to go before ROC...and I have no clue why they sent this to us. We did recently get her name put on my car title...but that shouldn't have had anything to do with it. I've got to call them and see whats going on...but there closed right now. I figured I'd ask on here too, especially since it don't have the DHS authorization on it. I'ts got me a bit worried...let me know what you guys think....thank ya

No prove of requirements needed so you are good to go- please calm down and let it flow

lol...thats the exact line that I keep telling myself. Thanks for the help guys

I just have a concern about the vaccination requirements. My wife has a conditional gc based on a k-1 visa. We had to get two vaccinations done at that time. I believe one was the HPV...and the other one was a flu vaccine. One of these was a series. We haven't had that series completed as of yet. I'm wondering if we will have to complete that series before we can file for ROC? Is there any proof of the vaccinations that are even needed? Thanks

Hey, by the way I just noticed that this got moved...where to? I think I'm now posting in the wrong location, is there a post-greencard forum? Thanks

Thanks guys!! It's quite a relief to have made it this far. So, what is the rule on her passport though? Does she have to get it changed before she travels, so that it matches her GC, ect.?

My wife just recieved her greencard in the mail today. So, now we completed I-129F to I-485....two more steps to go!!!

Actually, the approval notice & the greencard arrived on the same day, in separate envelopes. Now that she recieved her greencard & is able to legally work without an EAD, can we go back to the SS office, and have the *legal to work with DHS authorization* removed from her GC or does she have to be a citizen before we can do that?

Also, I have to try to go back to the DMV now, and see if they will agree to give her a Drivers license/state ID yet. They wouldn't do it last time I went, saying that her middle name didn't match(we put her maiden name in place of her old last name). Then they told us that we'd have to go through a legal name change before we could change her name with them...which we can't even do until she's a resident here for a year...but now that she has a GC & SS card in her married name, along with a bunch of paperwork, maybe they'll finally issue her a state ID.

Oh, another question for you guys....can we get her passport name changed now? Is it allowed yet? It doesn't expire for a few more years, but I guess to me its just further Identification for her. How much does it cost? Can you do it here in the states at the Consulate? Does it matter if we do it or not? Will she have a harder time either way? Just some questions running around in my head...lol...thanks guys

OH CONGRATS! We filed 12th Nov and got an email saying our 485 was transfered to California back in December. Maybe we will be next!

Thanks!! I just checked on our date filed. It was October 23rd, 2009. So yeah, we were transfered there as well and everything has went very fast. Much faster than what we expected. So, yeah let us know when you get the approval. Were excited but not as excited as we'll be when gc is in hand. lol. take care. Good luck!

We just recieved a text message to check on my wives case status. So checked the website, and it is now in the document production/oath ceremony section. It says that on January 10th they ordered production of the new card. It will be here within 30 days. So does this mean that she's getting the greencard without interview? Thats basically an approval notice on the I-485 right? Anyways, were excited. The travel document & work authorization was scheduled for 30 days and got here in like 4. So were hoping the same with the greencard. Were just suprized at how fast. We applied for it in early november. Thats when we sent in the application with I-485, AP, & EAD. So, its mid-January and we already have the greencard being mailed to us!! Anyways, just updating you guys. take care. God bless ya

Strange - I'm from Ohio and didn't have to do any of that.

We recieved her first SSN card prior to filing the AOS (her maiden name) and went to get the State ID (in maiden name - it was only good for the length of time for the I-94), then when became married, we started using her new last name (on the marriage certificate), filed the AOS with this new name. (From my understanding - that is all you need to do to change the name after being married)

Once she received her GC (married name), we went to get the drivers license - and they used the info on her GC (Married name).

We still need to go to the SSA and change her name for her card - but the DMV didn't question it at all. (Old SSN card in maiden name) (In retrospect - I should of changed the SSN card first)

(everything above occured in the last 4 months)

Now - looking at your post - you didn't change her name on the marriage certificate - which is why they are probably making you do the ID change.

What you can do probably - is to wait for the GC (with the name you want to use) and then change your SSN card to this name. (with the SSN card/GC - they will give you a license)

You either will have to get the SSA to accept your birth certificate, or get another copy of it.

I think there big problem at the DMV was the middle name being changed, not the last name...I didn't even know you could get the marriage certificate in her married name....cuz your not married when you apply for the license/certificate...thats interesting that you can do that. Well, since I'm not having a problem with SS office doing the name change(and there only using the EAD), we will at least have a SS card & greencard in married name...so thats kinda hard arguing with. But, we'll see...if worse comes to worse, we will have to go through the legal name change....but what just kills me is that we can't even do the legal name change yet cuz she hasn't lived here long enough...hahaha...oh and about the birth certificate....my wife is swearing up & down that the one we showed SS office was just that, a photocopy. We ordered new ones which she says will work...still says copy on them but I guess it has the proper stamp...so that shouldn't be to much of a problem. Anyways, thanks for your reply. I know I had a bunch of reading to do there, so thanks alot. Take care

I'm getting worried now reading through these documents on name change. First of all, she needs her Certified Birth Certificate...this is the one that I got them to accept for the marriage license, but the SS office wouldn't accept it because of it saying Copy 1 of 1 on it. They thought it was a photocopy. The probate court accepted it the first time, so hopefully they'll accept it this time too, but what if they don't? Then what! Also, she has to be a resident of Ohio for at least one year. She's only been here for 6 months. Is there a way we can get ahold of the USCIS and have them change her name(just leave the original middle name & take out the last name completely)? Anyways, I'm pretty sure this point to an attorney, but I'm trying my best to stay away from attorney costs as I'm on a pretty tight budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again

Well, no replies yet...any thoughts on this? I'm really stressed about this...and just trying to figure out what I should do. Basically it looks like its impossible to get a legal name change for her until she's lived here in this county for at least a year. So...according to the DMV, she doesn't have a legal name to be used in the state of Ohio until we go through the name change process. Right after I started this thread, I went to the SS office here to change her SS card from maiden name to her married name. They used the EAD & didn't have any problem doing it for me, although they said they'll have to wait until the USCIS contacts them with verification of the new name. They said that its still her maiden name in the system, and after that is cleared then they'll send out the new card(same number, different name).

So, as far as the Federal government is concerned, her legal name is Michelle Amador Miller, but the State government(as far as I know) won't reconize this as her legal name until we have went through the legal process of changing her name. I really don't know what to do but just wait until August of this year so that we can change her name legally. Before that, we can't get her a State ID/Drivers License in her married name. I'd like to hear from anyone who has any information on this. Thanks for your help

Okay, my wife is in the AOS process on a k-1 visa. When we married we informally changed her name from Michelle Ignacio Amador(maiden name) to Michelle Amador Miller. So we changed her middle name to her maiden last name & took out her original middle name....because its a part of the filipino culture. So, We just got her EAD & AP...not GC yet. We went to the License Bureau to see if we could get her a State ID or Drivers License. They asked for the AOS receipt & marriage certificate(the marriage certificate doesn't show a name change).

Well, evidentally in the state of Ohio we just found out that you can't do that unless you do a legal name change(paperwork and 125 dollars). They said that the paperwork from the federal government on her AOS, EAD, AP was not valid in the state of Ohio because of the middle name being different on the marriage certificate & the Federal paperwork. So, I brought up a legal name change. She said that if we have a certificate of legal name change, then they would be able to do it. So, I'm getting ready to apply for a name change for her...but I don't want that to mess up the processing....Should I wait for the GC? By the way, they said that they wouldn't except a GC with the new middle name either...Well, I'm going to sit here and fill out this paperwork for the name change. Hope to hear from someone soon. Thanks, God bless

I'm getting worried now reading through these documents on name change. First of all, she needs her Certified Birth Certificate...this is the one that I got them to accept for the marriage license, but the SS office wouldn't accept it because of it saying Copy 1 of 1 on it. They thought it was a photocopy. The probate court accepted it the first time, so hopefully they'll accept it this time too, but what if they don't? Then what! Also, she has to be a resident of Ohio for at least one year. She's only been here for 6 months. Is there a way we can get ahold of the USCIS and have them change her name(just leave the original middle name & take out the last name completely)? Anyways, I'm pretty sure this point to an attorney, but I'm trying my best to stay away from attorney costs as I'm on a pretty tight budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again

Okay, my wife is in the AOS process on a k-1 visa. When we married we informally changed her name from Michelle Ignacio Amador(maiden name) to Michelle Amador Miller. So we changed her middle name to her maiden last name & took out her original middle name....because its a part of the filipino culture. So, We just got her EAD & AP...not GC yet. We went to the License Bureau to see if we could get her a State ID or Drivers License. They asked for the AOS receipt & marriage certificate(the marriage certificate doesn't show a name change).

Well, evidentally in the state of Ohio we just found out that you can't do that unless you do a legal name change(paperwork and 125 dollars). They said that the paperwork from the federal government on her AOS, EAD, AP was not valid in the state of Ohio because of the middle name being different on the marriage certificate & the Federal paperwork. So, I brought up a legal name change. She said that if we have a certificate of legal name change, then they would be able to do it. So, I'm getting ready to apply for a name change for her...but I don't want that to mess up the processing....Should I wait for the GC? By the way, they said that they wouldn't except a GC with the new middle name either...Well, I'm going to sit here and fill out this paperwork for the name change. Hope to hear from someone soon. Thanks, God bless

Been trying to fill in my wife's Advanced Parole & EAD into her timeline....and its not working...so how do you do this? I already filled in a bunch of it all at once, and now I'm trying to fill in my dates for these two and can't find anywhere that I can update or edit it at...thanks for your help

Wow! What a story - what a nightmare. Amazing where a wrong turn can take you. Your poor wife that situation sounds horrible.

Glad it's over for you guys - go relax - you're onto the next step...

Yeah, its over. lol. It was just another experience, but it had a good ending. I couldn't help but share it with everyone here. I've read alot of posts about peoples bad experiences but never thought that I'd have a scary one like that. Yeah, onto the next step now!!

Hey all!! Well just got back from our very easy biometrics appointment, & totally terrible trip to the office. We had to go to Detroit, which is a city that we don't know very well. Were about 3 hours away. My friend took us there & we had GPS & directions. We left about 4 & a half hours before the appointment, so figured we'd have good time.

So what happens? We end up taking the wrong road in a split second BAD decision that leads us to the Ambassador Bridge(if you don't know what this is, its the bridge going from Detroit, MI to Windsor, ONT). We stop at a rest stop area, once we noticed that the only option is to go through the toll booth to the bridge! So there we asked a lady how to turn around. She said that we would have to go through the gate & wait on the Border Police to come & escort us out. We wait on them for 15 minutes, & give them our ID's. Then we go through the customs area following the border police. This takes another 15 minutes. They let the officer there know what happened, and gives him our ID's. Well my wife of course came on a k-1 fiance visa and is in AOS processing(hence why we were going to Detroit for biometrics). Well, everything was cleared there except for her I-94 being expired. So the officer called the customs office & told them that he was sending us in to verify Status. So, we go in to the customs office & experience the worst interegation that either of us ever have. Thank God, for the first time since she's been here I decided to take all papers with me from the I-129 papers up to the AOS papers & then of course the appointment letter. But even with all of this evidence the lady there was interregating my wife, & was becoming very upset because my wife wasn't answering the questions quickly enough. We didn't even realize how mean that lady would get. She asked her how we met, how I got to the philippines originally, if she has family in canada, if she's ever been to canada, and why we were there at the canadian border. Well as she got more frusterated with my wife answering her questions in a well thought out & very descriptive manner she shouts at her and tells her to get her husband up there. So I come up & she asks me the same questions, she asks me where I live, if I own my own home, what I do for a living, ect. Then proceeds to ask my wife why she married this man that she technically only spent less than a year in person with(even though we've been communicating through internet & phone since 2005). Then she asks "So you mean you left your whole family home to marry him and come to the states". The whole time, these people knew exactly where I was heading as that was the first thing I said when they asked us why we were in Detroit.

I'm not saying that it wasn't her job to be intimidating & firm & what not. I know that she has know clue who we are or our story. I know that she has a stressful job, and I totally understand that interregation is normal. But I could not believe how rude she actually was. Also she pushed us to answer the questions very quickly, and got upset if we stumbled and then she would just try to pry more out of us. So, I can definately understand that you really need to take your time when answering there questions because they can really try to put you in a corner or make you say something you don't mean. I don't know. Just felt like she was trying to say that the reason my wife married me was to get to the states(or trying to get us to accidentally say that). Really upset us, & we were both in tears by the time they called us back up. So they called us up after about an hour in the customs office & they told us that were clear to go! Then gave us proper directions to the USCIS office(by this time we had like an hour until the appointment). Got there with no problems & was out in 15 minutes. Actually got done before the appointment time!!! Yay!!

Anyways, that was our day. Wife is tired, I'm tired....but just thanking God that everything worked out! It was real wierd going through the booth coming back into the country(though we never technically left the country). We even had a paper in our window saying "returning from canada"!! So scary, but they cleared us & seemed to be well aware of the situation. I even told the guy that I was worried because she's not even allowed to leave the country, & he said he understand and that theres no problem. Were fine. So, anyone think this is going to show up anywhere later on or that it could hurt us or create more problems for us in the future? I'm really hoping that its not that big of a deal, just the way they made us feel was so upsetting. So, there ya go!! That's my "easy" biometrics appointment!! Lol...God bless ya all

zayzay_04, to get an idea of how long after the bio to EAD approval, take a look at the October filers spreadsheet (the link is in my signature block below).

From NOA date, it averages about 42 days to get the EAD approved. Then another week or more to actually receive it. Some people see it faster or slower...YMMV

Good luck.

Thanks for the link...thats exciting for us to see. So couple of weeks on average. Well were getting ready to leave now. Thanks for all of your help everyone. God Bless

Hi there, well my wife's biometrics appointment is tomorrow afternoon. Is there anything that we should be taking with us besides the appointment letter & her passport? Should we bring a copy of anything else? Such as marriage certificate confirming her name(since her passport says maiden name but the appointment letter says married name)?

Bring the appointment letter, passport and marriage cert. I went for biometrics last week and while the security guy didn't need the marriage cert - I offered - he said no. The IO did need it - she appeared relieved when I said and I have my marriage cert to show my name change.

Also probably self explanatory if you're driving but bring your driver license or another govt photo id - so you can get into the ASC too!

Hey, thanks again! My wifes asking about rules regarding makeup & jewlery or anything else regarding appearence for the picture taken during the biometrics? She said they were pretty strict in Philippines, & just wants to make sure that there isn't any specific rules about that here. We took her passport pix for I-485 with just moderate makeup and jewlery but just wanting to make sure on that...thanks!

They didn't say anything to me about that. But a friend of mine who got her GC years ago was saying her mom got called back for a second apt for the pic to be reshot as she had big earrings and they couldn't see the ears. She told me the same thing - natural make up and make sure they can see your ears, small earrings etc... I followed those guidelines - they didn't say anything there though. So who knows if that still exists - but better to be safe than sorry. Would not be fun to have to go wash off make up!

Best of luck for tomorrow it's super easy and you'll be done really fast!

lol thank ya!! Yeah, I imagine that makeup/jewlery isn't a biggy as long as its just moderate & natural. Thanks for your reply though. Sounds pretty easy. Can't wait to get just one more step accomplished...lol. Take care

Hey, thanks again! My wifes asking about rules regarding makeup & jewlery or anything else regarding appearence for the picture taken during the biometrics? She said they were pretty strict in Philippines, & just wants to make sure that there isn't any specific rules about that here. We took her passport pix for I-485 with just moderate makeup and jewlery but just wanting to make sure on that...thanks!