First Name is FNU.. Please Help!!

[r_a_h_u_l]

Hi Guys

Here's the latest official word on the FNU issue.

http://www.visapro.com/India/Consulate-News/?a=270&z=61

My company recently mailed that US Consulate has stopped issuing Visas without proper bifurcation on first and last name.

In my case, I just have my First Name "Rahul" in the Given name in passport and have FNU Rahul in Visa.

Now I may face problem when I go for restamping, So I am thinking of changing my Name in the passport.

But have to get it changed in many other places too (Just in case further problmes arise in future) - School and University Certificates,Bank a/cs.......

Its tough. But have to go thru it, there's no other way...

[neocor]

r_a_h_u_l,
If you can pull it off then thats great.
I have pondered this before but the shear logistics are mind boggling.

Changing the name in the Passport is fairly simple, changing in School and University certificates is altogather a different ball game. I attempted and then gave up in the first obstacle.
Furthemore you really dont need to get the name changed in all the places. Passport is good enough. Along with this get an affidavit from a lawyer (notary) stating the details of why the full name does not appear on any of the documents and giving the full name and saying that both the names (full name and the given name) are of one person.
Carry this affidavit with you all the time.

But as i said if you can pull of what you said then nothing like it, but personally its not worth it.

neocor

[r_a_h_u_l]

neocor,

I have initiated the process of getting the name changed in the passport.
Right now am in CA and as per SFO consulate, need to post an Ad in a local newspaper as well as paper in premanent address in India.

Now the problem is that the local newpaper needs "Order of Show Cause" notice signed from the judge in a probate court. What that means is that you have to file a petition for Name change in a probate court and go through the whole process of Name change required by the US law.

The whole process is very lengthy (like all legal works) and I am wondering if I can get an Ad published in local paper without this Show cause since my name change is on my Indian Passport and I am not an american citizen.

Has anyone done a name change in their Indian passport from US? Pls provide you inputs...

[neocor]

r_a_h_u_l

Well I dint know that you have to go throught that "Show causes notice and stuff" for even giving an Advt in Local Newspaper here.
I had given up just because I have to advertise in India too.

I am currently fine with all my records converted to a proper last name. And that I accomplished as i said before by having my employer apply for H1 renewal with the correct last name. My Passport though still has only my first name. I plan to change it only when the passport is up for renewal.

After looking at this "show couse notice" stuff, I think it would be easier to just go to India, Bribe some official there and get it done in a day to two there itself.

Good luck

neocor

[fnusiva]

Rules are strictly followed here. Only thing we need to wait for a long time.. This is what I did to correct my name everywhere

1. April 2005 - FNU - Passport, Visa

2. July 2005 - because of this SSN got delayed for 4 months and received with FNU

3. July 2005 - DMV refused to give license, because they cannot give license with FNU.

4. July 2005 - Enquired local newspapers in Philly - They told that I need to get court order number

5. July 2005 - Went to court, they said that I need to show proof of my residence for 6 months, and should contact attorney for name change.

6. August 2005 - Talked to attorneys - they said I need to give 100 $ consulatation + actual charges of name change

7. August 2005 - I have decided to give up, but at last try, I have enquired with Desi newspapers in NJ for name change advertisement. They agreed to give advertisement with 40 $ charge

8. September 2005 - I gave the ad in NJ, and in Chennai India.

9. September 2005 - Went to Indian Embassy NYC, they said, I need to wait for 1 month time after ad date(b cos somebody will object for this name change... I dont know how they will come to know, if somebody objects!!)

10. October 2005 - I applied for Passport Name change

11. October 2005 - Received with proper lastname, firstname in passport after 3 weeks time

12. November 2005 - With this I went to SSN office for name change

13. December 2005 - I got the SSN with changed name

14. In the mean time, everywhere my name went as FNU Siva(Insurance, Bank Acct, Utility bills, Pay Check, etc..)

15. December 2005 - Initiated everywhere to change my name

16. December 2005 - Applied for Driving License -

17. January 2006 - Failed 2 times in road test - (I need to unlearn my aggressive car driving habit learned over 2 years in India.. :-))

18. 03- February 2006 - Today I have passed my road test and received my license, W2 forms, Insurance card and other documents with my changed name...Got relieved from FNU everywhere!!!..

The whole process took me 10 months time (purchased car in December 2005 only after correcting everywhere)...

Lessons learned : Don't give up. Follow the system, Dont have to break the rules to get your things done...

Thank you buddies!! Have a great week end!!!

Thanks
Siva
(formerly FNU Siva)

:-))

[neocor]

Siva,

You were forced to do so you did it.
If suppose the DMV had given you the license with the FNU thing then you would really not have gone ahead with this.

4-5 years back NJ DMV used to give license with the FNU thing, I dont know about that.
The Dallas DMV actually did better, they gave the License without any last name, just with the First name as is in our Passport.
This is the best, but alas not all organisations accept that.

anyway congrats for the good work done.

neocor

[harsharaoik]

Here is what I have been able to do get myself rid of FNU -
- Applied for a new passport while I was in US. Was able to get it without much hassle since technically it was not a name change but merely putting them in the right places.
- Applied for a new visa (F-1 in my case) when I went to India. Same rules apply. Book a date, pay all the fees but do mention it to them that you already have a vaild visa (which should now be on your old passport) and that you just want a visa with the correct name.
- I-94 was taken care of when I flew back in.
- With this, I was able to change it with the social security, banks, credit cards and every other place where FNU was being used.

Good luck to everyone wanting to get out of this mess.

[fnuSK]

I too had the same problem.. My passport had only 1 field 'Name' and displayed my full name. My first visa stamping (in 2003) was correct with proper first and last names (inspite of the passport). So I had obtained SSN and my DE license without any issues. When I went for the next stamping in May 2005 chennai consulate issued a visa with last name as the name in passport and first name as FNU. I was very worried when I saw this and contacted the chennai consulate in a hurry as I had to come back here. They said that is how they would stamp the passport which do not distinctly have the first and last names. Luckily I did not have any issues at the port of entry.

The problem surfaced again when I moved to PA and had to change my license. The DMV at PA told my SSN, I-94 and passport should match. When I asked what I should do they asked me to get it changed (yeah right) or get a letter from INS. I looked around the web and found this page. I also spoke to my attorney who told me to go to Indian consulate and get a new passport etc... I thought I would try other DMVs in the mean time...luckily one other DMV just checked my I-94(which I had written correctly) the passport fist page (which would seem right if you don't look too close since it is handwritten) and gave me the license... I was so relieved since I urgently needed my license...

Thought I would post it here..

i know the problem is just out temporarily..i am now looking for ways to get a stamp on my passport correcting my name..have mailed the RPO..will post when there are updates..

fnuSK

[manukn]

guys i had luck with dmv and ssn since my I94 had only my first name but i need help on how to file tax returns........what name to write there....sine ssn has put same info as visa i.e. FNU ManojKumar

do replyi need to file tax before 17 Apr man..........

[neocor]

guys i had luck with dmv and ssn since my I94 had only my first name but i need help on how to file tax returns........what name to write there....sine ssn has put same info as visa i.e. FNU ManojKumar

do replyi need to file tax before 17 Apr man..........

You should use the name that appears on the W2.

neocor

[nameChange]

Hi all,

I have an issue with getting license in CA. I have been in US from 4 yrs. I moved to CA two monthas ago. The name on my SSN does'nt match the one on my Passport & H1.

NAme on Passport: venkata FirstnameKumar Lastname
Name on SSN : FirstnameKumar Lastname (the firstname became a single word i.e my Firstname+kumar)

I had license from 3 yrs in two different states and this was not a problem. But It is a problem in CA.

when I contacted the DMV they said to contact immigration to change the name on I94 then go to SSA and get the name changed on my SSN and then apply for license.

The second way I find is changing my Name legally through the court.

But the problem is my License(from other state) is expiring in 2 months. I am not able to decide in which method I should proceed. Can anyone please direct me in making a decision. If you think that there is another way it will also be appriciated. Thanks in advance.

NameChange

[manandomadia]

Hey Guys

I am in the process of applying for a business visa, and am one of those over-growing breed of FNUs!!!

my passport has:
given name:Manan
surname: blank

i shall apply for visa soon, and since the above mentioned aberration(if i may call so) i shall be writing FNU in GIVEN NAME space and my name(as in passport) in the SURNAME space.

the link sent by R_A_H_U_L doesn't open. However, i wanted to know how true is this info that US consulate has stopped issuing visas to applicants having FNU as the given name?????????


Any help and advice in this regard will be greatly appreciated. pls temme if i need to get my passport name changed or not,, as this will take considerable time which i dont have. I will anyway be taking an affidavit which will show that my name in passport and complete name are of the same person

Hoping for a reply at the earliest

Thanks
Manan.

[neocor]

Hi everyone(FNU's)

first of all thanks for the forum..atleast I know I am not alone in this race...I am actually in a similar problem
My name is
First Name ;Pooja
Last Name ;
Yes it is blank in the passport...when I got my visa it became
First Name:FNU
Last Name:Pooja

When it was sent to the consulate again for correction they returned it saying it should not be a problem
but now when i went to the DMV they rejected and said come with a last name ..that means getting everything changed..new passport may be ...
Tomorrow I ll try it at another DMV ..anything else that you guys recomend...Last I ll try for a name change at New york ..do you what all do they need for that

thanks in advance everyone

Regards

How is the name in your I-94?

neo

[pinks01]

Hi everybody(FNU’s)

Awesome forum. It’s such a relief to know that I am not alone in this. I had been looking on the internet about this. This is the first time I found anybody talking about FNU. Actually I am stuck halfway in this. I have got the new passport with my corrected name i.e.,firstname Priya Lastname Kumar. In the mean time my current H4 visa got expired and I got my renewed H-4 Approval notice(I-539 and I-94) and I still have my name on that as FNU Priya.

With this renewed approval, I went to DMV to renew my driving license but they said name on passport( New corrected ) and H4 approval are not matching and hence they can not renew my driving license. — Any suggestion on how to get Driving license renewed from DMV?

If I go to India for stamping - Will there be a problem in getting Visa stamped since approval Notice says FNU PRIYA and passport says Priya Kumar

Is there any way to get the H4 approval notice corrected with correct First Name and Last Name as per my Passport?

Anybody knows any attorney who is handling these FNU cases?

All of you guys who got rid of this FNU thing please suggest something.
Thanks

[hegdeananth]

pinks01:
How did you manage to get your name corrected? Was it a Name change process?

[shiiva]

The problem is similar to allwynpaes.

In passport,
My Given name is : Siva Gurumurthy
My surname is :<blank>

In Visa,

My First Name is : Siva
My surname is : Gurumurthy

Contacted u.s embassy in chennai immediately for the discrepancy in F-1 visa. However, an indian who attended me said your middle name will be put into surname column.
I was confused what I shoud put in my I-94, then i followed the same name convention as in passport and not in VISA.


In I-94,
My First Name is : Siva Gurumurthy
My surname is :<blank>

In I-20,
My First Name is : FNU
My surname is : Siva Gurumurthy



I had problems in port of entry, they said that VISA name is wrong and has to be FNU Siva Gurumurthy. but he stamped the I-94 and let me enter.

Now I am going to apply for SSN in next week, can you please advice me what name convention should i follow.

[Ajusej]

Hey all my FNU friends....

I Just got license today... that too without birth certificate...

It happened like this...

I was trying for license in different DMVs... last week went to a DMV near to my house.. there they dont have facility for written test, vision test etc..
But they processed my application. The lady at the counter was nice enough and didnt mind my name problem in VISA.. she took photo and and signature.. then said, as i dont have a usa license, i've to take written test.. for that i need to go another DMV. And she issued a letter saying that..

Today with that letter I went to main DMV. There they didnt do much verification of VISA and I94 and asked me to take written test.. I cleared that and got license. In NJ, we dont have to take road test, if we have a valid indian license.. so atlast got it.

In between I've done one more thing.. I got birth certificate from Indian consulate New York. But didnt use that..!!

Cheers!!
Sooraj

Hi Everyone,
Someone should help,

Passport:
Surname- Blank
Given name- Ajay Kumar

Visa:
Status F1
Last Name: Kumar
First Name: Ajay

All official registerations, like SSN, Bank Account etc
Last Name : Kumar
First Name: Ajay

I-20
Last Name : LNU
First Name: Ajay
Middel name: Kumar

Everything was going fine but the question was put at the DMV

What is the final solution?
If I want to keep my name with the last name used by my father and grandparents? what is the procedure? I know I have to get the passport changed...but will I need to get my Visa too changed as per my new name?

Will my wife too will have to through the whole process, a new passport , a new Visa?

Specifically from sooraj...which DMV in NJ did you go? Even I am in NJ and was refused at the DMV in Jersey city....

would anyone tell what is the procedure to get one's name changed in US while on F1 Visa..

Thanks,
Ajay.

[aravindpti]

hi ,even i 'm having fnu as firstname and my surname and given name in last name,i think same as mr.soorajm .and i got ssn with first and last name seperatly ,i hav filled i-94 first and last name seperatly,i got ssn with first and last name seperatly.
but facing prob at dmv,so sooraj u got ur license congrats,but how to correct names in visa and passport.
plzz help me

[aravindpti]

in above thread i hav mentioned my problem,if i contact any indian embassy will there be any use.i am in illinois

[kapilkvyas]

Hi,

I have similar problem.

In passport -
First Name / Given Name - Kapil Kumar
Last Name - [No LAst name]

I797- LNU, Kapil Kumar
Visa - Kapil is first name and kumar as last name

I94- Kapil Kumar as first name but no surname (As per passport)

I went to SSN office. They said ur INS name, visa name are mismatching with I94.

They took a month and get it clarified from INS. INS has put my name name like FNU, Kapil Kumar...

So I got SSN as FNU, Kapil Kumar.

I also faced problem at DMV. They can't isse DL without first name.

But finally they have varified from imigrataion office and ready to issue me DL.

I will go to tomo for the same.

Would like to know, IF I get DL in IOWA and go to CA, shall I get same problem again ?

Also if i would like to chnage my name in passport or i can say correct in passport ? what might be proceduire? since in my 10th certificate my name is Kapil Kumar and Father name is Omprkash Vyas. "Vyas" is my actual surname and apears most of my cerificates.

Thanks,
Kapil

[munishgarg]

latest Update !!! I got the DL!!!

Problem :
Passport Firts name/ Given name --> Munish
Passport Last name -->

H1 VISA Firts name --> FNU
Last name --> Munish

I-94 Given name --> Munish
Family Name--> Garg

SSN --> Munish Garg

DMV --> Denied to issue a DL as my name on passport, VISA, I-94 andd SSN didn't match.


Solution :
I got the DL with "Munish Garg'. You can contact me at writetomunishgarg@yahoo.com for the details. Its very simple. Its not a loop hole in the law.

[mkdas]

I am also facing problem with the FNU.

In my passport my name is like this :-

Surname: MURALIKRISHNADAS
Given Name :

In my vis my name is like this :-

Surname: MURALIKRISHNADAS
Given Name: FNU

But in my I-797, I-94 and SSN I have the correct names.

First Name: MURALI
Last Name: KRISHNADAS

Because of this name difference I am not able to get the DL. I am in NJ now.

MVC people has asked me to correct the name in passport and visa.

Can I correct the name in passport and visa in US itself ?

Infact there is no change in the name, just putting the first name and last name in correct place.


Also is there any other way to get the DL in NJ ?

All the suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[kapilkvyas]

I am also in same boat. I get my pasport corrected from chicago consulate. Applied for amend this L1 petition. It is approved now. After that I will be changing name in SSN and later go to DMV. After that , bank a.c etc. Whole process will take 4 -6 months.

[crageye]

I added surname in my passport, however my h1 was applied using the old passport and i got a change of status. can i apply for h1 transfer using the new passport? anyone done that before...

[christina_nj]

I'm an FNU too. My surname is not listed in my passport. I have only my first name.

Name on all my Indian documents (mark sheets, degree cert, indian DL) is Christy Prabhu.

But in my passport it is

Surname: (blank)
Given Name: Christy

This led to -
H1 visa - FNU Christy
SSN - UNKNOWN Christy
I-94 - Christy (no last name)

Just wondering if anyone knows whether I can get my passport corrected (at NY Consulate) to show
Surname: Prabhu
Given Name: Christy

or do I have to get a new passport?

Thanks!

[soorajm]

Hi Everyone,
Someone should help,
Specifically from sooraj...which DMV in NJ did you go? Even I am in NJ and was refused at the DMV in Jersey city....

would anyone tell what is the procedure to get one's name changed in US while on F1 Visa..

Thanks,
Ajay.

got it from Randolph, NJ dmv.

[Sea_Red]

Hello Friends,

I had incomplete full name in passport which was mismatched with every possible combination in H1-Petetion, Visa, SSN , Driver License and all USA based documents.

Passport
First Name- Monica
Last Name- <blank>

H1-B Petetion
First Name- No Given Name
Last Name- Monica

H1 Visa
First name- FNU (FNU is First Name Unknown)
Last Name- Monica

I-94
First Name- FNU
Last Name- Monica

SSN
First name - <Blank>
Last Name - Monica

I want to change my name in all documents. I saw similar threads in this website from the past. I wanted to know if some one as recently changed his/her name, especially in WA state. If you had changed your name irrespective of location, can you describe me how did you change your information in -

1. H1-B Petetion - my assumption is that an H1-B amendment is required to change name. Please clarify.

2. Visa - my assumption is that visa can be changed during re-stamping. However I am not aware if there could be complications of visa appointments, form DS-156, 157, etc. I am seeking any help on this issue.

3. Passport - Ofcourse it is the first step in name change process, but I have put it to 3 as I know more about changing name in Passport now. Advertisement in US news paper and Indian news paper, Send to consulate along with existing passport, Get NEW passport. If there are any glitches, do share it.

4. Attorney Help - If some has taken attorney consultation, then how much it had costed and what all process they took care of? If you can provide a reference, that would be appreciable as well.

I am hopeful that a lot of FNU/LNU cases would respond to this thread to help me and direct to more appropriate location. Hope to hear soon!


Thanks!

[nitin0505]

This FNU/LNU stuff is really creating a lot of trouble for all of us who have either full name unsplit in the passport or just a single name. I am going to write to USCIS requesting to come up with an article that explains all permutations possible and the best way to tackle them at different stages. It's so confusing otherwise.

In the meantime, hope someone here, with his/her experience can suggest the best way in my case.My wife has no last name, just a first name (XYZ). She recently got her dependent visa (L2) and as expected it reads LastName:XYZ, FirstName:FNU. We are traveling to US some time soon. I thing someone without a lastname will surely have tough time at every stage in the US.We don't have time to get things fixed here in India. What should be the best way to deal with her name issue:

1. Should we just continue to follow the way it's mentioned in visa? Or should we follow Passport?
2. We have the marriage certificate ready. Should she file for post marriage name change with Indian embassy in US requesting to take my lastname? It's an easy process I heard and she will have a new passport issued.
3. We also have name change affidavit and Indian newspaper ad with XYZ ABC (her dad's lastname) ready. Out of point 2 & point 3, we would prefer point3 if both are equally painful.

How should we go ahead right from the point she fills in her I-94 until she gets SSN,DL,Bank Accounts, etc.

[jivika]

Hi "FNU" Friends in US

I am also facing the same problem and teh bad part is this that this problem is continuing from 2005 to till now. Its obvious that w have to atleast raise awkening about this to the indian as well as US counsulates. I have written mail to both. Please find teh copy of that.

################
Hi ,
I have pasted the comments of people who are facing the problem of "FNU" first name unknown in their Given Name in US VISA. Please do something to correct the mistake as this is not the mistake of individual but the misinterpretation of Indian and US terminologies. Please help us as i am also the victim and you know that we come form so far India to US to do job but not to get into this viscious circle. Please cooperate and help us.

COmments from the site : Please click on this site and you will get to know the plight of several indians and the worst part is that the problem is continuing from 2005 till now.

http://www.immigrationportal.com/arc.../t-162700.html

#######################

Hope this might arise some awareness regarding this issue. I hope to correct mine asap.

ALL The BESt FNU Friends.

[driver_license]

Hello friends,
Around 2 years back I had been here looking for solutions when I was applying for my driving license. I was not allowed to give the test at my local DMV because of the mismatch of the name on the visa and passport. Finally went to the Journal Square DMV in NJ and I was able to appear for the test. I cleared the test the first time (was not sure if I would get another chance ). But the license contacined my name as XYZ XYZ (2 times the first name). i just thanked god and ran from there.
Now I have to go again for my License renewal. Just wanted to check with you guys if anyone of you faced any issues while getting the renewal with the FNU/LNU name problem.

Thanks
Another FNU/LNU