Name Change by Ex-Spouse

M

Muku

Registered Users (C)
Hi, I'm new here and have spent a few days going through some of the message threads as I just came up on my 5 year anniversary of employment based GC and have been thinking about getting naturalized.

I have been working on the N400 and have some questions for the Gurus here... and I hope you guys can help this confused soul.

1. 2 years after getting (employment based) GC, my wife and I split-up and she went back to using her maiden first & last name after our divorce. On the N-400 in Part 8 Section F ("If you were married before, provide the following information about your prior spouse"), I am supposed to provide "Prior Spouse's Family Name and First Name" - here am I supposed to give her maiden firstname and lastname or the firstname and lastname she had when we were married and she got her GC?

2. I pay her money every month as stipulated in our divorce decree, but make the check out to her maiden name, which she has been cashing for the last 3 years. Unfortunately, the divorce decree refers to her using her name as was while we were married. Since the names are different, can this be a problem? How do I solve this problem and so I worry about solving this problem while sending in my N400 or only when I am called for the interview?


Any help you guys can give will be great. Thanks.
 
Ha,ha I'm sorry but I had to laught - This is so funny. You seem to be confused about your wife name... You got me confused, too
I guess you should provide her maiden name - if you are divorced and if she didn't kept your last name.
 
better to be honest & admit the confusion upfront than messing-up the application and delaying the process once it is submitted :o
 
Muku said:
better to be honest & admit the confusion upfront than messing-up the application and delaying the process once it is submitted :o
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Sure. No doubt about it. Keep in mind that you can change any info you have submitted at the time of interview.
 
yes, use her current name, provide copies of checks cashed by her then write a page (one paragraph) explaining her name change and submit with the application. if youd ecide to write the explanation in a separate piece of paper, on top left write your name, A number and something like
explanation, page. . .part. . .
should not be a problem. good luck
 
vlorak said:
yes, use her current name, provide copies of checks cashed by her then write a page (one paragraph) explaining her name change and submit with the application. if youd ecide to write the explanation in a separate piece of paper, on top left write your name, A number and something like
explanation, page. . .part. . .
should not be a problem. good luck
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Why would he need to attach unneccessary documents to his app? He just have to write his ex-wife name.
Muku, DO not complicate your app right from the start. There is no need for it. Your app is based on 5 year residence.
 
My application states my ex's name as "Aa Bb" which is her maiden name... to which she reverted after we got divorced.
While we were married her name was "Xx Yy" and this was on her GC and the divorce document from the courts that I have to attach as proof that the marriage is over.

I now pay her with checks made out to "Aa Bb" which is her maiden name and this is on all the check copies that I have attached with the application. BTW, her maiden name is also mentioned in Part 8 Sec F of the application.

I am just a little worried because her name on the divorce document that I have attached is not the same as in my application and on the checks and I am wondering if this will cause the Immigration Officers to delay my application by sending me back for more documents.
 
Muku,
Only the last name of your wife changed, right?
The first name of her remained constant before and after marriage, right?
 
crosshair
i doubt by adding a separate sheet is complicating his application. even the application info says if need to elaborate more add a sheet. i have done it numerous times and has not complicated anything.
 
CrossHair - No, her first and last name were both different while she was married to me (it's a tradition in some parts of India to change the first name as well and then the wife takes up the husbands last name - so both change).

vlorak - I am sending a cover letter with the packet that I am mailing to USCIS. If I opt to send the note/explanation, can it be in the cover letter under the section where I list the attachment? Or should this be on a separate sheet along with the copies of the checks (in case the cover letter is not sent along with the copies and application to the DO)?
 
Muku said:
I am just a little worried because her name on the divorce document that I have attached is not the same as in my application and on the checks and I am wondering if this will cause the Immigration Officers to delay my application by sending me back for more documents.
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BTW, how can she change her first name?! Sorry, my post was after yours. Interesting, wife can change first name as well... Didn't know this...
 
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Yes, it is true. In India, husband can change wife's first name as well if he doesn't like the previous one.. Oh well, it is allowed..
 
Your wife has 2 different names. AA BB and CC DD. I would advise you to consult with some immigration lawyer. You might need to provide her birth certificate, marriage certificate and divorce certificate.

You are married to AA BB but divorced from CC DD.
 
My & my ex's GC application and our divorce document state he post-marriage name - Cc Dd or Xx YY (whatever you like)
But my N400 application and the checks have her maiden name (Aa Bb)
I recall my ex mentioned once soon after our divorce was finalized that she had legally changed her name back to her maiden name - she has bank accounts in that name and I bet banks won't let her change her name without proper documentation. I am expecting that she must have also kept INS/USCIS informed about her name change and if/when they look in her "A" files they will find the name change information? Or am I expecting too much? :(

I am leaning towards adding a note explaining the names and providing her A # for reference. Does that sound reasonable?
 
Slightly strange situation this, yes add some explanation sheets to your N400. And explain in your interview, since it is a bit confusing situation.
 
Muku,
List the name as Aa Bb but do not send any extra docs with the n400. This is most important, send only the GC copy, check and photos with the n400. Since your n400 is not marrg based, the other stuff is really not important. The N400 is a simple process for most of us, so don't overthing things! Any explanation sent with the n400 or disclosed later is simply drawing attention to a useless fact.

I also suggest you later take with you to the interview the marrg and divorce paperwork, plus the alimony payment proof.
 
I think sending an explanation is better. Ofcourse you are getting different points of view as expected on any forum.

But opinion offered.
 
keep a cover letter that contains your basic info (A number, address and date you're sending the application).
In that cover letter, I'd list
as the first document
Application N400
immediately second one
Explanation Letter, Page XX Part XX (Keep the explanation short). Something like, The then to be wife changed name when entering marriage with me. Spouse's name during marriage was: (write the name).
After divorce, spouse changed her name again, therefore, her current name is: (list her current name).
The last paragraph should be something like: All payments as ordered by court during divorce are made to (list her old name). See attached documents proof of payments made to ex spouse.
Now, I understand the concern about getting someone confused. But adding this type of explanation even if confusing in itself, is sufficient enough for the IO to ask you during interview.
But if you send copies of payments made to her in her old name, then list her current name for your ex-spouse, can get confusing enough as well. Then you're left hoping the officer reviewing your application puts two and two together. Why hope? why not explain?
good luck
 
aabbcc11 said:
Since your n400 is not marrg based, the other stuff is really not important.
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Not correct.
I was suprised to learn that evan his application is not marriage based - he still needs to send proof that all earlier marriages ended-divorce decree(s), annulments, or death certificates(s) per document checklist.

Interesting...
 
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