H4 Visa - Last Name (Surname ) Change

R

RanaVic

New Member
I am currently working in US on H1-B. Will be getting married around April 03.

My spouse's last name is different than my last name

I have been hearing from some of my friends that I'll need to get her last name changed in her passport , before the US Embassy can issue her the dependent H4 visa.

How true is this statement? Has anyone had a similar experience ? Any thoughts, experiences, ideas greatly appreciated.

Vic
 
You need marriage certificate

My spouse's last name is different than mine.We never had
any problems getting H4.
I know lot of friends who are in the same situation.
You need marriage certificate when your spouse applies for H4.
You don't have to change the name in passport.

Good Luck
Sept13
 
H4 Visa

thanks for replying Sep 13.

When did you get your wife's H4. Was it recent ?

My friends have been telling me that this ruling is very new and was enforced in 2002. How dont know how correct it is?
 
its better to change the last name for h4

Everything is on air regarding the name change for h4. Recently my spouse got h4 easily with her last name changed. I have a friend whose spouse just got an observation note in herpassport about her husband full name and she got the visa. I would suggest you to either change the last name or make an observation in ur wife's passport about your name to be on safe side instead of giving consulate people an opportunity to create fussy situation by asking more docs.
All the very best to you.
VJ
 
My Experience

I got H4 visa for my wife in July 2002 from Delhi Consulate. There is a new law that says you have to get your name endorsed in her passport (if her last name is different from yours). Since my wife had her passport before the marriage and I had only 1 week after marriage to get the marriage certificate/visa/tickets, I got my name endorsed in her passport from Delhi Passport Office in 1 day (after bribing) rather than getting her a new passport with last name changed.

Rajeev
 
Thanks VJ.

what is observation note? How do I get it? Do I need to go to Passport office to get it done.

I was also thinking of getting her last name changed but you know " it takes forever" in India to get these changes made?
 
Hi Ranavic

Thanks for the info.
I was not aware of this new requirement when I posted my reply.
In that case I would suggest you to have the last name changed.
Yeah. I hear you saying 'it takes forever' in India but at the same
things will be different if you approach the way Rajeev Seth did.
(Look at his posting before my post).

Also posting from Rajeev answers your question. You have to
go to the passport office to get this done.

Good Luck
Sept13.
 
observation of the spouse name means the spouse name is handwritten by the passport authority on any of the blank passport pages. this procedure takes just one day. whereas last name change in the passport took about 10 days in my case( even though i hired an agent) :mad: . Infact one of my friend got the new passport for her spouse in just 3 days in gujarat with the reference of my DIG letter (not everybody is lucky to have such a high influence).
Have patience but do it with perfection and everything will be fine.
VJ
 
Last Name Change

Recently I got approval for H4 extension which has my maiden name on it. Now I wanted to change my name to married name and get a new passport. Also after getting new passport I would like to apply for re-validating my visa.

Will there be any problem in re-validating my visa in St Louis?.

Any reply is appreciated.

Thanks
Sujaya
 
sujayamp:
If you try to get new passport with married name then your name on H4 extension will not match with the name on your new passport.

If I am in your situation I will send my current Passport and H4 extension for Visa revalidation to St Louis.
Once I have the visa stamped and get my passport back then I will apply for new Passport with married name and once I get new passport I will keep both the passports attached for future one passport with visa sticker and other with out visa, you have to show both the passports when asked. When you get new passport your old passport will be returned to you and will have a stamp CANCELLED but Visa on that passport is NOT cancelled
 
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