ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificName Change
I am totally confused about how to change my name and if or when it should be done.

I have just got married and would like to change my last name to my husband's and have it changed on my passport. Should and can I do this? Do I need to keep my old passport with my maiden name and K1 Visa in it so I can apply for my adjustment of status, or is it alright to have a new passport with my married name and no K1 Visa in it?

Or should I change my name after I have my visa and then have my visa and passport reissued in my married name?

Or should I even bother at all?

wacko.gif HELP!!! wacko.gif

Edited by GemandDan, 31 May 2009 - 02:24 PM.

GemandDanFemaleAustralia2009-05-31 14:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussioni have a problem
It's the way the file is set up. I don't believe there is any way you can save what you input. Just make sure you get everything right when you type it in, and print out an extra copy for yourself to keep on file.
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 02:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTotally bummed
I'm getting really down about this whole visa process. We hired a lawyer to help us with everything and she's turned out to be more of a problem than a help. She was sitting on our packet three for about 8 weeks before she sent them to us (that was after several unreturned phone calls and emails). We ended up contacting the consulate only to find out she'd had it for all that time and had not bothered forwarding it.
Then when we do get packet three I thought things would improve. I was very wrong. We didn't understand the Affidavit of Support, our lawyer and her office help gave us wrong information and we had a hard time finding answers online or from the consulate. We've now just sent in packet three with an Affidavit of Support that may not pass and I'm a little concerned about if I'll get my visa.
I was also hoping that Danny, my fiance, would be in Australia for the interview. But I've just looked at simliar timelines and found that they have already been given packet 4 and their interview date (we haven't yet) and their interview is for the date Danny has to leave to go back to the U.S.
I really just wish something would go right for once. This whole process has been an absolute nightmare. Has anyone else had so much trouble? unsure.gif
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-12-14 05:01:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWaiting on Oath Ceremony
I went in for my interview on January 14th. Everything went well and they said they were recommending me for citizenship. on January 21st, my status was updated on the USCIS website and said I had been placed in a queue for the oath ceremony. Since then, I have not heard anything. Is it normal to wait this long? I tried calling the National Customer Service Center, but had little success. They said my receipt number was too short and I was not able to get through to a person.

My question is, is it still to early to freak out? I am getting a little impatient. I just want to be a citizen already. :)
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2013-02-18 13:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussiondoes evidence need to be notarized?

The federal government now has those machines, called computers. If a federal agent enters the passport number shown on the non-notarized photocopy of a passport you provided, it will tell them everything they ever wanted to know about you and then some.


Funnily enough, I'm aware of those machines. I happen to be on one right now. Just so happens the government has required me to get things notarized in the past... I guess we've come a long way from 2 years ago!
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2011-07-01 20:50:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussiondoes evidence need to be notarized?
great! just what i wanted to hear! :)
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2011-07-01 20:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussiondoes evidence need to be notarized?
I'm in the midst of getting my I-751 together and noticed they want copies of my passport and green card. Do I need to get those things notarized? (or any other evidence for that matter) I didn't see anything in the guide or on the USCIS website, but I want to make sure!
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2011-07-01 18:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFollowing Case Online & Australian Applicants
Great! I think I'll get my fiance to call the NVC and see if he can find out what's happening with our packet three. Looking at other people's timelines who applied at the same time as us, we are a little behind the eightball, and admittedly, I'm panicking!
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-09 17:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFollowing Case Online & Australian Applicants
Thanks all for your help. I was told that the USCIS is no longer involved with my case, so any updates will not appear on that website (it still says our application is at the California Service Centre).

Also, we have been using a lawyer, is it possible for packet 3 could have been sent to her? My fiance and I have been trying to contact her, without success, for two weeks. So we aren't sure if she has it or not.
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-09 17:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFollowing Case Online & Australian Applicants
Just new on here, but have noticed that some people have been able to follow their case online. Just wondering how I can go about doing that. I discovered it isn't through the USCIS website, so what is it?

Also for anyone who is applying for a K1 Visa in Australia, does the Consulate contact you after the National Visa Centre has approved the I-129F or do you have to gather the forms and information online?
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-09 06:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsGetting so frustrated!
My fiance and I have been waiting to hear more on my K1 visa since August 14 when we were told our petition was being sent to the consulate. We still haven't heard a peep from the Sydney consulate. We have also been trying for the past 2 weeks to contact our immigration lawyer to find out what's happening... she isn't responding, be it by email or phone...

Is there anything else we can do to get this all underway? I heard our petition is only valid for 4 months, and we've already waited 2! The USCIS website hasn't updated either. It is still saying our petition is in California. Are you given another code to enter to continue following your progress? Or is it a different website we have to go to?

Just a bit frazzled!
Gemma
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-13 00:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAwaiting contact from consulate
The US Department of State sent my fiance a letter on the 14th Aughst saying that they were sending my application for my K1 to the Consulate in Sydney and I would hear from them shortly. I still haven't heard anything. Is anyone else in the same situation? I was expecting to hear from them a little sooner.

I have also regularly checked the USCIS website for updates as well as signing up for email updates on the satus of my visa, but it still says it's at the California service center. Has anyone else had this problem?

I am a little frantic as to where it might be and a little afraid it's got lost in the post! blink.gif
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-07 00:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS-156
I have looked at the example form for the DS-156, but still have a couple of questions.

Question 2: Place of Issuance (passport)
It doesn't actually tell me on my passport. Is it just the city and state i resided in when I was granted my passport?

Question 30:Have You Ever Been Issued a U.S. Visa?
I have been issued a visa waiver on two occasions. Does this count? I couldn't find it on the list of options.

Hope you can help!
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-18 03:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNo Online Tracking After a Month and Half - Should I worry? VSC, Lawyer Concern, Timeframe,
Don't worry too much about the online tracking, although it is good to be able to keep an eye on your case. We filed for my K1 visa back in April, and have since received packet 3, but the USCIS online tracking still has it at the California Service Centre! It appears online tracking isn't very reliable.
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 02:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support
So I am another K1 Applicant who will be marrying a poor American university student. Just need to check which affidavit of support my fiance's dad needs to fill out.

As I mentioned, my fiance is a university student and hasn't earned any money in the past fiscal year. I believe he has been a dependent for tax purposes, although he does not live at home with his parents. Does that mean his dad is required to fill out I-864A or does he need to fill out I-864 because my fiance can't meet the income asset requirements?

Sorry. That was a bit complicated!
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 21:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Passport Photo Requirements
QUOTE (selvatoree @ Oct 21 2008, 04:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (selvatoree @ Oct 20 2008, 04:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
5 inches X 5 inches


i am realy sorry i meant 2 X 2 but i was a bit confused becouse of my ADOBE

good luck


That's fine! Easy mistake to make. I'd hate to think how many typos i've made on this thing!

Am getting my passport photos done today! Hope I don't look like a stunned deer in headlights (I often do!) lol
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 18:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Passport Photo Requirements
yeah, i was thinking that! haha. laughing.gif
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 03:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Passport Photo Requirements
Thanks so much! That link was really helpful! happy.gif
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 03:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Passport Photo Requirements
5x5 inches or 5x5 centimetres? 5x5 inches seems a bit big
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 03:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS Passport Photo Requirements
I have heard that US Passport photos are slightly different in size and proportion to Australian Passport photos. Does anyone know what the dimensions are on US passport photos and the other requirements? Would greatly appreciate the help, i need my photos for my Medical examination on Friday! smile.gif
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-20 02:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFEs and bad attorneys
My fiance and I have had trouble with our attorney too. She also originally sent our petition to the Nebraska Service Centre. Though I doubt it made a substantial difference to our overall filing time.
The biggest mistake she made however, was when she didn't bother forwarding on our packet three until 8 weeks after she recieved it. (and that was also after 2 weeks of phone calls and emails!!!) We definately won't be using an attorney for my Adjustment of Status. We'll save our money!

Good luck with your situation. I truly hope you can sort it out.
GemandDanFemaleAustralia2008-10-25 18:49:00