Applying for Schengen & UK tourist visa. Changed name after marriage, but maiden name is on passport
Background: I'm a US citizen and carry a US passport. My wife is only a US Permanent Resident, and carries a foreign passport. She legally changed her last name with Social Security, but at this moment her passport and Permanent Residency card have her maiden name. We're planning a trip where my wife will need to apply for tourist visas to the UK and France/Schengen.
Questions: Suppose we do not have enough time to replace her passport and PR card to reflect her name-change before applying for her tourist visas...
Will there be a problem if she were to apply for the visas under her maiden name, and we make sure that her tickets have her maiden name?
Would the offices responsible for processing her applications notice her new last name through social security and then refuse her application because of the name discrepancy?
Can my wife re-enter the USA in these circumstances?
Best Answer
I will cover the third question: can your wife reenter the United States in these circumstances? CBP says
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR): LPR's who change their name due to marriage or because of any other circumstance may travel using your LPR Card (US Green Card; I551) in your prior name provided you bring proof of your name progression such as; a marriage certificate, a divorce decree or court documents showing a legal name change.
It also says:
Please check with the country(s) you are traveling to for their entry requirements.
So yes you can re-enter just bring your marriage certificate. Whether Schengen will go with this, I do not know. But the Consulate of Italy has this to say of a slightly different situation:
My passport has my maiden name and my Resident Alien Registration Card has my married name what should I do?
You can provide a notarized copy of your marriage or divorce certificate.
Your bank most likely has a public notary service. I can't imagine any trouble in a simpler situation. So: pay attention to filling out the form, it'll say to put your name as in the passport. Do that, add notarized marriage certificate copy (make two notarized copies and carry the other and show it to the CBP upon reentry), add a letter explaining situation, I'll hazard a guess that there will be no problem.
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Does changing name in passport affect visa?
No. Your visa is still valid as long as your passport is not expired. Make sure to carry all of the required documents to show evidence of the name change.How do I change my name on my visa after marriage?
Yes the marriage certificate is required if you both apply as a married couple for schengen visa (unless your wife passport has you as husband name and your passport has your's wife name). If that is not available, you both can apply for Schengen visa separately in individual capacity.Is marriage certificate required for Schengen visa?
What if I make a mistake on my Schengen Visa form - can I correct it? If you made a mistake on your visa application form - you will need to fill out a new one before your appointment at the consulate or visa application center.How to fill out the Schengen Visa Application Form (Tourist Visa/Short Stay) | Schengen Visa part 5
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