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Name on visa different from name on her passport

My wife is awaiting her interview in Bogota to receive her visa. her colombian passport, cedula, and other documents have her maiden name. but we used her married name for the visa application. will they issue the visa in her married name even if her passport has her maiden name? in other words, should my wife get a new passport with her married name? thanks! jt

By JT on May 18, 2005, 10:55 in Visa & paperwork.

joyzers says on May 18, 2005, 11:05:

I had the same problem. I was told that they needed to match up. However, I am coming from the US to Colombia, instead of vice-versa. So, I don't know if it's different. But, I was advised to get my name on my passport changed, which in the US takes about 6 weeks. I was told they had to be the same (at least on a work visa they do). So, the easiest thing was for me to change my passport. You might want to look into how long that process will take. If not, you may be able to get by on constantly showing certified documentation of name change. I did ask if I could do that upon entering, and they told me that they needed to match up, and if I didn't change my passport that I would need to use my former name on my visa (which I didn't want to do). Like I said, this is vice-versa, but I would definitely look into the process of the passport name change. It has to be done eventually, right?

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gstern says on May 18, 2005, 15:44:

what we did... My wife got a new passport and cedula with her married name. We had a very good immigration attorney who was adamant that they must match up. Luckily, your wife can get this done in Colombia in 1-2 days, it is pretty easy. My in-laws went to get their passports today and were given them the same day.

If at all possible, go this route. If not, you can always try sending an email to the US consulate and ask them what the requirement is(they always answered my emails, though it sometimes took a week) at ivbogota at state.gov. Make sure to put your wife's name and case number in the email.

Greg

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Gator says on May 18, 2005, 18:50:

Take the time... to make the necessary changes IN Colombia. Much less hassle all around. Best if ALL her ID is in the same name.

BTW-make sure you get three or four copies of document like marriage/birth/even school records all properly notarized. Much easier to have them and NOT need them then to obtain later.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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