jim_julian

Welcome to CFL John. I'll second Dave, you don't really need a lawyer unless you have unusual circumstances. You already have a handle on the forms; there are answers to almost any question here. Is there some particular reason you think you may need a lawyer?

Good luck to both of you!

Bill, I should add for you ... California is a state that accepts common law name change.

Just have her leaf through her passport and she will find her visa.

It is our experience that the given name can be changed easily, without involving a lawyer, and that the primary name on immigration paperwork does not have to match the Chinese passport. An early and easy time to change given name, family name, whatever, is when you file the I-485 for the first Green Card. Simply file the I-485 with the desired name as the applicant's name. Include her "old name" in Part 3 as the name on the I-94. On the G-325A file the desired name as the name and then in the box underneath indicate the "old name" in the All Other Names Used section. I also recommend including a Common Law Name Change declaration along with your filing; not necessary to notarize this form or have it sworn. The following is a suggested format: Common law name change is recognized by the Federal Government. It is also accepted by some, but not all, states. I don't believe that the state position will make much of a difference in most cases as once you get a Green Card in the desired name you can use it to apply for your state driver's license, which will also use the desired name. If you ask a lawyer about this she may give you a bunch or reasons why it is "better" or "necessary" to do a court procedure. You can be your own judge ... $$$. To complete the process then get an endorsement in the Chinese passport that says "Old Name is also known as New Name". This can be done at a Chinese consulate. Couldn't be easier ... worked for us. As others have pointed out there is also a relatively easy way to change names when you become a citizen.

We have done the "also known as" endorsement in Chinese passports at the Consulate in LA. The identity proof of the new name that is required is the Green Card. It is not a walk in service, you must come back a few days later to pick up the passports with the endorsement in them. Once you have the endorsement you can travel under the Green Card name if you prefer. My daughter did that this summer on four different airlines. If there is a question, just show the airline or Chinese authorities the endorsement and point out that it matches the Green Card. No problem since you have official proof of the new name from both the Chinese government (passport) and the US government (GC).

I firmly believe that parents, including step-parents, must establish clearly understood boundaries of acceptable behavior for children and young adults still living under your roof. The parents must agree on what will be established and not show any disagreement between themselves in front of the younger ones. If the boundaries are violated then there are logical consequences to be incurred. These logical consequences must be related to the behavior that doesn't conform to the boundary. A simple example might be that if grades suffer, study time becomes mandatory. The young person should also have the right to ask the parents to re-evaluate the boundary as they become older or circumstances change. The parents should consider the request privately and not debate in from of the requester. With this scheme in place you never punish anyone, although they may incur logical consequences to undesirable behavior and there are no surprises. Works for us ...

Just a reminder that, in the US, the cost of immunizations at a public health center are fixed by the government sponsor, often the state government. At the public health center in Santa Ana CA that we used, the shots are free. This is free free ... not needs based free. So check with the local public health center to aid in your decision process.

Additional benefits of being in China during the K-1 interview period: - Lend moral support - Converse in English every day to keep her in practice - Conduct practice interviews - Log another trip to China - Attend American Citizen's Hour and ask a few good questions - Be there for her right after the interview ... no matter which way it goes - Help her solve any unexpected problems that surface - Help her resist those that would exploit her if a problem does occur - See that look on her face when she comes downstairs with the pink slip - Share in the celebration with family in her hometown or conversely help her work through any setback - Have a "wedding dinner" for the Chinese family before leaving for the US - Fly to the US with her - Help her through immigration and customs at the US port of entry ... just a few off the top of my head.

Insalubrious

Your timeline should not be a problem and it sounds as if you have enough evidence.

Shades ... I didn't think your saga was all so bad. You were speaking from your heart. It is similar to experiences many of us have had. If you love TT ... hang!

So sad ... you now have a long road ahead of you ... persevere ... and keep your eye on the goal!

Congratulations to the three of you from the three of us!

Go down to Seattle and talk to the Consulate ... they will help you.

Congratulations to both of you!

Hmmm ... the URL you cite is blocked by the firewall at my office ...

Good luck to both of you!

In my experience the least expensive tickets are on Chinese flag airlines booked through a Chinese travel agent, not a website. It's also somewhat dependent on where you originate/terminate your travel in the US. My wife did a round trip to Chongqing from LAX in July for $955 on China Eastern.

The way I read it is that you send to the old address until the effective date. The passport photo thing is unclear.

Which reminds me of a joke my childhood dentist, back in the days when they didn't wear gloves, must have told us ten times: Patient: Doctor, I'm so sorry, I know this appointment is just after lunch but I just didn't have time to brush my teeth. Dentist: That's OK, Mrs Smith, I completely understand how sometimes time gets away. For example, I just went to the bathroom and didn't have time to wash my hands. Open wide ....

The problem is very few pictures show the two of you together. Also the site has obscene language. This does not create a good impression. My advice is to just print copies of photos showing both of you together or both an family (better yet) under a variety of circumstances. Label the photos in English and Chinese and print with a good color laser printer on plain paper.

Going back to the OP's question ... print them BUT review them carefully. As I said recently in another thread, you must review the chat logs from the perspective of an official trying to deny the visa. I don't believe that this is a common VO mindset but YOU must review from that perspective. If there is anything that could be remotely twisted and used against you OR lead to a new line of questioning ... then eliminate that portion of chat. This is serious business ... take no chances.

[Federal Register: September 12, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 178)] [Notices] [Page 53034-53036] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12se08-77] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [CIS No. 2457-08; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0036] RIN 1615-ZA74 Revision to Direct Mail Program for Submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising its Direct Mail Program so that certain filings of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, will now be filed at a designated lockbox facility instead of a USCIS Service Center. However, if you are the spouse of an active member of the Armed Forces, this notice instructs you now to file your Form N-400 at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC), whether you are filing from within the U.S. or abroad. This [[Page 53035]] notice does not change the filing location for Forms N-400 filed by active members or certain veterans of the Armed Forces who are eligible to apply for naturalization under sections 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act). DATES: This notice becomes effective October 14, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Stanley, Chief, Lockbox Operations Division, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20529, Telephone (202) 233-2385. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background What Is the Direct Mail Program? The Direct Mail Program allows USCIS to standardize and more efficiently process applications by eliminating duplicative work, maximizing staff productivity, and introducing better information management tools. The purpose and strategy of the Direct Mail Program has been discussed in detail in previous rulemaking and notices. (See 59 FR 33903, 59 FR 33985, 60 FR 22408, 61 FR 2266, 61 FR 56060, 62 FR 16607, 63 FR 891, 63 FR 892, 63 FR 13434, 63 FR 13878, 63 FR 16828, 63 FR 50584, 63 FR 8688, 63 FR 8689, 64 FR 67323, 69 FR 3380, 69 FR 4210, 70 FR 30768, 72 FR 3402, and 73 FR 50336.) Explanation of Changes Will this notice change my eligibility for naturalization? No. This notice only affects the filing instructions where certain Form N-400s must be mailed. Some Form N-400s that were previously filed at USCIS Service Centers must now be sent to a designated lockbox facility. Please note that active members and certain veterans of the Armed Forces, as well as spouses of active members of the Armed Forces, have separate filing instructions. Filing changes will be discussed in detail in the following charts. Where should I send my Form N-400 and all supporting documentation? Please refer to the following charts as to where to file your Form N-400: Armed Forces Applicants (Veterans & Active Members) & Spouses of Active Members of the Armed Forces ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If . . . Then mail to . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You are a veteran or an active member of Nebraska Service Center, P.O. the Armed Forces and are eligible to Box 87426, Lincoln, NE 68501- apply for naturalization under section 7426. 328 or 329 of the Act; or You are the spouse of an active member Private Courier (non-USPS) of the Armed Forces Deliveries: Nebraska Service Center, 850 S Street, Lincoln, NE 68508. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Non-Armed Forces Applicants ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If . . . Then mail to . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You reside in: Alaska, Arizona, California, USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, P.O. Box 21251, Phoenix, AZ Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, 85036. Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Private Courier (non-USPS) Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Deliveries: USCIS, Attn: Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, N400, 1820 E Skyharbor Circle Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, S. Floor 1, Phoenix, AZ Territory of Guam, Northern Mariana 85036. Islands. You reside in: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS, Delaware, DC, Florida, Georgia, P.O. Box 299026, Lewisville, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, TX 75029. Maryland, Massachusetts, Private Courier (non-USPS) Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Deliveries: USCIS, Attn: Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North N400, 2501 S. State Hwy 121, Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Bldg. 4, Lewisville, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South TX 75067. Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What happens if I file a Form N-400 covered by this notice at the wrong location? For the first 30 days after this notice takes effect, USCIS will forward any improperly addressed Form N-400s covered by this notice to the proper lockbox address. Any applications forwarded within this time period will be considered properly filed when receipted at the Lockbox. After this 30-day transition period, any Form N-400 covered by this notice that is received at a location other than the appropriate lockbox address will be returned to you with an explanation directing you to mail it to the appropriate lockbox address. Is USCIS amending the Form N-400 Instructions? USCIS is currently amending instructions and information listed on our Web site (http://www.uscis.gov) to reflect the new filing addresses and process change information. For example, inserting the requirement for passport style photos and providing clarification of the grounds for rejection of an application. Where may I find information related to eligibility requirements for naturalization? You may find general eligibility requirements for naturalization at our Web site: http://www.uscis.gov. You may also download ``A Guide to Naturalization (Form M-476),'' which provides information on the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, an overview of the naturalization process, and eligibility requirements. Paperwork Reduction Act USCIS is amending the instructions to the Form N-400. Accordingly, USCIS has submitted an information collection request to Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The instruction changes will not impose any new reporting or record- keeping requirements. The OMB control number for this collection is contained in 8 CFR 299.5, Display of control numbers. [[Page 53036]] Dated: August 28, 2008. Jonathan R. Scharfen, Acting Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. [FR Doc. E8-21083 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111-97-P

Good luck ...