Last Name change in Spouse Indian passport

[Harishkotha]

This is regarding last name change of my spouse in Indian Passport in U.S.A. I have published an ad in India permanent residence. When I contacted to place an ad in Bentonville, AR, they have said that I need to get court notice/permission to change the name. Could you please help me how to place an ad in my current residence (Bentonville, AR) area.

[rayb]

What is the reason for the ad in a Bentonville, AR newspaper?

Correct me if I am wrong...but it seems that you wish to amend your wife's India passport to reflect her married name. No court notice or "permission" is needed for her to begin using a married name. You should notify Social Security of her new legal name, and if she has a Green Card, request a new card, using form I-90, to reflect her name change.

If there is something else going on with your name change issue, please clarify it.

--Ray B

This is regarding last name change of my spouse in Indian Passport in U.S.A. I have published an ad in India permanent residence. When I contacted to place an ad in Bentonville, AR, they have said that I need to get court notice/permission to change the name. Could you please help me how to place an ad in my current residence (Bentonville, AR) area.

[Harishkotha]

What is the reason for the ad in a Bentonville, AR newspaper?

Correct me if I am wrong...but it seems that you wish to amend your wife's India passport to reflect her married name. No court notice or "permission" is needed for her to begin using a married name. You should notify Social Security of her new legal name, and if she has a Green Card, request a new card, using form I-90, to reflect her name change.

If there is something else going on with your name change issue, please clarify it.

--Ray B

I am on H1 and my wife is on H4 visa. If I want to change her last name in passport, I saw in indian embassy site that I need to send two newspaper ads one in India and one in the current local residence area in U.S. That is the reason I am trying to publish an ad. Is it not required? Please clarify.

[rayb]

If that is an Indian passport change requirement, I can't fault it, and you are justified in trying to find a way to do it.

I would question, however, the Arkansas newspaper explanation that a name change ad would require a court action (for a name change). Proof of a legal marriage is in itself a legal name change. If you were to attempt to get a court name change, it will cost you a court fee and take a few weeks, and I don't believe it is absolutely necessary for your particular reason.

In California fees for a name change are in the $400 range, and would take 1-2 months.

If the passport name change is the result of your wife's change from a maiden (birth name) to your family name, and you have good birth and marriage documents reflective of this, try negotiating with the newspaper. Or try a different paper.

--Ray B

I am on H1 and my wife is on H4 visa. If I want to change her last name in passport, I saw in indian embassy site that I need to send two newspaper ads one in India and one in the current local residence area in U.S. That is the reason I am trying to publish an ad. Is it not required? Please clarify.