H4 Visa process - Required docs and adding spouse name?

[Thangam]

Hi,
I am currently holding my H1B visa and working in US. I am going to get married in Sep-2015 and need help/advice in processing H4 visa for my wife.
Currently, She is not having Indian passport and i am trying to process passport for her now.

1. May i know what are the documents requires while applying for H4B Visa stamping?
2. I heard that if we apply Passport for her now, i need to add spouse name (my name) in her passport after the marriage? Please confirm.
3. If yes, what could be the correct process to apply passport for her?
Option 1: ie., apply her fresh/new passport now and complete H4-DS160 form and then, after marriage reapply her passport to add spouse name (my name) in
her passport after the marriage?
Option 2: ie., apply her fresh passport only after the marriage (with spouse name (my name)) and then complete H4-DS160 to appear for the H4 Visa
stamping?

Could you please advice on this?

Thanks,
Karthik.

[raghvi]

Hi,
I am currently holding my H1B visa and working in US. I am going to get married in Sep-2015 and need help/advice in processing H4 visa for my wife.
Currently, She is not having Indian passport and i am trying to process passport for her now.

1. May i know what are the documents requires while applying for H4B Visa stamping?
2. I heard that if we apply Passport for her now, i need to add spouse name (my name) in her passport after the marriage? Please confirm.
3. If yes, what could be the correct process to apply passport for her?
Option 1: ie., apply her fresh/new passport now and complete H4-DS160 form and then, after marriage reapply her passport to add spouse name (my name) in
her passport after the marriage?
Option 2: ie., apply her fresh passport only after the marriage (with spouse name (my name)) and then complete H4-DS160 to appear for the H4 Visa
stamping?

Could you please advice on this?

Thanks,
Karthik.

1. https://www.immihelp.com/h4-visa-stamping-documents/
2. Its not mandatory that she needs to have your name in her passport or to have her name changed in order to get H4 visa. But the drawback is that the visa will be issued as per her passport name. She does need to carry the marriage certificate and other documents mentioned in 1.
3.If you really keen on her changing last name after marriage, and that the visa to be issued only under the changed name then option 2 is the only option. Get married, and then apply her passport under tatkaal scheme with the changed name. Once passport received then fill the DS-160 and go for visa interview.
The whole process can take 2-3 Weeks. Whereas if you go with option 1, she may get visa within 10 days, but again the name change would not be there (if so desired).

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[Thangam]

H4 Clarifications.

Hi,
Thanks for your comments!

1. So, as per my understanding we need to carry the following documents for H4 Visa interview.
Passport
DS160 form
confirmation page
interview appointment letter
H4 Visa fee receipt (if in case required)
H4 Applicant photograph
H1B - Visa Copies (visa copy from passport)
I797 Copies
Original Marriage certificate
Marriage photos
Marriage Invitation letter
Original birth certificate

Please let me know if i miss anything. Thanks in advance

2. So, for H4 it's not mandatory that my name (H1B visa holder's) should be in my wife's passport?

Please confirm. Thanks again for your valuable comments!

[vkapoor]

need ur advise

Hi,
Thanks for your comments!

1. So, as per my understanding we need to carry the following documents for H4 Visa interview.
Passport
DS160 form
confirmation page
interview appointment letter
H4 Visa fee receipt (if in case required)
H4 Applicant photograph
H1B - Visa Copies (visa copy from passport)
I797 Copies
Original Marriage certificate
Marriage photos
Marriage Invitation letter
Original birth certificate

Please let me know if i miss anything. Thanks in advance

2. So, for H4 it's not mandatory that my name (H1B visa holder's) should be in my wife's passport?

Please confirm. Thanks again for your valuable comments!

Hi Thangam,
Hope you are doing good. Need your help on the topic you initiated. hopefully by now everything is been done and resolved for you.
I am currently under the same situation and unable to decide as what wld be the best course of action.
Should i fill up the DS-160 before marriage and take interview date after getting marriage certificate from court, that i shld be able to obtain by day 2 of my marriage.
Will this pose any problem during H4 VISA interview that she submitted the application before marriage? what shld be mentioned in the application - married / single ??
can you please answer your original query in terms of what you did finally?

thanking you in anticipation.
Best