Sponsoring Japanese Spouse -Passport Name/Application Name

[Kayaker]

Hello everyone!

Happy new year! My new wife (a Japanese citizen) and I are getting ready to submit our application package in the next couple of weeks. On form 1344 we need to provide the name of the person I am sponsoring and also the name as it appears on her passport. Technically those two names don't match, as she has changed her name with the government (updated her koseki) but her passport bears her old name, but will have a stamp stating her new name. For 1344 when it asks for her passport name should we use her maiden name as appears on the first page, or can we use her new name? She cannot get a new passport until hers expires.

Thanks so much!

Kevin

 

[JRPW]

Kevin,

My wife and I submitted a colored-copy of her passport page with her maiden name. We also included a copy of the page in her passport with her married name (amended page when the wife went to the passport office to inform them of the name change). On the application, we used her married name.

Hope this helps.

J

 

[Kayaker]

Thanks very much, that makes sense. Actually since I posted, we learned that the Japanese government is starting to allow for new passports to be issued upon name change. Right now it's optional. By March it will become mandatory. My wife will probably get a new passport before we apply. Thanks again.
K