Quick Answer

Identify passport as "source document," update all others to match exactly. Fix SSN card at Social Security office, correct visa at next stamping, file I-90/I-765 for green card/EAD corrections. Most issues: middle names added/removed, spacing differences, spelling variations. Keep affidavit explaining legitimate variations as backup.

Key Takeaways

  • Passport is source document, all others should match exactly

  • SSN must match passport/visa for E-Verify employment verification

  • Middle name inconsistencies cause most problems

  • File I-90 ($455) or I-765 ($410) to correct green card/EAD

  • Keep affidavit explaining name variations

  • Legal name change requires court order, different from corrections

Key Takeaways

  • Passport is source document, all others should match exactly

  • SSN must match passport/visa for E-Verify employment verification

  • Middle name inconsistencies cause most problems

  • File I-90 ($455) or I-765 ($410) to correct green card/EAD

  • Keep affidavit explaining name variations

  • Legal name change requires court order, different from corrections

Table of Content

Common Name Mismatches

Frequent issues:

  • Passport has middle name, SSN doesn't

  • Visa spelling differs from passport (form preparer error)

  • Driver's license abbreviated differently

  • Some documents reflect married name, others don't

  • Different name format than passport

These create E-Verify failures, USCIS delays, background check mismatches, and banking/credit issues.

Source Document Selection

Passport is usually authoritative source. All others should match exactly.

Hierarchy:

  1. Current valid passport

  2. Birth certificate (if passport matches)

  3. Naturalization certificate (if citizen)

  4. Court order (legal name change)

  5. Marriage certificate (married names)

Correcting SSN Card

SSN mismatch causes immediate employment problems. Visit Social Security office with passport, visa/immigration document, completed SS-5 form, proof of identity. No fee. Processing: 2-3 weeks.

Middle names optional but be consistent - include everywhere or exclude everywhere.

Fixing Immigration Documents

Document

Correction Method

Form

Time

Visa stamp

Consular processing

DS-160

1-4 weeks

Green card

Mail petition

I-90 ($455)

6-12 months

EAD

Mail petition

I-765 ($410)

3-6 months

I-94

CBP at border

N/A

Immediate

Driver's License

Ensure passport, visa, SSN all match before attempting license. Bring all matching documents to DMV. If license has wrong name, return with correct documents. Most states correct errors free or minimal fee.

Marriage Name Changes

Update systematically: Get marriage certificate, update passport, update SSN, update driver's license, update visa (next stamping), file I-90/I-765 for green card/EAD.

Don't update some and leave others - creates mismatch.

Affidavit for Variations

If legitimate variations exist (birth vs married name, different transliterations), create notarized affidavit explaining all variations refer to same person.

Include:

  • All name variations

  • Why variations exist

  • Statement all refer to you

  • Signature and notarization

Get Your Free Visa Evaluation

Common Name Mismatches

Frequent issues:

  • Passport has middle name, SSN doesn't

  • Visa spelling differs from passport (form preparer error)

  • Driver's license abbreviated differently

  • Some documents reflect married name, others don't

  • Different name format than passport

These create E-Verify failures, USCIS delays, background check mismatches, and banking/credit issues.

Source Document Selection

Passport is usually authoritative source. All others should match exactly.

Hierarchy:

  1. Current valid passport

  2. Birth certificate (if passport matches)

  3. Naturalization certificate (if citizen)

  4. Court order (legal name change)

  5. Marriage certificate (married names)

Correcting SSN Card

SSN mismatch causes immediate employment problems. Visit Social Security office with passport, visa/immigration document, completed SS-5 form, proof of identity. No fee. Processing: 2-3 weeks.

Middle names optional but be consistent - include everywhere or exclude everywhere.

Fixing Immigration Documents

Document

Correction Method

Form

Time

Visa stamp

Consular processing

DS-160

1-4 weeks

Green card

Mail petition

I-90 ($455)

6-12 months

EAD

Mail petition

I-765 ($410)

3-6 months

I-94

CBP at border

N/A

Immediate

Driver's License

Ensure passport, visa, SSN all match before attempting license. Bring all matching documents to DMV. If license has wrong name, return with correct documents. Most states correct errors free or minimal fee.

Marriage Name Changes

Update systematically: Get marriage certificate, update passport, update SSN, update driver's license, update visa (next stamping), file I-90/I-765 for green card/EAD.

Don't update some and leave others - creates mismatch.

Affidavit for Variations

If legitimate variations exist (birth vs married name, different transliterations), create notarized affidavit explaining all variations refer to same person.

Include:

  • All name variations

  • Why variations exist

  • Statement all refer to you

  • Signature and notarization

Get Your Free Visa Evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which document is correct?

Passport is authoritative. Update all others to match passport exactly.

Can I have middle name on some documents only?

Not recommended. Creates verification problems. Include or exclude consistently everywhere.

How to fix green card name?

File Form I-90 with $455 fee. Processing: 6-12 months. Can use old card while waiting.

Visa spelled wrong?

Get corrected at next stamping. Bring correct documents, explain error. Usually fixed easily.

Need lawyer for name mismatch?

Usually not for simple corrections. For complex situations (multiple inconsistencies), attorney can coordinate systematic fixes.

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