Darien, GA Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

Generally, the USCIS considers it satisfactory for a foreign national woman to use her name as shown on her birth records, or to adopt her husband's last name as her own. Where it may be desirable to use an alternative last name, such as a hyphenated name containing the wife's original last name with her husband's last name, the couple could consider applying for a name change through standard state law processes. In Georgia, that means filing a petition in the Superior Court of the county where the woman resides. Some immigration law firms, including mine, offer legal services on a "flat fee" basis so that a client will know the total expense from the very beginning, and a few immigration law firms, including mine, offer an initial consultation free of charge.

Although not entirely clear from your question, it sounds like your girlfriend is a U.S. citizen; you entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection; your non immigrant visa soon will expire; you and your girlfriend plan to become married; and you are interested in applying to adjust status to become a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card"). Generally, if a foreign national entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection, such as with a B2 visitor's visa, and then becomes married to a U.S. citizen, the fact that he may have overstayed his visa (or even worked without authorization) will not stand in the way of eligibility to adjust status in the U.S., and there will be no requirement that he go outside the U.S. for immigration steps. Especially since you and your fiancee are less than fully familiar with U.S. immigration laws, and failure to properly prepare and fully document an application can cause substantial delay or even more harsh consequences, it would be wise for you and your fiancee to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant facts about you, your immigration history and related issues, will be able to advise about eligibilities, options and strategies, and offer legal representation in the often complex application process.

Upon marriage abroad, the approved K1 fiance visa will become moot, but you should be able to commence consular processing to achieve your goal of enabling him to come to the U.S. and become a Lawful Permanent Resident. It would be wise for you and your fiance? to consult with an immigration attorney who, upon learning all of the relevant information about you and your fiance?, will be able to advise about eligibilities, options and strategies and would be able to offer legal representation in the often complex application process.