question about name change and residence permit

ladygrey · Post by **ladygrey** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:41 am

Hi, I'm a US citizen marrying a Finn and I was wondering what the protocol was for those who change their name as a result of marriage and then apply for a residence permit afterward. Is it possible to apply for the residence permit with the new last name while the documentation with the new name is still pending (i.e., Can I fill out the RP paperwork with the new name before I get my passport with the new name back from the embassy)? Or do I need to get the passport first before being able to apply for residency under my new name? Any idea how long it takes to get a renewed passport from the US embassy? I'm worried because I have only a couple of weeks left of my 90-day visa waiver... Thanks.

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sinikettu · Post by **sinikettu** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:54 am

ladygrey wrote:Hi, I'm a US citizen marrying a Finn and I was wondering what the protocol was for those who change their name as a result of marriage and then apply for a residence permit afterward..

Any idea how long it takes to get a renewed passport from the US embassy?

I'm worried because I have only a couple of weeks left of my 90-day visa waiver... Thanks.

When one gets married in Finland the process of the wife "name notification" is automatic.
Or it was at least in our case.
The magistrate notifies everyone.
I was amazed how soon my wife's mail from many sources automatically had her new name.
Within a month even magazines in the mail had her new name.

Regarding the official stuff.
She went to the "Yhteyspalvelupiste" in the police station and they told her what to do regarding her ID card and Finnish Passport.
Here is a usefull link.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&saf ... CC0QtQMwAw

Problem is that the automatic process takes about 2- 3 weeks for the authorities to get their process complete.
Your marriage cert in Finland still has your old name on it not your new name.
But your local church office can give you a "Virkatodistus" which does have your new name on it.
They seem to be the first to know it in the official network.
Here is another link to find your local church office
Chose from the drop down "valitse seurakunta".
http://www.helsinginseurakuntayhtyma.fi ... nguageid=4
How long does the US embassy take?...Daah at this time of the year..Too long!!
However when you get married you get a marraige certificate immediately.
I suggest that you take that to the US embassy and ask that they get their arses in gear and fix your visa.
By the way "phone first" and make an appointment with the visa/consulate department or you will not get past the front gate

ladygrey · Post by **ladygrey** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:23 pm

sinikettu wrote:
When one gets married in Finland the process of the wife "name notification" is automatic.

Even if the wife is a non-EU national or does that apply only if the wife happens to already be in the Finnish system?

sinikettu · Post by **sinikettu** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:09 pm

ladygrey wrote:
sinikettu wrote:
When one gets married in Finland the process of the wife "name notification" is automatic.
Even if the wife is a non-EU national or does that apply only if the wife happens to already be in the Finnish system?

Good point..and I have to say..Sorry dont know...But I suspect that if the "Finnish System" does not know of your existance:
ie: "no Finnish ID number" I doubt it.
If you have a Finnish ID number it should be automatic.

My suggestion for you i:

!. Get married
2: Few days later... Contact your local seurakunta/church office and ask for "Virkatodistus"
3: Make appointment with US embassy and take marriage cert and Virkatodistus. That should be enough to get visa sorted.
4: Then apply for a residence permit. I would think that applying for a residence permit with a "not yet valid" surname will be a problem. You have no document to support that ID.

EDIT:::::
I cannot confirm this as fact but my source is usualy reliable. (Mother in Law).

She says that when a foreigner marries a Finn in Finland and does not yet have a Finnish ID one will automatically be generated in the system.
In your case it will be found in the system by the authorities (magistrate/police) checking your husbands record.
Against his ID number it will show that he married:
dd/place and your name, date of birth, and fact that you are a citizen of USA.
Your Finnish ID number will be; 6 digits date of birth ..."ddmmyy-xxxx" where xxxx is your id in the Finnish system.

ladygrey · Post by **ladygrey** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 3:57 pm

thanks bluefox!

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:38 pm

sinikettu wrote:Your Finnish ID number will be; 6 digits date of birth ..."ddmmyy-xxxx" where xxxx is your id in the Finnish system.

zzzq, not xxxx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_i ... er#Finland

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