What problems will I face if I have dual citizenship and have different names in my passports?

by Areli
(Mason, OH)

Question: I am a Mexican Citizen living legally in the U.S. with Green Card (I have a valid Mexican Passport). I am engaged to a U.S. Citizen, considering changing my name, and also considering applying for Naturalization in the near future.

If I go through with the name change, I will not be changing my name in Mexico, so my names would not match. What issues will I face (esp. while traveling to and from Mexico/U.S.)? For example, the name on my airline tickets would not match one of the Passports (once I have dual citizenship and a U.S. Passport). Should I just not change my name, and is it even allowed for my names to be different? Thanks...

Answer: There is no guarantee that you would have problems using two passport with different names in them but it is quite likely that you will. Passports should be used which have your current legal name in them. The best solution is to request a name change in your Mexican passport after you get married. You can do this through the nearest Mexican embassy or consulate general. There are consulates in both Chicago and Detroit. Contact information is provided below.

Consulado General de México en Chicago
204 S. Ashland Ave
Chicago Illinois., 60607
(312) 855-1380
http://www.consulmexchicago.com

Consulado de Carrera de México en Detroit
The Penobscot Building
645 Griswold Avenue
17th. Floor, Suite 830 Detroit Mi., 48226
Atención al Público: 8:00 a 17:00hrs.
(313) 964-4515/4532/4534
http://www.sre.gob.mx/detroit