Application for Naturalization Vs Name Change

[Singh6]

Hi Guys

I am eligible to apply for citizenship. I want to add my last name into my current legal name SO in other words I want to change my legal name. But I do not want to face any hurdles/delays. In that case I can change the same later on as well. N-400 guide (http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf) says the following:

there are only two ways that USCIS can issue your Certificate of
Naturalization under a new name:
1. If you present proof that you have already changed your name according to the legal requirements that apply to persons living in your State, USCIS can issue the Certificate of Naturalization with your new name. Such proof might include a marriage certificate or divorce decree showing that you changed your name when you married or divorced. It might also include some other State court order establishing that you changed your name.
2. If you are going to take the Oath of Allegiance at a Naturalization Ceremony that is held in Court, you may ask the Court to change your name. If the Court grants your request, your new name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization.

Questions:
1. I am interested to change my name but I do not want to face any hastle/delays in my citizenship. Is it OK to apply for name change alongwith your citizenship application?
1. Should I complete Form 'N-400' - Part '1' - Subpart 'D' with my 'new name' and mail it to the USCIS?
2. OR, should I check 'NO' in this section for now and make a request for name change at the time of interview/oath ?
3. OR should I get my name changed after recieving my citizenship?

 

[Uncle Joe]

Hi Guys

I am eligible to apply for citizenship. I want to add my last name into my current legal name SO in other words I want to change my legal name. But I do not want to face any hurdles/delays. In that case I can change the same later on as well. N-400 guide (http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf) says the following:

there are only two ways that USCIS can issue your Certificate of
Naturalization under a new name:
1. If you present proof that you have already changed your name according to the legal requirements that apply to persons living in your State, USCIS can issue the Certificate of Naturalization with your new name. Such proof might include a marriage certificate or divorce decree showing that you changed your name when you married or divorced. It might also include some other State court order establishing that you changed your name.
2. If you are going to take the Oath of Allegiance at a Naturalization Ceremony that is held in Court, you may ask the Court to change your name. If the Court grants your request, your new name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization.

Questions:
1. I am interested to change my name but I do not want to face any hastle/delays in my citizenship. Is it OK to apply for name change alongwith your citizenship application?
1. Should I complete Form 'N-400' - Part '1' - Subpart 'D' with my 'new name' and mail it to the USCIS?
2. OR, should I check 'NO' in this section for now and make a request for name change at the time of interview/oath ?
3. OR should I get my name changed after recieving my citizenship?

There is no delays at all, I applied for name change and made correction during the interview, Got Oath letter in my mail box in less than 48 hours.
Don't worry you will be fine. And changing name during Naturalization Process is free and no hassles. it took me 87 days from mailing to the oath! There is no delays!

 

[Uncle Joe]

2. OR, should I check 'NO' in this section for now and make a request for name change at the time of interview/oath ?
3. OR should I get my name changed after recieving my citizenship?

Don't change your name after you'll get NC. It's gonna cost you $ and hassles!
You can change your name during the interview! But not before oath!

 

[Singh6]

Thanks a lot for this advice...

So I will check 'Yes" for name change at the time of mailing my application.
If accepted, my current last name will become my middle name and my actual last name will get added onto my NC.

I have one more ques....I have Canadian PR as well. What kind of issues can I face out there because their PR is still going to show my current name in all their docs ?

 

[faysal]

Thanks a lot for this advice...

So I will check 'Yes" for name change at the time of mailing my application.
If accepted, my current last name will become my middle name and my actual last name will get added onto my NC.

I have one more ques....I have Canadian PR as well. What kind of issues can I face out there because their PR is still going to show my current name in all their docs ?

Mr. sigh6...Each person's experience is different...If I were you I would not do anything new in the naturalization process. you never how the uscis will behave. if they were nice to someone they could be nusty to someone else. I have seen a number of people who changed their name after naturalization, and it was a one day affair. From greencard to citizenship is fragile transition and I advise you not to do anything that might hinder your changes...Do not change your name before naturalization...good luck

 

[wantmygcnow]

Hi Guys

I am eligible to apply for citizenship. I want to add my last name into my current legal name SO in other words I want to change my legal name. But I do not want to face any hurdles/delays. In that case I can change the same later on as well. N-400 guide (http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf) says the following:

there are only two ways that USCIS can issue your Certificate of
Naturalization under a new name:
1. If you present proof that you have already changed your name according to the legal requirements that apply to persons living in your State, USCIS can issue the Certificate of Naturalization with your new name. Such proof might include a marriage certificate or divorce decree showing that you changed your name when you married or divorced. It might also include some other State court order establishing that you changed your name.
2. If you are going to take the Oath of Allegiance at a Naturalization Ceremony that is held in Court, you may ask the Court to change your name. If the Court grants your request, your new name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization.

Questions:
1. I am interested to change my name but I do not want to face any hastle/delays in my citizenship. Is it OK to apply for name change alongwith your citizenship application?
1. Should I complete Form 'N-400' - Part '1' - Subpart 'D' with my 'new name' and mail it to the USCIS?
2. OR, should I check 'NO' in this section for now and make a request for name change at the time of interview/oath ?
3. OR should I get my name changed after recieving my citizenship?

It depends on your DO. What is your DO? Usually DO's that do same day Oath, you wont be qualified if you changed your name. My sister did her USC at Washington D.C Do & she got approved and got oath letter about 4 weeks later...for an Oath in 2 weeks. So the delay was 6 weeks.

 

[iswaiting]

It depends on your DO. What is your DO? Usually DO's that do same day Oath, you wont be qualified if you changed your name. My sister did her USC at Washington D.C Do & she got approved and got oath letter about 4 weeks later...for an Oath in 2 weeks. So the delay was 6 weeks.

You are saying that if you live in NJ, becauce they do same day oath, ask changing name would prolong the process? Thanks.

 

[mh66ii]

Name change delay varies by location. It could delay your case since USCIS does not submit name change to the court daily.I was told by attorney that USCIS collects name change requests and send them to court when certain number of request are accumilated unless your oath is preforemed by court. I asked IO at the interview and he said that it will add to the process so I asked to disregard the name change.I am suggesting you to ask in your interview and take it from there.

 

[wantmygcnow]

You are saying that if you live in NJ, becauce they do same day oath, ask changing name would prolong the process? Thanks.

Better you browse the USC board and ask I'm the nj section. Ppl can tell you there by experience...I only know of Washington d.c DO.