Middle Names and FBI Name Checks

E

eccevino

Registered Users (C)
Hello All,

I have applied for Naturalization on 1/25/07 and my FP appointment is next week. I have read some threads here about horrible name check experiences (long waits, etc.) which turned on a yellow light on my case. Here’s the story: I have two middle names, but always used only the first one in the US. All my US-issued documents (SSN card, DL, tax returns, marriage and divorce documents, etc.) have my first name, middle1 and last name only. My GC has my first name, middle1 (initial only) and last name. None of them have my second middle name. HOWEVER, my original country’s passport has my full name in this format: first name, middle1, middle2, last name. So does my original birth certificate. On my N-400 I did not add middle2 anywhere, simply because I did not use it in the US. I have not added it to the section reserved to “other names you used” either, but now I think I should have done that at the very least.

My options are:

1. Should I leave this alone and not worry about it? If so, is there a chance that the USCIS officer will notice the additional middle name on my passport during the interview and possibly raise a flag, or even send my case back to additional FBI checks because the omitted name wasn’t checked before?

2. Should I tell USCIS about this and ask them to add my middle2 to the FBI name check during my fingerprint appointment next week? Can I do so, even though I did not add it to my N-400? Will the fact that I didn’t add it originally to the N-400 cause any problems during the interview?

Anyone with similar experiences? I appreciate any comments, opinions, suggestions, etc.
 
Don't worry too much about this since you will be able to make changes to the application during the Interview with Immigration Officer (IO).

I had a similar experience during my filing where I put the wrong name and didn't fill in the "Other names" used section. Like you, I was worried about this mistake and wondered if name check would be an issue.

Name check was never an issue and I told the IO my mistake and he corrected it on the spot. He didn't ask why or for any proof and just asked me to make sure that what he was correcting is to the right name.

You can't do any changes to the application even at fingerprint time so just get your fingerprints done and sit back and relax till you get the Interview letter.
 
How about the name check itself?

Thanks, happigal. So you think just leaving it alone is the best choice? How about the name check itself? Wouldn't it be safer to just add the additional middle name to whatever form I fill out when I show up for fingerprinting? I think I have to fill out something else for FP too, right? My concern is that they decide to delay my citizenship approval to do further FBI name checks because I didn't tell them about my second middle name until the interview.
 
Hi eccevino...I understand your concern but you CANNOT make any ammendments to the N400 form after it's been submitted. USCIS will not allow you to do this. (Trust me, I tried to notify USCIS of the mistake I made and they told me that nothing can be done and to let the Immigration Officer know about it at time of Interview.)

The only time you will be able to make any changes is during the Interview time.

When they do name check, you would be surprised at what names they already know you've used in the past and now. I don't use my maiden and middle name here in the States at all and they knew about it.

Don't worry about it...you're stressing too much :) Just tell them at Interview time about your mistake and you'll be alright.
 
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eccevino said:
Thanks, happigal. So you think just leaving it alone is the best choice? How about the name check itself? Wouldn't it be safer to just add the additional middle name to whatever form I fill out when I show up for fingerprinting? I think I have to fill out something else for FP too, right? My concern is that they decide to delay my citizenship approval to do further FBI name checks because I didn't tell them about my second middle name until the interview.
Click to expand...

i too made a mistake, i forgot to put my maiden name under OTHERS. I did not do anything to ammend my N400. During my finger print appt. they gave me a form to fill out (all personal info). and there is a question/item there to List all the Other name used, and I did.

I did not have any problem during my interview and did not even have to change it in my original n400 application.

good luck to you
 
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Thanks again

Hi happygal,

Do you think I should take a corrected page of the N-400 including my "other name" info (i.e. with middle name 2) to the interview and tell them about that upfront? Perhaps if I do that they won't be surprised when they ask for my passport and see the additional name on it.

Btw...do they ask us in the beginning of the interview if there's anything we would like to amend or correct on the N-400 form?
 
They don't, but you are certainly allowed and is also a good idea to provide the list of changes right about at the start of interview.
 
Other names on FP form?

Thanks, abs49080. So you missed your maiden name on the N-400 but added it on the FP form. I think I remember this form back in my GC process. I had to fill it out with a pencil for some reason, and I added both middle names to it back then. It sounds like I should do that again (even though I missed it on the N-400) because my passport currently has (and always had) my second middle name. happygal thinks I should not worry about doing even that, though. I'd probably not worry so much if middle2 wasn't on my original country's passport today.
 
Hi eccevino...since the change is on the very first page of the N400 application, the IO will most likely not take the ammended page from you since there is a bar code sticker that is placed on the right hand side of this first page by USCIS.

I had printed out a new ammended page and brought it along to the Interview and told the IO at the very beginning of the Interview that there were some changes to be made to my name and that I had it with me. The IO said "Thanks..but due to the bar code sticker, I will just make the changes on the page for you instead of taking the newly printed page from you".

Just mentioned it at the very start and you'll be OK.

Good luck!
 
I have three first ("given") names and one last (family) name). I listed all on my application because those are the ones I want on my certificate and passport. I actually use my middle given name most of the time !!!!!

However, I used many different combinations in the past (ABCD, ABD, ACD, BCD, BD etc. etc.). part of this is because many computer databases allow only two given names.

I am assuming that the name-check guys will figure it all out !!!!
 
Thanks for your input, happygal! I will just go ahead and add my second middle name as "other names" on whatever form I have to fill out at the fingerprint appointment, and just mention the N-400 mistake to the IO right at the start of the interview instead of taking an amended page. I feel like if I add the second middle name to the FP form they will also include that name in the name check and eliminate any possibility of delays on my case. I think we keep a copy of the FP form, so I will just take it with me to the interview just in case.

rswh, thanks for sharing your experience.
 
It seems that your name as it appears on the green card is the name of record. My passport, driver's license and social security card all have a middle name but my green card doesn't. My middle name is simply my father's first name (as is the convention in the part of India that I am from).

When I filled my N-400 form I used only my first and last name and I didn't list my middle name even in the "previous names used" section. After I mailed the form I started worrying if that would get me into trouble. In the worst case scenario it seemed that even a second name check could be triggered by my omission.

However at the interview the IO didn't seem to be bothered about all this. She noted that my passport has a middle name and asked me to confirm that I did not want it to appear on my naturalization certificate. When I replied in the affirmative, that was it. No more questions asked. Maybe it depends on the IO and I just got lucky.

-KM
 
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