N-400, Seaction 1, Legal Name. Could we have a problem that could cause a denial?

[AmerCan]

Mailed the wife's N-400 packet in today. When we got her greencard they had put here name as Jane J Maiden Married; but when she filed for her social they said they couldn't/didn't do compound names without a hyphen, and they just listed her as Jane Jane Married. Everyone that's seen her GC--which she uses as her main ID--(employer, bank, state ID) has ignored the Maiden name in the middle and defaults to using a regular single married name. Which is what she's used since we've got married.

When we filled out Section one we put Jane Jane Married as her legal name and then filled in Part B with her name as it appears on the greencard and listed both under "other names".

Was talking to a friend today that say we were supposed to use her greencard name in the legal name section and that we're probably going to get denied at the biometrics, or hit with a denial and maybe a removal if we make it to the interview.

How likely would that be?

 

[Jackolantern]

Was talking to a friend today that say we were supposed to use her greencard name in the legal name section ...

No. The legal name is often different from the green card name. That's why they have one question for legal name, and another one for name as displayed on the green card.

...and that we're probably going to get denied at the biometrics, or hit with a denial and maybe a removal if we make it to the interview.

No. If she failed to list a version of her name on the N-400, they'll order a new background check with that name after the interview. That would cause a delay but by itself it won't cause a denial unless she failed to mention it at the interview and the name discrepancy is so significant that it appears you were trying to obtain citizenship fraudulently. Since it looks like all variations of her names were listed, she shouldn't have that problem.

 

[mlnaras]

Well...I am stuck in the same issue. If you look at my posting, you can see they ordered another FBI name check on my legal name. At this time, i am not sure how long this will take and YES this will certainly delay if it is highlighted at later stage.

 

[Jackolantern]

Well...I am stuck in the same issue. If you look at my posting, you can see they ordered another FBI name check on my legal name.

But you failed to list your full name including middle name. Apparently the OP's wife has listed all her names so she shouldn't have a problem.

 

[AmerCan]

But you failed to list your full name including middle name. Apparently the OP's wife has listed all her names so she shouldn't have a problem.

Legal Name: Given Name, Full Middle Name, Married Name
GC Name: Given Name, Middle Initial, Maiden Name Married Name (* This is how the card was issued)
Alt Name: Given, Maiden; Green Card Variant, Legal

Name Change Request: Given Name, Full Middle Name, Married Name.

 

[Tazmania]

BTW, the N-400 is in question B. kind of unclear. The ask "Your name exactly as it appears on your permanent resident card" and the later for the full middle name. At least for my wife it makes no sense as the name appears as Jane E Doe on the card.

 

[AmerCan]

BTW, the N-400 is in question B. kind of unclear. The ask "Your name exactly as it appears on your permanent resident card" and the later for the full middle name. At least for my wife it makes no sense as the name appears as Jane E Doe on the card.

That's how we ended up confused on Part A.

The instructions say that your legal name is the name on the birth certificate unless changed by marriage or court order. The instructions in no way tie the legal name to the green card name. Then Part B says green card name exactly as it appears on the green card, even if the green card has mistakes.

 

[AmerCan]

The actual instructions read:

Part 1. Your Name (the person applying for naturalization)

A. Your current legal name - Your current legal name is
the name on your birth certificate unless it has been
changed after birth by a legal action such as a marriage
or court order.

B. Your name exactly as it appears on your Permanent
Resident Card (if different from above) - Write your
name exactly as it appears on your card. even if it is
misspelled.

So, to me, that means her married name. As Part 1A doesn't specify greencard name and Part 1B makes provision for a difference. But that's a layman's reading of it.