Name change again.

F

fuzzy

Registered Users (C)
Hi!
I just sent my N-400 to DO. I asked name change in N-400.
My name is a kinda diffiicult to pronounce. So, I decided to get an American name. It was harder than choosing my kid's name, choosing my own name!
I looked through baby name registry and picked one.
However, after I sent my N-400, I thought I could have a nicer name than what I put in N-400. Can I still have a chance to change the name to different one from my first choice in N-400 when I have an interview?
I have many months until interview and think I can find really "MY" name during that time.
Thanks!

fuz
 
Yes, you can amend any part of your N-400 during the interview, including the name change selection.
 
Wow that was fast! Thank you very much, Vorpal, for your answer and the other answer from you couple of weeks ago!
 
Name Change

As a matter fact, I did just that. Before my interview, AO had printed my name change documents and kept ready. When I requested another name change, he tore those papers, made the correction and printed new copies.

I read in this forum anything in N-400 could be changed. To some extent, I believe it is true.
 
In San-Francisco DO they do NOT change names during the interview. I went on INFOPASS appointment with somebody else to interpret and asked them specifically if I can change my name trough N-400 - Interview; the answer was no. So I changed the name through the court before mailing the N-400 and asked the officer during the interview about name change, the answer once again was NO - it has to be done before or after naturalization.

Cheers.
 
H.E, That's very interesting and frankly I am not believing it, if you are telling me that Name cannot be changed during Naturalization process. Or if you are telling me that SFO DO does not let you do that?

If you meant, the Adjudicating Officer didnt let you make a correction in N-400 (related to Name Change), then he only has misled you, I suppose. And still not credible. Because, the point of an officer going thru all the details during the interview is to make corrections, if necessary. I read elsewhere in this forum that, anything in the N-400 is not final until you sign it. Meaning you can amend the document during interview before you sign the document.

Are you sure about what you wrote or am I not understanding you well? There is a technicality that USCIS doesnt have the power to change names, but they work with Federal Court during the naturalization process and it is seamless.
 
Clarification on name change

Homo Erectus is correct in that they don't change names at the interview. However, they DO change the names at a court-based oath ceremony. At the interview, an applicant can only indicate his/her desire for a name change, after which s/he will have to sign USCIS name change forms. At the court-based oath ceremony, the applicant will be issued a naturalization certificate with his/her new name, as well as an official name change certificate with a court seal. I went through this procedure, so I'm speaking from personal experience.
 
Vorpal, the way I understand H.E's post is, he had to change his name separately thru a court proceeding and then attach the document to N-400, since he was instructed that he can't change his name thru naturalization. He was instructed by another Adjudicating Officer. He "had" to change his name "before" mailing N-400. And I dont think thats right. Naturalization (and marriage) makes it easy to change name, besides saving money and effort.

I understand ur point, because thats exactly what I did last week and am quite busy changing my name in other accounts.

Let me share an interesting experience I had y'day.

I decided to change in SSA and DMV prior to PP. SSA MUST be done before DMV. I got a receipt from SSA. In DMV they promptly invalidated my DL before returning it and gave an interim license. I went to PO for PP, and the person, didnt accept my interim or invalidated DL as proof of identity. He wasnt convinced based on the Name change petition too. He needed one more proof other than Naturalization Certificate.

Eventually, he accepted my App based on my previous passport (non-US) in conjunction with Name Change document, which appeared funny to me, because the other PP is not valid anymore (even though I am yet to have it canceled), and he knows it, because he is accepting my US PP app, after all!!!
 
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1485waiter said:
Vorpal, the way I understand H.E's post is, he had to change his name separately thru a court proceeding and then attach the document to N-400, since he was instructed that he can't change his name thru naturalization. He was instructed by another Adjudicating Officer. And I dont think thats right.
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I just reread H.E.'s post, and I agree with you completely. He was blatantly misinformed. The second question on the N-400 asks if the applicant would like to legally change his/her name.
 
At my interview, the IO advised me to forgo the name change so I could get sworn in that day. I recently received approval from my local government to have my name legally changed, how do I get a new US Citizenship certificate to reflect my new name?
 
loveanh said:
At my interview, the IO advised me to forgo the name change so I could get sworn in that day. I recently received approval from my local government to have my name legally changed, how do I get a new US Citizenship certificate to reflect my new name?
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You have to fill out form N-565 and pay $380 for a new certificate. Too bad the IO didn't inform you of that.

However, you don't need to change the certificate. When you have to use the certificate, just show the name change order along with the certificate. And if you get a US passport with the new name, you will rarely (if ever) have to use the certificate unless you lose the passport.
 
Jackolantern said:
You have to fill out form N-565 and pay $380 for a new certificate. Too bad the IO didn't inform you of that.

However, you don't need to change the certificate. When you have to use the certificate, just show the name change order along with the certificate. And if you get a US passport with the new name, you will rarely (if ever) have to use the certificate unless you lose the passport.
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Wow!! That's a lot of money. I have not applied for a passport yet, when I do, what name will they use, my current name or the one which just has been granted?
 
loveanh said:
Wow!! That's a lot of money. I have not applied for a passport yet, when I do, what name will they use, my current name or the one which just has been granted?
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You must specify the new name on the passport form, and that is what they will use. But you will have to supply both the natz certificate and the name change document.
 
I am also planning to correct my middle name. I am not going to confuse it with the N400 Process. In most cases you cannot get a same day oath if there is a name change and will have to attend a court based ceremony.
Here is what I am going to do.

Answer 'No' to name change question in N400.
Let the process go through with the original name
After, I get the citizenship, go over to the county court house and get the name change done- pretty much on the same day.
Attach a copy of name change document with N400 and apply for US passport
I will also try to get a few extra copies of the 'change of name' document, costs $5 per extra copies so that I can attach it with other old-documents such as degree certificates, transcripts etc.

Now, I can also get the name change done prior to the N400 process, but I am afraid that will add one more set of names for the FBI to check.

Then again this is just me.;)
 
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Name Change

imihelp said:
I am also planning to correct my middle name. I am not going to confuse it with the N400 Process. In most cases you cannot get a same day oath if there is a name change and will have to attend a court based ceremony.
Here is what I am going to do.

Answer 'No' to name change question in N400.
Let the process go through with the original name
After, I get the citizenship, go over to the county court house and get the name change done- pretty much on the same day.
Attach a copy of name change document with N400 and apply for US passport
I will also try to get a few extra copies of the 'change of name' document, costs $5 per extra copies so that I can attach it with other old-documents such as degree certificates, transcripts etc.

Now, I can also get the name change done prior to the N400 process, but I am afraid that will add one more set of names for the FBI to check.

Then again this is just me.;)
Click to expand...

Please consider your location. If you happen to live in Los Angeles, your Oath is always a court ceremony, and same day Oath is rare and discouraged. I would assume there are other cities with this kind of arrangement. I always felt, name change is the easiest thru Naturalization and Marriage and costs less.
 
imihelp said:
I am also planning to correct my middle name. I am not going to confuse it with the N400 Process. In most cases you cannot get a same day oath if there is a name change and will have to attend a court based ceremony.
Click to expand...
In your jurisdiction, will they give you a same day oath if you DON'T do a name change? Many places simply don't ever do same-day oath regardless of name change or not. And if your case has any small complexity that causes a "decision cannot be made at this time", you obviously won't get a same day oath anyway.

After, I get the citizenship, go over to the county court house and get the name change done- pretty much on the same day.
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Is it really that quick in your jurisdiction ... one day?
 
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I'm planing to change my name too after i passed the interview. I'm living in San Jose. Someone told me that I can't change name here in California simply because the judge will not appear at the oath. is it true?
 
hl4a said:
I'm planing to change my name too after i passed the interview. I'm living in San Jose. Someone told me that I can't change name here in California simply because the judge will not appear at the oath. is it true?
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Not true. You can change your name in any state with the natz process. It just means you can't go to the usual administrative oath that people without name changes attend. You need a separate judicial oath, which may require you to wait a few extra weeks or months.
 
My Wife changed her name during the citizenship ceremony. But we never received a name change certificate. What can we do and how can we get one. Since the new name was in the naturalization certificate, she got the passport with the new name. But we need to get the name change certificate as a proof that she actually changed her name from her former name. How do we get it?
 
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