name change delay

M

malgi

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I was wondering if a name change request would add additional delay to the citizenship process. What is the average waiting time between ID and OD for one who requested a name change? Please share your experience.

Thanks,
Malgi
 
Yes, it may since it requires a Federal oath and in some areas they aren't scheduled as often as regular oaths administered by USCIS.
 
Yes there may be a delay because of the name change, but not longer than 2-3 months. Or it could be as little as a few days. It all depends on how often they have judicial oaths in your district.

However, if you change your name before naturalization, you increase the risk of being delayed for years by name check, because they will run a name check both for your original name AND your new name.
 
if you live in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or Detroit and other 44 so-called "exclusive jurisdictions." Name change won't cause delay at all, because in these cities, federal courts have asserted that they have exclusive authority to oath new citizens, and USCIS cannot conduct oath ceremony. Your oath will only be a court proceeding in those cities, that includes your name change.

there are 33 or so non-exclusive jurisdictions, if you are there, then name-change may cause delay if the court does not schedule as often as CIS' ceremonies. In some cities, such as san jose CA, there is no court proceeding at all.
 
1. So is there a list of this exclusive and non-exclusive jurisdictions somewhere?

2. We live in Dallas and I am planning to change my last name. Is it better to wait till the naturalization process is over and then do a legal name change through the courts?

Thanks
 
I'm in Houston. Oath ceremony was July 2007, exactly 3 months after filing. Changed my first names; did not cause any delay and was included in "standard" ceremony.
 
InTheShed said:
if you live in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or Detroit and other 44 so-called "exclusive jurisdictions." Name change won't cause delay at all, because in these cities, federal courts have asserted that they have exclusive authority to oath new citizens, and USCIS cannot conduct oath ceremony.
Click to expand...

This only holds true during the 45 day limit that federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction to administer judicial oaths. If they fail to do so, the authority goes back to USCIS. In fact, in one case the district court failed to schedule an oath within the 45 day limit and the USCIS district officials took it upon themselves to administer the oath. This is a perhaps rare occurrence, but it shows the possibility does exist for additional delays.
 
my wife changed her last name with naturalization.
interview was not delayed , the two of us were interviewed on the same day. I had a oath ceremony the very next day at the USCIS district office in Philadelphia. My wife had to wait for 35 days for a oath ceremony at the US district court.
 
I have my Oath this Friday in Orlando,
at the same address (Corporate Blvd.)
than for the interview. I have a
name change...
Orlando has Naturalization
ceremonies every Friday, so I wonder
if it is going to be a "normal" ceremony ?



Priority date: 1/8/08
FP notice date: 2/12/08
FP done: 3/6/08
Interview letter: 10/18/08
Interview: 11/25/08
OL date: 12/8/08 (received 12/10)
OD: 12/19/08
 
SandySkill,

I had my interview on Dec 03 (passed) in Tampa FL. I have requested for a name change. Have not received the oath letter though.

Was the oath ceremony you attended in Orlando operated by USCIS district office or Court office?



TSC / Tampa (DO)
06/03/2008 : N400 Mailed
06/05/2008 : PD
06/26/2008 : FP
12/03/2008: Interview Day (approved)
 
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