Name change prior to interview

[smartspider]

Hi all -

I heard today from a friend of mine that you can actually go to your local court and get your name changed ahead of your interview and then present the document at the interview. This way, you don't have to wait an additional few months for an oath date as you've already gone through the process. Has anyone else heard of this?

Also, has anyone gone through the process of changing your name AFTER the oath? What does that involve?

Thanks,

SS

 

[Al Southner]

I haven't heard of it, but knowing US Courts, laws tend to be consistent for such issues. In Maryland, a local court can do a name change, but it takes 2 months for the entire process, for the notice to be made public so that people can come forward to contest the name change or not, then a judge makes it official after that review period. So, same day name change or process review is new to me...

 

[Jackolantern]

I heard today from a friend of mine that you can actually go to your local court and get your name changed ahead of your interview and then present the document at the interview.

Yes, you can do that. But it is likely to create delays in other ways:

1. They have to do another FBI name check for your case, using the new name.
2. Employees at USCIS handling your case may get confused with the mid-stream name change, resulting in screwups or delays.
3. The court process in some jurisdictions takes a long time. You may have to wait a couple months for a court date, and/or advertise the name change in the newspaper and wait 30 days, etc. And it might cost you hundreds of dollars.

Also, has anyone gone through the process of changing your name AFTER the oath? What does that involve?

Contact your local City Hall to find out what the process and fees are. It is somewhat different in each area.

 

[guju]

SmartSpider,
I believe you are in Chicago DO. I had requested a name change and I got my oath letter in a week and a half from my ID and my OD is 5 weeks after my ID. There was a backlog in chicago due to the court room being under construction, but I believe the back log is reduced so you probably will get your OD sooner than your 5 weeks. Just a thought....

 

[kruz_patz]

I have same issue, that's why I didn't ask for name change in my wife's application. That's why I recently called to court in my area (atlanta). A court official told me that if I want court order for name change. ........ than first I have to file an application and than they will publish ad in local news paper for a month for name change......so if any one have any obligation they can come ahead to complain in court........but usually that doesn't happen in normal cases like us.........

next thing the court will schedule the name change ceremony at court and will call you on certain day in court ....... and than they will likely to give you name change order and court certificate of name change..........you can assume this process takes 2 months easily..........

if you have time........it's advisable to do this............as it's more legal and shows high moral character...........

ON the other side, requesting a name change during the interview, might get your oath in delay. If you are married and would like to take your spouse's first name as you middle name and spouse's last name as your last name.......
than believe me it depends on HOW MUCH busy the court is?
They gives dates based on the priority.........for them US Citizenship may comes at later priority......compare to other legal cases.

Good Luck

 

[Bobsmyth]

if you have time........it's advisable to do this............as it's more legal and shows high moral character...........

More legal? Shows high moral character? How so?

Name change request as part of naturalization process is as legal as it gets.

 

[kruz_patz]

More legal? Shows high moral character? How so?

Name change request as part of naturalization process is as legal as it gets.

Ok now USCIS doesn't have the authority to do name change, although you can fill out N-400 with new name change, but than the oath ceremony will be administered by judge and inside court. (usual procedure).

So for those if you want to decide to do name change based on marriage, it depends on DO and it also depends on nearest court. Although, it looks like the last name change after marriage is not a big hassel.

But for those who wants to change their middle and last name at the same time, it would be unsure if you will get same day oath or OATH AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS.

So if you have court order for name change, no one will ask you a single question. USCIS is to give you status in this country, COURT administer's legal issues, such as name change.
KC

Question for you BOBsmyth: I saw you get FP letter after almost a month from NOA date. I am just concerned about my wife's FP letter, it's not in mail yet. Is it due to holidays?
Thanks

 

[Bobsmyth]

Ok now USCIS doesn't have the authority to do name change,

A name change request as part of naturalization process is legally binding. USCIS transmits the name change request to the court system where it is becomes legally binding.

Question for you BOBsmyth: I saw you get FP letter after almost a month from NOA date. I am just concerned about my wife's FP letter, it's not in mail yet. Is it due to holidays?
Thanks

Mine was mainly due to backlogs back in 2007. Your wife's could be due to holidays.