Name change?

[xenogear]

If one did not do a name change during the citizenship application but now wants to change his/her name via court. How hard is it to file a name change? If granted a name change via court, how do you change the name from your Naturalization Certificate?

 

[truckensafely]

This is how I would do it since the Nat. replacement cost $380.00:
1-Change your name first in court.
2-Apply for a passport & they will ask you for the Nat. cert.
3-Enjoy your new American passport with your new name.
4-Put your Nat. cert on craigslist as antique

If one did not do a name change during the citizenship application but now wants to change his/her name via court. How hard is it to file a name change? If granted a name change via court, how do you change the name from your Naturalization Certificate?

 

[chuang2830]

How long does it take to have name change through court?

 

[N400Atl]

If one did not do a name change during the citizenship application but now wants to change his/her name via court. How hard is it to file a name change? If granted a name change via court, how do you change the name from your Naturalization Certificate?

You have to do it via district court for your county. It is not very hard but forms change based on State and counties. Based on my knowledge of name change in GA, basically there are 4 simple forms to fill. Then go to court and give them court fee and newspaper ad fee (Total about 170) They send the ad to newspaper which runs it for 4 weeks. Then newspaper tells court that 4 weeks are over, they schedule a name change hearing. You go to court that day and tell judge why you want name change. He signs name change order. You take multiple certified copies of it and that's it. In all it can take from 2 months to 3-4 months (based on Judge's schedule, some judges do name changes once a month, some do once a week)
It is not very hard and you do not need a lawyer. Most court clarks can help you with that. You can call them and ask for name change packet or ask where you can get forms and all.

 

[N400Atl]

Forgot to mention, Once you have court order, you can send that and Old Nat cert to get a new Nat cert. I would not recommend that since you can get the passport with correct name and that is equally sufficient proof for nationality. If you need to use Nat cert anywhere, you can mail court order along with that and that combination works fine.

Nat cert change takes more than a year. Not worth spending 400$ to get it as it may never be needed (Once you have passport) !!!