Name Change

[javapoet55]

My wife would like to change her name while applying for US Citizenship. We have a sectionin N-400 Application (Part I, Section D). Can you please let me know whether we need to include any additional supporting documents for this or any surprises behind this. We don't want to go through the hassel of any additional processes during our citizenship application process?

How about changing our name after we get our Citizenship? Is that very difficult?

Please provide your comments.

Thanks much!

 

[Jackolantern]

Who is applying for citizenship? You or her or both? If both, are you applying at the same time? Is her desired name change only to take your last name, or does she want to make additional changes like a new first name?

Based on your answers there are different options to minimize the hassles.

 

[javapoet55]

Who is applying for citizenship? You or her or both? If both, are you applying at the same time? Is her desired name change only to take your last name, or does she want to make additional changes like a new first name?

Based on your answers there are different options to minimize the hassles.

Thanks for your note. Here's the answer for your questions:

1. Who is applying for citizenship? - We both apply for the citizenship. Can we submit both of our citizenship application using one N-400 application or need to apply using two separate application?

You or her or both? If both, are you applying at the same time? - Yes. We both apply at the same time but with 2 different applications ( Not sure whether we can do in one application - Pl. confirm)

Is her desired name change only to take your last name, or does she want to make additional changes like a new first name? - She wants to change her first/last name.

Thanks!

 

[jessicapotter]

Thanks for your note. Here's the answer for your questions:

1. Who is applying for citizenship? - We both apply for the citizenship. Can we submit both of our citizenship application using one N-400 application or need to apply using two separate application?

You or her or both? If both, are you applying at the same time? - Yes. We both apply at the same time but with 2 different applications ( Not sure whether we can do in one application - Pl. confirm)

Is her desired name change only to take your last name, or does she want to make additional changes like a new first name? - She wants to change her first/last name.

Thanks!

You cannot use the same us citizenship form for both of you. Complete and file separate N-400 forms. You can apply at the same time, though. You can request for a name change during the naturalization process and you will have your oath ceremony solemnized in a court. This will take care of your name change issue and your citizenship certificate will have the new name on it.

 

[Jackolantern]

You or her or both? If both, are you applying at the same time? - Yes. We both apply at the same time but with 2 different applications

You'll need 2 separate application with 2 fees.

Is her desired name change only to take your last name, or does she want to make additional changes like a new first name? - She wants to change her first/last name.

Since her name change is more than just taking your last name, she will need a judicial oath, so both of you won't be able to have the oath together because you would be in a regular administrative oath ... unless BOTH of you are changing your names, or you live in one of the districts where all oaths are judicial oaths.