Dear All: We have our n-400 interview in Newark soon. We are wondering if we can do my wife last_name change using our prior original home country marriage certificate as the evidence for the IO to do the change right there and then during the interview. In summary, just like any US state marriage certificate, our original home country marriage certificate shows my first_name and my last_name, and then my wife's first_name and her maiden_name (my wife now wants to legally use my last_name going forward instead of her maiden name if it can be done so at the naturalization interview). Fyi note that her home country passport as also her US greencard shows her maiden last_name only (we never took the trouble when we married several years back to replace her maiden last_name with my last_name in our home country and before coming to the US). We now saw that the naturalization interview offers a chance to do at no cost but as long as we do not get further delayed by any separate newark judicial oath/name change process.
Our question is if during the interview my wife shows the IO her original home country marriage certificate (which but was issued several years back to us when we married in our home country), will the IO at that point accept to change her maiden last_name (also shown in the marriage certificate), to her new desired last_name (i.e. my last name, which is also reflected within our same home_country marriage certificate), and then still NORMALLY PROCESS US THRU THE SAME DAY ADMINISTRATIVE OATH PROCESS, VERSUS ROUTING US TO THE SEPARATE "UNDER JUDICIAL-OATH NAME CHANGE PROCESS"??
FYI, this question above came up from what i saw written in the 'M-476, A Guide to Naturalization' posted on USCIS website on this subject, quoted below:
"
18. Can I change my name when I naturalize?
Congress did not give USCIS legal authority to change a person’s name when that person naturalizes. Therefore, there are only two ways that USCIS can issue your Certificate of Naturalization under a new name:
1. If you present proof that you have already changed your name according to the legal requirements that apply to persons living in your State, USCIS can issue the Certificate of Naturalization with your new name. Such proof might include a marriage certificate or divorce decree showing that you changed your name when you married or divorced. It might also include some other State court order establishing that you changed your name.
2. If you are going to take the Oath of Allegiance at a Naturalization Ceremony that is held in Court, you may ask the Court to change your name. If the Court grants your request, your new name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization. "
thanks