Regdg Name Change

M

mirchilal

Registered Users (C)
i applied form n400 this june. My spouse is on H1 and i plan to apply for spouse's gc once i get citizenship. We want to change our names (Our 1st and last names are looong). I'm looking at various option and looking for suggestions. Since the San jose DO doesnt do name change anymore, if i go thru the usual calif court route..it costs about $550 (fees+advt) and 6-7 weeks. Then I hv to apply for N565 (replacement cert of naturalisation $220) after i get the original cert of naturalisation..and THEN apply for spouse's GC (I-130 etc). Bottom line is it costs around $770 + ~2 months time for a simple name change, not to mention the trips to court. Is there any other way ? Change the DO ? Howsit in san francisco?
Shouldnt the name change be hassle free for atleast people who have to change their name becus of marriage ?
 
The usual reason for a change of DO is moving house - not sure you can simply "pick" a different DO as they wouldn't have juridiction over your case.

Anyhow, even if you did namechange during naturalization, that would only fix your name and not your spouse. Seems like the only way to go is the regular civil process.
 
Name change

My wife came ot US on H-4 VISA with her Maiden Name (as last name) on passport...I applied her GC (got GC in Oct 2001) with my Last name and our GC's have the same last name for both of us....we applied for N-400 and got fingerprints done and my wife mentioned at FP the she used her maiden name before (under section Previous names used)...does my wife need to do anything legally about her last name change? The only place she has her maiden name is in the Passport/Marraige Certificate....in all other docs like License/SSN Card/GC/bank account etc etc...she has my last name....do we need to do anything in this regard before our N-400 Interview gets scheduled? Any help is greatly appreciated...
 
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/sanjose/faqs.htm
Q. Why can’t I change my name during the citizenship process?
A. The U.S. Northern California District Court previously presided over the naturalization of new citizens in the San Jose jurisdiction. However, in August 2004, this court decided that they would no longer participate or preside over the naturalization of new citizens of the San Jose USCIS office. Their past involvement also included the authority to change names. USCIS does not have the authority to change names and as a result, name changes cannot be made in our office. Persons interested in changing their name must do so with the State of California prior to or after becoming naturalized.
If a name change occurs after the new citizen becomes naturalized and wishes to change the name on the naturalization certificate, he or she may file the N-565 for a replacement certificate in our office. We will continue to honor name changes due to marriage or divorce.

Does the last line mean if a spouse has to change name becus of marriage or divorce, then the SJ DO will do it ?
 
I checked with an immigration officer regarding this. The last line is applicable to only women who want to change their last name due to marriage or divorce.
 
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