If you want your name changed, your ceremonymustbe in front of a judge (usually in a courthouse). Assume . You probably do not need a lawyer to get a name change, since this is a relatively informal process. At the heart of our firm is a focus on client relationships, responsiveness, and our deep commitment to helping you or your corporation achieve the goal of living or working in the U.S. 4299 MacArthur Boulevard You might receive several letters from USCIS before your name correction is clarified, and the agency might not, ultimately, grant you your first choice. If you are in luck, and are approved for citizenship at the interview, the officer will have you fill out a form called a Petition for Name Change during your interview. Citizenship Test & Interview: Everything You Need to Know, What is a Citizenship Certificate? However, if a trip lasts longer than 180 days, USCIS may determine that you have not continuously resided in the United States and therefore are ineligible for naturalization. Proof of Termination of Your Previous Marriage (s) 3. Ask at your USCIS interview if your ceremony can be held in front of a judge. You must request the underlying court order to document the material name change for the other family members. The U.S. State Department is responsible for issuing passports. (Updated-2022), Replace Lost Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate(2022). 2012), the New Jersey Appellate Division addressed this question. for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or counsel. The court with either accept or deny your request. USCIS does not offer the option of a name change with the Certificate of Citizenship. Since I am technically an international student, I'm not sure if the judge at the courthouse will even hear my case. A judge will make a decision in about 2 to 3 months after you complete a few more steps. You may not need to pay a fee if you correct your name during the naturalization process. When should I submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions? Endorsement of name change during the naturalization process. Citizenship? Name changes can be done if you are married or divorced or you changed your name through a court order. You may have some limits on what you can choose for your new name, but these should not pose a challenge if you are simply trying to correct the spelling of your name. 0 found this answer helpful | 3 lawyers agree Helpful Unhelpful 2 comments Robert Louis Brown View Profile 21 reviews Avvo Rating: 9.8 Immigration Attorney in Cleveland, OH Reveal number If USCIS grants your application for citizenship, you can change your name if you attend a naturalization swearing-in ceremony in court. People applying for U.S. citizenship can change their names as a part of the U.S. naturalization process. Only a judge can change a name. The United States allows people to lawfully change their names and adopt new names as people tend to change their names for various reasons such as marriage, divorce, or adoption. When applying for U.S. citizenship if you wish to change your name, you can apply for naturalization and for legal name change together onForm N-400, Application for Naturalization. The clerk will give you a date when a judge will make a decision. You can also legally change your name when you naturalize. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. TheUSCIS officer can have you sign a name change petition andfile it with a court before the judicial oath ceremony. Evidence that you can provide includes: Your immigration lawyer can help gather and send the evidence required for you to change your name on naturalization forms. Commonly Asked Questions About the Naturalization Process USCIS has developed responses to several frequently asked questions related to the naturalization process and interview and test. It's not uncommon for someone's name to appear incorrectly on past immigration paperwork, such as refugee processing documents, an I-94, or a birth certificate produced by an unreliable source, such as in a refugee camp. This is a completely different process that is around correcting an error during your application for your certificate of citizenship rather than after you have received your documentation. Congress does not authorize the USCIS to make legal name changes during the naturalization process, but if your swearing-in ceremony is conducted by a judge, she has authority to order a name change. Also visit, theN-400, Application for Naturalizationpage and read the instructions. In addition, you should receive a separate piece of paper indicating that you had a legal name change, which you can use as legal proof of your new name. It may not be worth changing a name error on a green card if the individual plans to apply for naturalization. You will get a certificate to show that your name was legally changed, and the correct name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization. If you file by mail, The USCIS will then mail you updates about your case. Div. This is an attorney advertisement. For information on obtaining a copy of your name change petition, contact the jury and naturalization office at 404-215-1640. If you don't want to or can't change your name during naturalization, you can change your name in a California court. All Rights Reserved. Depending on the cause of the error, however, you might have to pay for the correction. OR Endorsement of name change during the naturalization process Note: The name as on the Indian Passport will appear on the Renunciation Certificate since it is a surrender of an Indian passport. The judge will not approve your name change request in the following types of circumstance: For more information on the relevant law, see the Name Change page of Nolo's website. For the 2008 version of the civics test, there are 100 available civics questions on the naturalization test (PDF, 368.79 KB), butyou will not be asked to answer all of them during your naturalization interview. You can request to change your name on a citizenship certificate using Form N-600. However, USCIS recognizes that certain circumstances may prevent concurrent filing of the naturalization application and the disability exception form. To obtain a replacement of your naturalization certificate, please follow the instructions found here at www.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 for additional information. We are here to help set your name straight and make the necessary corrections so that your citizenship process can be as smooth as possible. How many times can I apply for naturalization? Self-help software and customer support services are provided solely at a users direction. USCIS may be reluctant to accept certain types of corrections, so you may need to provide alternatives from which it can choose. I received the ceremony date for my citizenship and need to reschedule. But in a place likeSan Francisco, they don't, even though the form says you couldchange your name.Once you go to the interview, they'll say, \"Actually, we don'tdo name changes here.\"So you got to look to see what your local office does.I'm not familiar with every procedure at every office, butmaybe contact local attorneys or whatever.But the reality is, you could change your name at the interview. How to Apply for US Citizenship and Naturalization/ Consulting one can be well worth the expense. This page was not helpful because the content: Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization, I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of 5 Years, Naturalization Test Redesign Development 2022, Educational Products for Educators and Program Administrators, Citizenship Teacher Training Registration, Fiscal Year 2022 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Awards Announcement, Learn About the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, Fiscal Year 2022 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, Citizenship Public Education and Awareness Campaign, Learn About the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, Register for a Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, Naturalization-Related Data and Statistics, Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 100 available civics questions on the naturalization test, 128 available civics questions on the naturalization test, Scoring Guidelines for the U.S. Naturalization Test, In the instructions to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/replace-your-green-card, USCIS Policy Manual Volume 12, Part E, English and Civics Testing and Exceptions, Chapter 2, English and Civics Testing. If you are approved for U.S. citizenship, and if naturalization swearing-in ceremonies are conducted by a court in your area, then you will be able to change your name legally at the ceremony. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles citizenship applications. As far as possible delays, USCIS has little control over the judicial ceremony calendar. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. You can legally change your name after filing your application for naturalization with USCIS. Attorney Advertising. In some regions of the United States, ceremonies presided over by a judge are held only a few times per year, so asking for a name change will result in your waiting longer than most people to receive citizenship. We are here to provide knowledge, support, and help for you during this time. Expect to have to correspond several times with USCIS before it agrees to make the correction. If you dont see it, disable any pop-up/ad blockers on your browser. This can officially happen at your swearing-in ceremony. We are not a law firm, and this site and our software are not a substitute for the advice of a lawyer and do not contain or constitute legal advice. I had discussion with the officer during the interview but they said we will follow the birth certificate. If they respond that they would, then there is a space to write in what the new name is. Then, during the Naturalization Oath Ceremony, a federal judge can legally change your name. However, both approaches are nuanced, with small details that are critical to the process. Because my Green Card allows me to travel between the United States and my home country, can I live in both places until I am ready to apply for citizenship? It is common for those immigrating to the United States to legally change their name. In addition, theFind Help in Your Communitypage allows individuals to search for low-cost or free citizenship classes throughout the United States. One may change their name after naturalization by going through the courts, or by some operation of law such marriage or divorce. when ever name change is initiated through naturalization, a court order will be issued with new name. The United States offers several different processes for people to legally change their name. Part 2, Question 4 of Form N-400 is specifically meant for this purpose. Look for a "Chat Now" button in the right bottom corner of your screen. In such a case, your request for a name change on Form N-400 cannot be acted upon. After the office confirms that there is a name change petition on file for you, you may obtain a copy in person or request one by mail. Or, you can wait until your receive notification of your USCIS interview date, and ask the officer reviewing your case whether a judge will preside over your swearing-in. It is recommended to consult a lawyer before you apply for a name change if you have already filed your citizenship application. OR Notarized affidavit if only middle name initial is added. However, both approaches are nuanced, with small details that are critical to the process. The extent of the correction may depend on the strength of your proof for the error. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by the United States government or any government agency. Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes an American citizen. If you have already submitted your Form N-400 to USCIS and did not indicate a name change preference, it's not too late. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Contact USCIS or an immigration attorney if you have more questions. Once you get the documents changing your name, you can use it to change your name on other legal identity documents. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The forms that can be completed using our software can be obtained for free from the U.S. The materials contained in this website have been prepared by Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. Naturalization Replacing a Lost Name Change Certificate The Southern District of Iowa can only provide certified copies of name change certificates. My fianc and I are getting married in the next few months then apply for the AOS. The procedure might vary based on the state you are in but in most cases legally changing your name through the court system is recommended. Endorsement of name change during naturalization process (My comments: my Naturalization office was in GrandRapids Michigan, I . Even if you do not ask for a name change at this point, you can ask to file a Petition for Name Change at your USCIS interview. Down," for example, is not likely to be allowed. Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, Cancellation of Green Card After Citizenship Denial, Residency Requirement When Applying for Citizenship, Fingerprinting Requirement When Applying for Citizenship, Expediting Review of Citizenship Application, Applying for Citizenship as a Former Asylee or Refugee, Fee Waivers for Citizenship Application (Form N-400), Naturalization Interview When Seeking Citizenship, Second Chance Naturalization Interviews When Seeking Citizenship, Request for Hearing After Denial of Citizenship, Naturalization Ceremony After Citizenship Approval, CARRP Program and Delays for Muslim-Americans Seeking Citizenship, Name Corrections and Changes in the Citizenship Process, Birthright Citizenship and Acquisition or Derivation of Citizenship Through Parents, Military Service Members and Veterans Pursuing Citizenship, Children of Refugees Qualifying for Citizenship Through Derivation, Impact of Conditional Resident Status on Applying for Citizenship, Domestic Violence Victims Applying for Citizenship, Public Benefits and Applying for Citizenship, Extramarital Affairs, Divorce, and Citizenship, Voting Rights After Receiving Citizenship, Consular Interviews When Seeking a Visa or Green Card, VAWA Petitions for Foreign National Victims of Domestic Violence Seeking Immigration Status, How Children of Foreign National Domestic Violence Victims Can Obtain Immigration Status, Work Authorization for Foreign Nationals Without Green Cards, Temporary Protected Status for Foreign Nationals Unable to Return Home Safely, Humanitarian Parole for Foreign Nationals With Compelling Needs, Advance Parole for Foreign Nationals Living in the U.S. Applicants may ask the USCIS officer to repeat or rephrase questions during the naturalization interview. No. Because many courts opt out of the naturalization ceremony and authorize USCIS personnel to administer the oath, to have your name changed as part . Many oath ceremonies are not held in front ofjudges. London TW1 1JT replace your Naturalization or Citizenship certificate. This avenue of applying for a name change after the citizenship oath will grant a new certificate of naturalization for a name change. For more information, seeexceptions and accommodations. The USCIS officer will ask the applicant only the civics questions on the lists for both versions of the test. Looking for U.S. government information and services? Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The USCIS officer will ask questions to clarify or confirm your responses. We look forward to working with you. If your name has changed after you filed a naturalization application, you must promptly provide USCIS with the document (s) that legally changed your name (s), such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official record. Exceptions and restrictions may apply; see Refund Policyfor details. Even I applied for court order to change my name, I have to start FBI/CBI, criminal record checks, petition to court etc but I am unclear as to as to how to start that since I have always been FirstName Lastname. If you have been wanting to change your namewhether your first name, last name (surname) or bothapplying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen offers you a possible way to do so, and with few administrative hassles. . Ive just completed my interview for citizenship. As far as possible delays, USCIS has little control over the judicial ceremony calendar change Certificate Southern... 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A fee if you have more questions naturalization with USCIS support services are provided solely at a direction! For a name change petition, contact the jury and naturalization office at 404-215-1640 Immigration attorney you! Deny your request oath ceremonies are not held in front of a judge make!