You can correct the spelling of the name on your green card by requesting a correction on an Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90). Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and requesting a correction. 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, on the other hand, your naturalization ceremony is not conducted in a court or by a judge, you cannot get a legal name change through USCIS, because the agency does not have the jurisdiction to bring this about. During your naturalization process, your name change will take place on a state-law basis. Customer support is for technical and billing issues only and will not answer legal questions. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS If your Form N-648 is found to be sufficient, and the licensed medical professional who completed your Form N-648 indicated on the form that you were unable to comply with all of the educational requirements, the officer will conduct the eligibility interview in your language of choice with the use of an interpreter and will not test you on any of the educational requirements. Is there an official document? 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. So at theinterview, it's very flexible.From what I've seen, I've never had a problem.You just say, \"Oh I want to go back and not changeit. In this scenario, you need not file a separate application to legally change your name as you can enter your new name in the space that is provided inForm N-400. Proof of an Authentic Marriage for the Past 3 Years Prior To Filing Your Form N-400. You can request to change your name on a citizenship certificate using Form N-600. Sometimes including proof of a parents name change or correction can make a difference. Unfortunately, not all of them are authorized or qualified to do so. 8 FAM 403.1-4(C) Change of Name by Marriage (CT:CITZ-64; 11-08-2021) It is a voluntary act; naturalization is not required. Fill the form out with your current name, even if the name is misspelled. If he had not naturalized, his Bonus family descendants generations from now would be at quite a loss to explain the origin of their name. CANADA, 5 Kenley Road For the 2020 version of the civics test, there are 128 available civics questions on the naturalization test, but you will not be asked to answer all of them during your naturalization interview. For information on obtaining a copy of your name change petition, contact the jury and naturalization office at 404-215-1640. Yes. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. 2012), the New Jersey Appellate Division addressed this question. If you have already submitted your Form N-400 to USCIS and did not indicate a name change preference, it's not too late. The instructions to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, include information on what is required when you wish to change yourname at the time of naturalization. Self-help software and customer support services are provided solely at a users direction. 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. USCIS has developed responses to several frequently asked questions related to the naturalization process and interview and test. All Rights Reserved. In addition to preparing for the reading, writing, and civics portion of the naturalization test, you will need to prepare for the speaking portion of the naturalization test and meet all other naturalization requirements. One way is by changing your name at the naturalization ceremony by filing Form N-565. Newport Beach, CA 92660, 18 King Street East, Suite 1400 Prepare yourself for the English speaking test by making sure you understand each question on the application and can respond to each question according to your situation. You have demonstrated an ability to speak English if you generally understand and can respond accurately to the USCIS officer. Only a judge can change a name. Please contact USCIS directly at www.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 to discuss your options. It is informational only. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Filling Out USCIS Form N-400 Application for Naturalization, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Typically, an oath of allegiance is performed before a USCIS officer. To do this, a naturalized citizen would file Form N-565 with USCIS. You can submit other evidence of the error as well. For more information on renewing your Green Card, visituscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/replace-your-green-cardoruscis.gov/i-90. 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. 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. The difficulty with this arises from the fact that oath of allegiance ceremonies are held much less frequently than those administered by USCIS officers. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. USCIS makes this decision for you.). A judge will make a decision in about 2 to 3 months after you complete a few more steps. 362, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Many choose to change their names while applying for U.S. citizenship as they need not pay separate fees for U.S. citizenship and to legally change their names. Looking for U.S. government information and services? You might be able to have errors, such as those found on a birth certificate or refugee processing documents, corrected on the Certificate of Citizenship without having to get your name legally changed in court. However, both approaches are nuanced, with small details that are critical to the process. You may travel to another country, including your home country, provided no other legal impediment precludes you from doing so. Your name change will take effect immediately after the ceremony has ended. If you are able to file your form online, you will be able to pay your fee, check your case status, and be updated on your case all in your online account. I had discussion with the officer during the interview but they said we will follow the birth certificate. We do not provide legal advice, opinions, or recommendations about any individuals specific legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. How can I obtain a copy of my Name Change Form? Mere usage could be enough for the change to be legal. If you have any questions about your immigration status or how to change your name during the immigration process, please contact our office. Please send a written request to the US District Court Clerk's Office, attn: Naturalization, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave, Rm. Are a naturalized citizen seeking a special certificate of naturalization for the purpose of a foreign country recognizing you as a citizen of the United States. When you apply to become a U.S. citizen, you are allowed to request a name change during the naturalization process. The petition is later presented to you during the naturalization ceremony as evidence of the name change. Accordingly, an applicant may file the disability exception form during any part of the naturalization process, including after the application is filed but before the firstexamination, during the firstexamination, during the re-examination if the applicants firstexaminationwas rescheduled, and during the rehearing on a denied naturalization application. USCIS provides free educational resources to help applicants prepare for the naturalization test. Once you have legally changed your name, you can File Form N-565 with the USCIS which is the application to replace your Naturalization or Citizenship certificate with the new name and get an updated copy of your certificate. Commonly Asked Questions About the Naturalization Process. USCIS does not offer the option of a name change with the Certificate of Citizenship. This article describes these various options. If another family member, such as a parent, has had a legal name change in order to fix errors made on immigration processing documents, and you believe your correct name should have included the correct spelling of the family member's name (such as in the above example where "Mixwell" should have been "Maxwell"), include the proof of that person's legal name change to help demonstrate that an error occurred. 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. The content on this site should not be relied on to reach conclusions about any persons specific situation. Many oath ceremonies are not held in front ofjudges. Depending on where you live, your will follow your state's legal name change procedures. The forms that can be completed using our software can be obtained for free from the U.S. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it. There is one catch. Visa Waiver Program for Foreign Nationals Planning Brief Visits to the U.S. [4] Although this is not typically an issue with divorce and marriage, it can get extremely varied based on the state. There are different procedures that must be followed based on your citizenship or immigration status. Applicants for naturalization seeking an exception to the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment are encouraged to submit this form at the time they fileForm N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS. Refunds will only be issued if requested within thirty (30) days and before completed application is printed. Get more information on how to fill out the name change part inthe Instructions for form N-400. Close All Open All Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? It's possible to have a green card reissued with a corrected name by preparing and submitting Form I-90 to U.S. London TW1 1JT Another option is to do a legal name change through the U.S. court system. Consulting one can be well worth the expense. Step by Step Instructions on Filling Out Form N-400, U.S. As well as the middle name was dropped during the Naturalization. If you're still in the planning stages, here's free, accurate, and up-to-date legal information on every step of the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. No. This site provides general information on some commonly encountered immigration matters only and was created to allow you to more simply navigate your completion of immigration paperwork using online software. Citizenship Test & Interview: Everything You Need to Know, What is a Citizenship Certificate? There is an option to request your name change at your naturalization interview. See Full Details, Immigration Lawyer Chicago/ Services/ Depending on the cause of the error, however, you might have to pay for the correction. You can pay the filing fee either online, with a money order, with a check, or through your credit card. All name change requests facilitated through USCIS will require you to take the oath of allegiance at a judicial ceremony, rather than an administrative one. "Kick U. You can ask to change your name during multiple parts of the U.S. citizenship process. However, some answers may change because of elections or appointments. However, if the USCIS denies this request during your interview, then you will need to request your name change after you receive your naturalization documents. This process does not happen in the California court system. These may include your birth certificate or records of asylum or refugee status. Ive just completed my interview for citizenship. 2. No. For the whole scoop on getting American citizenship, see the book, Becoming a U.S. Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam & Interview, by Ilona Bray (Nolo). 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. All Rights Reserved. A naturalized citizen may choose to change their name at the time of naturalization, or they may go through the name change process at a state court level after naturalization. If you dont see it, disable any pop-up/ad blockers on your browser. The decision on your Form N-648 will be made at the time of your naturalization interview. What is Naturalization? Unless a court orders you to notify USCIS about the name change, there is no obligation to notify them of your name change. 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. However, USCIS recognizes that certain circumstances may prevent concurrent filing of the naturalization application and the disability exception form. 4. Because many courts opt out of the naturalization ceremony and authorize USCIS personnel to administer the oath, to have your name changed as part . If the errors on your paperwork can't be fixed through the citizenship or naturalization process, a legal, court-ordered name change could be the only remaining option. Yes, you can do a naturalization certificate name change. During your swearing-in ceremony, you will be given a certificate proving your name has been legally changed. To do this, there are two approaches available. You can ask to change your name in your Application for Naturalization(form N-400). What can you do if you change your mind about changing your name after submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (Citizenship) in the US?Get the . For example, some US states do not even require native US citizens to file with the government for a name change. The USCIS officer will ask the applicant only the civics questions on the lists for both versions of the test. If you cannot persuade USCIS to change or correct your name, you can pursue a separate court proceeding in a state or local court. It is common for those immigrating to the United States to legally change their name. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by the United States government or any government agency. Changing your name on the citizenship application (Form N-400) is the most direct, and possibly cost-effective, way to change your name. You will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. Berardi Immigration Laws award-winning immigration lawyers bring experience and knowledge to your immigration case with a personal touch. Your name change will take effect immediately after the ceremony has ended. Yes. Citizenship is not handled by State courts. Applying for naturalization does not change this requirement. Also, be sure to subscribe to our blog for more immigration news and updates. Based on the instructions for Form N-400 you can just check the box beside the question, Would you like to legally change your name?, in the second part of the naturalization application. It has historically been unwilling to correct prior errors found in documents like birth certificates or refugee processing documents. Another option involves going to court to legally change your name. This process can be difficult to pin down because of differences between state laws. Examples of these documents include: original birth, marriage, divorce, final adoption and naturalization certificates; court orders/decrees; evidence of child support payments; court-certified arrest reports; and probation/parole records. 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. If your Form N-648 is found to be sufficient, and the licensed medical professional indicated on the form that you were unable to comply with only some of the educational requirements, the officer will administer the tests for the other requirements. How do I reschedule? People applying for U.S. citizenship can change their names as a part of the U.S. naturalization process. Then, during the Naturalization Oath Ceremony, a federal judgecan legally change your name. did this information help you with your case? Since I am technically an international student, I'm not sure if the judge at the courthouse will even hear my case. Proof of Termination of Your Previous Marriage (s) 3. Changing Your Name During the Naturalization Process Many states have a self-service legal center where you can get instruction on how to represent yourself in asking the court for a name change. 2). If you fail any portion of these requirements, you will be retested during a new interview on the portion of the test that you failed (English or civics) between 60 and 90 days from the date of your initial interview. The naturalization certificate shows your new legal name. 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. You can legally change your name without extra court procedures by simply filling in your chosen new name on USCIS Form N-400 (the Application for Naturalization issued by U.S. In the U.S., adults can change their legal names in a state or local court. The materials contained in this website have been prepared by Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. Proof of Spouse's U.S. We look forward to working with you. USCIS offersinteractive practice teststo help you prepare. When should I submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions? On the paperwork where you're filing for Citizenship,you said that you wanted to change your name. This means you must be residing exclusively in the United States not in any other country. Speak English if you generally understand and can respond accurately to the USCIS officer a check or. Much less frequently than those administered by USCIS officers U.S. naturalization process oath ceremony, a naturalized citizen file... 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To pin down because of elections or appointments get more information on obtaining copy! Blog for more information on how to change your name addressed this.! For a name change preference, it 's not too late is an to.