Change of name during the naturalization process

[Marika 0]

Hello all,

I hope somebody can help me out and answer my questions.

In June 2008 I applied for the naturalization. I got my biometrics in July and since than I am just waiting for an interview letter, as many of you are (good luck to all of us, BTW).

Anyway, in September I got married to the love of my life . He is American citizen, but once again, I am not applying based on this marriage.

I changed my last name to my husband's. I called to the INS and they told me to bring the marriage certificate to the interview and that I do not need to update my info till the actual interview.

However, I still did not change any of my papers, including ID, SSN and others. I am kind of scared if I change it now it will make the name check process longer.

Does anybody knows will change of papers make the timing longer? Or I can just go ahead and change all my paper not waiting till the interview?

Thank you!!!

[moonhunt 1]

Hello all,

I hope somebody can help me out and answer my questions.

In June 2008 I applied for the naturalization. I got my biometrics in July and since than I am just waiting for an interview letter, as many of you are (good luck to all of us, BTW).

Anyway, in September I got married to the love of my life . He is American citizen, but once again, I am not applying based on this marriage.

I changed my last name to my husband's. I called to the INS and they told me to bring the marriage certificate to the interview and that I do not need to update my info till the actual interview.

However, I still did not change any of my papers, including ID, SSN and others. I am kind of scared if I change it now it will make the name check process longer.

Does anybody knows will change of papers make the timing longer? Or I can just go ahead and change all my paper not waiting till the interview?

Thank you!!!

I don't think it will delay your processing.

You can just go ahead with changing your name, and bring your marriage certificate when you have your Interview.

Adjudicator - interview officer - will go over the N400 form, and if you need to change the name, he/she can update the N400 form from there.

FBI namecheck is done for your past, and it shouldn't be a problem.

[akdiver 3]

One has nothing to do with the other.

If your N-400 is not based on marriage, this marriage in particular, then so what?

If nothing else, you can change your name to whatever you want on the N-400 form. If I were you, I would just sit tight and take all my papers to the interview, and the them you want to edit your form to change your name to whatever - if you have not already done so with the marriage cert. If you have, then when you go to the interview, inform them your name has changed to whatever, which is reflected in the marriage certificate.

[Marika 0]

Thanks a lot ! :)

[thunder 0]

Hi.

I would agree that those two are separate things.

You are not applying based on marriage so it wouldn't matter for the interview. However, I've read somewhere that they can't change your name (it has to be legally changed), but they can put your "wish" down for the processing. But, if it says in your marriage certificate and that is how you want to be called in the future, then they can mark it on the application. But, they'll need to see your name changed on marriage certificate or somewhere "officially".

Hope this helps.