Naturalization Certificate

[ilovecookies 0]

I read on a website (which I will post once I find it again) that you are supposed to sign your naturalization certificate showing your full name. For example, if your name is Peggy Sue Jones, sign it as Peggy Sue Jones, not PSJones or PJones or PSJ. Well I unfortunately read this after I signed the certificate, because I did sign it as PSJones. I looked at the USCIS website to get another certificate, and it costs $380. Is this going to be a problem? I wish I read about this signing requirement before I signed it. oh well!!!

[ilovecookies 0]

here is the website: http://www.newcitizen.us/after.html

and the info:

After the Oath Ceremony

After the speeches, celebrating, picture taking, backslapping, handshaking and hugging, we suggest you do the following:

Step 1. Sign Your Certificate of Naturalization

You need to sign the certificate with your name exactly as it appears on the certificate. Don’t use the same abbreviated signature you use to sign checks, letters, or credit-card slips. For example, if the name on the certificate appears as John James Doe, then sign exactly like that "John James Doe." Even if you sign your name as John Doe or J. Doe or J.J. Doe, don’t sign it that way. To repeat, sign your name exactly as it appears on your Certificate of Naturalization. If you previously signed the photograph that is mounted to your Certificate of Naturalization, then sign your certificate using the exact same signature you used to sign your photograph, even if that signature does not match the full name shown on your certificate.



[akdiver 3]

I read on a website (which I will post once I find it again) that you are supposed to sign your naturalization certificate showing your full name. For example, if your name is Peggy Sue Jones, sign it as Peggy Sue Jones, not PSJones or PJones or PSJ. Well I unfortunately read this after I signed the certificate, because I did sign it as PSJones. I looked at the USCIS website to get another certificate, and it costs $380. Is this going to be a problem? I wish I read about this signing requirement before I signed it. oh well!!!

The info on how to sign it correctly is readily available. It's too bad you didn't read it beforehand.

That said, I don't think signing it improperly invalidates it. The passport people are not going to care - and once you have your passport, it's not like you need to use the certificate for anything else.

In short - I wouldn't sweat it, and I surely wouldn't pay for another certificate.

[Completely 3]

I read on a website (which I will post once I find it again) that you are supposed to sign your naturalization certificate showing your full name. For example, if your name is Peggy Sue Jones, sign it as Peggy Sue Jones, not PSJones or PJones or PSJ. Well I unfortunately read this after I signed the certificate, because I did sign it as PSJones. I looked at the USCIS website to get another certificate, and it costs $380. Is this going to be a problem? I wish I read about this signing requirement before I signed it. oh well!!!

I remember when I had my oath in June, one filipino couple I met has the same problem as yours.. She did not read the instruction and signed the certificate the way she wanted to sign it... But later on she realized that signature should match as what stated in the certificate.. She talked to the officer and the officer told her to go to passport agency and see what they say, but he said it would be best to apply for another certificate to avoid any problem you will encounter in the future.

Edited September 30, 2008 by Completely

[NickD 202]

I read on a website (which I will post once I find it again) that you are supposed to sign your naturalization certificate showing your full name. For example, if your name is Peggy Sue Jones, sign it as Peggy Sue Jones, not PSJones or PJones or PSJ. Well I unfortunately read this after I signed the certificate, because I did sign it as PSJones. I looked at the USCIS website to get another certificate, and it costs $380. Is this going to be a problem? I wish I read about this signing requirement before I signed it. oh well!!!

I remember when I had my oath in June, one filipino couple I met has the same problem as yours.. She did not read the instruction and signed the certificate the way she wanted to sign it... But later on she realized that signature should match as what stated in the certificate.. She talked to the officer and the officer told her to go to passport agency and see what they say, but he said it would be best to apply for another certificate to avoid any problem you will encounter in the future.

Ironically, wife did not sign her certificate at the oath ceremony, thought they would do it that way in front of an officer, I mean she had to sign her N-400 in front of the officer, and that was the full name. Actually signed it the next day when more awake, and I know it's her habit to write her initials kind of blended in with our last name. Dug out my good black ink pen and had her write her full name twice on a sheet of paper, and asked her if she was ready. Told her if she screwed it up, would cost her 400 bucks. She questioned why she couldn't sign her name like she always does, just said it's the law, no sense in breaking it now after what we been through.

When her passport came in, told her it was no good, she asked why. Not good until you sign it, but just like your certificate, again they want your full name. Again I wonder why she could do this at home, was not allowed to sign her full name on her passport application, said clearly, has to be signed in front of one of their officials and was told to sign her full name. Used the same expensive black ink pen and said, think before signing, but this one will only cost you 175 bucks if you screw up.

It's called impulsive behavior, our store are set up like this, the stuff you need to buy is way in the back passing piles of junk you think you need to buy or some salesman jamming a piece of paper in your face telling you, you are special trying to get your signature for a piece of #######. Have to learn how to think twice before signing anything, and how you sign it. Especially a sub-prime mortgage.

Ha, wife saw a credit card offer on airline tickets, sign up and get 100 bucks off your first flight, said let me read it first, ha small print said a 75 buck annual fee when signing up paid up front, that's only a 25 buck discount, and if you forget to cancel that card which won't be easy, you will be 50 bucks in a hole.

[warlord 73]

Just out of sheer habit and excitment that I got my cert I accidently signed it wrong too, using my usual signature. I just then re-signed it underneath with the proper way of doing it and that was it. It had never prevented me from getting a passport or changing any of my information like SSN or voters reg or getting my passport etc. So I have never since had an issue that I had to sign it twice and that was almost 2 years ago...

[RICHIE07 0]

My Photograph signed is different like for example Peggy S Jones but when I signed my naturalization certificate I signed it with my full name exactly it appears on the certificate.

I hope it was okay.. I already applied for my passport.. I didn't read the instruction before signing my certificate..

[ilovecookies 0]

Well the good news is I already got my passport and my ammended SS card - I signed all three (Naturalization, SS card, and Passport) the same way (PSJones) so they all look the same. If I encounter anymore problems I'll post it here. Thanks guys!!

[NickD 202]

Well the good news is I already got my passport and my ammended SS card - I signed all three (Naturalization, SS card, and Passport) the same way (PSJones) so they all look the same. If I encounter anymore problems I'll post it here. Thanks guys!!

LOL, I will hide your reply from my wife. She does have a rather artistic way of writing her signature, and that's the way she wanted to sign her documents. I am such a spoil sport. Think I am brainwashed by our government.

[akdiver 3]

Nick:

The difference is that when you have to sign in front of someone, that someone is certifying that it was you who signed it - the N400, the passport app. You can sign your cert and your passport in private because no one is swearing that it was you who signed it. You're not promising or testifying to anything about being true...you're just signing it.

I think the bigger mystery is why do they have you sign the cert and passport in the first place. What for? I suppose so that, should it be necessary, you could prove its really yours by matching the signature - except:

a]. If it's not the sig you use in daily life, you're not likely to get it right anyway

b]. Isn't that what the photo is for?

Once again - I think we can safely explain these requirements through the Bush Doctrine: Stupidity First!

Edited September 30, 2008 by akdiver

[motu 5]

Some of these presiding officers are nuts - When I got mine, there were mostly Asians in that ceremony and the presiding officer specifically told me to write my name in capitals - I argued with him that I want to sign it in my usual way and that I know and use English everyday - he said "NO!" Yikes, so my naturalization certificate has my signature in capitals! Ha ha ha. No one ever gives a damn about the signature on that in any case - I got my passport without any problems and have used the certificate (copies) in filings for my wife's visa applications etc.

[Completely 3]

Some of these presiding officers are nuts - When I got mine, there were mostly Asians in that ceremony and the presiding officer specifically told me to write my name in capitals - I argued with him that I want to sign it in my usual way and that I know and use English everyday - he said "NO!" Yikes, so my naturalization certificate has my signature in capitals! Ha ha ha. No one ever gives a damn about the signature on that in any case - I got my passport without any problems and have used the certificate (copies) in filings for my wife's visa applications etc.

Did you guys get your SSN information updated? Mine, I dont know when, and if there will be a problem if I will update it later.. I am overseas right now.

Did you know someone has been through this before?

[RICHIE07 0]

Some of these presiding officers are nuts - When I got mine, there were mostly Asians in that ceremony and the presiding officer specifically told me to write my name in capitals - I argued with him that I want to sign it in my usual way and that I know and use English everyday - he said "NO!" Yikes, so my naturalization certificate has my signature in capitals! Ha ha ha. No one ever gives a damn about the signature on that in any case - I got my passport without any problems and have used the certificate (copies) in filings for my wife's visa applications etc.

Did you guys get your SSN information updated? Mine, I dont know when, and if there will be a problem if I will update it later.. I am overseas right now.

Did you know someone has been through this before?

I got mine updated.. when you get back its best to get your SSN updated..

[Completely 3]

Some of these presiding officers are nuts - When I got mine, there were mostly Asians in that ceremony and the presiding officer specifically told me to write my name in capitals - I argued with him that I want to sign it in my usual way and that I know and use English everyday - he said "NO!" Yikes, so my naturalization certificate has my signature in capitals! Ha ha ha. No one ever gives a damn about the signature on that in any case - I got my passport without any problems and have used the certificate (copies) in filings for my wife's visa applications etc.

Did you guys get your SSN information updated? Mine, I dont know when, and if there will be a problem if I will update it later.. I am overseas right now.

Did you know someone has been through this before?

I got mine updated.. when you get back its best to get your SSN updated..

Yes for sure, but will there be any problem when I file taxes next March? I will not be going to the US till November next year as I am pregnant right now.

[akdiver 3]

No. Gaining citizenship doesn't affect your taxes.