interview for citizenship

[bislig2alabama 1]

Atlanta office. Oct. 22nd 2009. Arrived about 9:05. Letter said to report to the 2nd floor, we did Then we were told to go to the third floor. we did. The third floor window read, "Adjustment of Status" ! The clerk took our papers and said to wait, we did. about 40 minutes later they call for Rosemina. About 25 minutes later Rosemina returned, PASSED oath would be that day at 2 P.M.

Normal interview; files was checked, English test simple question to read then simple answer to write. Six questions were selected form the 100 and Rose answered them. Rose then sign a paper to return to security at the oath ceremony.

Only problem was with her name!!! They would not allow Rose to use her

Filipino family name as her middle American name. BUT this was the name that was on her marriage certificate, driver's license, tax returns, property deeds, Filipino passport, Green Card, EVERYTHING since her marriage!!!! They put on her citizenship document her middle name from her Filipina birth certificate. Then after the ceremony they told her she was now American and she could change her name to anything she wanted. Guess the first thing we will do now is change the name they put on the oath paper to the one we have used and then apply for passport, etc.

Dumb , Dumb, Dumb! Good Bye immigration!!!!

We should have put on the N-440 in the box were it ask 'if you want a new name the name' the name she was using. !!! live and learn!

God is good

and visa journey is great!

[Mom2LilNoah 0]

Hi, first of all accept my felicitations. Atlanta will also be where I'm going to have my interview, but no date yet, but I am anxiously waiting. Based on your timeline, I noticed that you got your interview letter soon from the day you had your biometrics. Next week will be the 3rd week since I had my fingerprinting.

I am wondering if they asked you to present the originals of your documents. Another thing, were the people in that office generally have good work ethics, professional and people-oriented, as in nice? Sorry I just have lot of thoughts regarding my future appointment there.

Best regards to the American, once Surigaonon, from a Cagay-anon. Surigao is indeed an ideal place for visitors, that's one of the places where I took my husband, the first time he came to see me.

Congratulations from the Yellowhammer state.

[NickD 202]

Wife used her maiden name as her second middle name, yep, on our marriage certificate, AOS, I-751, home deed, drivers' license, etc., but found it too confusing in this country with computers and all that, so she wanted it dropped on her N-400 and consequently, on her USC. No problems with that, she dropped her maiden name on her drivers' license, SS card, it's still on her Venezuelan passport, but not on her US Passport. We never ran into any problems with that, actually, nobody really cares around here for that extra middle name.. Most find it confusing.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

bisligtoalabama, Congratulations!

Hi MomtoLilNoah, I interviewed in Atlanta and found the Immigration Officers to be professional, polite and relatively personable. My interviewer was nice, but still very professional. I brought all of the originals of the documents I submitted, along with additional evidence, but was not asked to show any of it. I even offered to show the originals but she said she didn't need to see them. I would bring them if I were you, but you may not even need them. Good luck when you get your date. I expect you should be getting your interview letter any time now.

Edited October 24, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Mom2LilNoah 0]

Hi Kathryn, thanks for wishing me luck. And as always, you have been very informative since I signed up here. It's really a privilege to be a member of the forum because help is available when you need some blurry clouds cleared :-) I'll definitely bring with me the originals just in case. My fervent hope is that for me to have a same-day oath so we don't have to drive back to Atlanta. The fact is that, my husband will be taking off work to accompany me and I hate for him to take off another day because that would mean a day less off his paycheck, u know what I mean?

Glad that you are still active in this forum even if you have already completed your naturalization. Thanks again for being helpful.

By the way, this is kinda off-topic question, when can I have a pic displayed on my profile. What's the requirement/s? Do I have to be labeled as so-and-so member? Let me know.

[Dakine 26]

Guess the first thing we will do now is change the name they put on the oath paper to the one we have used and then apply for passport, etc

How are you going to do that? What's on the Cert of Naturalization?

What a joke. USCIS got to you right down to the wire!!

[bislig2alabama 1]

Hi, first of all accept my felicitations. Atlanta will also be where I'm going to have my interview, but no date yet, but I am anxiously waiting. Based on your timeline, I noticed that you got your interview letter soon from the day you had your biometrics. Next week will be the 3rd week since I had my fingerprinting.

I am wondering if they asked you to present the originals of your documents. Another thing, were the people in that office generally have good work ethics, professional and people-oriented, as in nice? Sorry I just have lot of thoughts regarding my future appointment there.

Best regards to the American, once Surigaonon, from a Cagay-anon. Surigao is indeed an ideal place for visitors, that's one of the places where I took my husband, the first time he came to see me.

Congratulations from the Yellowhammer state.

Never had to show any documents. They had everything from the start in 2004.

Everyone was polite! Good luck may God bless.

[rebelheart 0]

Hi bislig2alabama..

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!

Secondly, I am concern about what happened to the name change of your wife. Because that will going to happen with me If my oath will commence then huh?

I am using my maiden name (father's last name) as my middle name now that I am married and it's on everything documents, ID's .. etc... , Because that's how we do it in Phils., when one got married, father's name will be your middle name.

If it's going to be my mother's lastname,then i'll be doing the same process as Rose. Thank you so much for sharing this info's....

[antda 13]

Hi Bislig2alabama,

Congratulations on your wife passing your citizenship interview and same day oath and thanks for sharing about your experience here on VJ.

Good luck with the rest of her immigration journey too as a US Citizen and in getting your passport.

Ant

P.S. As for the name issue....Sorry to hear about the mistake with that. Not yours or your wife's fault here. Don't be surprised if you run into further problems with that, as all your documents have to match name-wise. You can either do the following, for that:

1) Apply for a new citizenship certificate with the correct "old/maiden last name" name (only problem..It will cost another $400+ and take months)

2) Apply for a legal name change back to your "old/maiden last name" name with your local city hall/town clerk that has the authority to do name changes (not sure how much that costs and how long that would take, but it would require extra effort and expenses)

3) Leave your certificate as it is, and change all your other documents to the "new/birth middle name" middle name that corresponds with that certificate

Personally, I would opt for option 3, as here in America, it is more acceptable for women to use a middle name aquired from birth, than it is to use a former maiden last name as a middle name and/or to use their former maiden last name at all. It's less confusing this way when others refer to your wife, reflects more on the marriage, and is less of an expense and effort to do such. Lol..Immigration had it right that way, I think...

Hope this helps too.

Atlanta office. Oct. 22nd 2009. Arrived about 9:05. Letter said to report to the 2nd floor, we did Then we were told to go to the third floor. we did. The third floor window read, "Adjustment of Status" ! The clerk took our papers and said to wait, we did. about 40 minutes later they call for Rosemina. About 25 minutes later Rosemina returned, PASSED oath would be that day at 2 P.M.

Normal interview; files was checked, English test simple question to read then simple answer to write. Six questions were selected form the 100 and Rose answered them. Rose then sign a paper to return to security at the oath ceremony.

Only problem was with her name!!! They would not allow Rose to use her

Filipino family name as her middle American name. BUT this was the name that was on her marriage certificate, driver's license, tax returns, property deeds, Filipino passport, Green Card, EVERYTHING since her marriage!!!! They put on her citizenship document her middle name from her Filipina birth certificate. Then after the ceremony they told her she was now American and she could change her name to anything she wanted. Guess the first thing we will do now is change the name they put on the oath paper to the one we have used and then apply for passport, etc.

Dumb , Dumb, Dumb! Good Bye immigration!!!!

We should have put on the N-440 in the box were it ask 'if you want a new name the name' the name she was using. !!! live and learn!

God is good

and visa journey is great!

[TinTin and Samby 11]

Hi Bislig2alabama,

Congratulations on your wife passing your citizenship interview and same day oath and thanks for sharing about your experience here on VJ.

Good luck with the rest of her immigration journey too as a US Citizen and in getting your passport.

Ant

P.S. As for the name issue....Sorry to hear about the mistake with that. Not yours or your wife's fault here. Don't be surprised if you run into further problems with that, as all your documents have to match name-wise. You can either do the following, for that:

1) Apply for a new citizenship certificate with the correct "old/maiden last name" name (only problem..It will cost another $400+ and take months)

2) Apply for a legal name change back to your "old/maiden last name" name with your local city hall/town clerk that has the authority to do name changes (not sure how much that costs and how long that would take, but it would require extra effort and expenses)

3) Leave your certificate as it is, and change all your other documents to the "new/birth middle name" middle name that corresponds with that certificate

Personally, I would opt for option 3, as here in America, it is more acceptable for women to use a middle name aquired from birth, than it is to use a former maiden last name as a middle name and/or to use their former maiden last name at all. It's less confusing this way when others refer to your wife, reflects more on the marriage, and is less of an expense and effort to do such. Lol..Immigration had it right that way, I think...

Hope this helps too.

Atlanta office. Oct. 22nd 2009. Arrived about 9:05. Letter said to report to the 2nd floor, we did Then we were told to go to the third floor. we did. The third floor window read, "Adjustment of Status" ! The clerk took our papers and said to wait, we did. about 40 minutes later they call for Rosemina. About 25 minutes later Rosemina returned, PASSED oath would be that day at 2 P.M.

Normal interview; files was checked, English test simple question to read then simple answer to write. Six questions were selected form the 100 and Rose answered them. Rose then sign a paper to return to security at the oath ceremony.

Only problem was with her name!!! They would not allow Rose to use her

Filipino family name as her middle American name. BUT this was the name that was on her marriage certificate, driver's license, tax returns, property deeds, Filipino passport, Green Card, EVERYTHING since her marriage!!!! They put on her citizenship document her middle name from her Filipina birth certificate. Then after the ceremony they told her she was now American and she could change her name to anything she wanted. Guess the first thing we will do now is change the name they put on the oath paper to the one we have used and then apply for passport, etc.

Dumb , Dumb, Dumb! Good Bye immigration!!!!

We should have put on the N-440 in the box were it ask 'if you want a new name the name' the name she was using. !!! live and learn!

God is good

and visa journey is great!

I would't do option #3. In my experience with people I know, it is quite common in the USA for a woman to drop her given middle name and replace it with her maiden last name and then take her husband's last name as her new married last name. I am aware that in the OP's case that the woman's orginal middle name was not a "given" name, but rather her Mother's maiden name, as is the norm in the Philippines (and many other countires). This doesnt change the situation, IMHO. I would insist that they correct their mistake and reissue a corrected naturalization certificate, at no additional charge.

Warm Regards,

Samby

[bislig2alabama 1]

yes, If we had know what immigration wanted we would have checked 'yes' in the box that ask if you want to change you legal name. We would have put in the box the same name Rose has been using and that should have solved the problem. Try that and see it it works!

good luck, the people there were very nice. The IO did not ask for anythin. Now we will go to the local probate court and for $27 change her name, then go to SS.

Hi bislig2alabama..

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!

Secondly, I am concern about what happened to the name change of your wife. Because that will going to happen with me If my oath will commence then huh?

I am using my maiden name (father's last name) as my middle name now that I am married and it's on everything documents, ID's .. etc... , Because that's how we do it in Phils., when one got married, father's name will be your middle name.

If it's going to be my mother's lastname,then i'll be doing the same process as Rose. Thank you so much for sharing this info's....

[bislig2alabama 1]

Agee with you. When my wife's name was changed she was a citizen of the Philippines and the U.S. has no right not to recognze it. The Philippines Embassy accepted the change and it is on her Philippine passport! But, immigration is immigration. So we got the citizenship and now we will change it, then letters to our US senators are next

Hi Bislig2alabama,

Congratulations on your wife passing your citizenship interview and same day oath and thanks for sharing about your experience here on VJ.

Good luck with the rest of her immigration journey too as a US Citizen and in getting your passport.

Ant

P.S. As for the name issue....Sorry to hear about the mistake with that. Not yours or your wife's fault here. Don't be surprised if you run into further problems with that, as all your documents have to match name-wise. You can either do the following, for that:

1) Apply for a new citizenship certificate with the correct "old/maiden last name" name (only problem..It will cost another $400+ and take months)

2) Apply for a legal name change back to your "old/maiden last name" name with your local city hall/town clerk that has the authority to do name changes (not sure how much that costs and how long that would take, but it would require extra effort and expenses)

3) Leave your certificate as it is, and change all your other documents to the "new/birth middle name" middle name that corresponds with that certificate

Personally, I would opt for option 3, as here in America, it is more acceptable for women to use a middle name aquired from birth, than it is to use a former maiden last name as a middle name and/or to use their former maiden last name at all. It's less confusing this way when others refer to your wife, reflects more on the marriage, and is less of an expense and effort to do such. Lol..Immigration had it right that way, I think...

Hope this helps too.

Atlanta office. Oct. 22nd 2009. Arrived about 9:05. Letter said to report to the 2nd floor, we did Then we were told to go to the third floor. we did. The third floor window read, "Adjustment of Status" ! The clerk took our papers and said to wait, we did. about 40 minutes later they call for Rosemina. About 25 minutes later Rosemina returned, PASSED oath would be that day at 2 P.M.

Normal interview; files was checked, English test simple question to read then simple answer to write. Six questions were selected form the 100 and Rose answered them. Rose then sign a paper to return to security at the oath ceremony.

Only problem was with her name!!! They would not allow Rose to use her

Filipino family name as her middle American name. BUT this was the name that was on her marriage certificate, driver's license, tax returns, property deeds, Filipino passport, Green Card, EVERYTHING since her marriage!!!! They put on her citizenship document her middle name from her Filipina birth certificate. Then after the ceremony they told her she was now American and she could change her name to anything she wanted. Guess the first thing we will do now is change the name they put on the oath paper to the one we have used and then apply for passport, etc.

Dumb , Dumb, Dumb! Good Bye immigration!!!!

We should have put on the N-440 in the box were it ask 'if you want a new name the name' the name she was using. !!! live and learn!

God is good

and visa journey is great!

I would't do option #3. In my experience with people I know, it is quite common in the USA for a woman to drop her given middle name and replace it with her maiden last name and then take her husband's last name as her new married last name. I am aware that in the OP's case that the woman's orginal middle name was not a "given" name, but rather her Mother's maiden name, as is the norm in the Philippines (and many other countires). This doesnt change the situation, IMHO. I would insist that they correct their mistake and reissue a corrected naturalization certificate, at no additional charge.

Warm Regards,

Samby

[jsnearline 2]

My wife has had so much trouble with people here not understanding the Filipino style of names that she requested a name change when she naturalized. Fortunately for her, she had two first names so she had one to spare. After the name change, her second first name replaced her father's last name as her middle name. She's not sure what she would have done if she only had one first name to begin with. It's going to be a real pain when my wife petitions her mom though. Who knows how much paperwork we will have to submit to show that they are related.

I am surprised they didn't use the name as written on the N-400. Now, she'll have even more trouble because the naturalization certificate will not match her other documents and places like DMV and Social Security will not allow her to change her name without proof that her name was legally changed.

Did they give her the option of choosing an American style middle name or did they insist only on using the one in her birth certificate?

[-B&T- 1]

Atlanta office. Oct. 22nd 2009. Arrived about 9:05. Letter said to report to the 2nd floor, we did Then we were told to go to the third floor. we did. The third floor window read, "Adjustment of Status" ! The clerk took our papers and said to wait, we did. about 40 minutes later they call for Rosemina. About 25 minutes later Rosemina returned, PASSED oath would be that day at 2 P.M.

Normal interview; files was checked, English test simple question to read then simple answer to write. Six questions were selected form the 100 and Rose answered them. Rose then sign a paper to return to security at the oath ceremony.

Only problem was with her name!!! They would not allow Rose to use her

Filipino family name as her middle American name. BUT this was the name that was on her marriage certificate, driver's license, tax returns, property deeds, Filipino passport, Green Card, EVERYTHING since her marriage!!!! They put on her citizenship document her middle name from her Filipina birth certificate. Then after the ceremony they told her she was now American and she could change her name to anything she wanted. Guess the first thing we will do now is change the name they put on the oath paper to the one we have used and then apply for passport, etc.

Dumb , Dumb, Dumb! Good Bye immigration!!!!

We should have put on the N-440 in the box were it ask 'if you want a new name the name' the name she was using. !!! live and learn!

God is good

and visa journey is great!

Hi,

First Congratulations to you and to your wife.

I'll be sending my N400 around February and I'm also using my maiden last name as my middle name on everything and I'm just little confused with the process .I thought that USCIS will just follow what's on the Green Card and what is written on the N-400 application form? If I will check that box that ask' if you want name change' would that be all that I need to do and I will be able to retain my maiden surname as my middle name (Philippine way) and don't have to do anything afterwards? Since you said you will change the name on the Certificate of Naturalization how you going to do that? What is the process?

Thank you.

[rebelheart 0]

jsnearline,

Did you experience what bislig2alabama does too? saw in your timeline below, you seem to processed name change as well??? just curious......

Now, a big question is "how many filipina, already experiencing this mother's name as middle name on the naturalization certificate rather than the name they got on all their id's after oath taking"???? anyone else plss?? Is this a minor or big mistake or not at the end of DO officer who is in-charge printing the certification after oath???

Thanks!

My wife has had so much trouble with people here not understanding the Filipino style of names that she requested a name change when she naturalized. Fortunately for her, she had two first names so she had one to spare. After the name change, her second first name replaced her father's last name as her middle name. She's not sure what she would have done if she only had one first name to begin with. It's going to be a real pain when my wife petitions her mom though. Who knows how much paperwork we will have to submit to show that they are related.

I am surprised they didn't use the name as written on the N-400. Now, she'll have even more trouble because the naturalization certificate will not match her other documents and places like DMV and Social Security will not allow her to change her name without proof that her name was legally changed.

Did they give her the option of choosing an American style middle name or did they insist only on using the one in her birth certificate?