Marriage in between

[Dana-Mića 51]

So my N-400 test is being rescheduled to sometime after April 10th and by that time I will be married. I am getting married in Serbia and my husband is staying over there. My question is how do I go about with this. Should I just tell them on the day of my appointment that I am now married and will that create a problem? Should I go to S.S. office and DMV to change my last name prior to the test or just wait to do everything with the N-400 including the oath to change the rest of the stuff?

Thanks to everyone that answers in advance since I am going crazy here

[v333k 59]

So my N-400 test is being rescheduled to sometime after April 10th and by that time I will be married. I am getting married in Serbia and my husband is staying over there. My question is how do I go about with this. Should I just tell them on the day of my appointment that I am now married and will that create a problem? Should I go to S.S. office and DMV to change my last name prior to the test or just wait to do everything with the N-400 including the oath to change the rest of the stuff?

Thanks to everyone that answers in advance since I am going crazy here

Usually, people get naturalized based on a marriage, so in your case, it sounds like you will be obtaining citizenship though something/someone else. Can you provide a little more details since your post threw me off, and I am sure will throw others off too.

[Dana-Mića 51]

I came here through International Rescue Committee (IRC) and had my green card upon entrance on Dec 1st, 1998 have had it since and been lazy to apply for citizenship the past 6 years even though I was able to. Finally I applied in October and was scheduled to go take the test February 26th but due to the huge snow storm NYC got the day before and that day it was rescheduled for April 6th and I wont be able to attend it that day since I will be in Serbia so they are rescheduling it to a day after April 10th.

The vacation to Serbia has been planned ever since July of last year because it is the only time i can take off of school so me and my fiance decided to get married than (I met him 4 years ago when i was on vacation in Serbia and we have been dating long distance ever since). No I can't push the trip to after the test because I will be in my last quarter of school and financially wont be able to afford a plane ticket of 1200 in July comparing to the 600 I paid right now at least not till my graduation.

[Dana-Mića 51]

here is the link of the organization i came through http://www.theirc.org/

[Kathryn41 3,205]

So my N-400 test is being rescheduled to sometime after April 10th and by that time I will be married. I am getting married in Serbia and my husband is staying over there. My question is how do I go about with this. Should I just tell them on the day of my appointment that I am now married and will that create a problem? Should I go to S.S. office and DMV to change my last name prior to the test or just wait to do everything with the N-400 including the oath to change the rest of the stuff?

Thanks to everyone that answers in advance since I am going crazy here

First - congratulations on your upcoming marriage . Second, on the day of your interview and test they will go over the application with you basically line by line. You will tell them that your marital status has changed since you submitted the application and you got married on such and such a date. It will not create a problem. They will update the information. Since you want to change your name you will tell them the name you want and again, they will update the application and your certificate will be issued in your married name. Bring along a copy of the marriage certificate plus an English Translation to show the name change. Once you take your oath and get your certificate you can go ahead and change first your SSN - both your status and your name - then next, get your US passport (you will need a US passport to travel from now on). SSA will have to verify your new status and that may take 2 weeks or so, but the original certificate of Naturalization needs to go off with the US passport application. That should take about a month unless you get expedited service. Once you receive either your passport or your new SSN card you can go and change your Driver's License.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Dana-Mića 51]

Kathryin you are a God send. Thank you so much. My parents were scaring me telling me that I shouldn't tell them I am married because it will look bad since he is over there and I am here. I'm just nervous and excited to see my fiance in 2 weeks and a couple of days.

[ziia 9]

Kathryin you are a God send. Thank you so much. My parents were scaring me telling me that I shouldn't tell them I am married because it will look bad since he is over there and I am here. I'm just nervous and excited to see my fiance in 2 weeks and a couple of days.

Hi Danijela. Congratulations for getting married and good luck to both of you. Kathryn41 gave you the best advice. Please don't lie about anything at the Citizenship interview, no matter what. Always be honest and tell them the correct marital status just so you don't have any problems later.

[Dana-Mića 51]

That was my initial plan even though my parents were saying otherwise but than they don't know better since they haven't ever been in the situation.

[ziia 9]

That was my initial plan even though my parents were saying otherwise but than they don't know better since they haven't ever been in the situation.

I can't believe what I'm about to say but DO NOT listen to your parents! You might have some extra bureaucratic paperwork to do(change of name and status) but none the less, your marriage it will not effect getting your citizenship. A lie in your application is a huge NO! DO NOT DO IT! You might risk loosing your Citizenship later on when your husband's papers will be processed and your petition for him can be denied. The truth always comes out. Do not choose to live your life with intense unnecessary emotions(tight heart) because of a completely necessary lie.

I'm not sure where your parents live now but my guess is that they live overseas. If that's the case they have no clue of the American legal system and you shouldn't take in consideration any advice from them regarding YOUR visa journey.

Edited March 6, 2010 by ziia

[ziia 9]

Also, what we call a lie, the government calls FRAUD. Fraud is punished all the same no matter how harmless or small people might think the "lie" is.

[ziia 9]

I meant to say "unnecessary lie" in my post above.

[Dana-Mića 51]

Ziia I understand, they don't because they aren't in my situation and they are listening to other people. Oh and they live here in the US.

But I am not planing on lying I was just wondering about the procedure and all.

[v333k 59]

I came here through International Rescue Committee (IRC) and had my green card upon entrance on Dec 1st, 1998 have had it since and been lazy to apply for citizenship the past 6 years even though I was able to. Finally I applied in October and was scheduled to go take the test February 26th but due to the huge snow storm NYC got the day before and that day it was rescheduled for April 6th and I wont be able to attend it that day since I will be in Serbia so they are rescheduling it to a day after April 10th.

The vacation to Serbia has been planned ever since July of last year because it is the only time i can take off of school so me and my fiance decided to get married than (I met him 4 years ago when i was on vacation in Serbia and we have been dating long distance ever since). No I can't push the trip to after the test because I will be in my last quarter of school and financially wont be able to afford a plane ticket of 1200 in July comparing to the 600 I paid right now at least not till my graduation.

Kathryn41 is correct.

During the interview, you will tell the interviewer about your marital status and name change, but make sure you bring with you an original copy of your marriage certificate, and a translated copy of it to English. Also, do the same with your name change documentation. Simply, the date will show that it has happened since you filed the application and the interview time so it shouldn't be a problem.

congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!