Name confusion and how to fix it

[imconfused 0]

Okay, so my situation is weird, but probably not unique. We don't have last names, only first name and father's initial (e.g., A. Firstname, where A is the initial of father's first name). To fix this, I've used my father's first name as my last name everywhere, except for my greencard, where for some historical and weird sociological reasons my father's first name shows up as my name and my first name shows up as my last name. So instead of "Lastname, Firstname", it shows up as "Firstname, Lastname". Everywhere else (license, my new Indian passport, employment records, IRS records, Social Security record, etc.) the order is correct.

I'm now going to apply for citizenship, and I don't want this confusion to propagate. I want to find the path of least resistance to correcting it. On the N-400 1A and 1B ask for current legal name and name as on the green card respectively. My options are:

1. Use the same (correct) order in A and B and pretend as though there was never an issue in my green card. However, I suspect this might cause problems if they search for my record under the wrong name.

2. Use the correct order in the legal name for 1A and the wrong order (albeit accurate) for 1B and hope they don't see a problem with it and complicate matters.

3. Do #2 and file a name change form with my N400 form.

Suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

[CVB 18]

Okay, so my situation is weird, but probably not unique. We don't have last names, only first name and father's initial (e.g., A. Firstname, where A is the initial of father's first name). To fix this, I've used my father's first name as my last name everywhere, except for my greencard, where for some historical and weird sociological reasons my father's first name shows up as my name and my first name shows up as my last name. So instead of "Lastname, Firstname", it shows up as "Firstname, Lastname". Everywhere else (license, my new Indian passport, employment records, IRS records, Social Security record, etc.) the order is correct.

I'm now going to apply for citizenship, and I don't want this confusion to propagate. I want to find the path of least resistance to correcting it. On the N-400 1A and 1B ask for current legal name and name as on the green card respectively. My options are:

1. Use the same (correct) order in A and B and pretend as though there was never an issue in my green card. However, I suspect this might cause problems if they search for my record under the wrong name.

2. Use the correct order in the legal name for 1A and the wrong order (albeit accurate) for 1B and hope they don't see a problem with it and complicate matters.

3. Do #2 and file a name change form with my N400 form.

Suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

I suggest to update your GC. You can do this by filing form I-90. This probably will take some time but seems better than taking the risk of getting refused at the end.

[imconfused 0]

CVB, thanks for your response. How long will it take to change the name on the GC?

[CVB 18]

CVB, thanks for your response. How long will it take to change the name on the GC?

Officially it's 3.5 months but what I can see on the forums it will take about 1 month.

Look also here

[NickD 203]

Name changing is part of the USCIS N-400 process, but also involves having your name changed to whatever in a court of law. While I have never done this, know there is a section on the M-476 manual that explains the steps. Don't believe you have to fool with your green card.

I know just changing the last name for a woman is easy, just marry a guy with a last name you like and use your marriage certificate as legal proof. But to change her first or middle name, like a guy with any name change, that has to be done in a court of law.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Okay, so my situation is weird, but probably not unique. We don't have last names, only first name and father's initial (e.g., A. Firstname, where A is the initial of father's first name). To fix this, I've used my father's first name as my last name everywhere, except for my greencard, where for some historical and weird sociological reasons my father's first name shows up as my name and my first name shows up as my last name. So instead of "Lastname, Firstname", it shows up as "Firstname, Lastname". Everywhere else (license, my new Indian passport, employment records, IRS records, Social Security record, etc.) the order is correct.

I'm now going to apply for citizenship, and I don't want this confusion to propagate. I want to find the path of least resistance to correcting it. On the N-400 1A and 1B ask for current legal name and name as on the green card respectively. My options are:

1. Use the same (correct) order in A and B and pretend as though there was never an issue in my green card. However, I suspect this might cause problems if they search for my record under the wrong name.

2. Use the correct order in the legal name for 1A and the wrong order (albeit accurate) for 1B and hope they don't see a problem with it and complicate matters.

3. Do #2 and file a name change form with my N400 form.

Suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

I'm a little confused because with what you've written your GC is correct and everything else is wrong.

In the US (and Australia, and the UK etc) names are always listed Firstname Lastname. For instance, my name is Vanessa Smith (not actual name, just an example). I'm always known as Vanessa Smith. I've looked at the example of my greencard and my Surname (last name) is at the top SMITH, then underneath that it says Given Name: Vanessa B (B being my middle initial). Is yours listed with your firstname under the surname block?

If this is the case (i.e. firstname listed under surname block) then you will need to look at the forms you did for AOS/ROC etc. If YOU wrote your surname as your firstname and vice versa on the paperwork then it's your fault and you will need to pay for a replacement card. If you didn't, then it's USCIS's fault and you are eligible for a free replacement card. HOWEVER given that you want to apply for USC and there is no deadline for USC and if you have no plans to do anything with it (such as sponsor family members) then I would file an I-90 to get the card fixed. You would include your birth certificate, marriage certificate and perhaps a copy of the AOS/ROC form where you wrote the name correctly as proof that it's their error and then you'll get a new card with the correct name. That means when the time comes to file your USC you don't need to worry about the confusion.

Hope that makes sense.

[NickD 203]

Must be confused as well. When my wife and stepdaughter first came here, couldn't do anything until they got their green card. To get that we had to supply a stack of translated legal documents from their home country, stepdaughters green card came was verbatim to her birth certificate, wifes' last name was changed to mine with a marriage certificate, her first and middle name remained unchanged. When their green cards first came in, they said to check them for accuracy immediately and to notify the USCIS if any errors were found. On theirs, was no errors.

With the green cards in their hands, used those for both SS applications and for their drivers' license where their names on those documents were verbatim to the names on their green cards. With the SS card, could finally add my wife to my savings and checking accounts, again her name was verbatim to her green card, she also got her credit cards with that same name.

When my wife became a US citizen and could petition for her over 21 unmarried son, we had to supply a name trail with that application, first her birth certificate to verify her maiden name, then her old marriage certificate to verify her married name that was on the birth certificate of her son as proof she was the mother, then her divorce papers returning her then married name back to her maiden name, then our marriage certificate to verify her new married name, then her certificate of naturalization to prove she was a US citizen and because her new married name was on it. It's not because the USCIS already has all this stuff, but they always want it again and again. Her petition was accepted without any problems with that long name trail.

So what about your name trail?