Name change when getting citezenship

[tanyaru 3]

Hello everyone!

Well, I am not at this stage yet but you all know time flys. Me and hubby thinking of changing names. His name is a very common hispanic name. So every time we are at the airport he is getting grilled or if we apply for credit, lease his background check takes too long. The question is, can I change my last name when I apply for citezenship? For Example, lets say my name was Anna Ramirez, can I put Anna Johnson and show court documents that my husband also filed for a name change?

Edited January 8, 2011 by tanyaru

[Barbara J 115]

Hello everyone!

Well, I am not at this stage yet but you all know time flys. Me and hubby thinking of changing names. His name is a very common hispanic name. So every time we are at the airport he is getting grilled or if we apply for credit, lease his background check takes too long. The question is, can I change my last name when I apply for citezenship? For Example, lets say my name was Anna Ramirez, can I put Anna Johnson and show court documents that my husband also filed for a name change?

You would have to change your name legally first before putting on any form or document. You just can't change your last name on documents without it being done legally.

[milimelo 4,481]

You can change the name through N400 but be prepared for a bit longer oath ceremony wait as the name change plus oath ceremonies have to be done in a court and by a judge.

In most cases, you can even find out when the next court citizenship ceremonies are - normally they use the court closest to the USCIS office...

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The option of changing one's name when becoming a US citizen is part of the package. It doesn't cost extra aside from about 10 minutes to fill out 3 copies of the name change form and signing it with your new name in front of the Immigration Officer at the interview. I did it in order to get a more American sounding name as well. If I had to do it over again, I would choose Luke Skywalker instead but . . oh, well.

Since at every Oath Ceremony is a judge present anway, changing your name takes only 1 more signature from him. In fact, changing the name when becoming a US citizen is the way to go!

[tanyaru 3]

Thank you all for clarification.