Need some insight on reverting back to maiden name on N400

[Tarumba 9]

Let's say my maiden name was Tarumba Single. I loved my maiden name and I rocked the hell out of it. However, my husband is a European guy (naturalized American), and it's tradition in his culture for the wife to change her name. I decided to give it a go and change my name to Tarumba Married, and I have been trying to get used to it for the last 3 years, but it just isn't working. A Spanish name with a totally unrelated last name just doesn't fly.

So, with my application for naturalization being due in January, I have decided to take the chance to revert to Tarumba Single.

Has anyone done it? What am I supposed to do after I fill in the N400 form with my new old name? Notify whom? Will they give me a notification of change of name? any sort of paperwork to take to the dmv? then what?

Thank you and happy new year!

As a worker in the non profit sector (AKA a nobody) I have not published anything, except a couple of things back in my country, under my maiden name.

Edit: I may add, too, that I am happily married and more in love than ever. I just really want my true name back!

Edited December 28, 2011 by Tarumba

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You don't actually complete the form in your new name, you tick the selection to change your name and write your choice of name change in there. They'll do the rest. You can't change your name on everything else until you get your naturalization certificate.

So Part 1A you would write Tarumba Married. Part 1D you would write Tarumba Single.

Edited December 28, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[NickD 202]

Your husband could change his last name to your maiden name, or you can sit down and select a new name for both of you.

Key government agencies we have to deal with is the USCIS, DOS, and SS, with all, had to supply a complete paper trail. While not an legal expert on this subject, logic dictates your real name is the name on your birth certificate, any additional names requires a paper trail, like a previous marriage certificate, a divorce decree from that marriage, and your new marriage certificate.

Had a chance to talk to one of my daughter-in-laws' on this subject, she preferred to stick with her maiden name. Didn't get into her on this subject when she takes her kids to school, my grandkids with my name in that her name is different. But all she needs is their birth certificate to prove she is their mom. Their birth certificates show my sons' last name and her maiden name.

My wife could have received her drivers' license in her maiden name, all of her proof of identity is in her maiden name, but she likes my last name better than her maiden name. But to get a drivers' license in her married name, she needed proof of her maiden name identity as well as our marriage certificate. If she didn't have our marriage certificate with her, for example, they would have issued her a drivers' license in her maiden name. At social events meeting new people, she is asked why she is using her medical name, she simply replies, as a medical doctor, didn't want to go through the expense of changing all those documents to her married name. Besides, I think she likes her maiden name.

Still can have a joint bank account, two names are listed together on your printed checks. Can even fill out a joint IRS married 1040 tax return using different last names. Using your maiden name is not a name change, its the name you were born with.

Is a bit more convenient to only have one last name, that is all you have to supply, with any name changes, also have to provide that paper trail.

Wife still uses her maiden name in her home country, that is really expensive to change by their laws. Actually I don't mind, more fun traveling with my girl friend than with my wife.

[Tarumba 9]

Thank you!!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You can choose to be reborn as an American with any name you want, within reason. That means you can't call yourself Horny B. Itch and you can't choose a name that could cause problems along the line like Queen Latifa.

You don't have to give a reason, you don't need to explain, you basically can become a Kennedy or Rothschild just like that.

I totally changed my name when becoming an American, so I have a U.S. identity with U.S. passport and driver license and all and a totally different European identity with EU passport and all that falls in that category.