Name Change request on n-400 = Possible delay?

[MahUSA 19]

I read that name changes means that you will be scheduled for a judicial oath ceremony where a judge is presiding over the oath ceremony instead of an USCIS officer. Does that mean that a name change request on the n-400 form can possibly delay your scheduling for an oath ceremony? I am filing for citizenship next month and I was thinking about requesting a name change but if it might delay my citizenship process then it is not worth it. 

[Ontarkie 14,225]

In some ways yes it can delay things a bit. It really depends on your office. Some places only do Judicial once a month and the spots can be limited so you may have to wait a tad longer for a spot. 

[Lelita 74]

It depends. I passed my interview and I'm having a judicial oath ceremony this coming week no name change request. If u apply on line you might have a shorter process.

good luck!

[Hypnos 6,576]

Usually judicial oath ceremonies occur less often than administrative ceremonies, so you probably wait a little longer, yes.

[jkstark 97]

Depends also on where your field office is and whether they even have administrative ceremonies...  For instance, I believe that New York only has judicial ceremonies, so it would make no difference here...  Otherwise, you could be looking at a delay of a day to a month or more depending on the circumstances and the location.  However keep in mind that it is just one small aspect of the scheduling in the entire process - I had my interview just about 11 months after applying and my oath 2 weeks later, which was quicker than most in the area...

[MahUSA 19]

28 minutes ago, jkstark said:

Depends also on where your field office is and whether they even have administrative ceremonies...  For instance, I believe that New York only has judicial ceremonies, so it would make no difference here...  Otherwise, you could be looking at a delay of a day to a month or more depending on the circumstances and the location.  However keep in mind that it is just one small aspect of the scheduling in the entire process - I had my interview just about 11 months after applying and my oath 2 weeks later, which was quicker than most in the area...

How do I find out? My field office is Washington/Virginia which is located in Fairfax, VA

[MahUSA 19]

I also have another question, If I am keeping both my first name and last name, does requesting to not include my middle name on the naturalization certificate require a formal name change request or can I ask for it during the interview?

[jkstark 97]

1 hour ago, MahUSA said:

How do I find out? My field office is Washington/Virginia which is located in Fairfax, VA

Apparently Fairfax does offer administrative oaths.  Whether you get in on a same day oath or not would depends on probably a lot of factors, but they do at least have some available.

 

I believe that if you were to remove your middle name, that would be considered a legal change of name but can't say for sure...

 

 

[Lelita 74]

6 hours ago, jkstark said:

Depends also on where your field office is and whether they even have administrative ceremonies...  For instance, I believe that New York only has judicial ceremonies, so it would make no difference here...  Otherwise, you could be looking at a delay of a day to a month or more depending on the circumstances and the location.  However keep in mind that it is just one small aspect of the scheduling in the entire process - I had my interview just about 11 months after applying and my oath 2 weeks later, which was quicker than most in the area...

New York also have administrative ceremonies too. They have ceremonies every Fridays. They do administrative at 26 federal plaza 3rd flr and also judicial that's where I'm having my oath this coming at Friday at 500 pearl st. 

I had my interview 8 months after my case was received and having my oath 4 weeks later.

[jkstark 97]

7 hours ago, Lela37 said:

New York also have administrative ceremonies too. They have ceremonies every Fridays. They do administrative at 26 federal plaza 3rd flr and also judicial that's where I'm having my oath this coming at Friday at 500 pearl st. 

I had my interview 8 months after my case was received and having my oath 4 weeks later.

I was not aware of NYC having those on a regular basis....  I should also clarify that in some locations where administrative oaths are available, they may be available for special circumstances only.  In any case, your mileage may vary - the only way to be sure is to check with people directly in the know - either those who have gone through that location or from the location itself. Even then, OP- you are still probably close to a year out, so who know knows what will happen in the meantime...

Edited April 2, 2018 by jkstark

[Lelita 74]

1 hour ago, jkstark said:

I was not aware of NYC having those on a regular basis....  I should also clarify that in some locations where administrative oaths are available, they may be available for special circumstances only.  In any case, your mileage may vary - the only way to be sure is to check with people directly in the know - either those who have gone through that location or from the location itself. Even then, OP- you are still probably close to a year out, so who know knows what will happen in the meantime...

My oath is this Friday April 6th. My case took 10 months from start to finish. My cousin had his oath ceremony at 26 federal plaza, also did my dad.

[MahUSA 19]

Thanks all for sharing your insights! As I have said, my field office serves Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia. I have made some research and from what I understood D.C. residents get judicial ceremonies in D.C., North Virginia residents can get administrative ceremonies in field office but also the Eastern Virginia District holds judicial ceremonies once a month. So in that case do you think waiting in line for a judicial oath ceremony will be that bad? or should the next 1 or 2 be open? 

[spousewaitingvisa 39]

We are currently in the process of getting a court order of name change for my spouse (first name will remain unchanged. Maiden name will become middle name and my spouse will use my last name as my spouse's new last name as we got married in 2013. Old name is first_maiden. New name is first_maiden_mylastname) before name will be updated on DL, SSN card, credit/debit cards, bank, utilities, etc, then my spouse will apply on N-400. 

 

First question: On N-400 form (after obtaining a court order on name change),

a) legal name will use my spouse's new name (first_maiden_mylastname)? 

b) the exact name as name on my spouse's green card will use old name (first_maiden)?

c) other names will use my spouse's old name (first_maiden)?

d) Finally, name change will be blank.  Am I correct?

 

Second question: (after obtaining a court order on name change), will it delay my spouse's citizenship process?

[mhis82 13]

On ‎04‎/‎01‎/‎2018 at 5:01 PM, MahUSA said:

I read that name changes means that you will be scheduled for a judicial oath ceremony where a judge is presiding over the oath ceremony instead of an USCIS officer. Does that mean that a name change request on the n-400 form can possibly delay your scheduling for an oath ceremony? I am filing for citizenship next month and I was thinking about requesting a name change but if it might delay my citizenship process then it is not worth it. 

I changed my name 6 months before applying for citizenship. It speeded the process really quick for me. All I had to do was to go to court and file petition for name change.

week later I received my new name and it was all done.

 

[anniesdream 5]

On 4/1/2018 at 8:55 PM, MahUSA said:

I also have another question, If I am keeping both my first name and last name, does requesting to not include my middle name on the naturalization certificate require a formal name change request or can I ask for it during the interview?

I think removal of your middle name is a legal name change and you need to file it on N400 form or request it during the interview. Either way, you will need a court order from a judicial ceremony.