Changing last name during Naturalization in San Francisco

[parampara 15]

I understand that you cannot legally change your name during naturalization in San Francisco due to judicial oath ceremony not being offered. Does that also apply to changing just the last name from maiden to married name too? We were married in a different country, not in the US. My wife had her maiden name on the green card application but has married last name on Drivers License and SSN. We were able to change the last name on DL and SSN very easily - all we needed was the marriage certificate.

Are we required to approach the court to change her last name and then take the court order to the naturalization interview to request a name change on the naturalization certificate? 

The concern & question I have is:  Will it delay her case if she changes the name during the naturalization process? Will they require to check Biometrics again under the new name to see if she is cleared? She has mentioned her married last name under "OTHER NAMES" on the N-400 application (5 yrs employment based) because it is on her drivers license and SSN.

 

Has anyone tried to change their last name from maiden to married in San Francisco ? Would appreciate your input.

Edited August 31, 2018 by parampara

[drosha 23]

If it’s written on her marriage certificate that means your wife has legally already changed her last name. What she needs to do at this point is to apply for a new green card with the new married name. In fact legally she should have done this soon after getting married because the green card is supposed to have her legal name. It is possible that USCIS will accommodate her and essentially use the naturalization process to update her name because it was through marriage. But it is also possible that they will not accommodate her and reject her application after the interview. Though to be fair the fact she didn’t write her correct legal name in the application may be disqualifying. In the case of the oath ceremony. She doesn’t need a judicial ceremony for the name update because it was already changed via marriage certificate. Good luck to you guys and hopefully she will get the easy route.

[parampara 15]

33 minutes ago, drosha said:

What she needs to do at this point is to apply for a new green card with the new married name.

I think my post was confusing - we are already permanent residents since past 5 years. Her passport has her maiden name so were advised to put the same for the H4 visa initially and then the green card application. We have already applied for the N-400 application.

 

 

Edited August 31, 2018 by parampara

[drosha 23]

In that case it’s a bit more complicated than I thought. Because I thought the marriage was in the US. I’m surprised you were able to change the name for DL and SSN without needing a court order just by using a foreign marriage certificate. You probably do need a judicial ceremony to change the name. Or you can do it yourself before the interview and USCIS will print the certificate with the correct name