Other name used and change of name

[H-I 32]

Hi everyone!

Still working on my n-400 form. The next question popped up. Before moving to the US my name was in another alphabet. After moving here, I used the transliteration (spelling of my name in English letters) from my current passport for all my American documents to avoid any type of discrepancy.
But in my earlier passports (now expired), I had a slightly different transliteration of my given name used by the officials of my country of birth. I used that passport to travel to the US earlier before any immigration process. Now I am confused. Should I mention that spelling in "Other names used" or it is better to ignore it?

Another question I have is about changing the current spelling of my legal name. The spelling as it is on my documents currently is wrong phonetically, which leads to annoying mispronunciation of my name by Americans. I would like to correct it. Any thoughts on how it delays my naturalization process? If it adds a lot of time, then it would be better to deal with that later.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

I would list all versions of the name you have used, even if it differs by only one letter. (Different transliterations is not uncommon with translating from other alphabets.)

 

Don't know about second question.

[millefleur 5,047]

23 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

I would list all versions of the name you have used, even if it differs by only one letter. (Different transliterations is not uncommon with translating from other alphabets.)

Put alternate spellings under "other names used" or "aliases".

 

23 hours ago, H-I said:

Another question I have is about changing the current spelling of my legal name. The spelling as it is on my documents currently is wrong phonetically, which leads to annoying mispronunciation of my name by Americans. I would like to correct it. Any thoughts on how it delays my naturalization process? If it adds a lot of time, then it would be better to deal with that later.

Name changes are allowed at naturalization. Usually it can take a little longer I've heard, but not hugely so? I think it depends on your local office. Most people opt for the naturalization name change because it's usually way faster than doing a court order name change. I think the whole point of naturalization name changes it to help people do it faster right then and there, as opposed to going the paperwork heavy route of the court order.

[H-I 32]

Thank you all for your responses! 

I didn't know that changing someone's name is faster during naturalization process. Important thing to consider.

[millefleur 5,047]

23 minutes ago, H-I said:

Thank you all for your responses! 

I didn't know that changing someone's name is faster during naturalization process. Important thing to consider.

My understanding is what happens is, at your interview and when they will schedule the oath, they will ask about the name change. Then they will give you more info from there what the wait will be for the "judicial oath ceremony" where name changes are done. Each local office does it a bit differently so it's hard to say exactly if there will be an extra wait and how long if so.

Edited January 11, 2021 by millefleur

[H-I 32]

22 minutes ago, millefleur said:

My understanding is what happens is, at your interview and when they will schedule the oath, they will ask about the name change. Then they will give you more info from there what the wait will be for the "judicial oath ceremony" where name changes are done. Each local office does it a bit differently so it's hard to say exactly if there will be an extra wait and how long if so.

Even more interesting. It looks like if I choose to change my name in n-400 form it shouldn't slow down the process before interview. Does it sound right? 

[millefleur 5,047]

2 minutes ago, H-I said:

Even more interesting. It looks like if I choose to change my name in n-400 form it shouldn't slow down the process before interview. Does it sound right? 

It wouldn't slow down getting the interview, no. It could possibly slow down the oath depending on how many other people are waiting for a name change and if they schedule those judicial oaths regularly.

 

Best thing to do is find another filer who has your local office (Honolulu?) and see if anyone knows how it usually goes. Also some offices now are doing same day interview and oaths, but usually if you ask for a name change, they might have to schedule it separately which means a bit of an extra wait. Again, really depends on how your local office handles it.

[H-I 32]

3 minutes ago, millefleur said:

It wouldn't slow down getting the interview, no. It could possibly slow down the oath depending on how many other people are waiting for a name change and if they schedule those judicial oaths regularly.

 

Best thing to do is find another filer who has your local office (Honolulu?) and see if anyone knows how it usually goes. Also some offices now are doing same day interview and oaths, but usually if you ask for a name change, they might have to schedule it separately which means a bit of an extra wait. Again, really depends on how your local office handles it.

Thank you for such an informative reply! Important thing here is that it won't affect the approval time, only time before ceremony.

 

[H-I 32]

On 1/9/2021 at 7:18 PM, millefleur said:

Put alternate spellings under "other names used" or "aliases".

 

Name changes are allowed at naturalization. Usually it can take a little longer I've heard, but not hugely so? I think it depends on your local office. Most people opt for the naturalization name change because it's usually way faster than doing a court order name change. I think the whole point of naturalization name changes it to help people do it faster right then and there, as opposed to going the paperwork heavy route of the court order.

I know it's been long time, but I've got a follow up question. I put alternate spelling of my name in "other names used" and now online form requires an evidence of my name change. Should I just leave it blank? Or it is going to be important ? It seems like not a big deal, but at least might cause a delay as it is stated on the website   

[millefleur 5,047]

2 hours ago, H-I said:

I know it's been long time, but I've got a follow up question. I put alternate spelling of my name in "other names used" and now online form requires an evidence of my name change. Should I just leave it blank? Or it is going to be important ? It seems like not a big deal, but at least might cause a delay as it is stated on the website   

I've never heard of that before, weird! I would just leave it blank then.

[H-I 32]

30 minutes ago, millefleur said:

I've never heard of that before, weird! I would just leave it blank then.

Thank you for a reply! Do you mean the "other names used" space in the beginning of the application or the evidence part? 

[millefleur 5,047]

1 hour ago, H-I said:

Thank you for a reply! Do you mean the "other names used" space in the beginning of the application or the evidence part? 

Yeah, the "other names used" field.

[H-I 32]

2 hours ago, millefleur said:

Yeah, the "other names used" field.

I appreciate your advice! I could use the copy of my old passport to show the previous spelling. But after all it seems that they mean something else. Confusing like some other question.