Name change and passport

[Scandi 4,166]

When I apply for my first U.S. passport, do I need to submit any documents for the name change I had when I naturalized? Or do they automatically go with the name that is on the Certificate of Naturalization (that clearly shows my new name)? I only dropped one of my two middle names, so it wasn't a big change or anything. 

 

(And yes, I searched visajourney and didn't find what I as looking for (I really dislike the VJ search function), and the DS-11 form only directs me to the passport website and I can't seem to find the right answer there either (only info regarding name change for people who already have passports).

 

So I apologize, as I'm sure this has been asked before.)

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

They will use the name that you fill in on the form and that you present matching ID for.  Presumably your DL is updated? I think NC is supposed to be acceptable ID but we were asked to show DL for identification.

[Scandi 4,166]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

They will use the name that you fill in on the form and that you present matching ID for.  Presumably your DL is updated? I think NC is supposed to be acceptable ID but we were asked to show DL for identification.

No, won't have any ID in my new name by the time I have the passport appointment. So even if I fill out the form with my new name, and the Naturalization Certificate (which I assume is a form of an ID) shows my new name, they still go by the old Drivers License? I guess that's fine, I will have my old name in the passport. Must be tons of people out there that get their passports in their old names then, as almost everyone I see on here and Facebook who had a name change get a passport before going to DMV or SSA. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

I can’t say for sure. As I said as far as I know a naturalization certificate is acceptable ID, but our acceptance agent wanted to see DL. Then again we didn’t have a name change so didn’t ask about it. Remember you are the one filling in the name on the passport form. If you put your old name on the form when you have changed it already isn’t that giving false information? I would insist on using the NC as ID in that instance.

 

 

[Scandi 4,166]

Just now, SusieQQQ said:

I can’t say for sure. As I said as far as I know a naturalization certificate is acceptable ID, but our acceptance agent wanted to see DL. Then again we didn’t have a name change so didn’t ask about it. Remember you are the one filling in the name on the passport form. If you put your old name on the form when you have changed it already isn’t that giving false information? I would insist on using the NC as ID in that instance.

 

 

I have filled out the form correctly, I obviously used my new name on the form where it asks for my name, and wrote my old name in the space that asks for previous names. So in that sense both my new (post-citizen) and my old name (pre-citizen) is on the form in the correct spaces. No false information at all. I will also send a copy of the name change document that was stapled to my NC when they handed it to me, just in case. It shows that a judge granted the name change, but it doesn't have a wet signature, embossment or a wet stamp as far as I can see (it just looks like a regular photocopy). 

Yes they ask for a State ID or DL, which I will provide but it will still be in my old name, so they may not deem it valid. Worst case they won't let me apply in my new name at all, or they'll issue a passport in my old name, which is fine I guess. Hopefully they'll go by what the NC says as that's a government issue photo ID of sorts.

This is why I asked in here, hopefully someone knows how it works. Tons of people must've been through this exact same situation.

[Scandi 4,166]

And to make matters worse, I can't just go to DMV and get a new ID in my new name. I would first have to go to SSA to update my name with them as DMV verifies all the info with SSA, and they're closed so I would have to mail my valuable documents and hope they don't get lost. So I'm thinking I'm in for a very, very long process here, just to get a passport. First a name change with SSA in order to be able to get a new ID from DMV, which will probably take 1 month each for SSA and DMV, if not more. And then finally apply for a passport with the new ID and that process is probably 2-3 months. 

And if SSA/USPS did lose my certificate, then I can't get a passport at all as I have no proof of anything anymore?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

You’re making a mountain out if a molehill. Use the naturalization certificate as ID with your passport application. 

Edited March 22, 2021 by SusieQQQ

[Scandi 4,166]

55 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

You’re making a mountain out if a molehill. Use the naturalization certificate as ID with your passport application. 

That was the question, if that's good enough. I would assume they ask for another form of ID for a reason.

[Eternati 13]

I came to this forum thread looking for answers, but only found similar questions from the peeps that are equally confused haha! I am in the same boat, I went to DMV today to stand in line for 2 hours just to find out they need my updated SSN first. SSN offices are closed, I called them and they said I can either mail my original documents (yes, the NC and the DL on my old name), or I can leave them my phone number and they will contact me once they have an available appointment, clerk said it has to be at least 6-8 weeks. Now imagine the snail mail losing  the ONLY two documents you have that certify your identity. Man this gives me so much anxiety.
And yes of course, passport, I need a passport too as I have an international travel coming in a summer. Like I don't even know where to start. I will probably do the passport first. 

[Scandi 4,166]

8 minutes ago, Eternati said:

I came to this forum thread looking for answers, but only found similar questions from the peeps that are equally confused haha! I am in the same boat, I went to DMV today to stand in line for 2 hours just to find out they need my updated SSN first. SSN offices are closed, I called them and they said I can either mail my original documents (yes, the NC and the DL on my old name), or I can leave them my phone number and they will contact me once they have an available appointment, clerk said it has to be at least 6-8 weeks. Now imagine the snail mail losing  the ONLY two documents you have that certify your identity. Man this gives me so much anxiety.
And yes of course, passport, I need a passport too as I have an international travel coming in a summer. Like I don't even know where to start. I will probably do the passport first. 

Yeah the SSA needs to be updated before you can do anything with DMV, sadly. In a normal world that would be easy peasy. Now.. not so much. 

I'm keeping my passport appointment and will go have that done if it's possible, then at least I have a passport in my new name and will just have to push SSA/DMV to the future. 

[Eternati 13]

3 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Yeah the SSA needs to be updated before you can do anything with DMV, sadly. In a normal world that would be easy peasy. Now.. not so much. 

I'm keeping my passport appointment and will go have that done if it's possible, then at least I have a passport in my new name and will just have to push SSA/DMV to the future. 

Yeah, I'll do the same, it makes sense. What SSA is doing at the moment - not so much. Le sigh. Also btw while I was browsing the info, I found the proof that your NC is a valid government-issued ID, so at least you should not worry about that

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html

[Scandi 4,166]

For anybody else who had a name change at the Naturalization stage and who might be wondering - my DL was no longer valid as I had a name change and my DL was still in my old name, but the passport agency accepted it anyway.

 

So that makes life easier for us, no need to update your info with SSA first and then head over to DMV to get a new DL in your new name, the no longer valid DL in your old name is accepted.

[CreativeForce 2]

Wow! I've also been looking and looking for answers on this topic!  Thank you @Scandi for posing the question!

 

My situation is similar — name change during naturalization, but not in any significant way. I didn't change my name from Solomon Dov Rabinowitz to Sergei Andretti Fong-Li, or anything.

 

All I did was take out my 2nd last name from the equation. In Latin America, our official name includes both our father's last name and our mother's maiden name.  Here's an example:

 

Jose Antonio Dominguez Bandera   (the real name of a famous Spanish actor)

 

In my case, all I did was to take out the maternal surname, "Bandera" from the name. In this fictional case, after the name change the person becomes:

 

Jose Antonio Dominguez

 

That's it.

 

So I was wondering if I had to go through all the trouble of going to Social Security to change my name to the new shortened version, then go to the DMV to change my Driver's License, AND THEN be able to get a new passport.

 

Or will the person taking my passport application at the post office simply go by what's on the Naturalization Certificate?

 

Or is the Department of State linked with Social Security also, and when my documents get to State, they will refuse to put the shortened name on the passport because I haven't changed it with Social Security first?

 

 

[Scandi 4,166]

22 minutes ago, CreativeForce said:

Wow! I've also been looking and looking for answers on this topic!  Thank you @Scandi for posing the question!

 

My situation is similar — name change during naturalization, but not in any significant way. I didn't change my name from Solomon Dov Rabinowitz to Sergei Andretti Fong-Li, or anything.

 

All I did was take out my 2nd last name from the equation. In Latin America, our official name includes both our father's last name and our mother's maiden name.  Here's an example:

 

Jose Antonio Dominguez Bandera   (the real name of a famous Spanish actor)

 

In my case, all I did was to take out the maternal surname, "Bandera" from the name. In this fictional case, after the name change the person becomes:

 

Jose Antonio Dominguez

 

That's it.

 

So I was wondering if I had to go through all the trouble of going to Social Security to change my name to the new shortened version, then go to the DMV to change my Driver's License, AND THEN be able to get a new passport.

 

Or will the person taking my passport application at the post office simply go by what's on the Naturalization Certificate?

 

Or is the Department of State linked with Social Security also, and when my documents get to State, they will refuse to put the shortened name on the passport because I haven't changed it with Social Security first?

 

 

I ended up going to my passport appintment with USPS and they sent off my passport application and I received my passport in my new name last Saturday, and I received the Naturalization Certifiate in an envelope with my new name on the address label the following Monday. 

 

So yeah, you can definitely apply for your passport with your now non-valid DL/ID and still get your passport just fine in your new name. Just include a copy of the name change document, it shows both your old and new name, so it's okay that your DL is still in your old name. 👍

 

I haven't done SSA yet, I'm not willing to send my Naturalization Certificate again, so I will hold out a bit longer to see if the offices open soon again. I'm still driving with my DL that has my old name and it's "valid" until July next year, so no rush in that regard. I can wait. 

[CreativeForce 2]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

I ended up going to my passport appintment with USPS and they sent off my passport application and I received my passport in my new name last Saturday, and I received the Naturalization Certifiate in an envelope with my new name on the address label the following Monday. 

 

So yeah, you can definitely apply for your passport with your now non-valid DL/ID and still get your passport just fine in your new name. Just include a copy of the name change document, it shows both your old and new name, so it's okay that your DL is still in your old name. 👍

 

I haven't done SSA yet, I'm not willing to send my Naturalization Certificate again, so I will hold out a bit longer to see if the offices open soon again. I'm still driving with my DL that has my old name and it's "valid" until July next year, so no rush in that regard. I can wait. 

Fantastic!! This is exactly what I'm going to do! Passport first, then SSA, then DMV.

 

Thanks, @Scandi this thread was just what I was looking for!

 

How long did it take you to get your passport? From the day of your appointment to the day you received it in the mail?