Jump to content

13 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi there. I have my N-400 interview (likely combo with pending I-751) coming up and wanted to ask for clarification around name change. All of my documents to date are in my maiden name but I'm interested in taking my husband's last name from this point onwards. There seems to be some conflicting posts around whether this requires a legal name change or not. I'm hoping to do a same day oath so wondering if keeping my maiden name at naturalization and then changing through a court order at a later date would be a better option? Thanks in advance!

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
Posted

Which one has priority to you?  Same day oath or Name Change?

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Posted

Same day oath is priority - I've just seen posts stating that taking a spouse's last name doesn't constitute a legal name change so wanted to know if both could be done that same day.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, Lizzie123 said:

Same day oath is priority - I've just seen posts stating that taking a spouse's last name doesn't constitute a legal name change so wanted to know if both could be done that same day.

Naturalization Certificate is a legal name change document.  Not sure you can do it during a same day as interview ceremony.  A Judge has to be involved. 

 

"At the time of the interview, the USCIS officer will record the name change request and ask you to sign a name change petition, which USCIS files with a court before the judicial oath ceremony. Upon receipt of the petition, the court signs and seals the petition."

Edited by Crazy Cat

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Posted
Just now, Crazy Cat said:

"At the time of the interview, the USCIS officer will record the name change request and ask you to sign a name change petition, which USCIS files with a court before the judicial oath ceremony. Upon receipt of the petition, the court signs and seals the petition."

Much obliged, thank you.

Posted

Your Marriage license also lets you change your last name. You can go to social security, drivers license and bank with your marriage license and change your name. Have you thought of that?

Posted
3 hours ago, Bob in Boston said:

Your Marriage license also lets you change your last name. You can go to social security, drivers license and bank with your marriage license and change your name. Have you thought of that?

Thank you. Does it make sense to do this in advance of my N--400 interview? If it won't cause any issues (I applied using my maiden name) then that might be exactly what I do next!

Filed: EB-5 Visa Country: Brazil
Timeline
Posted
18 hours ago, Lizzie123 said:

Same day oath is priority - I've just seen posts stating that taking a spouse's last name doesn't constitute a legal name change so wanted to know if both could be done that same day.

Check with USCIS during interview if the name change will delay the oath ceremory. When my wife changed her name during her N-400 interview, she received the Naturalization Certificate at the end of the interview with the new name. The court document was sent later by mail. USCIS Buffalo/NY.

Posted
2 hours ago, Lizzie123 said:

Thank you. Does it make sense to do this in advance of my N--400 interview? If it won't cause any issues (I applied using my maiden name) then that might be exactly what I do next!

My wife had all her Immigration cards and such in her maiden name due to her home countrys passport. everything here in the states in her married name. When it asked for her legal name on N-400 we put her married name there. Naturalization Cert came in her married name.

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted (edited)

In case this is of help to anyone else, I had the same experience as @InspectorGrover and was informed by my IO today that a name change in court/in front of a judge is not necessary at naturalization if you're wanting to take the last name of your spouse. The marriage cert is proof of the name change. As such, I was able to change my last name and complete same day oath today! So happy to have reached the end of this journey and wish everyone the very best!

Edited by Lizzie123
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...