Name Change: Courts first or Certificate first

[CA_POP 0]

My wife just took the oath on Wednesday in San Francisco.

Her N-400 had a name change request, and unfortunately I just found out that SF doesn't do judicial ceremonies anymore (and I couldn't even attend the ceremony)

So they told her to go through the courts for the name change, and from what I understand, she would only need to notify immigration if she wants a Certificate reissued with the new name plus the $555 filing fee and that could take 10 months

A court change costs about $450. 

Is it worth doing the new certificate and waiting up to 10 months, and then update SSN, banking, employer, benefits, getting a passport, or should she just do the courts and not worry about updating immigration and getting a new certificate?

Also, since she requested the name change on the N-400, shouldn't they waive the certificate fee (usually waived for mistakes on their part) because they don't offer judicial ceremonies in SF anymore?

 

Thoughts?

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,855]

22 minutes ago, CA_POP said:

usually waived for mistakes on their part

What was their mistake?  Are they required, by law, to conduct judicial oaths?  

Edited February 16 by Crazy Cat

[CA_POP 0]

6 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

What was their mistake?

Allowing the option for a name change without any intention of it being processed.

And as far as I know, since they are an administrative organization, and not a judicial organization, if they offer an option that requires judicial oversight, they should make that available, no?

Edited February 16 by CA_POP

[Crazy Cat 41,855]

22 minutes ago, CA_POP said:

Allowing the option for a name change without any intention of it being processed.

And as far as I know, since they are an administrative organization, and not a judicial organization, if they offer an option that requires judicial oversight, they should make that available, no?

Maybe not.  That would require the cooperation of both USCIS and the judicial court.  I think you can maybe try to make a case for a waived fee based on a typographical error since they could have printed the certificate in the new name even before the judicial process. 

Edited February 16 by Crazy Cat

[Spotify 76]

Yeah, it sucks that they offer the name change on the N-400 but can't do the judicial ceremonies.  Just found that out recently.  Planning to not do a name change, not worth the hassle.