N-400 name change to married name

[cooleynata 3]

Hi everyone, 

 

I am debating whether to request a name change on N-400 to my married surname. My green card is still in my maiden surname but I would like to have my new US passport issued in my married name. Should I request this through N-400 or later on change the name on my passport. The reason why I am not sure is because apparently you need to have the name change can only be done through a judge/court sworn in ceremony at USCIS and these are held apparently quite rarely in some offices. I don't want to delay the swearing-in ceremony after interview. 

 

FYI my SSN is in my married name. 

 

Has anyone come across this before? Any suggestions on how to have my surname changed to my married name for the new US passport? 

 

Thanks very much in advance!

[OldUser 6,632]

People do it all the time. It may delay the naturalization by few weeks. The other thing I'd think about is how easy is it to change last name in your original country's passport. If name in US and your country's passport mismatch, it can be a little annoying.

Edited May 30 by OldUser

[Dashinka 24,488]

What office?  My cousins changed their names processing through the Detroit off which only does judicial oaths, and the oath ceremony was less than a month after the interview.

 

Good Luck!

 

[cooleynata 3]

It would be in West Palm Beach, FL. 

[jostermacedo 54]

1 hour ago, cooleynata said:

It would be in West Palm Beach, FL. 

I believe any delays would be location specific. My wife changed her name during her N-400 and she still received the naturalization certificate at the same day. The court document with the name change came through the mail a few days later. USCIS office was Buffalo/NY.

 

Joster

[Dashinka 24,488]

I could not find any specific information about that field office and the only reviews here on VJ only cover AOS.  If you want to officially change your name, why not use the N400.

 

Good Luck!

[powerpuff 6,697]

*** Thread moved from General Immigration discussion to US Citizenship forum as the question is about N-400 ***

[stech786 236]

It surely delay process & depend on office too.  It’s been more than 6 wks after interview. No update. USCIS said delay in oath is due to name change 

 

here is the response 

 

The oath ceremony is not a regular one, it's judicial, because there was a request for a name change. Unfortunately these types of ceremonies are not held as often but there is a request pending and the liaison has said they will flag another time to make sure you are on the soonest scheduling possible. I'll continue to monitor and update you should we receive new information. 

Edited May 30 by stech786

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

You can also legally change your name when you naturalize. The instructions to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, include information on what is required when you wish to change your name at the time of naturalization. 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. The petition is later presented to you during the naturalization ceremony as evidence of the name change. 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/commonly-asked-questions-about-the-naturalization-process

[Neonred 3,562]

My wife changed her (first) name at naturalization.  Had to go to the judicial oath ceremony in Ft. Lauderdale which was a month after her interview.

[Moda25 48]

I actually changed mine on the day of the ceremony. When I went for my interview, I told the interviewer and she made it happen. I took my oath  and received my certificate the same day of the interview with my married name.

[top_secret 2,416]

On 5/30/2024 at 11:56 AM, cooleynata said:

FYI my SSN is in my married name. 

 

 

If you are already using your married name just use it to file the N400 and include you maiden name as other names used.  You already changed your name legally by marriage.  You merely need to update USCIS.

 

The NEW online N400 specifically mentions you do not need a N400 name change just to use your married name.

Edited June 1 by top_secret