Application for Naturalization Name Change

[topaz318 2]

Hello, I am applying for U.S. citizenship (N-400). My Indian passport only has one name on it: Rahul. When I moved to the U.S., my green card was issued under the name FNU Rahul.

My birth certificate shows my name as Rahul, but after I was born, I was also called Rohit. In fact, my passport says, "The holder of this passport is also known as Rohit Gandhi." My family and friends call me Rohit, and it's the name I prefer.

For the question "What is your current legal name?" (your legal name is the one on your birth certificate unless changed by marriage, divorce, or court order), what should I answer?

Also, I want to change my name legally. Will it cause problems if I change my name to Rohit Gandhi, or should I stick with Rahul Gandhi, as on my birth certificate?

Thank you!

[OldUser 6,608]

51 minutes ago, topaz318 said:

Hello, I am applying for U.S. citizenship (N-400). My Indian passport only has one name on it: Rahul. When I moved to the U.S., my green card was issued under the name FNU Rahul.

My birth certificate shows my name as Rahul, but after I was born, I was also called Rohit. In fact, my passport says, "The holder of this passport is also known as Rohit Gandhi." My family and friends call me Rohit, and it's the name I prefer.

For the question "What is your current legal name?" (your legal name is the one on your birth certificate unless changed by marriage, divorce, or court order), what should I answer?

Also, I want to change my name legally. Will it cause problems if I change my name to Rohit Gandhi, or should I stick with Rahul Gandhi, as on my birth certificate?

Thank you!

You can switch to any name during N-400, theoretically even to Arnold Schwarzenegger if you really wanted to.

 

You can certainly switch to Rohit Gandhi if you prefer. After naturalization in the US you'll lose your Indian citizenship.

 

However, moving forward, in rare cases you'd have to explain name discrepancy between current name and name in birth certificate. You'll have copy of naturalization certificate to explain it.

 

Your current name is Rahul Gandhi.

 

FNU stands for "first name unknown". So your GC should have been corrected as soon as you got it.

 

I wouldn't think it's a biggest deal, can be explained / corrected during N-400 if you need.

 

 

Edited October 24 by OldUser

[untaken 5]

2 hours ago, OldUser said:

Your current name is Rahul Gandhi

I believe OP’s current legal name is whatever name on the US driver license and/or green card.

 

I’m assuming OP has never made a name change. Unfortunately, they created this “FNU Rahul” name for you.

 

2 hours ago, topaz318 said:

“The holder of this passport is also known as Rohit Gandhi.”

This name “Rohit Gandhi” can only be listed as other names you have used in the application. When you arrived in the US, your only legal name is “FNU Rahul”. Your birth certificate doesn’t matter any more after you get the green card.

 

If you want to legally “change back” your name to “Rohit Gandhi”, N400 will be the best chance. The only downside is the wait to appear in front of a judge for oath ceremony.

 

In the US, you can only have 1 current legal name. I have done my legal name change.

 

Finally, if you change your legal name to “Rohit Gandhi” and get a US passport under this name, you do not need to carry your name change decree  because your new legal name is also listed in your Indian passport.

Edited October 24 by untaken
typo

[topaz318 2]

Thanks @OldUser and @untaken. My legal name in the USA on all documents is Fnu Rahul. Since I only had one name listed on my Indian passport, they issued the green card in FNU (Fist name unknown) Rahul. 

 

I guess I will list this as my current legal name and apply for name change to Rohit Gandhi.  

[topaz318 2]

@OldUser and @untaken I have completed the application. It is asking me to upload Evidence of my name change. Do I upload anything for this? I intend to change my name as part of this process

 

I have already uploaded my perm res card which shows Fnu Rahul and marriage certificate which shows Rahul Alias Rohit Gandhi. 

 

Dont know if I should upload my US Driver License (Fnu Rahul), Tax Returns (Fnu Rahul), Indian passport (Rahul) and Birth Certificate (Rahul Gandhi)?  

 

Thank you so much! 

[untaken 5]

1 hour ago, topaz318 said:

@OldUser and @untaken I have completed the application. It is asking me to upload Evidence of my name change. Do I upload anything for this? I intend to change my name as part of this process

 

I have already uploaded my perm res card which shows Fnu Rahul and marriage certificate which shows Rahul Alias Rohit Gandhi. 

 

Dont know if I should upload my US Driver License (Fnu Rahul), Tax Returns (Fnu Rahul), Indian passport (Rahul) and Birth Certificate (Rahul Gandhi)?  

 

Thank you so much! 

Just curious. Why are they asking you for name change evidence?

 

Did you use “FNU Rahul” for current legal name?

[topaz318 2]

@untaken Yes I used FNU Rahul as my legal name as per my perm residence card. 

[untaken 5]

54 minutes ago, topaz318 said:

@untaken Yes I used FNU Rahul as my legal name as per my perm residence card. 

Interesting. You haven’t done a name change. They shouldn’t require a name change evidence.

 

I would scan your GC, SScard, DL, first page of passport on one page, and scan your birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport alias page on the following pages. It’s best to have all pages in one .pdf document.