Do I have to prove every single name change I have had, even though I have never had legal documentation with a previous name change?

[mialzbeta 0]

I was born in Spain, meaning my first and original birth certificate is Spanish. I have also had a Czech birth certificate generated 2 years after my birth, as it allows me to have naturalisation through my Czech mother. Is it smart to submit both and explain the situation, or should I just submit the original, Spanish one? Both have been translated and certified by a translator. Any experience and advice with dual birth certificates would help appreciated.

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

You were born in Spain......

[OldUser 6,710]

No need to submit Czech birth certificate.

You were born in Spain and have proof of it. Anything generated later in life, especially from a different country you were born in, is a bit funky to say the least. I know some countries do it, but it may be frowned upon in many countries.

Edited Tuesday at 03:26 PM by OldUser

[mialzbeta 0]

I have had 2 name changes in my life time. Name 1 was obviously at birth - name 2 was changed very briefly when I was 8 years old, and name 3 is my current name, which was changed when I was 9 years old. I do not possess any legal documentation with name 2, but remember using the name at school. Would I have to declare all 3 of these names, or only name 1 which is on my original birth certificate, and name 3 which is on all of my current documentation? I do not have access to any change of name documents - so if I have to declare all 3, would a notarised statutory declaration suffice? Thank you in advance for any response.

[mialzbeta 0]

Bit of a long one - apologies! But I’m hoping someone can help.

 

I was born in Spain in 2001, with a birth certificate with my original name on it, we will call this Name 1.

 

Shortly after I was born, my British dad and Czech mother split.

 

In 2003, my mother generated me a Czech birth certificate so I could get naturalisation, however had somehow changed my name without my dad’s knowledge. (also removed my father from said Czech birth certificate, so on there he is unknown.) So in 2003, and in Czech only, I was known by Name 2.

 

In 2005, my mother changed my name again (in Czech only), to Name 3.

 

And in 2010, my mother changed my name AGAIN, this is Name 4 and it is my current name. Name 4 is on all of my Czech documentation, as well as on my British documentation as I have recently been naturalised through my British father.

 

Question is - how on earth do I explain this do USCIS? I do not have any documentation with Name 2 or Name 3, because I had them when I was so young and obviously all my documentation has been updated with my current name.

 

Has anyone had a similar experience? I’m obviously freaking out as there doesn’t seem to be any information on this online.

 

Thank you 🫶

[apnzz 246]

Just disclose all names used as you're supposed to & then perhaps include a short paragraph like you have here. 

 

Name change disclosure is most likely just to ensure they can carry out the relevant background checks on you. Disclosing every name you've ever had or used or gone by is the only logical way to proceed. If you feel the need to explain to them why your name was changed or the nature then write a paragraph explaining it.

Edited Wednesday at 03:33 PM by apnzz

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

***Three related topics merged.  Please do not restart this topic in an additional thread***

[milimelo 4,481]

Did you ask your mother how she did name changes?

[mialzbeta 0]

I haven’t asked my mother how she changed my names as we are estranged (she abused both my father and me). I may gain the courage to at some point, but for now it’s not an option.

[milimelo 4,481]

5 minutes ago, mialzbeta said:

I haven’t asked my mother how she changed my names as we are estranged (she abused both my father and me). I may gain the courage to at some point, but for now it’s not an option.

Ok, understood but then you should be able to go back to Czech authorities to get copies of what was submitted for passport(s), naturalization, birth certificate and similar - try the Czech embassy in London or give power of attorney to a lawyer in Czech Republic to do it on your behalf.