Other Names Used confusion

[RalphieCanuck 0]

Hi everyone, I’m a bit confused about how to handle this and would really appreciate any insight.

 

My birth certificate includes my middle name, but my green card, U.S. marriage certificate, and U.S. driver’s license do not. I haven’t used the middle name on any U.S. documents. On the N-400, should I list the full name from my birth certificate (the only difference being the inclusion of my middle name) as my current legal name, or should I use the version from my greencard, marriage certificate and drivers license (without the middle name) and then list the middle name as it shows up on birth certficate under “Other Names Used”?

 

Basically, I’m wondering: Should I include my middle name in the “Current Legal Name” section, or in “Other Names Used”?

 

If I put it in the current legal name section, I’d check the box to request a name change to drop the middle name during naturalization—so my certificate would match all of my current U.S. IDs. But since the middle name isn’t on any of my U.S. documents, or even on my foreign passport, it seems like my legal name (through eyes of UCSIS) is already the version without the middle name, and maybe I don’t need to request a change at all.

 

Can anyone share insight or experience with this? Thanks so much in advance!

 

Edited Friday at 02:05 PM by RalphieCanuck
Moved to right area

[Dashinka 25,203]

I would put your middle name in the other names used section based on your story.  You can discuss it with the IO when you have your interview if there area any questions, and you will have the chance to update the N400 at that time and change it to a name change application if needed.

 

Good Luck!

[RalphieCanuck 0]

Thanks does this sound like it's going to be a big issue either way? I get mega stressed about this type of stuff!

[Dashinka 25,203]

I don't really know for certain, but the fact that your foreign passport shows similar naming, I doubt it.

[TBoneTX 46,686]

Thread with answers has been shifted to the main US Citizenship forum, from which an unanswered duplicate thread has been removed.

[OldUser 8,531]

At least for me, N-400 wasn't the first time answering this question. It was also on I-485.

 

I put my current legal name, and then name as on birth certificate in Other Names used. I also mentioned all short versions of my name / nickname during N-400 interview. It wasn't an issue at all.

[ineedadisplayname 512]

That section is more like for if you go by X but your real name is Y.

E.g you go by Bill or Will but your id has William on it. Or Ralph but you go by Ralphie

Or you picked up an american name because your real name is hard to pronounce etc

Edited Friday at 11:57 PM by ineedadisplayname

[Lemonslice 5,064]

12 hours ago, Dashinka said:

I don't really know for certain, but the fact that your foreign passport shows similar naming, I doubt it.

I am in a similar situation as @RalphieCanuck in that I have 4 first names, but only ever go by one of them.  Most of my IDs (all but my birth certificate and second citizenship passport) show my preferred first name and my last name.   I have disclosed all of them in other names used, but under current name I only put that one and my last name.  That is what is shown on my green card too.

No one raised the question, they just saw all my IDs/my passport in that name 🤷‍♀️ 
[or maybe it is so many characters that it wouln't fit anyway]

 

I don't see it being a problem.  As long as it has been disclosed, that is how you "use" your name.  

Edited Saturday at 02:46 AM by Lemonslice

[Scandi 4,248]

It was hit or miss if the agencies used my middle names or not on my different documents (often they didn't because I had two middle names and they just wouldn't fit, the US isn't made for more than one middle name). Didn't matter for the N-400, didn't matter what the documents showed, I just put my entire name with middle names and all. The IO changed several things on my form at the interview, but I don't remember her changing anything in regards to my names. 

Either way, it can all be changed at the interview if they IO feels that it should. What you put in the form is a non-issue. 

Edited Saturday at 10:29 AM by Scandi