An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, An official website of the United States government. Prior to September 27, 1906, any "court of record" (municipal, county, state, or Federal) could grant United States citizenship. How to Apply for US Citizenship and Naturalization, Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, Corrections and Name Change During Naturalization Process: What To Do After Your Citizenship Oath, Citizenship Interview: Benefits of Having a Lawyer at Citizenship Interview, Citizen vs Permanent Resident: Green Cards, Benefits, and Social Security, Family Sponsorship Lawyer: Visa Requirements, FAWs, and Hiring an Immigration Lawyer, Copies of your original naturalization certificate. This name-change service is available only through USCIS offices where the swearing-in (oath) ceremonies are held in a courtroom and presided over by a judge, not a USCIS officer. Please note that CKGS sometimes accepts this but there have been reports of they rejecting this as the valid proof and demands official court order. An immigrant that lives in New Jersey but is not yet a United States citizen can apply for a legal name change in New Jersey. Because many courts opt out of the naturalization ceremony and authorize USCIS personnel to administer the oath, to have your name changed as part . This means you must be residing exclusively in the United States not in any other country. To obtain a status of your application, please contact USCIS directly at www.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283. It may not be worth changing a name error on a green card if the individual plans to apply for naturalization. If you are in luck, and are approved for citizenship at the interview, the officer will have you fill out a form called a Petition for Name Change during your interview. - If I changed my whole name (first, middle, and last name) during my AOS: 1). If you have been issued a Form N-400 receipt notice that automatically extends the validity of your Green Card, but it has been lost or destroyed, then you generally must file Form I-90 to renew your expiring Green Card. It's not uncommon for someone's name to appear incorrectly on past immigration paperwork, such as refugee processing documents, an I-94, or a birth certificate produced by an unreliable source, such as in a refugee camp. This receipt notice must be presented to show that your Green Card, which is proof of your lawful permanent resident status, has been extended, such as for purposes of employment or travel authorization. However, you cannot change your name, if you are sworn in by some other official. If you have been wanting to change your namewhether your first name, last name (surname) or bothapplying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen offers you a possible way to do so, and with few administrative hassles. The clerk will give you a date when a judge will make a decision. Examples of these documents include: original birth, marriage, divorce, final adoption and naturalization certificates; court orders/decrees; evidence of child support payments; court-certified arrest reports; and probation/parole records. To qualify for naturalization, an applicant must spend at least half of theirtime in the United States. Evidence supporting the change may include proof of the same correction granted by USCIS to another family member, such as correcting the spelling of a shared last name. In addition to preparing for the reading, writing, and civics portion of the naturalization test, you will need to prepare for the speaking portion of the naturalization test and meet all other naturalization requirements. Proof of an Authentic Marriage for the Past 3 Years Prior To Filing Your Form N-400. You must take a copy of your Certificate of Naturalization to each government agency where you need to update your ID or record. Note: Due to recent policy changes, some applicants for naturalization may have the choice to take the 2008 or 2020 version of the civics test at their re-exam. Div. We are here to provide knowledge, support, and help for you during this time. A judge does have this authority. To do this, there are two approaches available. Can I legally change my name while my naturalization application is pending? Please send a written request to the US District Court Clerk's Office, attn: Naturalization, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave, Rm. Get more information on how to fill out the name change part inthe Instructions for form N-400. Applicants may ask the USCIS officer to repeat or rephrase questions during the naturalization interview. Change your name when you become a U.S. citizen You can ask to change your name during multiple parts of the U.S. citizenship process. However, USCIS recognizes that certain circumstances may prevent concurrent filing of the naturalization application and the disability exception form. Inspections of Foreign Nationals Entering the U.S. Penalties for Unlawful Presence in the U.S. Impact of Criminal Record on Immigration Status. Yes. Whether or not you get all the changes you want to make is going to depend on the particular errors made and the forms of proof you can show indicating what the name should have been. The interviewer may ask you to confirm that you still want to change your name because some people change their minds between the application and the interview. You will need to follow the name change procedures provided under your state's law, which most likely involve filing a name change petition with the state court. A naturalization certificate name change can be done in several ways. The court with either accept or deny your request. You'll need to ask for the correction at the same time that you submit the USCIS Form N-600 that's used to request the citizenship certificate. 2012), the New Jersey Appellate Division addressed this question. Only a judge can change a name. CANADA, 5 Kenley Road You will need to pay the filing fee and the biometrics service fee. 362, Milwaukee, WI 53202. The documentation of name changes during US naturalization procedure has only been required since 1906. Fill the form out with your current name, even if the name is misspelled. Look for a "Chat Now" button in the right bottom corner of your screen. The cost is $11.50 for each certified copy. Provide as much evidence as possible to support your contention that your name was written incorrectly on the birth certificate or other documents. If you pass your citizenship interview and are approved for your naturalization certification, you will be able to change your name. To obtain a replacement of your naturalization certificate, please follow the instructions found here at www.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 for additional information. The form requires an individual to confirm or deny if they would like to change their name. In some regions of the United States, ceremonies presided over by a judge are held only a few times per year, so asking for a name change will result in your waiting longer than most people to receive citizenship. To obtain a replacement of your naturalization certificate, please follow the instructions found here at www.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 for additional information. You might be able to have errors, such as those found on a birth certificate or refugee processing documents, corrected on the Certificate of Citizenship without having to get your name legally changed in court. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS). For example, USCIS might be willing to add a space or remove a space in between two names, yet refuse to change the spelling. However, some answers may change because of elections or appointments. You can either file your Form N-565 online or by filling out paperwork and sending your form in by mail. If your name has changed after you filed a naturalization application, you must promptly provide USCIS with the document (s) that legally changed your name (s), such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official record. The forms that can be completed using our software can be obtained for free from the U.S. If the father's name was absent, or the father's name was misspelled as "Mixwell" and no proof of this error exists, she might get a letter from USCIS asking if she wants her name corrected to "Janedoa Mixwell." A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. You can ask to change your name in your Application for Naturalization(form N-400). This is known as the physical presence requirement. No. Does USCIS publish the naturalization test questions? If you did not ask to change your name on your N-400, you can ask at your USCIS interview. You want to change your name for fraudulent reasons, such as to escape capture for a crime or to avoid paying a debt. People applying for U.S. citizenship can change their names as a part of the U.S. naturalization process. 2). No. During Naturalization they (US Naturalization) took the name from Birth Certificate and not according to the passport. [3] In addition, an applicant who has legally changed his or her gender may apply for a replacement certificate reflecting the new gender. For the whole scoop on getting American citizenship, see the book, Becoming a U.S. Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam & Interview, by Ilona Bray (Nolo). Unless you are eligible for an exception to the English or civicsrequirements, you will be given two opportunities to meet the English and civics requirements. You will get a certificate to show that your name was legally changed, and the correct name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization. Customer support is for technical and billing issues only and will not answer legal questions. Endorsement of name change during the naturalization process. The filing fee for a name change after citizenship oath is $555 for Form N-565. See Full Details, Immigration Lawyer Chicago/ Services/ No. A naturalized citizen may choose to change their name at the time of naturalization, or they may go through the name change process at a state court level after naturalization. But this will be possible only if you take the Oath of Allegiance in a court and if the oath is administered by a judge. Proof of Termination of Your Previous Marriage (s) 3. The speaking test occurs during the eligibility review. Therefore, if you are eligible for naturalization, it might be easier to correct your name during this application process rather than separately paying fees to USCIS correct your green card first. Suite 202 Commonly Asked Questions About the Naturalization Process. When you submit Form N-600 to ask for the Certificate of Citizenship, you must ask for the correction in a cover letter attached to the application. Looking for U.S. government information and services? Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? Certain applicants, because of age and time as a lawful permanent resident, are exempt from the English requirements for naturalization and may take the civics test in the language of their choice. This means that you will change your name after becoming a United States citizen rather than during your citizenship process. Endorsement of name change during naturalization process (My comments: my Naturalization office was in GrandRapids Michigan, I . Make sure to mention your name change and bring the documents related to your name change at the time of the interview. Another option involves going to court to legally change your name. Citizenship for the Past 3 Years Prior to Filing Your Form N-400. have several decades of combined experience. Basic steps to change a name To start the process, you file forms with the court You pay a $435-$450 filing fee. The N-400 name change is done directly on your naturalization application rather than after your swearing-in ceremony. You can request to change your name on a citizenship certificate using Form N-600. You must answer at least 12 of the 20 questions correctly to pass the 2020 version of the civics test. To obtain a copy of your Name Change Form, please contact USCIS directly atwww.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 for additional information. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS At your interview, you can ask to complete a Petition for Name Change. Newport Beach, CA 92660, 18 King Street East, Suite 1400 If it can't or you don't want to wait until a judge is available, you will need to do a different process to change your name. 8 FAM 403.1-4(C) Change of Name by Marriage (CT:CITZ-64; 11-08-2021) In addition, you should receive a separate piece of paper indicating that you had a legal name change, which you can use as legal proof of your new name. Changing Your Name During the Naturalization Process Self-help software and customer support services are provided solely at a users direction. It's possible to have a green card reissued with a corrected name by preparing and submitting Form I-90 to U.S. You should provide the required documents when filing the citizenship certificate replacement application. The layout is very straightforward, asking if you would like to change your name and, if so, what would you like your name to be. Purchase prices do not include applicable government agency filing or biometrics fees, if any. During your naturalization process, your name change will take place on a state-law basis. You will have to remember a few things while changing your name as you will have to inform your bank, your credit card company, your home country, and other organizations that have your previous name, about your name change and you will also have to change your name in all your other documents. The new name you've chosen will be shown on your Certificate of Naturalization. Will I be asked all of thecivics questions during the naturalization interview? USCIS publishes a complete list of the 2008 and 2020 version of the civics test. How will I know what the decision is on the Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, I submitted? This site provides general information on some commonly encountered immigration matters only and was created to allow you to more simply navigate your completion of immigration paperwork using online software. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it. The instructions to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, include information on what is required when you wish to change yourname at the time of naturalization. Yes. Refunds will only be issued if requested within thirty (30) days and before completed application is printed. Quiz results do not guarantee eligibility or ineligibility as you may or may not be eligible based on reasons not addressed in the quizzes. E-mail: consult@lawfirm1.com. Contact USCIS or an immigration attorney if you have more questions. OR Endorsement of name change during the naturalization process Note: The name as on the Indian Passport will appear on the Renunciation Certificate since it is a surrender of an Indian passport. Your new name interferes with someone else's right to a name, particularly that of a famous person, such as Barack Obama, Brad Pitt, or Kim Kardashian, or of a company, such as Charles Schwab or Berkshire Hathaway. The evidence you send in will support your name change by showing that your name has been misspelled on your initial visa documents. The procedure might vary based on the state you are in but in most cases legally changing your name through the court system is recommended. Are a naturalized citizen seeking a special certificate of naturalization for the purpose of a foreign country recognizing you as a citizen of the United States. As well as the middle name was dropped during the Naturalization. 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This page was not helpful because the content: Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization, I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of 5 Years, Naturalization Test Redesign Development 2022, Educational Products for Educators and Program Administrators, Citizenship Teacher Training Registration, Fiscal Year 2022 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Awards Announcement, Learn About the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, Fiscal Year 2022 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, Citizenship Public Education and Awareness Campaign, Learn About the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, Register for a Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, Naturalization-Related Data and Statistics, Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 100 available civics questions on the naturalization test, 128 available civics questions on the naturalization test, Scoring Guidelines for the U.S. Naturalization Test, In the instructions to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/replace-your-green-card, USCIS Policy Manual Volume 12, Part E, English and Civics Testing and Exceptions, Chapter 2, English and Civics Testing. 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