The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. These are the basic steps to change your name during the citizenship (naturalization) process. In addition to examining the length of your trip abroad, USCIS will look at the frequency of your travel. For additional information, please review USCIS guidance on theunauthorized practice of immigration law. You may travel to another country, including your home country, provided no other legal impediment precludes you from doing so. However, some answers may change because of elections or appointments. Ask at your USCIS interview if your ceremony can be held in front of a judge. Regarding the immigration side, it is much less complicated. Does USCIS publish the naturalization test questions? For the 2020 version of the civics test, there are 128 available civics questions on the naturalization test, but you will not be asked to answer all of them during your naturalization interview. How do I obtain proof of my citizenship? Certain certified copies of documents can also be provided. Also, be sure to subscribe to our blog for more immigration news and updates. Also visit, theN-400, Application for Naturalizationpage and read the instructions. Newport Beach, CA 92660, 18 King Street East, Suite 1400 Proof of Termination of Your Previous Marriage (s) 3. Get more information on how to fill out the name change part inthe Instructions for form N-400. Instructions on how to fill out Form N-400 and include your name change preference are found in Filling Out USCIS Form N-400 Application for Naturalization. When should I submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions? My fianc and I are getting married in the next few months then apply for the AOS. Depending on the cause of the error, however, you might have to pay for the correction. In this scenario, you need not file a separate application to legally change your name as you can enter your new name in the space that is provided inForm N-400. Proof of Official Name Change (s) (if any) 9 Additional Documents That You May Need. An applicant may submit a request to update his or her name on a Certificate of Naturalization based on a name change ordered by a state court with jurisdiction or due to marriage or divorce. If you file by mail, The USCIS will then mail you updates about your case. You have demonstrated an ability to speak English if you generally understand and can respond accurately to the USCIS officer. 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. Another option involves going to court to legally change your name. 105 West Madison, Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 60602, Phone: (312) 444-1940 | Fax: (312) 444-1950 If an error regarding your name appears on your green card, the first thing to consider is whether you want to fix this before applying for naturalization or taking the other measures described in this article. Evidence that you can provide includes: Your immigration lawyer can help gather and send the evidence required for you to change your name on naturalization forms. If you become a U.S. citizen and you need to change your name you can do so by approaching the court. Please send a written request to the US District Court Clerk's Office, attn: Naturalization, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave, Rm. Part 2, Question 4 of Form N-400 is specifically meant for this purpose. This is a completely different process that is around correcting an error during your application for your certificate of citizenship rather than after you have received your documentation. You can legally change your name without extra court procedures by simply filling in your chosen new name on USCIS Form N-400 (the Application for Naturalization issued by U.S. After swearing the oath of allegiance before a judge, an individual receives their certificate of naturalization with their new name on it. People applying for U.S. citizenship can change their names as a part of the U.S. naturalization process. You will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. Your name change will take effect immediately after the ceremony has ended. The evidence you send in will support your name change by showing that your name has been misspelled on your initial visa documents. USCIS would probably approve a correction to "Janedoa Maxwell" if the father's last name on the birth certificate was Maxwell. Visit the 2020 version of the civics test page to learn more. For additional information on how USCIS officers assess English language abilities, please see theScoring Guidelines for the U.S. Naturalization Test (PDF, 121.39 KB). There are a few ways to go about a name change during naturalization. Contact USCIS or an immigration attorney if you have more questions. Accordingly, an applicant may file the disability exception form during any part of the naturalization process, including after the application is filed but before the firstexamination, during the firstexamination, during the re-examination if the applicants firstexaminationwas rescheduled, and during the rehearing on a denied naturalization application. 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. Contact us at 312.444.1940 or fill out an online form today. 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. All Rights Reserved. So at theinterview, it's very flexible.From what I've seen, I've never had a problem.You just say, \"Oh I want to go back and not changeit. E-mail: consult@lawfirm1.com. I missed my naturalization ceremony. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS). Prior to September 27, 1906, any "court of record" (municipal, county, state, or Federal) could grant United States citizenship. If your Form N-648 is found to be sufficient, and the licensed medical professional indicated on the form that you were unable to comply with only some of the educational requirements, the officer will administer the tests for the other requirements. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and requesting a correction. You can request to change your name on a citizenship certificate using Form N-600. We are not a law firm, and this site and our software are not a substitute for the advice of a lawyer and do not contain or constitute legal advice. During your swearing-in ceremony, you will be given a certificate proving your name has been legally changed. Will I be asked all of thecivics questions during the naturalization interview? This is known as the physical presence requirement. The N-400 name change is done directly on your naturalization application rather than after your swearing-in ceremony. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. If you cannot persuade USCIS to change or correct your name, you can pursue a separate court proceeding in a state or local court. Prepare yourself for the English speaking test by making sure you understand each question on the application and can respond to each question according to your situation. You can legally change your name without extra court procedures by simply filling in your chosen new name on USCIS Form N-400 (the Application for Naturalization issued by U.S. You can indicate a name change on Form N-400, which is the main form for naturalization. 2023 Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. CANADA, 5 Kenley Road A request for a Certificate of Citizenship can be filed by a person (most likely a minor) who has already derived U.S. citizenship automatically, through a U.S. citizen parent. 231 (App. Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes an American citizen. 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. 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. A naturalization certificate name change can be done in several ways. The requirements of continuous residence and physical presence are interrelated but are different requirements. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, An official website of the United States government. Many oath ceremonies are not held in front ofjudges. Applying for naturalization does not change this requirement. To obtain a copy of your Name Change Form, please contact USCIS directly atwww.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 for additional information. Your name is threatening, obscene, or likely to incite violence. How do I reschedule? You cannot choose a new name when you get a Certificate of Citizenship, but you can use it to correct an error in the spelling of the name. 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. Please contact USCIS directly at www.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 to discuss your options. I received the ceremony date for my citizenship and need to reschedule. At this point, the name change process is complete. . - If I changed my whole name (first, middle, and last name) during my AOS: 1). Naturalization Replacing a Lost Name Change Certificate The Southern District of Iowa can only provide certified copies of name change certificates. What is Naturalization? Depending on where you live, your will follow your states legal name change procedures. Your naturalization attorney can help with additional paperwork that comes with mailing your form and corresponding fees. Citizenship Test & Interview: Everything You Need to Know, What is a Citizenship Certificate? 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. But in a place likeSan Francisco, they don't, even though the form says you couldchange your name.Once you go to the interview, they'll say, \"Actually, we don'tdo name changes here.\"So you got to look to see what your local office does.I'm not familiar with every procedure at every office, butmaybe contact local attorneys or whatever.But the reality is, you could change your name at the interview. Many oath ceremonies are not held in front a judges. After the court grants your name change, and assuming you have already become a U.S. citizen, you will need to apply to USCIS for a new certificate of naturalization, using USCIS Form N-565. You must answer at least 12 of the 20 questions correctly to pass the 2020 version of the civics test. You can ask to change your name during multiple parts of the U.S. citizenship process. If you pass your citizenship interview and are approved for your naturalization certification, you will be able to change your name. A naturalization applicant must satisfy each requirement to be eligible for naturalization. It may not be worth changing a name error on a green card if the individual plans to apply for naturalization. In the case of In re Application of Xiangjing Zhan, 424 N.J. Super. You can apply for a name change even after filing Form N-400 and in this case, you will have to apply for a name change before taking the naturalization oath and you just need to complete and file Petition for a Change in Name by an Applicant for Citizenship. Unless a court orders you to notify USCIS about the name change, there is no obligation to notify them of your name change. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Filling Out USCIS Form N-400 Application for Naturalization, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. UNITED KINGDOM. 2). All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. Now you regretit and you want to go back?Well, that's no problem.When you're at your interview for Naturalization or Citizenship,they ask you again,\"Are you sure you want to change your name?\"You say,\"Yes.\" If you still don't want the old name, you wantanother name, not the one written on the Form N-400,you could even request that one to be changed. Proof of an Authentic Marriage for the Past 3 Years Prior To Filing Your Form N-400. You can file USCIS forms yourself, includingForm N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can besubmitted online. Find study materials for the2008 version of the civics testand English language test, as well as study materials for the2020 version of the civics test to help you prepare. Information subject to change.#NameChange #N400 #Naturalization#Immigration #Immigrationlaw #Immigrationlawyer[Question] I have filled the N-400.I changed my name on the N-400.So now, I changed my mind and changed my family name.\"So okay. 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