Results Vary. 362, Milwaukee, WI 53202. USCIS does not offer the option of a name change with the Certificate of Citizenship. You will need to include the following information with your request: If you did not change your name during the naturalization process, please contact your local county clerk's office for name change information. People applying for U.S. citizenship can change their names as a part of the U.S. naturalization process. If the USCIS denies your request to change your name during your interview process, then you can change your name in your naturalization process after you have undergone the naturalization ceremony. (Unfortunately, you cannot pick and choose which USCIS office to attend your interview at. You must request the underlying court order to document the material name change for the other family members. Many states have a self-service legal center where you can get instruction on how to represent yourself in asking the court for a name change. All Rights Reserved. Step by Step Instructions on Filling Out Form N-400, U.S. If you decide to submitForm N-400, Application for Naturalization,without legal assistance, obtain information about the naturalization application process and study materials to help you prepare for the naturalization test at theCitizenship Resource Center. 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). Therefore, it may lead to delays in receiving naturalization because of the gaps in judicial ceremonies. This can officially happen at your swearing-in ceremony. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, An official website of the United States government. 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. At the heart of our firm is a focus on client relationships, responsiveness, and our deep commitment to helping you or your corporation achieve the goal of living or working in the U.S. 4299 MacArthur Boulevard To find out your options, contact your local USCIS field officethe one that will be conducting your interviewand ask whether a judge performs the ceremony. See also theUSCIS Policy Manual Volume 12, Part E, English and Civics Testing and Exceptions, Chapter 2, English and Civics Testing. 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. The documentation of name changes during US naturalization procedure has only been required since 1906. 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. This means you must be residing exclusively in the United States not in any other country. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. How much longer before I am naturalized? 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. One way is by changing your name at the naturalization ceremony by filing Form N-565. The new name you've chosen will be shown on your Certificate of Naturalization. Customer support is for technical and billing issues only and will not answer legal questions. did this information help you with your case? If you were naturalized in Des Moines, please contact the Clerk's Office at 515-284-6248. The attorneys at Scott D. Pollock & Associates P.C. You will be permitted to use an interpreter if the medical professional indicated that you were unable to comply with the English speaking requirement. If you have any questions about your immigration status or how to change your name during the immigration process, please contact our office. You will need to pay the filing fee and the biometrics service fee. Typically, an oath of allegiance is performed before a USCIS officer. 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. To qualify for citizenship, generally applicants must demonstrate they havecontinuouslyresided in the United States for at least 5 years before submittingForm N-400, Application for Naturalization. Citizenship for the Past 3 Years Prior to Filing Your Form N-400. 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. This is known as the physical presence requirement. Name changes can be done if you are married or divorced or you changed your name through a court order. However, some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative. Sometimes a foreign nationals name will be spelled incorrectly on immigration documents, such as their green card. USCIS makes this decision for you.). 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." Unfortunately, not all of them are authorized or qualified to do so. The Court is unable to provide a copy of your naturalization certificate or any other documentation that certifies your citizenship. 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 question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. You want to change your name for fraudulent reasons, such as to escape capture for a crime or to avoid paying a debt. Can I legally change my name while my naturalization application is pending? Categories: Green CardsLive In The USMarriage In The USUS Citizenship. Then, during the Naturalization Oath Ceremony, a federal judgecan legally change your name. Div. Depending on the cause of the error, however, you might have to pay for the correction. How to Apply for US Citizenship and Naturalization/ The new name you've chosen will be shown on your Certificate of Naturalization. Close All Open All Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? However, if the USCIS denies this request during your interview, then you will need to request your name change after you receive your naturalization documents. USCIS provides free educational resources to help applicants prepare for the naturalization test. A naturalization applicant must satisfy each requirement to be eligible for naturalization. In addition to examining the length of your trip abroad, USCIS will look at the frequency of your travel. Looking for U.S. government information and services? The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. The U.S. State Department is responsible for issuing passports. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, Cancellation of Green Card After Citizenship Denial, Residency Requirement When Applying for Citizenship, Fingerprinting Requirement When Applying for Citizenship, Expediting Review of Citizenship Application, Applying for Citizenship as a Former Asylee or Refugee, Fee Waivers for Citizenship Application (Form N-400), Naturalization Interview When Seeking Citizenship, Second Chance Naturalization Interviews When Seeking Citizenship, Request for Hearing After Denial of Citizenship, Naturalization Ceremony After Citizenship Approval, CARRP Program and Delays for Muslim-Americans Seeking Citizenship, Name Corrections and Changes in the Citizenship Process, Birthright Citizenship and Acquisition or Derivation of Citizenship Through Parents, Military Service Members and Veterans Pursuing Citizenship, Children of Refugees Qualifying for Citizenship Through Derivation, Impact of Conditional Resident Status on Applying for Citizenship, Domestic Violence Victims Applying for Citizenship, Public Benefits and Applying for Citizenship, Extramarital Affairs, Divorce, and Citizenship, Voting Rights After Receiving Citizenship, Consular Interviews When Seeking a Visa or Green Card, VAWA Petitions for Foreign National Victims of Domestic Violence Seeking Immigration Status, How Children of Foreign National Domestic Violence Victims Can Obtain Immigration Status, Work Authorization for Foreign Nationals Without Green Cards, Temporary Protected Status for Foreign Nationals Unable to Return Home Safely, Humanitarian Parole for Foreign Nationals With Compelling Needs, Advance Parole for Foreign Nationals Living in the U.S. If the errors on your paperwork can't be fixed through the citizenship or naturalization process, a legal, court-ordered name change could be the only remaining option. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as blank forms with written instructions. If you have questions about requesting a name change during the naturalization process, we are happy to work with you. Applicants may ask the USCIS officer to repeat or rephrase questions during the naturalization interview. You will be given a citizenship certificate name change on your official Certificate of Naturalization. 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. 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. Expect to have to correspond several times with USCIS before it agrees to make the correction. 2023 Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. replace your Naturalization or Citizenship certificate. There, a father wanted to change his minor daughter's name from . Depending on where you live, your will follow your states legal name change procedures. I want to change my name to something else.\" You do whateveryou want to do.Now one thing you have to be mindful for is that notevery USCIS field office does name changes.For example, in Los Angeles, they're pretty goodat doing name changes.And the reason is because when you do your old ceremony tochange your name, you have to have an officer of the courtthere that could confirm the name change. It is a good idea to request a new certificate that reflects the name change. Call city/county court clerk; they should be able to provide you with court order; if not already done. Please send a written request to the US District Court Clerk's Office, attn: Naturalization, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave, Rm. Will USCIS approve my Form N-400 naturalization application once I pass the reading, writing, and civics portions of the naturalization test? Citizenship? The forms that can be completed using our software can be obtained for free from the U.S. The N-400 name change is done directly on your naturalization application rather than after your swearing-in ceremony. Once the court has accepted either your letter and/or your request for a name change, then you may need to apply for your new naturalization certificate with your correct name. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it. If you dont see it, disable any pop-up/ad blockers on your browser. You can ask to change your name during multiple parts of the U.S. citizenship process. Depending on where you live, your will follow your state's legal name change procedures. The cost is $11.50 for each certified copy. Many oath ceremonies are not held in front ofjudges. Form N-565 is technically an application for a replacement naturalization/citizenship document, as stated previously. If your Form N-648 is found to be sufficient, and the licensed medical professional who completed your Form N-648 indicated on the form that you were unable to comply with all of the educational requirements, the officer will conduct the eligibility interview in your language of choice with the use of an interpreter and will not test you on any of the educational requirements. Yes. The naturalization process is a legal way of changing your name. You can request to change your name on a citizenship certificate using Form N-600. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, the one that will be conducting your interview. 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. 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. We are here to provide knowledge, support, and help for you during this time. In such a case, your request for a name change on Form N-400 cannot be acted upon. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. We do not provide legal advice, opinions, or recommendations about any individuals specific legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. 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. 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. After the office confirms that there is a name change petition on file for you, you may obtain a copy in person or request one by mail. USCIS has developed responses to several frequently asked questions related to the naturalization process and interview and test. Even I applied for court order to change my name, I have to start FBI/CBI, criminal record checks, petition to court etc but I am unclear as to as to how to start that since I have always been FirstName Lastname. 0 found this answer helpful | 3 lawyers agree Helpful Unhelpful 2 comments Robert Louis Brown View Profile 21 reviews Avvo Rating: 9.8 Immigration Attorney in Cleveland, OH Reveal number To request a naturalization certificate name change, you will apply for a replacement naturalization/citizenship document using Form N-565. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. But remember that you can change your name at the time of applying for U.S. citizenship, only if the oath ceremony takes place in a court and if a judge administers the oath as the U.S. district courts are authorized to change the names of the applicants who are applying for U.S. citizenship, while they take the oath. Again, if this is not an option, your immigration lawyer will be able to assist you with Form N-565. To do this, there are two approaches available. Please contact USCIS directly at www.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283 to discuss your options. 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. Will I be asked all of thecivics questions during the naturalization interview? This avenue of applying for a name change after the citizenship oath will grant a new certificate of naturalization for a name change. Get information about different ways to change your name in California, Get information about how to change your identity documents, This process does not happen in the California court system. USCIS may be reluctant to accept certain types of corrections, so you may need to provide alternatives from which it can choose. Attorney Advertising. During Naturalization they (US Naturalization) took the name from Birth Certificate and not according to the passport. The content on this site should not be relied on to reach conclusions about any persons specific situation. for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or counsel. 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. If you want your name changed, your ceremonymustbe in front of a judge (usually in a courthouse). Only a judge has the authority to grant your name change at the swearing-in or oath ceremony. Mr. Bonus' naturalization papers would simply record the name change but not the reasons behind it. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Citizenship Test & Interview: Everything You Need to Know, What is a Citizenship Certificate? 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. If you do not go through a naturalization ceremony in court, USCIS can use the correct name on the Certificate of Naturalization, but you will not be able to change your legal name unless you go to court. If you don't want to or can't change your name during naturalization, you can change your name in a California court. There are a few restrictions about what you can choose for your new name; read about the rules in Name Change FAQ. E-mail: consult@lawfirm1.com. 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. 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. No. Changing your name on the citizenship application (Form N-400) is the most direct, and possibly cost-effective, way to change your name. Home | Contact Us | Employment | Glossary of Legal Terms | FAQs, Pamela Pepper, Chief Judge Gina M. Colletti, Clerk of Court, American Bar Association -- Free Legal Answers, Redaction Requirements - E-Government Act, Reentry Program/Successful Transition and Reentry Together (START), Post Guilty Plea/Presentence Diversion Court Program. If you cannot persuade USCIS to change or correct your name, you can pursue a separate court proceeding in a state or local court. You can indicate a name change on Form N-400, which is the main form for naturalization. We understand that having your name misspelled on legal documents can be frustrating. 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. London TW1 1JT If you are approved for U.S. citizenship, and if naturalization swearing-in ceremonies are conducted by a court in your area, then you will be able to change your name legally at the ceremony. Once you have legally changed your name, you can File Form N-565 with the USCIS which is the application to replace your Naturalization or Citizenship certificate with the new name and get an updated copy of your certificate. Some different laws that may change from state to state can include: where you file for a name change, needing to provide a valid reason for a name change, who you must inform of the change, if you have to give a general notice of the change (posting in a newspaper), what criminal convicts are allowed to change their name, as well as several others. For additional information, please review USCIS guidance on theunauthorized practice of immigration law. 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. How will I know what the decision is on the Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, I submitted? Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? What is Naturalization? If you're still in the planning stages, here's free, accurate, and up-to-date legal information on every step of the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. If, on the other hand, your naturalization ceremony is not conducted in a court or by a judge, you cannot get a legal name change through USCIS, because the agency does not have the jurisdiction to bring this about. 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. If you file this petition, to legally change your name, you will be issued a naturalization certificate that bears your new name. In the instructions to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, USCIS provides an extensive list of examples of original documents that you should bring to the interview, depending on different case scenarios. You will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You will get a certificate to show that your name was legally changed, and the correct name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It is common for those immigrating to the United States to legally change their name. We will not change a name without evidence such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. 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Are a few restrictions about what you can ask to change your name during multiple parts the! Were unable to comply with the English speaking requirement & Associates P.C Open all do I need lawyer...