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No. When you apply to become a U.S. citizen, you are allowed to request a name change during the naturalization process. 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. Youcould fix that up, but not every field office will accept namechanges in general.They might just say you have to go to court later to do it onyour own. Only a judge has the authority to grant your name change at the swearing-in or oath ceremony. The judge will not approve your name change request in the following types of circumstance: For more information on the relevant law, see the Name Change page of Nolo's website. I missed my naturalization ceremony. Provide as much evidence as possible to support your contention that your name was written incorrectly on the birth certificate or other documents. 4. 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. Official court order for the name change, first name or last name or both. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, the one that will be conducting your interview. 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. You must answer 6 questions correctly to to pass the 2008 version of the civics test. Form N-565 is what you will file after you have received your original documentation for naturalization. Once you get the documents changing your name, you can use it to change your name on other legal identity documents. If you want your name changed, your ceremonymustbe in front of a judge (usually in a courthouse). In the case of In re Application of Xiangjing Zhan, 424 N.J. Super. The new name you've chosen will be shown on your Certificate of Naturalization. In addition, theFind Help in Your Communitypage allows individuals to search for low-cost or free citizenship classes throughout the United States. Please send a written request to the US District Court Clerk's Office, attn: Naturalization, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave, Rm. Assume . No. This means you must be residing exclusively in the United States not in any other country. Visit theCivics Test Updatespage to find answers to these specific questions. Step by Step Instructions on Filling Out Form N-400, U.S. 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. Contact us at 312.444.1940 or fill out an online form today. For the 2008 version of the civics test, there are 100 available civics questions on the naturalization test (PDF, 368.79 KB), butyou will not be asked to answer all of them during your naturalization interview. Yes. In such a case, your request for a name change on Form N-400 cannot be acted upon. U.S. To request a naturalization certificate name change, you will apply for a replacement naturalization/citizenship document using Form N-565. 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. When you become a U.S. citizen, there is a change that the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) misspelled your name on documents and certifications. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. [4] 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. The U.S. State Department is responsible for issuing passports. You can file this petition if you have already filed your naturalization application. At the time of the interview, the USCIS officer will record the name change request and ask you to sign a name change petition, which USCIS files with a court before the judicial oath ceremony. Or, you can wait until your receive notification of your USCIS interview date, and ask the officer reviewing your case whether a judge will preside over your swearing-in. Even if you do not ask for a name change at this point, you can ask to file a Petition for Name Change at your USCIS interview. You can pay the filing fee either online, with a money order, with a check, or through your credit card. UNITED KINGDOM. We do not provide legal advice, opinions, or recommendations about any individuals specific legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. One way is by changing your name at the naturalization ceremony by filing Form N-565. The United States offers several different processes for people to legally change their name. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Ask at your USCIS interview if your ceremony can be held in front of a judge. The interviewer may ask for proof of your current legal name. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. In such a situation, the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, whether through naturalization or derivation through parents, offers ways to fix the problem. To request a legal name change through the naturalization process, fill out the name change section of the N400. Typically, an oath of allegiance is performed before a USCIS officer. 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. Applicants for naturalization seeking an exception to the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment are encouraged to submit this form at the time they fileForm N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS. The goal is to provide naturalization name change proof to verify your original birth name. replace your Naturalization or Citizenship certificate. Inspections of Foreign Nationals Entering the U.S. Penalties for Unlawful Presence in the U.S. Impact of Criminal Record on Immigration Status. 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. Will USCIS approve my Form N-400 naturalization application once I pass the reading, writing, and civics portions of the naturalization test? This process does not happen in the California court system. During your naturalization process, your name change will take place on a state-law basis. When applying for U.S. citizenship if you wish to change your name, you can apply for naturalization and for legal name change together onForm N-400, Application for Naturalization. If it's not, you can change your name in a California court. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Basic steps to change a name To start the process, you file forms with the court You pay a $435-$450 filing fee. If you decide to get legal assistance, you can start here: Many people offer to help with immigration services. Citizenship is not handled by State courts. To qualify for naturalization, an applicant must spend at least half of theirtime in the United States. There are a few ways to go about a name change during naturalization. If appropriate, you can supplement your request with an affidavit from a parent or guardian who can explain the mistake and corroborate the request. USCIS offersinteractive practice teststo help you prepare. All Rights Reserved. What is Naturalization? Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. You want to change your name for fraudulent reasons, such as to escape capture for a crime or to avoid paying a debt. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. Speak with your immigration and naturalization lawyer about the best approach to correcting or changing your name during your naturalization process. Many oath ceremonies are not held in front a judges. Does USCIS make frequent changes to the questions on the naturalization test? 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. 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. Please send a written request to the US District Court Clerk's Office, attn: Naturalization, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave, Rm. While ones lawful permanent resident status does not expire, barring naturalization or termination of status, a lawful permanent residentmust have valid, unexpired proof of lawful permanent residence in their possession at all times. Your new name will go on your Certificate of Naturalization. TheUSCIS officer can have you sign a name change petition andfile it with a court before the judicial oath ceremony. You can legally change your name after filing your application for naturalization with USCIS. - If I changed my whole name (first, middle, and last name) during my AOS: 1). Refunds will only be issued if requested within thirty (30) days and before completed application is printed. 2023 Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. Unfortunately, not all of them are authorized or qualified to do so. To illustrate, let's say the full name on a girl's birth certificate was "Jane Doa," but she considered her true name to be "Janedoe Maxwell." 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. 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. Contact USCIS or an immigration attorney if you have more questions. Suite 202 Changing your name on the citizenship application (Form N-400) is the most direct, and possibly cost-effective, way to change your name. 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. 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. Fortunately, USCIS is more accustomed to the documentation issues that affect some immigrants, so applying for naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship first will help create evidence usable to apply for a U.S. passport. See also theUSCIS Policy Manual Volume 12, Part E, English and Civics Testing and Exceptions, Chapter 2, English and Civics Testing. How to Apply for US Citizenship and Naturalization/ 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. Self-help software and customer support services are provided solely at a users direction. 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. Official websites use .gov You may be able to get your name partly corrected or changed to a form that is more similar to your actual name, even if it is not fully corrected. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, An official website of the United States government. Visit the 2020 version of the civics test page to learn more. Is there an official document? However, both approaches are nuanced, with small details that are critical to the process. The difficulty with this arises from the fact that oath of allegiance ceremonies are held much less frequently than those administered by USCIS officers. Then, during the Naturalization Oath Ceremony, a federal judgecan legally change your name. 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. On the paperwork where you're filing for Citizenship,you said that you wanted to change your name. You can also legally change your name when you naturalize. You can ask to change your name in your Application for Naturalization(form N-400). No. Ask at your USCIS interview if your ceremony can be held in front of a judge. At your interview, you can ask to complete a Petition for Name Change. Down," for example, is not likely to be allowed. You must request the underlying court order to document the material name change for the other family members. E-mail: consult@lawfirm1.com. During your naturalization interview, a USCIS officer will review the responses you provided on yourForm N-400, Application for Naturalizationwith you. As you study for the test, make sure you know the most current answers to these questions. 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. Automated eligibility quizzes were created using instructions, rules and regulations published by the USCIS and only indicate whether you meet minimum eligibility requirements to apply for the given immigration benefit. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for naturalization, but you must pay the filing fee for each Form N-400 you submit to the agency. You will get a certificate to show that your name was legally changed, and the correct name will appear on your Certificate of Naturalization. Depending on the cause of the error, however, you might have to pay for the correction. 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. 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. The cost is $11.50 for each certified copy. London TW1 1JT 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. USCIS provides free educational resources to help applicants prepare for the naturalization test. It is what you will file if USCIS denies changing your name at your swearing-in ceremony. USCIS has been known to accept certain name corrections but not others, so it is okay to list alternatives in order of your preference. What can you do if you change your mind about changing your name after submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (Citizenship) in the US?Get the . 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