Change of Name

[Siddarth Krishnan]

All -- I'd like to change my name - I currently have four names in my passport -- A B C D.

Most of my documents in the US and in India only have A B (C D exist on my passport and a few limited places where space for that many names exist).
I'd like to change my name in my passport to a simple A B, so that I can normalize my name across all documents. Does anyone know if this needs an official change of name certificate from the US court?

What is the sequence of what I should do?

This is the sequence from what I understand and I'd much appreciate feedback on this one:

a) Officially change name with US county court.
b) Once that is complete, advertise in newspapers in both india and the US in a local newspaper and wait for one month.
c) Take confirmations from a) and b) to the BLS office in SFO along with a sworn affidavit that is notarized, and a few other documents ...

Is this correct? Please advise.

[koshur]

I have done this

I have gone through this process many years ago, so some details may not be current. Here's what you should do:

1. Go to your county's website and find out what their procedure for name change is. In my case, they wanted me to advertise in a particular local newspaper before they could grant a name change decree. It is pretty straightforward and should be complete in a couple of visits to the county's office.

2. Go to Indian Embassy's website and figure out what the procedure is for name change on passport. It will ask for advertising in newspapers both in India and US, so you should do both at the same time. Then apply for name change on passport with copies of newspaper and name change decree from the county.

I don't believe you need to change your immigration documents. When you renew them next, they will be issued with a new name.