N400 name change in northern CA

[pineapple13]

Hello!

I requested a name change on my N400 and sent it in a few days ago. I live near the Sacramento office though my permanent address is near the San Francisco office. It seems that both only do administrative ceremonies. Does this mean that my name change will automatically be denied? I've read a few testimonies by people where they say their IO crossed out their name change requests and told them to go to court. I think it's unfair that those of us who live close to those offices are going to end up paying $400+ for a name change that is free for others going through the naturalization process in other cities...! Is it possible to request a different office with judicial ceremonies? I would rather just buckle up and make a drive to Fresno than have to go through more forms and fees to have my name changed. A name change is very important to me because I go by a completely different first name (Americanized) and it is what I identify with.

Thank you!

[rayb]

It depends on the type of name change. If it is a cosmetic change, the Sacramento office will defer to a court for the change. If a marital name change, USCIS will normally allow it since you already have a legal basis for the name change.

You cannot just pack up and go to another USCIS office for Naturalization processing; you have have proof of local residency in that office jurisdiction for at least 3 months.

--Ray B

Hello!

I requested a name change on my N400 and sent it in a few days ago. I live near the Sacramento office though my permanent address is near the San Francisco office. It seems that both only do administrative ceremonies. Does this mean that my name change will automatically be denied? I've read a few testimonies by people where they say their IO crossed out their name change requests and told them to go to court. I think it's unfair that those of us who live close to those offices are going to end up paying $400+ for a name change that is free for others going through the naturalization process in other cities...! Is it possible to request a different office with judicial ceremonies? I would rather just buckle up and make a drive to Fresno than have to go through more forms and fees to have my name changed. A name change is very important to me because I go by a completely different first name (Americanized) and it is what I identify with.

Thank you!

[turismo568]

I live near Sacramento and at the interview the USCIS officer told me Sacramento no longer does name changes because it became too expensive for them to have a judge present. He said I would have to submit the court documents myself and change the name either before the oath or after. Also like Ray b said you cannot just pick and choose your office.

[rayb]

That's good information. I would add, however, that a normal marital name change should not require a court action, and that is probably exempted from having a judge process the change.

--Ray B

I live near Sacramento and at the interview the USCIS officer told me Sacramento no longer does name changes because it became too expensive for them to have a judge present. He said I would have to submit the court documents myself and change the name either before the oath or after. Also like Ray b said you cannot just pick and choose your office.

[pineapple13]

Thank you both Ray and Turismo!

My name change is just a first name change to change my foreign name to the English name I identify with. I guess I have to go through the court then...! Do other people still get to change their name through the ceremony? I thought we all had one free go to change our names upon naturalization. It is so expensive!

Turismo: did you end up going through with your name change? And if so, how long did it take?

[Jot18]

Thank you both Ray and Turismo!

My name change is just a first name change to change my foreign name to the English name I identify with. I guess I have to go through the court then...! Do other people still get to change their name through the ceremony? I thought we all had one free go to change our names upon naturalization. It is so expensive!

Turismo: did you end up going through with your name change? And if so, how long did it take?

they stopped changing names at interview/ceremonies few years ago. Now everyone must go through court. I had my name changed because on my green card USCIS put first name: No Name Given and my real first and last as a last name. They allowed my name change because it was spelled wrong. they will also fix fnu's but completely name change must go through court.

[pineapple13]

Hi Jot, thank you for your response!

That's sad to know, I was hoping for an easy name change throughout the naturalization process!

Here's another question then (this is sort of going off topic, sorry!): I am really determined to change my name and I have decided I'm okay with the $435 fee (that isn't anything for a lifetime of being called my preferred name! :P ). I've read some posts by people who say that it's better to change your name before the naturalization process so that your citizenship paper has your new name on it. Otherwise you'll have to carry around that paper PLUS a change of name paper. Can I go to my county court right now and request to change my name even though I've already sent in my N-400? My N-400 has my current legal name on it because I thought I would be able to change my name through the naturalization process. Would I just tell the IO during the interview that I had filed a form with my county court after I sent in the N-400 to change my name? I think the name change process takes about 3 months so I doubt I'll have my name changed before the interview, but I could maybe have it changed before the ceremony.

Thank you so much! This is such a helpful forum.

[Jot18]

Hi Jot, thank you for your response!

That's sad to know, I was hoping for an easy name change throughout the naturalization process!

Here's another question then (this is sort of going off topic, sorry!): I am really determined to change my name and I have decided I'm okay with the $435 fee (that isn't anything for a lifetime of being called my preferred name! :P ). I've read some posts by people who say that it's better to change your name before the naturalization process so that your citizenship paper has your new name on it. Otherwise you'll have to carry around that paper PLUS a change of name paper. Can I go to my county court right now and request to change my name even though I've already sent in my N-400? My N-400 has my current legal name on it because I thought I would be able to change my name through the naturalization process. Would I just tell the IO during the interview that I had filed a form with my county court after I sent in the N-400 to change my name? I think the name change process takes about 3 months so I doubt I'll have my name changed before the interview, but I could maybe have it changed before the ceremony.

Thank you so much! This is such a helpful forum.

yes you can change your name and take the paper with you at time of interview. then officer will request to put a request for the new name to be printed on your naturalization certificate. I think it takes less than a month or so in my county.

[pineapple13]

Hi Jot! Thanks for your response. Sorry to keep piling on my questions!:

If I petition for a name change through my county court but it doesn't get changed until after my interview, is there something else I could take to the IO to show him/her I had gone to court to get a name change? Or do they just take your word for it?

Thank you so much! I promise this is my last question!

[Jot18]

Hi Jot! Thanks for your response. Sorry to keep piling on my questions!:

If I petition for a name change through my county court but it doesn't get changed until after my interview, is there something else I could take to the IO to show him/her I had gone to court to get a name change? Or do they just take your word for it?

Thank you so much! I promise this is my last question!

I think they give you some paperwork right away when you change name. however I didn't go through that process so I am not sure. if you haven't done your biometrics yet, ask them this question..?

[pineapple13]

Oh okay! I am going to try to do some digging and see if I can find posts by people who've changed their names in court separately from the N-400. That's a good point, I'm actually just being too excited I think, my N-400 hasn't even been accepted yet. Hopefully it will be soon!

Thanks so much for your help Jot18, rayb, and turismo568!!!

[turismo568]

Thank you both Ray and Turismo!

My name change is just a first name change to change my foreign name to the English name I identify with. I guess I have to go through the court then...! Do other people still get to change their name through the ceremony? I thought we all had one free go to change our names upon naturalization. It is so expensive!

Turismo: did you end up going through with your name change? And if so, how long did it take?

Hey Pineapple13,

I did not end up going through with the name change because it would cost over $400 and I would have to create an ad in the paper announcing my name change and at that point I had already spent a lot of money and time so I just wanted it over with and I can always do it after. This would have just been to change my legal last name.

[pineapple13]

Hi Turismo, thanks for checking back! Yeah you make a good point, it is such an expensive and lengthy process. Would've been nice to have been able to change your name through the naturalization process, but congratulations on becoming a citizen nonetheless! :-)