Citizenship and name dilemma

[Aloma]

Hello everyone,

I have been with a dilemma for over half year now. I am from Spain where no one changes their name upon marriage (it is law) and people have two surnames. We also do not know what a middle name is. Basically, I have a two word first name (found that out when I learned that the middle name is not part of the legal name of someone in the USA per Social Security office) which right now is separated as a first and a middle name in the American documentation. Also, due to misinformation 7 years ago, I put in the USA my husband's last name instead of my two surnames because I came on a fiance visa and we thought that I had to change it (I know this is not true, we just were misinformed back then).

Fast forward 7 years and I am thinking of doing the citizenship. I am also thinking of changing my first name back (put my real first name which right now is separated as first and middle), leaving empty the middle name field, and changing my surname back (bringing back my two Spanish surnames). I am NOT getting a divorce just as an FYI because every time I explain the story people thinks I am getting divorced or something. However, I am terrified of what could happen if I change my name back to its original. Will the second word of my first name or my first surname be confused with a middle name all the time? Will I have issues because Americans will confuse the format of my name? Will I have to do frequent calls to correct my name 2000 times in each entity? Will USCIS question the validity of my marriage when I state on the citizenship form I want to change my name back to its original? Do I even have to explain why I want my name back to its original? Will it be an issue for my future children to also have a two word surname- no hyphen-? Will it be too much hassle and money to change it everywhere?

However, if I do not change it I will always have this sadness of not being able to be who I am. Additionally, I do not feel very comfortable with two passports and two different names and I have all my family back in Spain so I am going to use my original identity there.

Everything is so messy and I do not know what to think anymore. Sooo hazy. Anyone who reverted back to their maiden name during citizenship but still happily married? Anyone with a two word first name and a two word surname but no middle name? Could you share your experiences?

Thank you in advance for your time!

[aliaune]

I'm from the Philippines and our names is a little similar to yours because it's the result of the blending spanish/american naming custom. I have two given names, a middle name (mom's maiden name) and my surname (dad's last name).

Example name: Celestine Lyra Martinez Reyes

My green card, credit cards, etc. all says Celestine L. Reyes but I make sure that my actual bank account name/driver's license/state ID/passport reflects my whole name.

What I usually do is whenever the form says "First Name", I'll put Celestine Lyra. I don't care if it says 'First', I consider those two names as my actual name, no more no less. Then for middle name, I'll put Martinez.

I can see that yours may be a little complicated because of your two surnames but I'd say just put your two surnames as is. Just be consistent in using it.