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Hi, Does anyone have a list of dates for the naturalization ceremonies in San Antonio for 2017? Other cities in Texas publish their schedules online, but I am having trouble finding the schedule for San Antonio. Also, does anyone have an idea of how long it takes from the time you pass your interview to the time of oath-taking in San Antonio? Thank you in advance.

Good luck to all of us December applicants and for those of us who ROC'ed, let's hope the process goes a lot faster and smoother on our final journey! N-400: December 2016 Applicants ====================================== USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox ====================================== UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE .................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|???????????.......|... ================================ USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox ================================ UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE CookieCat........|03/03/14|12/09|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Milwaukee, WI.....|... =========================================================================== USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA) =========================================================================== UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE .................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|???????????.......|... Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list: 1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Please use your VJ name to avoid confusion. 3. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting. 4. Click "Quote" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list. 5. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list. 6. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size.[12] 7. Make changes and Add Reply. 8. Red Font = "I'm A United States Citizen"! Legend: GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS Cashd: Date your check was cashed / credit card was charged by USCIS NOA: Receipt Notice Date Printed on your official I-797 notification Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting (Bio-metrics) In Line: Date you received e-notification about the start of your interview shceduling Int Ltr: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview Interview: Date of your interview Oath: Date Oath taken Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you will have the N-400 interview

This story is chilling. Now of course selling cocaine is not a good idea. But he'd already served his sentence for that when ICE detained him -- and deprived him of his liberty for 3+ years due to sheer incompetence. Clearly there were a lot of terrible factors in play here that led to this, and I would like to believe that such cases are rare. That said, since becoming a U.S. citizen recently myself, I've found myself feeling very strange about the fact that, after years of guarding my green card with my life, I now don't have a wallet-sized proof of my legal right to be here. That's why I'm applying for both a passport and a passport card, not because I think I will be crossing the Canadian or Mexican borders frequently, but if I carry it around, no one will ever be able to question my legal status in the unlikely event that it ever comes up. The U.S. is, in theory, not a "show your papers"country, but in practice... http://www.npr.org/2017/08/01/540903038/u-s-citizen-held-by-immigration-for-3-years-denied-compensation-by-appeals-court "Davino Watson told the immigration officers that he was a U.S. citizen. He told jail officials that he was a U.S. citizen. He told a judge. He repeated it again and again. There is no right to a court-appointed attorney in immigration court. Watson, who was 23 and didn't have a high school diploma when he entered ICE custody, didn't have a lawyer of his own. So he hand-wrote a letter to immigration officers, attaching his father's naturalization certificate, and kept repeating his status to anyone who would listen. Still, Immigration and Customs Enforcement kept Watson imprisoned as a deportable alien for nearly 3 1/2 years. Then it released Watson, who was from New York, in rural Alabama with no money and no explanation. Deportation proceedings continued for another year. Watson was correct all along: He was a U.S. citizen. After he was released, he filed a complaint. Last year, a district judge in New York awarded him $82,500 in damages, citing "regrettable failures of the government." On Monday, an appeals court ruled that Watson, now 32, is not eligible for any of that money — because while his case is "disturbing," the statute of limitations actually expired while he was still in ICE custody without a lawyer. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that the ruling is "harsh" but said it was bound by precedent. "There is no doubt that the government botched the investigation into Watson's assertion of citizenship, and that as a result a U.S. citizen was held for years in immigration detention and was nearly deported," the court ruled. "Nonetheless, we must conclude that Watson is not entitled to damages from the government." "We think that the analysis of the law by the majority opinion is clearly wrong, respectfully," says Watson's lawyer, Mark Flessner. Flessner is considering a number of possible next steps, including an appeal to the Supreme Court. .

Hi, I am creating this group for filers within the jurisdictions of the three field offices: NYC, Queens and Long Island, to share their N-400 application progress and experiences along the process. I am a September filer at New York City Field Office. I filed my application online on 9/6/2017. I received notification that USCIS has scheduled me for biometrics appointment. I am still waiting for the letter to arrive in the mail to find out the date and time of my appointment.

Hi, guys! My question is about the situation of my friend. She came here under K1 visa since 2012 and now working on her n400 application based on 5 years of living in USA. But the thing is, she had never apply for green card or green card removal. Can she still continue the n400 without any GC record? She said she purposely did it to save tons of money. Just wait 5 years to be legal for us citizenship and then apply n400 and only pay $725. It was shocking to my part and I told her I've never heard a case like her. I mean how convenient it would be to save $2000 for the whole process.

I found this document that explains what you can expect at your oath ceremony. I think it's well-written and easy to read, so I hope some of you will find it helpful. I haven't found any information on it that is currently out-of-date, but note that it is old and check it for yourselves. https://cliniclegal.org/sites/default/files/231718_clinic_09.pdf Please note that this is not an official USCIS document. It covers several topics including: - receiving the oath letter - maintaining eligibility before the oath - completing the questionnaire - dressing for the ceremony - what to bring to the ceremony - checking in at the ceremony - ceremony agenda - what to do after the ceremony - possible de-naturalization - sample oath letter - sample naturalization certificate

Sticking this here so people can find it. I hope its helpful! Office: Raleigh Application: 3 year My appointment was at 10:30am, I arrived at 10:00am with my Husband and two year old. We went through security (couldn't take snacks for the toddler, so no food or drink). One really friendly security guard, who was happy to fist bump my kid and learn his name, the other not so friendly I lined up with the other applicants to receive our order number, I was J35. Then we all took an elevator to the next floor. Into a smaller waiting area facing a wall with two doors and with TV screens up, one showing TV shows and one showing the next number to be called. Sometimes an officer would open a door and just call the number. There were roughly 7 of us waiting, and people were called randomly, so don't count on order number. I waited around 30 mins, and in that time some people came out after 5 mins, some were a lot longer. I got called in, and through the door was a series of small interview offices. My officer was nice enough, professional and compassionate but still going through the motions he must do so many times a day. He was quick to tell me not to sit down and to take the oath. I then sat down and said I had additional paperwork and amendments to my form, he said to hold off as we'll get to that. He handed me a printed paper with 3 questions and asked me to read question 1: Who elects Congress? Then he handed me a second piece of paper showing me where to put the answer he dictates: The people elect Congress. After each stage, he enters it into his computer and files the paper. I could see his list of Civics questions which put me at ease as I could mentally prepare for it. My questions were: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence What state borders Mexico What is the political party of the President What are the two main political parties Who is Commander in Chief of the Military There were 13 original States, name 3 He asked them verbally, and wrote down my reply in the box next to it. Again, he entered it all into his computer. He had all of my previous forms in a giant folder with post it notes at various points. He had also already made notes on my application, like 1,2,3 circled in red at various points, which I'm guessing are just the regular points they have to discuss. So here's where it got a little weird. On page 1 we addressed my name, and as I never had a middle name at birth, I had elected to use my maiden name as my middle name after my US marriage. Which is what I thought were the "rules" you do it via Social Security, so its on passports, Social Security even my Green Card (which is odd.. ) etc. News to me today was the Government only recognizes the last official document, so as it doesn't feature on my marriage certificate, its not legal. So, before he's even done my application, he is telling me the only way I can change my name for it to be official is at the Judicial Oath Ceremony, which is not the regular ceremony. This is where he brings up needing the passport photos. For name changes you need to sign photos in front of him, he says they can't use the biometrics photos any more. He gave me the choice of which Oath ceremony I wanted, name change or without. He then logged it into the system and said once we are done here, to go to the nearest FedEx, get photos and bring them back. We then returned back to my application, confirmed my parents weren't citizens, asked about my husband and if that was the man sitting outside. Asked if I still worked where I did, asked that my biological children lived with us, all the while he would check back to my submitted documents, (birth certs etc). Then he moved on to the questions which he had condensed, and he knew without reading so he flew through them. I had to ask his advice on "have you ever received weapons training) as I have a Conceal and Carry Permit so in turn have received handgun training. He wasn't concerned at all with it and said he will just log it because I raised it, but definitely not what it meant. At this point he hadn't even told me I'd passed but I had to just assume, since he had me sign the oath part of the form. I then left to get my photos, and ten minutes later I was back in the waiting area ready to be seen again. He came out to get me, had me sign both photos, had me sign 3 acknowledgments of what took place and that I'm recommended for approval (Yes, scary wording that makes you feel like its not as secure as you'd like...) and that I will get a letter regarding my oath ceremony. **Observations** Every step has a printed piece of paper that he acknowledges a pass or a fail with his red pen. He then logs it in before moving on. He did not ask for anything other than my letter and Green Card. I was in there for a while mainly due to the paperwork and logging. My contribution was minimal and fast. I would almost say the decision is made before you even have your interview, and they are just looking for red flags in person. Thank you to VisaJourney and everyone on here, My six year journey would have been far more stressful without you guys. I wish you all the same luck and fortune!

I'm just wondering where the N-400 application gets sent over the course of its adjudication. Based on the state you live in, you sent it either to Lewisville/Dallas, TX; Phoenix, AZ; or Chicago, IL (assuming you don't file online). After acceptance, it then gets sent to the National Benefits Center. From there, I'm assuming it gets sent to the applicant's local field office. But at what stage? After fingerprints but before interview scheduling? Does one check his or her local field office only for N-400 processing times? Is there a way to see the processing times or backlog for the three lockbox locations and NBC with regards to the N-400?

I thought this might help those of us considering a legal name change. The N400 application is (in most cases) a great time to legally change your name. It's fast and it's free. Outside of the N400 process, a name change requires a visit to your local courthouse, may require a public announcement in a newspaper (depending on your state and local laws) and will cost you money. In New York City, the cost is about $65 while on Houston it is over $400, so cost varies from city to city. You can change your name to anything you want within certain limitations. You can't change your name to impersonate someone or in an attempt to hide your identity for illegal purposes. Other than that, it's up to you. If you are Arthur Robert Wilkinson, you can become Geraldo Mohamed Leibowitz. It's important to note that if you are just changing your last name to take your spouse's last name or to revert to your maiden name, then a legal name change is not required. This is because a marriage certificate or a divorce certificate acts as proof of legal name change. This is true EVEN IF your certificate does not show the new name that you want to take. For example, if Anita Mary Harrolds marries Geraldo Mohamed Leibowitz, she can legally be known as Anita Mary Leibowitz even though that name does not appear anywhere on the certificate. In fact, she can also hyphenate both last names without a legal name change. However, if she wanted to change her middle name from Mary to Margaret, she would need a legal name change. To request a legal name change through the naturalization process, fill out the name change section of the N400. The interviewer may ask you to confirm that you still want to change your name because some people change their minds between the application and the interview. The interviewer may ask for proof of your current legal name. In case of a discrepancy between your green card and your passport, a birth, marriage, divorce, or name change certificate determines your current name, so make sure you have these with you (if they apply in your case...it's always a good idea to have your translated birth certificate with you at the interview). The interviewer will print out some forms (three I think) for you to check and sign. These should have your old and new names on them. You will have to be scheduled for a judicial oath ceremony. This is because USCIS does not have the legal authority to change your name and must ask a judge to do so. If your city has regular judicial ceremonies then there shouldn't be any delays. If your city holds regular administrative ceremonies, but not many judicial ceremonies, then the name change may cause a delay. Some cities (including San Francisco and San Jose) have stopped scheduling judicial ceremonies altogether. Applicants in these cities cannot legally change their names through the N400 application. Your interviewer will inform you of this and will cross out the name change section during the interview. You will have to request a regular name change before or after naturalization if you live in these cities (see above). At your oath ceremony you will be given your naturalization certificate as well as a name change certificate signed by a judge. This second certificate will show your old and new names and you'll need it to update your name with your banks, on your drivers license, credit cards, etc. In addition to doing all the paperwork to make these changes, you'll also have to consider the effect of the name change if you have dual citizenship; your name on your two passports may not match and your other country may require you to go through different name change procedures or may not allow name changes at all. People do travel using passports with different names, but you have to be careful when booking tickets and you may want to travel with your name change certificate (and translations). If you want to check whether or not (and how often) judicial ceremonies are held in your location, find your office here and look under naturalization ceremonies: http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/field-offices

Hi all. I have a question regarding this - if i plan to naturalize using the 3 year rule, what do i need to do? Background info: 1. Wife is a natural born USC - left USA at the age of 2 and never stepped foot on US soil ever since then. 2. I got selected for DV lottery, activated the GC Nov of last year (2016). 3. My eldest child got included in the DV so he has a GC now. (DV3) 4. 2nd child (youngest) was not included and wife is petitioning for him now (I-130) 5. Currently out of the USA and plan to go back to USA this month (just me and my kid - wife still has to work in home country and taking care of the youngest) 6. Planning to get re-entry permit this month too (I-131) and return to my home country after the I-131 biometric. 7. Will make a move to the USA some time middle of next year after the petition is approved and visa in hand for the youngest. Now my questions: 1. Let's just say i arrive on US soil again maybe July next year (July 2018), how soon can i apply for naturalization? 2. Would having Re-entry permit affects my application? 3. Also once I naturalized using 3 year rule, would my offspring , regardless where he/she is born (obviously out of the USA), be considered as a USC at birth? (i know that the offspring of parents where both parents are USC, will always be a USC IF one of them has been in the USA prior to the birth - but i just want to know that IF, just IF, USCIS considers only my citizenship (via naturalization after being LPR for 3 years), would my child automatically be considered as a USC? Or do i need to spend 5 years as a USC on US soil before that takes place?) - SIDE INFO, prior to getting a GC, I spent 4 years in the USA on J1 visa years ago, completing my bachelors degree - not sure this period can be counted towards that 5 years being USC rule before my offspring can be considered USC at birth). Thoughts?

I am in the process of filing N-400 for myself and came across a question whether I meet the 3 months local residence requirement. I am a student at a university where I am filing, and I live in a dorm. I lived in different dorms for last 2 years, and I took trips to Korea every summer, including the recent 100-days trip that I got back from on August 19th. Do I meet the 3 months local residence requirement? USCIS website says, "In general, an applicant for naturalization must file his or her application for naturalization with the state or service district that has jurisdiction over his or her place of residence. The applicant must have resided in that location for at least three months prior to filing." I am not sure if this means a continuous residency of 3 months. I have definitely lived here for more than 3 months but I was not physically here for the LAST 3 months.

Hello, I'm applying soon in few months for citizenship (n-400) based on 5 years, but I have a concern: about a year and a half ago, I flew to visit my family overseas and my layover was in UK, as I bought a ticket with a layover in UK less than 24 hours (a flight agent from british airways here in USA called UK airport and an officer "cleared the way" for me to come since my layover was less than 24 hours). But once I'm in UK airport they rejected me leaving the airport and detained me and asked me to apply on the spot for a temporary visa (layover visa), I did online in their presence, and I got rejected after 2 hours. Then they moved me to wait for the next flight in a center being escorted as if I'm an illegal immigrant, but they treated me nicely as they know I'm not illegal and just here for few hours and catch my flight in the morning. They gave to the flight pilot a yellow envelop which he gave me once I arrived to my home country. the Decision says they denied my transit visa because I already applied to study in UK several years ago and got rejected, he rejected me based on that lol really weird excuse. I'm worried if this incident being detainee for few hours (regarding good moral character) will affect my n400 application Once again: it was NOT my mistake, it was the officer mistake to "clear the way" and confirm that I'm good to go and do my layover passing the border check point just fine as I meet the requirements for a less than 24 hours layover... but how can I prove that now? I call the heathrow airport and have this officer guy who made the mistake (I know his name) to write an aknoledgement letter to add to my n-400 form? but I guess no way he will do it I'll just waste my time I guess. Is it even worth all this hassle? since my US background record is clear with no crimes whatsoever (except for the driving record I had few parking tickets that are paid and not even showing on the record and a speeding ticket of 15mph). since my US background is clear, why would I worry about "international background" for something that's just a detention while waiting for a transit visa decision

Hello everyone! I've noticed that most members cituation regarding the detained/arrested/cited question on n-400 talk about traffic tickets related matters. As I haven't found any case related to mine, I've created this post specifically for members who've been detained and applying for US citizenship to keep them organized and related all in this post. Please discuss your situation so everyone benefit from your case. Starting with my unique case, here I go: I'm a 10 years green card holder, and will apply in several months for my citizenship, but my concern is that couple years ago, I flew to visit my family back home, I had a 24hours (layover) connecting flight in UK. I didn't need a transit visa since my connecting flight was less than 24 hours (according to UK immigration laws). once at UK airport, the border officer wasn't convinced to let me leave the airport for 24 hours and be back to take my connecting flight. she had me apply instantly for a transit visa. after several hours I got a response "rejected", the reason was because I was rejected a UK student visa several years ago. Then they had me go to spend the night in a kind of center or kind of special temporary jail for illegal immigrants, so they detained me there untill the morning, then they escorted me to the airport to catch my actual transit flight that I bought. I took my transit flight back home, visited my family and came back to US all good. I know being arrested is "worse" than being detained, but being detained for one night for not having a transit visa can lead to a refusal for my naturalization? or I'm just too worried and won't affect it?

At the moment it is after naturalization interview and before oath. I recently passed my naturalization citizenship interview and I want to change my name. I don't know what to do, I'm so confused on everything. Can I change my name before the oath? If so, can someone tell me step by step on how to do that? As soon as possible is much appreciated.

Hi guys, I had my biometrics done July 30th and my ELIS online status changed to Biometrics complete on july 31st. What’s the next step or update? I keep getting these emails every 2 weeks saying that my case is still being reviewed, that there’s are no updates and that last action taken was 07/31 (biometrics complete). Shouldn't I receive the in line for interview email or something like that? Thank you so much!

As I prepare our N-400 Naturalization application based on the three-year rule, I'm wondering about the frequency of evidence I should provide. For the I-751 Removal of Conditions evidence, I included monthly statements of the two years since receiving the conditional green card, but nothing from the earlier period of post-marriage and pre-green card. For the naturalization evidence, I'll happily include monthly evidence for everything after the RoC application--that's a year's worth of monthly statements. Should I include quarterly billing statements for the two years before that? Obviously that was included in the RoC application, so I'm wondering if it is indeed necessary and how much is enough if so. The VisaJourney guide doesn't specify so I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Hello Everyone! I waited exactly 365 days to hear from the USCIS about my removal of conditions. They sent a notification requesting additional evidence (a lot of it). - Joint utility bills, joint installments - a will, a trust or power of attorney - affidavits from 3 separate people that can attest to our "good faith" marriage - any other documents not mentioned previously My issue is that as of last Monday, I qualify for naturalization since I am married to a US citizen and have been living in the US for 3 years. Now my question is, what do I need to do? Do I have to send the information they request for my removal of conditions or can I ignore that in go ahead and submit my n-400 for naturalization purposes?? I haven't been able to get a human being on the phone line for the last few days. I would really appreciate any information. Thank you!!

Has anyone actually had their ROC and N-400 adjudicated at the same time? I've seen people say they've been told it will happen...but does it actually happen that way? My wife's ROC is now 14 months old (June 20, 2016) and her N-400 was filed in June 2017. We had an Infopass appointment today to get a stamp in her passport since her one year extension expires on September 12th, 2017. In the course of the conversation, we were told that her N-400 would be adjudicated before the I-751. I find it hard to believe that they will simply let the ROC linger until Jan or Feb of next year while the N-400 proceeds.

Hello VJers, I was just wondering. From your experience (Citizens with Certificate of course), did they use the pictures you sent in with your application or did they use the picture taken at Biometrics appointment for your Certificate? Thanks...

Hi everyone, I got some conflicting opinions about this and got confused. I am ashamed it should never happened but gotta deal with it right now somehow, I got DUI back on October 2014, case was closed on April 2015 and I got 3 years probation which ends on April 2018. I have sent n400 on April 30th under 3 year rule and I am waiting for interview date letter. Now some people saying I can pass interview and be naturalized even while still on probation while another are saying that it is not possible. Please if somebody can help me with that and give me some advices what can I do. When I get interview date, go there, pass english and civics but they will say I can not be naturalized because of that what happens next? Please help and best wishes to everyone!

Can you go ahead and send your n400 while your I-751 is still pending? Would it affect your current case? what to send for your permanent green card? also, if I were to change my wife's last name, do I have to do the form for that as well? Really need some help guys, thanks so much. Our I-751 has been sent since November of last year 2016 and it's still not here, I checked online and California center still processing June 15th of 2016. really frustrating.

Heads up: I just ran across a Policy Alert dated 26 July 2017 which states that all ages will now be required to submit biometrics as part of the N-400 application. Here it is below (I changed the formatting a little to emphasize the main points). First, a quick summary: age 75+ will now be required to submit biometrics for citizenship there will be exceptions/accommodations for disabilities/certain medical conditions this applies to citizenship only, and not biometrics for any other USCIS process (Note also: the main USCIS N-400 website, https://www.uscis.gov/n-400, has not yet been updated to reflect this new policy, so who knows how/when it's being implemented...) * * * * * https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/Updates/20170726-NaturalizationBiometrics.pdf July 26, 2017 Policy Alert SUBJECT: Biometrics Requirements for Naturalization Purpose U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to specify that every naturalization applicant must provide biometrics regardless of age, unless the applicant qualifies for a fingerprint waiver due to certain medical conditions. Background Since March 1998, USCIS has waived the fingerprint requirements for naturalization applicants age 75 or older because of difficulty in capturing readable fingerprints from this age group. Electronic processing of applications and improved technology now allows USCIS to capture fingerprints for applicants of all ages and enhances the ability to confirm identity and perform required background checks. USCIS will continue to make special arrangements to accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities and homebound or hospitalized applicants. This policy does not change USCIS guidance on fingerprint waivers for naturalization applicants with disabilities who are unable to provide fingerprints or are unable to provide legible fingerprints. This policy does not change biometrics requirements associated with other immigration benefit applications. This update affects Volume 12, Part B of the Policy Manual. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior USCIS guidance. Policy Highlights Explains that all applicants for naturalization must be fingerprinted regardless of age, except for those who qualify for a fingerprint waiver due to certain medical conditions. Affirms that USCIS provides accommodations to meet biometrics requirements for certain applicants who are unable to attend an appointment, to include applicants with disabilities or those who are homebound or hospitalized. Citation Volume 12: Citizenship & Naturalization, Part B, Naturalization Examination, Chapter 2, Background and Security Checks [12 USCIS-PM B.2].

I left my petitioned company after I received my EAD card. (This was, I think about 180 days after I received it). 5 months later I got GC in 2009. I was a contractor at company X through my petitioned company and later became full time at company X (During the year 2009) At my interview I was asked to provide proof that I worked for my petitioned company after I got my GC. (At the time of the interview, I thought I had the necessary documents later to realize that I used AC21 to move ) I only have w2s from that year. I do not have paystubs, to show when I ended at petitioned company and started at company X. How do I go about addressing the RFE I now have. Please advise Thank You !! Jesse

My wife is considering changing her name during the application for naturalization. Let's say I'm John Paul Smith and her maiden name was María Teresa Sosa López, with me having a first name, middle name, and last name, and her having a first name, middle name, paternal last name, and maternal last name. Upon marriage she changed her name to María Sosa Smith, taking her paternal surname as her middle name and taking my surname as her new surname. With the N-400 application, she wants to become María López Smith. When she naturalizes and we update her name at the DMV, bank, et cetera, what is the actual document she shows demonstrating the new name change? I'm assuming it will list also list her previous married name to demonstrate the change. Are there scenarios where we will need to show our marriage certificate to demonstrate both name changes? Thanks for your advice!

A couple of years ago I found out I was born an American citizen because my grandparents became citizens in the 1950s and my mother automatically derived citizenship from them (Something she didn't know). Since she's been a citizen since then, I was born to an American citizen, therefore, I was born one myself as well as my brothers. We just finished the process of having my mother's citizenship recognized, and she now has her passport and certificate of citizenship. I am now in the provess of gathering up the paperwork I need to get my own citizenship recognized. According to the laws in effect when I was born (1978), one of the requirements for me to claim citizenship is that my mother must have lived in the US for at least 10 years, 5 of which must've been after her 14th birthday. She meets that requirement, as she moved to the US before her first birthday and left when she was about 20. My question, which is not at all clear in any of the documents about acquired citizenship I've read, is whether she must have lived those 10 years in the US AFTER she became an American citizen or does the time she spent as a resident count towards those 10 years? I really apologize for the lengthy post.