Current legal name not accepted - Have to attend name change Oath Ceremony

[GrappleApple 10]

Putting this here as a warning/ experience:

I got told I would have to attend a Name Changing Ceremony if I wanted my current name (as appears on all my legal documents) on my certificate, here's why:

 

He said they go off the last legal document, which would be my marriage certificate. Now, the marriage certificate in NC doesn't state what the married woman's name will be, it only has her unmarried name. So the assumption is made by them that I will take his last name. What I did, (legally as instructed in NC) was a name update via Social Security. So my social security card has my full new name, as does my Green card, drivers license, medical etc. That's why I'm surprised, because it was allowed for my Green card.

[IPv6Freely 64]

I guess if having that name on your certificate matters to you. Mine will go in a drawer or in a box in the closet somewhere so I could say Stupid McStupidface on it and I couldn't care less.

[marcusa 31]

you need legal documents to show that you changed to your new name from old name. ,either marriage certificate or court order.(i have my court order )

however, your marriage certificate in NC simply used the old name on it as you were still your "old" name when applying for marriage certificate.

 

so, just followed what the IO said and finish the oath with name change ceremony, where you can get legal name change in front of judge, 

 

 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, IPv6Freely said:

I guess if having that name on your certificate matters to you. Mine will go in a drawer or in a box in the closet somewhere so I could say Stupid McStupidface on it and I couldn't care less.

So your American Passport would be issued to Stupid McStupidface. Fun! 😛

[IPv6Freely 64]

3 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

So your American Passport would be issued to Stupid McStupidface. Fun! 😛

They go by the certificate and not your birth certificate? Well okay never mind I guess.

 

That said, as long as my passport is legit and has my photo in it and will be accepted while crossing into the US (I wouldn’t use it anywhere else in the world), I guess the name in it is irrelevant

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 minute ago, IPv6Freely said:

They go by the certificate and not your birth certificate? Well okay never mind I guess.

 

That said, as long as my passport is legit and has my photo in it and will be accepted while crossing into the US (I wouldn’t use it anywhere else in the world), I guess the name in it is irrelevant

 You mail your certificate off with the passport application. (You do get it back).

 

You also show your certificate to Social Security office and the DMV so you are a citizen in their records. Because my name was different on the certificate (Full first, middle, last name) than on the greencard (first, middle initial, last name), both places said I had to be issued a new SS and new DL because they are required to match certificate. And that was the last small hassle to end the immigration journey.

[IPv6Freely 64]

4 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

 You mail your certificate off with the passport application. (You do get it back).

 

You also show your certificate to Social Security office and the DMV so you are a citizen in their records. Because my name was different on the certificate (Full first, middle, last name) than on the greencard (first, middle initial, last name), both places said I had to be issued a new SS and new DL because they are required to match certificate. And that was the last small hassle to end the immigration journey.

It only makes sense that the process would be a pain in the ### right at the end... 

[AK_2014 113]

I just saw your other thread here: 

 

Looks like you didn't just take your husband's last name, you also moved your maiden name to the middle name slot. Do you think that extra change could possibly be causing the issue? In any case, sorry you're having this hiccup, and I hope your judicial ceremony comes along soon! :-)

 

(p.s. I'm assuming the "he" who told you things was the officer who interviewed you, and not a lawyer or someone else not actually involved/fully knowledgeable?)

[GrappleApple 10]

23 hours ago, AK_2014 said:

I just saw your other thread here: 

 

Looks like you didn't just take your husband's last name, you also moved your maiden name to the middle name slot. Do you think that extra change could possibly be causing the issue? In any case, sorry you're having this hiccup, and I hope your judicial ceremony comes along soon! :-)

 

(p.s. I'm assuming the "he" who told you things was the officer who interviewed you, and not a lawyer or someone else not actually involved/fully knowledgeable?)

Ha! yes, it was the interviewing officer, my main point was that I made the assumption that since it was all fine for my Social Security/ Green card Application ( and is on my green card) that it would be a non-issue for this application also.

 

I was posting just to highlight the misunderstanding on my part so others would be more prepared!

[AK_2014 113]

1 hour ago, GrappleApple said:

Ha! yes, it was the interviewing officer, my main point was that I made the assumption that since it was all fine for my Social Security/ Green card Application ( and is on my green card) that it would be a non-issue for this application also.

 

I was posting just to highlight the misunderstanding on my part so others would be more prepared!

This whole thing is so strange -- I'm glad you posted, since I certainly hadn't heard of this situation before. Like you, I would have assumed that SS/DL/GC in the new name would be enough. VJ is such a learning experience!

[Jesse28 7]

I posted this on the "Filing N400 online, anyone?" post but maybe I'll get an faster response here.

 

"I was about to mail in my application then I saw this thread YAY! I had no idea you could apply online and would have done so a long time ago. Anyways, I'm applying for citizenship based on being a resident for more than five years. I had a legal name change so I have uploaded my marriage certificate and my divorce decree. My question is, do you think I should include a cover page and enclosed both those documents or upload each individually without the cover page? My thanks in advance for any help."

[Wuozopo 4,285]

14 hours ago, GrappleApple said:

Ha! yes, it was the interviewing officer, my main point was that I made the assumption that since it was all fine for my Social Security/ Green card Application ( and is on my green card) that it would be a non-issue for this application also.

 

I was posting just to highlight the misunderstanding on my part so others would be more prepared!

I think your interviewer may have the wrong end of the stick. If USCIS issued a greencard in a specific name, then that should be your name of record. I have known USCIS to refuse a middle name change with a greencard application, but that was a girl who pulled a new middle name out of the air and it was not associated with her maiden or married name. In your case USCIS accepted your first/maiden/married  name and issued a greencard in that name. Social Security and DMV go by USCIS name and so did same.

[marcusa 31]

still confused about the name change policy.

 

this raised up my attention. as i changed my legal name (both first and middle) through court after green  card issued. i updated all of my IDs (SSN,DL) and accounts with new legal names,but not green card at all. as i knew i will soon apply for citizen and replacement GC costs money and time. 

 

will the state court order for the name change legal document be sufficient enough when filing for N400 ?

Edited September 11, 2017 by marcusa