File now or wait until July and name question

[khassib 0]

Hi,

I'd like to file my N-400 and am wondering if it's OK to do it now. I have a trip to Germany coming up in mid June, so is it too risky? I think I will have to file everything with Atlanta.

Also, my German passport states Lohse-Hassib as my surname. My US papers (DL, GC etc.) all go by Hassib and middle name Lohse. What do I fill in where and what's the most practical thing moving forward? I really don't care about the hyphenated name and wish I'd done it differently...

Thanks,

Kerstin

[JimmyHou 610]

Hi,

I'd like to file my N-400 and am wondering if it's OK to do it now. I have a trip to Germany coming up in mid June, so is it too risky? I think I will have to file everything with Atlanta.

Also, my German passport states Lohse-Hassib as my surname. My US papers (DL, GC etc.) all go by Hassib and middle name Lohse. What do I fill in where and what's the most practical thing moving forward? I really don't care about the hyphenated name and wish I'd done it differently...

Thanks,

Kerstin

Regarding your name, they will almost always go by what is on your birth certificate as your name, unless you have legally changed your name. So the name on your birth certificate will most likely be the name on your naturalization certificate when you are approved. If you'd like to change it, you can fill out the Name Change section of the N400 application. Note that the N400 has two different spots for legal name and name on green card, so USCIS already understands that these may be different. If the interviewer tells you that you must use a version of your name that you don't like, then you can ask for a name change during the interview.

If you look at the trackers for different months in 2013, you'll see that Atlanta is one of the slowest offices in the country, so if you apply now, there's a good chance that you won't be done by June. Of course, you can travel after you apply, as long as you don't miss any appointments. If you get an appointment that conflicts with your travel plans, you can request that it be rescheduled. This will cause a delay, but if you wait until you come back from Germany in June, that will be a much longer delay.

[N&S 32]

I'm sure you are aware of this but if you are planning on dual citizenship make sure you got the "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" in hand before you file as the process for that can take some time...

[khassib 0]

I'm sure you are aware of this but if you are planning on dual citizenship make sure you got the "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" in hand before you file as the process for that can take some time...

Yes, thanks. I finally have that and can now proceed, after having been married here for 17 years ;-)

[Dave&Roza 748]

Yes, thanks. I finally have that and can now proceed, after having been married here for 17 years ;-)

Given the unpredictability of USCIS, I would wait until returning from your trip to file. What's the rush now? What's a few more months after 17 years? What happens if Atlanta suddenly speeds up and you have the bio appointment in March and your interview in June right when you are travelling? That's just MHO.

Good luck,

Dave