Name change, divorce, and naturalization

[Charmycole 25]

So I got divorced and I’m about to apply for naturalization. I requested a name change during my divorce (early 2018) and I filed for my removal of conditions after my divorce but used my married name (this was a mistake) because my lawyer told me I should still use my married name. Anyway, do I have to request a name change during naturalization? Right now, I’m still going by my married name but the divorce decree/court reverted my name back to my maiden name. I haven’t gone to the social security office either. 

[Timona 4,207]

You have a new name....the one you got from your divorce decree. 

 

That is the one you will use to file N400. There's an additional box that lets you put prior names. Put your married name there. Problem solved. 

 

You cannot continue to use your married name yet your name was legally changed 

[Charmycole 25]

4 minutes ago, Timona said:

You have a new name....the one you got from your divorce decree. 

 

That is the one you will use to file N400. There's an additional box that lets you put prior names. Put your married name there. Problem solved. 

 

You cannot continue to use your married name yet your name was legally changed 

I’ve been using my married name since 2018. Will I get in trouble for doing this? 

[Timona 4,207]

It was your prior name. So you have some links to it.

 

You may get in trouble but since you've not, I'll aim to get that permanently fixed going forward 

[Charmycole 25]

1 minute ago, Timona said:

It was your prior name. So you have some links to it.

 

You may get in trouble but since you've not, I'll aim to get that permanently fixed going forward 

Thank you! I’ll go to the social security office and have it changed! And will get a new driver’s license. Thanks a lot. My 10 year green card still has my old name on it though. I applied for removals after my divorce and used my married name. I guess I should’ve my maiden name. But USCIS approved me and didn’t say anything 

[Lelyze 49]

On 7/4/2021 at 4:54 PM, Charmycole said:

I’ve been using my married name since 2018. Will I get in trouble for doing this? 

You will not. I got divorced in Feb 2020. I got name change from court but changing name everywhere was almost impossible before I applied for N-400. I used my married name almost everywhere, and I applied the N-400 under my married name, but requested it to be changed to my maiden name. I just recently changed my DL to my maiden name. On the interview I explained the situation, and he said that this is not an issue and I had to sign the paper to change my name to my maiden. He said I should receive my naturalization certificate in my new name. 

 

[Charmycole 25]

4 hours ago, Lelyze said:

You will not. I got divorced in Feb 2020. I got name change from court but changing name everywhere was almost impossible before I applied for N-400. I used my married name almost everywhere, and I applied the N-400 under my married name, but requested it to be changed to my maiden name. I just recently changed my DL to my maiden name. On the interview I explained the situation, and he said that this is not an issue and I had to sign the paper to change my name to my maiden. He said I should receive my naturalization certificate in my new name. 

 

do you have to go through a judge again? Or the name change is automatic since the court had previously approved it

 

[Lelyze 49]

18 minutes ago, Charmycole said:

 

The name change will still have to go through Judge, but there is nothin you need to do. At the interview I just had to sign the paper showing the name I want to have on my naturalization certificate, and the officer explained to me that it will be sent to the judge to notify him. I asked if it will be a problem since I already changed it through judge when I got my divorce, he said no, it will not be an issue. if I filled my N-400 with maiden name he wouldn't have to do that step, but because I thought I was supposed to fill in name that was on my green card I put in my married name.

My friend went through similar scenario, and she is citizen for 2 years now. 

[Lelyze 49]

also, it takes a lot of time for the name to be changed everywhere, and I have friends who have been using bot married and maiden names for a while after the divorce. I have also traveled internationally twice with my passport in maiden and green card in married name and no issues.

[Charmycole 25]

20 minutes ago, Lelyze said:

also, it takes a lot of time for the name to be changed everywhere, and I have friends who have been using bot married and maiden names for a while after the divorce. I have also traveled internationally twice with my passport in maiden and green card in married name and no issues.

I think I will just fill my naturalization form in my maiden name and change my driver’s license before I apply in few weeks. So that way I can save myself the unnecessary time and wait. I know name changes often delay oath ceremony. Did you have to show your divorce decree since your passport and green card have different names? 

[Lelyze 49]

8 minutes ago, Charmycole said:

I think I will just fill my naturalization form in my maiden name and change my driver’s license before I apply in few weeks. So that way I can save myself the unnecessary time and wait. I know name changes often delay oath ceremony. Did you have to show your divorce decree since your passport and green card have different names? 

Yes, you can do it that way and save probably some time.

During my travels, I always had my divorce decree but I was never asked for one when entering US.