319(b) Naturalization for Wife and Stepson

[Zaldoma 0]

Hello all, 

 

First time poster here, longtime reader.

 

I am hoping to see if anyone has some experience or guidance in 319(b) and Naturalization processes.

 

• I (US citizen) have wife and stepson (both lawful permanent residents as of April of 2025, green cards in hand)
• We are stationed overseas as I am under contract with US gov, we all live together here
• Have been to US twice in last year, once for green cards, once to submit for Re-entry permits
• Just received notice that our Re-entry permits were produced, awaiting delivery to our Consulate (used our congressman's office for expedite request, worked great)

 

We are planning to file for naturalization for my LPR spouse under INA 319(b) here in the next month or two at the Washington D.C. office.

I am awaiting some documentation about my overseas assignment to have the 1-year requirement before we submit the N-400.

 

I'm confident in our case and am trying to plan ahead and have a few questions.

1. I am reading that he (stepson) will be eligible (or become?) a US citizen if his mom (my wife) does. If my wife does her oath ceremony, what are the literal next steps for him? Online N-400 submission afterwards on basis of parent?
   1. Like thinking, go to US, wife naturalizes, go home to our country of residence, submit application for stepson now, return again someday to US for stepson to naturalize and swear in?
2. Can a child change their name during naturalization? We want to fix a spelling error in his first name from the translation, as well as change his middle and last name to follow our family so he will grow up not feeling left out with a different last name. 
   1. I understand last names can be difficult as they may want that to be done by legal adoption (which is in our plans, but one thing at a time here). Moreso asking about first and last. 
3. How hard is it to get a passport for my wife after she inevitably swears in? I now at that point she'd be legally required to leave and enter on US passport, but of course booking flights and these ceremonies are difficult to line up. Can we expedite that so we can leave the US legally?

 

I'm asking these questions because from reading other people's experiences on here, the naturalization and Oath ceremony are kind of just provided to you at their availability it seems, and considering we live overseas we will be planning trips to accommodate this physically in the States, which requires time and money and planning. Of course, accomplishing this is our top priority and are very grateful for this process and opportunity, but I want to make sure I understand the process totally beforehand!

 

Sorry for the long post, but this place seems like where I could at least find some input and advice to our situation here, considering it is a bit unique.

Thank you all!

[Dashinka 26,505]

Moved to the US Citizenship Case Filing and Progress Reports Forum

 

As to your questions, your stepchild will automatically become a citizen when your wife becomes one assuming he is under the age of 18.  No need to file a separate N400 for him, he can obtain a U.S. Passport using your wife’s naturalization certificate.  You should consider filing the N600 for him after he becomes a USC so he can obtain his own certificate of citizenship, but that does not need to be done immediately.

 

I am not sure about name changes in the case of derived USC through your wife.  You may be able to do that via the N600 filing, but I am uncertain of that.  As to last name changes, I think you would need a legal adoption for that.

 

You can look into getting an expedited passport for both through a U.S. passport agency in Washington DC immediately after the oath ceremony.  Research this and you may be able to schedule an appointment accordingly.  I believe you can get a same day passport if you have immediate travel plans.

 

Good Luck!

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies/washington.html