morpheus1234

I'm about to file my N400 and have 2 questions. They are connected to each other, and I'm worried that they'll complicate by case greatly:

1. On my first entry to the US to activate my green card about 5 years ago, I stayed in NYC for about 1 month at my aunt's place before coming back to my home country (and couple of months later entering the US again, but now - permanently).

The purpose of that trip was only to activate the GC. I did not apply for a driver licence or a state ID.

Do I need to fill my aunt's address in the N400 as one of the addresses I lived at in the past 5 years?

2. My fingerprints are unreadable due to a hand eczema. Doesn't matter what lotion I use - they are not readable, and I expect them to be rejected in the fingerprinting appointment.

From what I've been reading, USCIS will sent 2 fingerprinting appointments, and if the fingerprints are rejected twice - I will be required to provide police clearance form all of the places I lived in in the past 5 years.

I lived in one place in CA except that 1 month from my first question in NYC. depending on the answer to 1, this may complicate my situation - 

a. As I've never been an official resident of NY (didn't apply for ID/Drivers licence) - is it even possible, would they be able to produce a police certificate?

b. From what I read, they require to apply *in person* and they need a letter from an attorney that contains a full physical description and on top of that they do fingerprinting (when the reason I may need them is because I have unreadable prints) (reference - https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/record-requests.page)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Are there people here with experience dealing with N400 and unreadable fingerprints and obtaining police certificates?

Thank you!

7 hours ago, bestluck said:

Why not changed it tho application for free if you do it before on court  its will cost you a lot of money and time ... plus n-400 is free and i did changed my name too on N400 Application , I ask officer if its will delay my application . he said no its will not and its free and you will see it judge has to come some times for oath ceremonies if there is names change application , So My Advice that changed on N400 , I am waiting for oath ceremonies letter now . 

 

check the link please for more information on name change 

 

 

Thank you for your reply.

Are you from California? If so, was your name change based on marriage (taking your husband's last name?)

As I mentioned in my question, from reading lots of other posts, California stopped doing judicial ceremonies many years ago and does only administrative ones. Therefore, in California, unless your name change is based on marriage it won't go through if you only mention it in the N400, you will need to go through the court to get a court decree.

My question is regarding the best/safest/cheapest sequence of operations. 

I will be able to apply for naturalization soon and I'd like to have my name changed on the naturalization certificate (cosmetic name change of both my first and last names).

I live in Cupertino, CA. I've read countless posts about the subject and still have a few questions:

I understand that I'll need to go through court to have my name changed because in CA a judge is not present at the oath ceremonies.

1. Would it be safer/better to do the name change through the court before sending my N400 and starting the naturalization process? All the posts that I read talk about first starting the naturalization process and requesting for the name change on N400 and then doing the name change through the court. I can't seem to understand the benefit of that over doing the name change first. Which one is a safer bet? Is there a way to have the name change court fee waved?

2. How do I figure out which court I need to file the name change petition? I know there is a court in San Jose and in Santa Clara.

Thank you so much! 😊

No clue, depends where you are. Get a quote from them. Usually easier, safer and cheaper to leave it with the recipient in the US (who presumably you trust to receive it in the first place) and pick it up when you get back.

Problem is - US is big and when I'll get back, I will not necessarily get back to the same place, but I guess it still safer to ship it within the US.

you are planning to move back to your home country permanently? If that's the case you will have to give up your green card. Green cards are for living in the US, not for living abroad in your home country.

I meant moving back to the US permanently.

Because of the DV process, it's quite common for someone to activate their green card by entering on an immigrant visa, going back home to wrap things up, and then move across to the US permanently some months later.

Morpheus, firstly you don't need to ship it over if you have someone to keep it safe till you get back - your immigrant visa when stamped for entry becomes a temporary green card for a year and you can use that for re-entry into the US. If you do want the GC nevertheless before you return, reputable courier company like DHL or FedEx would be the way to go. (You are less interested in cheap than you are reliable. Do you know what the fee for replacing a lost green card is?)

Thanks!

BTW, what is the fee?

Hi Guys,

I received my GC, but came back to to my origin country (planning to move permanently soon) and need to ship the GC to my origin country.

What is the most 1.reliable 2.cheap way to do that?

Thank you!