Info on Same-Day Ceremonies & Name Changes

[JimmyHou 610]

I've seen a lot of people on here ask about same-day oath ceremonies and name changes. Here's some information that might be helpful.

Same-day ceremonies

Some offices offer same-day oath ceremonies and some do not. For those that do, you usually have to be interviewed in the morning to be offered a same-day ceremony because they fill up quickly (see link below).

Name changes

Although the N400 form has a place where you can request a name change, only a judge can approve a name change. USCIS offers two types of ceremonies: Administrative and Judicial. Name change requests can only be accommodated at Judicial ceremonies. Some people automatically assume that a name change request will delay your application, but this depends on the local office (see link below). Judicial ceremonies can also be carried out by the Federal District Court. Here are three examples:

1) Houston offers monthly Judicial ceremonies and "rarely" offers Administrative ceremonies - so a name change request is very unlikely to cause a delay.

2) Seattle conducts Judicial ceremonies once per year, but regularly offers Administrative ceremonies - so a name change request can cause a significant delay unless the District Court holds its own ceremonies (you would have to check the court's website).

3) San Jose conducts an Administrative ceremony 2 to 3 times per month, but does not offer Judicial ceremonies - so a name change request will not be accepted if your N400 goes through San Jose (this is a recent change, but if you search, you'll find interview experiences describing this).

Where to find this information

Click on the link below and use the map to find your field office. When you're on your field office's page, scroll down to Naturalization Ceremonies. That will tell you whether or not they offer same day oath ceremonies.

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/field-offices

[JimmyHou 610]

I've seen a lot of people on here ask about same-day oath ceremonies and name changes. Here's some information that might be helpful.

Same-day ceremonies

Some offices offer same-day oath ceremonies and some do not. For those that do, you usually have to be interviewed in the morning to be offered a same-day ceremony because they fill up quickly (see link below).

Name changes

Although the N400 form has a place where you can request a name change, only a judge can approve a name change. USCIS offers two types of ceremonies: Administrative and Judicial. Name change requests can only be accommodated at Judicial ceremonies. Some people automatically assume that a name change request will delay your application, but this depends on the local office (see link below). Judicial ceremonies can also be carried out by the Federal District Court. Here are three examples:

1) Houston offers monthly Judicial ceremonies and "rarely" offers Administrative ceremonies - so a name change request is very unlikely to cause a delay.

2) Seattle conducts Judicial ceremonies once per year, but regularly offers Administrative ceremonies - so a name change request can cause a significant delay unless the District Court holds its own ceremonies (you would have to check the court's website).

3) San Jose conducts an Administrative ceremony 2 to 3 times per month, but does not offer Judicial ceremonies - so a name change request will not be accepted if your N400 goes through San Jose (this is a recent change, but if you search, you'll find interview experiences describing this).

Where to find this information

Click on the link below and use the map to find your field office. When you're on your field office's page, scroll down to Naturalization Ceremonies. That will tell you whether or not they offer same day oath ceremonies.

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/field-offices

Just bumping this tread because a couple of people have asked about name change delays recently.

[Lizzie Vann 0]

Can anyone tell me if Tampa, Florida, offers same day oath ceremonies?  I checked the link above and it does not say.. Thank you!