Changing Child's Name After Receiving the Certificate of Naturalization
My question involves name change laws in the State of: California
So I just received my certificate of naturalization today and my daughter, age of 16, would like to change her name. I've searched online and saw that I have to go to court, but then today during the ceremony I heard that I can change her name at SSA within the two weeks after I receive the certificate of naturalization. Is this true? And if so, what are the steps that I have to do and what documents will I need?
Re: Changing Child's Name After Receiving the Certificate of Naturalization
You were told wrong. The SSA doesn't legally change names PERIOD. The SSA has a list of things that they will accept to change the name in their records. A certificate of Naturalization can't even be used to change your OWN name, let alone someone else's. To change her name (or yours), you'll have to go to court. Information on minor name change here: http://www.courts.ca.gov/1052.htm
Re: Changing Child's Name After Receiving the Certificate of Naturalization
At a judicial naturalization ceremony, if you have indicated on your N-400 form that you want to change your name, the judge can approve the name change as part of the ceremony. See Part 1, Section D of the N-400 form, and the associated instructions.
Re: Changing Child's Name After Receiving the Certificate of Naturalization
I went to the SSA office today and asked. They said that I just need a form that's requesting a name change to process it for me.
Re: Changing Child's Name After Receiving the Certificate of Naturalization
You must change her name by court order. Once the motion is granted, you can proceed to change all paperwork.