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Should You Get a Name Change Before, During or After Naturalization?

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  • 04-20-2009, 08:40 PM
    smariner
    Should You Get a Name Change Before, During or After Naturalization?
    When’s the ideal time to change one’s last name (assuming the person is eligible for naturalization)?
    1. Before naturalization (Indian passport, GC, SSN, etc needs to reflect this --- I assume that this is somewhat more laborious)
    2. During naturalization (I don’t believe that our local field office of USCIS in WA state offers this option)
    3. After naturalization – does this option lead to additional paperwork/hassles if one later decides to move back to India OR when getting OCI/PIO (since the Indian records will not have a reference to the new name)? Will it cause problems if one re-applies for the Indian citizenship/passport after a name change as a US-Citizen?
  • 04-22-2009, 08:21 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Name Change Before, During or After Naturalization?
    If option 2 is available, it's what I would personally choose. I would otherwise choose option 3. I don't think you'll have any problems with #3 that can't be resolved by keeping a copy of the name change order with you when you travel, or updating your passport with your new name.
  • 04-22-2009, 09:49 PM
    smariner
    Re: Name Change Before, During or After Naturalization?
    Thanks for the response. Here's what I heard from a couple of people. Has anyone tried this approach?

    -------------

    Assuming that a lady wants to have the name changed from her maiden name to her married name --- it should not require a "legal name change". Instead, the following process should be considered (assuming the person is currently/legally married):

    1. On Part 1.A. of the naturalization application, list the married name in the “Family Name (Last Name)” field.
    2. On Part 1.B. of the application, include the maiden name in the “Family Name (Last Name)” field – assuming that the maiden name is reflected on her green card.
    3. On Part 1.D.1 of the application, mark the box “NO” to the question “Would you like to legally change your name?”

    This is possible since the married last name can be considered her current legal name.
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