naturalization and name change
#1
naturalization and name change
I'm about to send off my application for naturalization - and will be divorced shortly. I intend to revert to my maiden name post divorce and was thinking I would put this name down on the application where you can ask for your name to be changed. That way I won't have to get everything changed with US immigration..
Can't think of any reasons not to do this - can you guys think of anything?
Can't think of any reasons not to do this - can you guys think of anything?
#2
Re: naturalization and name change
Nope - sounds like the prefect opportunity to get a new/ different name officially recognized, and by the US Government no less, especially as you will, presumably, immediately apply for a passport which will be perfect for supporting all other name changes you will need to make - bank accounts, DL, etc.
Last edited by Pulaski; Sep 26th 2020 at 6:51 pm.
#4
Re: naturalization and name change
I'm about to send off my application for naturalization - and will be divorced shortly. I intend to revert to my maiden name post divorce and was thinking I would put this name down on the application where you can ask for your name to be changed. That way I won't have to get everything changed with US immigration..
Can't think of any reasons not to do this - can you guys think of anything?
Can't think of any reasons not to do this - can you guys think of anything?
#5
Re: naturalization and name change
Sorry to hear about the divorce. Per another thread, voter registration and signature might be a concern.
#6
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: naturalization and name change
I doubt that the interview will be before the election if it has not been submitted yet, and the name won’t change until the ceremony, this is probably something you can amend at the interview anyway. The officer changed my nationality from the one requested on the form N400 (that was on my last passport issued) to my birth one. I don’t think it’s all finalized till you are done with the interview.
If you do this make a list of things to update, I would do the following:
-take certificate to DMV to update name and get a real ID for travel etc, you can also update the bank with this.
-then send away certificate for US passport
- once you get a new DL you can register to vote and once the passport comes back you can go to the SSA etc
Last edited by tht; Sep 26th 2020 at 7:17 pm.
#8
Re: naturalization and name change
Using your maiden is completely legal. You can change your documents now if you want to, i.e. driver's license, social security card, etc.
One daughter took her husband's name and the other daughter still uses her maiden name even though they have a child.
One daughter took her husband's name and the other daughter still uses her maiden name even though they have a child.
#10
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: naturalization and name change
I waited over a year... I am an independent so did not register for the primary and only did the registration for this election 2 weeks before the deadline in CT... go ahead and do it day 1 if you fancy jury duty, have not been to the DMV yet either, already have “real ID” so will update it when I have to renew anyway next summer.
#11
Re: naturalization and name change
I waited over a year... I am an independent so did not register for the primary and only did the registration for this election 2 weeks before the deadline in CT... go ahead and do it day 1 if you fancy jury duty, have not been to the DMV yet either, already have “real ID” so will update it when I have to renew anyway next summer.
I registered to vote on “day one” over twenty years ago, and haven’t had to do jury duty yet. That shouldn’t be a reason to wait.
#12
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: naturalization and name change
Last edited by tht; Sep 27th 2020 at 12:52 pm.
#13
Re: naturalization and name change
I waited over a year... I am an independent so did not register for the primary and only did the registration for this election 2 weeks before the deadline in CT... go ahead and do it day 1 if you fancy jury duty, have not been to the DMV yet either, already have “real ID” so will update it when I have to renew anyway next summer.
I'm a registered voter since age 18 who has never signed up to a particular party. So I don't vote in primaries.
My first jury duty was 25 years after registering to vote and getting a driver's license. I was happy to serve on jury duty both on the local level and federal level.
PS This was Westchester County NY
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,157
Re: naturalization and name change
I still don’t get the point, sure if it makes you feel better, but if you are organized and know the deadline before the next election you want to participate in and submit the form before that you won’t miss out on anything (most special elections are held with a general to save costs).
The timelines involved are also not necessarily obvious or advertised. For the upcoming presidential election, yes, there has been a reasonable amount of information. But for our local elections last November and the primaries earlier this year, the deadlines were WAY before I would have ever thought to look for them. I was lucky to catch up with a friend with a big interest in politics a few days before the primary deadline, so I could drop it off in person (I hadn't known you needed to be registered to a party to vote in the primaries in NY).
Last edited by retzie; Sep 27th 2020 at 4:20 pm.
#15
Re: naturalization and name change
It isn't widely understood that in both the UK and US your name on your birth certificate is your name, and that the convention of married women taking their husband's surname is a common law variation that is allowed. But no matter how widespread the practice, barring a court-sanctioned deed poll, your name on your birth certificate legally remains your name. IOW at any time you could present your birth certificate and obtain/ change the name on your passport, drivers license, bank account, etc. to match your birth certificate.
France, which has codified law, not common law, takes a stricter view, and while it is common for married French women to adopt their husband's name socially, their birth name remains on legal documents including their passport.
France, which has codified law, not common law, takes a stricter view, and while it is common for married French women to adopt their husband's name socially, their birth name remains on legal documents including their passport.
Last edited by Pulaski; Sep 27th 2020 at 4:41 pm.