Form N-400 has an optional section where you can ask to change your name when you naturalize. USCIS describes this as a court-ordered change: the request is not final until you are naturalized by the court, and your Certificate of Naturalization is then issued in the new name. If your legal name has already changed through marriage, divorce or another court order, USCIS says you do not need to make this request.
What the form says
The Form N-400 instructions explain Part 2, Item Number 3, "Name Change (Optional)," like this: "A court can allow you to change your name when you naturalize. Any name change you request on this application will not be final until you are naturalized by the court." If you want the court to change your name at your naturalization ceremony, you select "Yes" and complete the requested information in that section.
The same instructions add: "You do not need to request a name change if your legal name has already changed through marriage, divorce, or other court order." In that case the instructions say to provide documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.
The Policy Manual describes what happens next. When a name change is requested from the court, "The Certificate of Naturalization is issued in the applicant's new name, as ordered by the court." Otherwise, it says that "In general, a Certificate of Naturalization includes an applicant's full legal name as the name appears on the applicant's Form N-400." If the name changes after filing but before naturalization, it says the applicant must provide supporting documentation of the change before USCIS may issue the certificate in the new name.
The USCIS Form N-400 page says you generally have two ways to file: online, or by mail on paper. The name change item is part of the form either way, so decide before you submit whether you want to complete it. USCIS also says unsigned forms will be rejected.
Judicial and administrative ceremonies
USCIS explains that there are two kinds of oath ceremony. In a judicial ceremony, "the court administers the Oath of Allegiance." In an administrative ceremony, "USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance." For judicial ceremonies, the Policy Manual says "the clerk must issue a document indicating that the court changed the applicant's name (if applicable)."
The Policy Manual says an applicant "may also request a legal name change from the court performing the naturalization ceremony and administering the Oath of Allegiance." The N-400 instructions say the same thing in the form "A court can allow you to change your name." None of the USCIS pages we read explain how a name change request is handled when the oath is given at an administrative ceremony, where USCIS administers the oath. We did not find an official answer, so we are not going to guess. If you request a name change on your N-400, ask a licensed immigration attorney, or ask USCIS what applies to your case.
| Situation | What USCIS says |
|---|---|
| You want a new name through naturalization | Select "Yes" in the optional name change item on Form N-400. It is not final until the court naturalizes you. |
| Your legal name already changed (marriage, divorce, court order) | No name change request is needed. Provide documentation of the change. |
| You made no name change request | In general, the certificate shows your full legal name as it appears on Form N-400. |
What happens to your records
The N-400 instructions say: "If you request a name change as part of Form N-400, USCIS will send your updated name to the SSA." That is the Social Security Administration. Other records, such as your driver's license, are separate. USCIS tells new citizens, "If you change your name or address, you should update your record with the agency that issues driver's licenses in your state." Our post on what to do after the oath ceremony covers those steps.
Check the certificate before you leave
USCIS says, "Carefully review your Certificate of Naturalization and notify USCIS of any errors before leaving the ceremony." This matters for name changes in particular. The Policy Manual says that USCIS "is prohibited from making any changes to an applicant's name on a Certificate of Naturalization if the applicant now claims that the name sworn to during the naturalization process was not the correct name, and the applicant did not obtain a legal name change as described above." It also says that a person who changes their legal name after naturalizing may file Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, with the required fees and proof of the legal name change. If the name is wrong, raise it at the ceremony and ask a licensed immigration attorney what options exist afterward. You can follow the ceremony step on our oath ceremony status page.
Common questions
Do I have to request a name change on the N-400?
No. USCIS labels the item as optional. Without a court-ordered change, the Policy Manual says that in general the certificate includes your full legal name as it appears on your Form N-400.
I changed my name after my marriage. Do I request it again?
USCIS says you do not need to request a name change if your legal name has already changed through marriage, divorce or another court order.
Can the name on my certificate be changed later?
The Policy Manual says USCIS is prohibited from changing the name on a certificate if the applicant now claims the name sworn to was not the correct name and did not obtain a legal name change as described. It also says a person whose legal name changes after naturalizing may file Form N-565 with proof of the change. Ask a licensed immigration attorney what applies to you.
When does a requested name change become final?
The instructions say it is not final until you are naturalized by the court.
Does USCIS tell the Social Security Administration about the new name?
In the Social Security Update item, the instructions say that if you request a name change as part of Form N-400, USCIS will send your updated name to SSA.
For the form itself, see our Form N-400 guide.
Official sources
- USCIS: Form N-400 Instructions
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part K, Chapter 3: Certificate of Naturalization
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part J, Chapter 6: Judicial and Expedited Oath Ceremonies
- USCIS: Naturalization Ceremonies
- USCIS: New U.S. Citizens
GreenLight is not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.