USCIS cannot change a name — a court does, at a judicial oath ceremony. How to request it on the N-400 and what to update after the oath.
Reviewed by Ekaterina Fitenko, Esq. — Florida Bar #1064536. With 20+ years of experience in the legal field, she advises Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking clients on immigration filings and case strategy, in English and Russian.
A court changes the name, not USCIS. USCIS states in its naturalization FAQ that it is not authorized to make name changes, so every name change requested through the N-400 is completed by a federal court at a judicial oath ceremony. USCIS collects the request, passes it to the court, and issues the Certificate of Naturalization in the name the court orders.
That division decides the type of ceremony, who sets its date and what you receive on the day. The N-400 instructions add that the change is not final until the court naturalizes you.
The option is useful for people who want a new surname, a shorter name, or a single settled spelling of a name that has been transliterated differently in different passports. Doing it at naturalization means the new name appears on the first document that proves your citizenship.
The request is made in Part 2 of the N-400, "Information About You." In the edition dated 01/20/25 — the edition USCIS lists as current in October 2026 — it is Item Number 3, "Name Change (Optional)." You answer "Yes" and give the name you want.
Three related points in the same part of the instructions often cause confusion:
You may also change your name legally while the N-400 is pending — for example, by marriage. In that case USCIS asks you to provide the document promptly and to bring it to the interview. For the rest of the application, see our N-400 guide.
At the naturalization interview the officer records the name change request and has you sign a petition for the name change. According to USCIS, it then files that petition with the court before the oath ceremony; the court signs and seals it, and you receive the sealed petition at the ceremony as evidence of the change.
Check the spelling, the order of names and any middle name on the petition before you sign: the court orders the name written there.
A requested name change sends you to a judicial ceremony rather than an administrative one. Naturalization oaths are given in two settings: administrative ceremonies conducted by USCIS, and judicial ceremonies conducted by a court. USCIS states that all name change requests facilitated through USCIS require the Oath of Allegiance at a judicial ceremony.
The USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 12, Part J, Chapter 6) adds two points about judicial ceremonies. An applicant may elect to have the oath administered by the court, and in some districts the court has exclusive authority to administer it. Once USCIS approves the application, it notifies the clerk of court in writing that the applicant is eligible, and after the oath the clerk issues a document showing that the court changed the name, if applicable.
How often a court holds ceremonies, and how soon after approval, is set by that court and differs by district. Where there is a serious reason — illness, disability, advanced age, urgent travel or employment needs — the Policy Manual allows an applicant to ask USCIS or the court for an expedited oath ceremony, which may be granted with sufficient cause.
The Certificate of Naturalization is issued in the new name as ordered by the court. Under the Policy Manual (Volume 12, Part K, Chapter 3), the certificate otherwise carries the full legal name as it appears on the N-400, which is why a name change after filing must be documented before naturalization.
Compare the timing with a change made later. A name changed after naturalization through a separate court proceeding does not alter the existing certificate; to get a certificate in the new name, the Policy Manual points to Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, with a filing fee and proof of the legal name change. Current N-565 and N-400 fees are listed on the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) and in the USCIS fee calculator. Making the change at the oath avoids that second step.
Read the certificate before leaving the ceremony. If the spelling or a date is wrong, raise it at once, before the certificate is used to apply for a passport.
Social Security. The N-400 includes a Social Security update section (Items 12.a–12.c of Part 2 in the 01/20/25 edition). If you give consent there, the N-400 instructions say that after you take the oath USCIS provides your information to the Social Security Administration, the SSA updates your status to U.S. citizen, and, if you requested a name change on the N-400, USCIS sends your updated name to the SSA. It is still sensible to confirm afterwards that your Social Security record shows the new name and citizenship.
U.S. passport. A first-time adult applicant must apply in person with Form DS-11, according to the State Department's passport pages on travel.state.gov. A Certificate of Naturalization is accepted as evidence of citizenship; you bring the original and a photocopy, and supporting documents are returned by mail separately from the passport. Apply in the name shown on the certificate.
Everything else. A driver's license, bank accounts, employer and insurance records are updated under each institution's or state agency's rules, usually on the strength of the certificate and the sealed court petition.
A name change adds little work when it is planned with the N-400 and is awkward to add or reconsider at the last moment. Before filing, decide the exact spelling and order of the new name; check that it matches how you want it to appear on a U.S. passport; and consider whether a judicial ceremony suits your plans, since its date depends on the court.
Our citizenship practice prepares N-400 applications in English and Russian, including the name change request and the list of prior names and spellings that USCIS will compare against your earlier records.
No. USCIS is not authorized to change names. It forwards the request on your N-400 to a court, and the court orders the change at a judicial oath ceremony. The Certificate of Naturalization is then issued in the new name.
In Part 2, "Information About You." In the 01/20/25 edition it is Item Number 3, "Name Change (Optional)." If your name already changed through marriage, divorce or a court order, you do not need this item; you list that name as your current legal name and provide the document.
Yes. USCIS states that every name change request made through USCIS requires the oath at a judicial ceremony, conducted by a court, rather than an administrative ceremony conducted by USCIS. The court sets the ceremony schedule.
Not necessarily. If you consented to the Social Security update on the N-400, USCIS sends your citizenship status and new name to the SSA after the oath. Confirming the record afterwards is still a good idea.
You would need a separate legal name change, and then Form N-565 with a filing fee and proof of the change to get a certificate in the new name. Requesting the change on the N-400 avoids that extra step.
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This article is informational only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and processing times change; confirm current requirements with the agency or with counsel before relying on anything here.
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