How to Change Your Name During Naturalization

Updated: October 30, 2026

You can ask to legally change your name as part of naturalization by requesting it on Form N-400. The catch is that USCIS itself cannot change names, so the change is made by a court at a judicial oath ceremony, and your Certificate of Naturalization is then issued in your new name.

Why people change their name at naturalization

Naturalization is one of the few moments when a legal name change can be bundled into a process you are already going through, often without a separate court case or separate court fee. Common reasons include:

Adopting a married name that was never formally recorded
Simplifying the spelling of a long or hard-to-pronounce name
Reordering names to match U.S. conventions (given name first, family name last)
Dropping or adding a middle name
Fixing a name that was transliterated inconsistently on different documents

How to request it on Form N-400

Form N-400 asks whether you want to legally change your name and gives space to write the new name exactly as you want it to appear. See how to fill out Form N-400 for the rest of the form.

Tips for this section:

Write the exact spelling and order you want, including middle names and hyphens.
Think about consistency. Your new name will be on your Certificate of Naturalization, and you will use it for your U.S. passport, Social Security record, and state ID.
Do not use a name change to hide your identity or avoid records. The officer will ask why you want the change, and the court will not approve a change made for fraudulent purposes.

If you did not request it on the form, you can usually still raise it at your interview. Tell the officer at the start that you want to request a name change.

What happens at the interview

According to USCIS's commonly asked questions, the officer records your name change request and asks you to sign a name change petition. USCIS then files that petition with the court before your judicial oath ceremony.

Expect the officer to confirm:

The exact new name you want
Your reason for the change
That you are not changing your name to avoid debts, criminal records, or other legal obligations

Why a judicial ceremony is required

There are two kinds of oath ceremonies:

Administrative ceremonies, run by USCIS, often at a field office
Judicial ceremonies, run by a federal (or eligible state) court

Because USCIS is not authorized to make name changes, any name change requested through the naturalization process requires you to take the oath at a judicial ceremony. The court signs and seals the petition, and you receive it at the ceremony as evidence of the change. The Policy Manual notes that the change is not final until the court naturalizes you.

The tradeoff - possible delays

Courts schedule ceremonies on their own calendars. In some districts judicial ceremonies are frequent; in others they are less common, so requesting a name change can mean waiting longer for your oath than people with administrative ceremonies. If timing matters (for example, you need a U.S. passport soon or want to vote in an upcoming election), weigh that against the convenience of changing your name now. Read what to expect at the oath ceremony for how the day itself works.

Changing your name while the N-400 is pending

You are allowed to legally change your name while your N-400 is pending, for example through marriage or a state court order. If you do, USCIS says you must promptly provide the document that legally changed your name. Bring the original or a certified copy to your interview, along with your other interview documents.

Changing your name after naturalization

If you change your name after you become a citizen, your Certificate of Naturalization will still show the old name. You have two separate tasks:

Get the legal name change through your state's process (for example, marriage or a court order).
Update your documents. To get a new certificate in your new name, file Form N-565. As of 2026, the fee is $555 on paper or $505 online per the USCIS fee schedule. It is free if the error was caused by USCIS.

Many people do not bother replacing the certificate and simply use the court order or marriage certificate together with the original certificate when applying for a passport. That works for most purposes, but check the requirements of the agency you are dealing with.

After the ceremony - update everything

Once you have your certificate in the new name:

U.S. passport: apply using the certificate (see the after naturalization checklist).
Social Security: update your name and citizenship status with the Social Security Administration.
State ID or driver's license: update with your state's motor vehicle agency.
Banks, employer, insurance, and voter registration: update your name to avoid mismatches.

Keep the court-sealed name change document with your Certificate of Naturalization. You may need both for years.

Frequently asked questions

Does a name change at naturalization cost extra?

USCIS does not charge a separate fee for requesting a name change on the N-400. The change is handled through the court petition as part of the judicial oath ceremony.

Can USCIS change my name at an administrative ceremony?

No. USCIS is not authorized to make legal name changes, so a name change requested through naturalization requires a judicial oath ceremony before a court.

Will a name change delay my oath ceremony?

It can. Judicial ceremonies follow court schedules, which vary by district. In some areas the wait is longer than for administrative ceremonies.

I got married after filing my N-400. What should I do?

You can change your name while the application is pending. Provide USCIS with the marriage certificate or other legal name change document promptly, and bring it to your interview.

Can I change my name after I am already a citizen?

Yes, through your state's legal process. To get a new Certificate of Naturalization in the new name, you can file Form N-565, which costs $555 on paper or $505 online as of 2026.

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Informational article, not legal advice. Civio is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; always check current requirements at uscis.gov.