Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

Name Change For Naturalization

I'm about to apply for US Citizenship. I'm a Canadian who has been living in California with a green card since 1982. In 1985 I began a career in Real Estate and I changed my name to make it roll off the tongue a little easier. I used the Usage method which as you probably know is legal in California. It was quite easy to go ahead and have all my pertinent ID's changed to the new name. The only thing I never did was my green card. Even my Canadian Passport is changed. Anyway, INS states in their application for citizenship that if there has been a name change they require a written court order to accompany the application. I recently purchased the NOLO Press book ''How To Change Your Name In California'' which I will do myself unless there is an easier way. It seems like even this simple thing is quite a legal and costly rigmarole and especially since I have been--name removed--for about 17 years. Do you know of anyway that might be easier to get a court document which simply recognizes my already changed name? I appreciate any advice you could give me.


Asked on 7/19/02, 5:33 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Amy Ghosh Law Offices of Amy Ghosh

Re: Name Change For Naturalization

You don't need any court order whatsoever...just write the name you want in your citizenship application.

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Answered on 7/19/02, 7:43 pm


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