Can You Change Your Name When Becoming a US Citizen?
Updated May 2026 · Not legal advice
Many naturalization applicants may request a name change at the oath ceremony under certain USCIS procedures, while other name changes still require a state court order. Your certificate should match what you want on federal and state IDs.
Official reference: USCIS.gov
Can you change your name when becoming a US citizen?
USCIS publishes instructions for name changes tied to naturalization in some scenarios. If you need a specific spelling or structure not handled on the certificate, a state court order may still be the cleanest path.