Possible name change for legal immigrant?

Question

I am a Chinese immigrant, i have a green card, but i am not yet a citizen of the United States, i was wondering can i change my name from my Chinese name to a English name? So it will show an English name on my greencard, and on my drivers license, instead of Chinese pinyin style english.

Thanks alot.

Sorry for the miss cap.

My Chinese name is Liang, Fei
i want to change it to my current name i am using. Jeff, Liang

I just want a easyer name for people to say, i hate it when they mispronounce it.
And i am not asking for you guys to help me think of a name, i am just wondering if i can change it legally or not. Thanks.

Answer 1

Name changes will cost you dearly I am afraid and a lot of paperwork.

Because of the worry of fraud and terroism, it has now got harder to change a name like it used to. Most if not all agencies need a court order to change it. And being an immigrant it is necessary to have all paperwork the same, or they a red flag will be showing thinking you are hiding something.

The first thing you have to do is change your name legally in a court. A court order. Changing name by deed poll I think it is.
Before you can change any documents, you will have to do the Green Card first and your passport. (Paying out for new ones)
Passport and Green cards have to have the same name on them.
Then you need to take evidence of your name change (court order) with all the other necessary docs to change your SSN card and your drivers license.

It will be a headache. If you had done this before the Green card issue it would have been a lot easier.

Do you really need to change you name? I know many people who have difficult names but tell people a different name that everyone can call them. (nickname)

Here is the website for Green Card changes:
http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/greencard_update.html

Social Security name change info: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10002.html#identity


You could try and see a lawyer, but that costs money too.
And becareful of these places that will say they can do it cheap or quickly for you, being an immigrant you have to be twice as efficient then a anyone else, because mistakes can cause you no end of problems later.

If you can wait, my suggestion would be wait until you go for Citizenship. You can have a name change then.

Here is a link to the Guide M-476 "A Guide to naturalization, it tells you how to change your name during the process.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

All the best

Answer 2

I know after you are a citizen you can legally change your name. I do not know if you could do it now though. But keep your name and you might have to Americanize it on spelling but keep the name. That is what america is all about. Who ever heard of a chinese called John Doe. But then Zahn Zsoe might do. lol

Answer 3

I think you have to wait until you are a citizen.
But don't change your name. There is nothing wrong with having a Chinese name!

Answer 4

Just hire an Attorney explain why you want the name change and the courts normally accommodate you with a new name

Answer 5

Why is it nesesary for you to change your name? Is not your father a good ancestor? The name means nothing ,you cannot change your Chinese face. Be proud of your ancestry. good luck.

Answer 6

Find a name similar to your. Post you name and we can think of something similar. I'm chinese but I came here when I was young so I didn't need to change my name.

Answer 7

Yes, it's possible. Many legal immigrants change their names often to make it easier for Americans to pronounce.

Answer 8

Yes, of course you can. This is a procedure which has no to do with the fact you are a permanent resident.

Answer 9

Jeff lol keep yoour name! This is America you don't have to change your name!

Answer 10

Not sure if you can do that till after you become a citizen