USCIS Updates Policy Manual with New Guidance

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS updated its Policy Manual to clarify how officers determine a person’s legal name on benefit requests. The update provides guidance on issues like common law names, name order, and single-word names (mononyms). This new guidance helps ensure USCIS processes applications consistently for people with different naming conventions.

Key Takeaways

The new guidance covers several key areas.

• Common Law Names: In some states, a person can change their name through “common law usage” without a court order. For example, a person may start using their spouse’s last name after marriage. USCIS will now recognize these names as legal names. Applicants must provide evidence, like tax documents or financial records, showing consistent use of the name over time. However, the guidance also notes that some places may require a court order to recognize a name change, so applicants should check local laws.
• Name Order Variations: Many cultures place family names before given names. This can create confusion on forms. The updated policy tells officers to use their discretion to find the correct name order. They must rely on an applicant’s documents, like birth certificates and passports, to correctly capture the full name. The guidance says an applicant’s name should match the name on their most recent official government-issued ID.
• Mononyms: USCIS now gives specific instructions on how to handle mononyms, which are names with a single word. People from many countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa may use mononyms. This had caused problems because USCIS forms often require a first and last name. The new policy provides a consistent procedure for officers to follow. It tells them how to enter the mononym into the system and handle forms that require separate name fields. The guidance ensures these individuals can have their applications processed smoothly without delays.
• Hyphenated and Multiple Names: The guidance also covers hyphenated names and the use of multiple names. It directs officers to use the name that stays consistent across an applicant’s legal documents. If an applicant uses a different name than the one on their birth certificate or passport, they must provide a legal document, like a marriage certificate or a court order, to prove the name change.

This update is a step towards making USCIS procedures more inclusive. It provides clarity for both applicants and USCIS officers, which should reduce processing delays and errors.