Here's my problem:

I am from the Philippines and it's our tradition that when a Filipina gets married, she drops her middle name (which is actually her mom's maiden name) and takes her maiden surname to become her middle name. Which is of course what I did. Example:

name when single: Abby Laurel Acenas
married name: Abby Acenas Westerman

All my papers (SSN, Driver's License, Bank accounts, etc. etc.) here has Acenas as my middle name. Now, when I went for my adjustment of status interview in St. Louis, Missouri, I was told that they had to use the middle name that was on my birth certificate. When I applied for removal of conditions, even though I've put down "Acenas" as my middle name, everything they send back to me would still contain "Laurel" as my middle name.

I am getting ready to submit my N-400 application next month and I am torn on what to write down as my current "legal name". How do I complete Part D-Name change?

I know I'm not the first to go through this kind of situation. I'd really appreciate to hear from anybody who had experienced the same thing.

Thanks in advance,
Abby

what i did with mine was that i used the name reflected on my greencard, then if you want to use your maiden name as your middle name, there will be a portion in N400 that will ask you if you want to change your name, then write whatever middle name and last name you want to use, and also it will be asked on the interview.. best of luck to you!

So, I should put down "Abby Laurel Westerman" as current legal name? Wouldn't there be any problem or confusion when they do a background check on me since the name that I have been using is "Abby Acenas Westerman"?

If that's how you want to use as your legal name, yes you can!

There should be no problem at all, since they normally use SSN first then the names used for background checks.