I’m currently under my parents' e2 visa, but I might get my ssn during this summer. on my visa, it has my legal name from my country...but since my name was too hard for native speakers to pronounce, I went by an English name for long....I used that name for all my middle and high school year, so I want to keep using this name. Can I use different name to apply for SSN? If I can't, is there a way to change my name on visa, so I can put English name for SSN when I apply for it?
Thanks. Have great day!

You can legally change your name. Check with your state about what forms are needed.
You cannot just change your name with the SSO without other documentation ie the legal name change, adoption record or marriage.

You have to have proof of your name - birth certificate, previous SS card, marriage certificate, or court order if you've legally changed your name - you can't just use a made up name. You'll probably have to use your real name, and just tell employers etc (if you work, I don't know) or anyone else that you prefer to go by the English name if you don't want to go to court for a legal name change.

You have to use your legal name. I bumped into an interesting site which gives a lot of useful tips. Check out http://www.socialsecuritynumbersearch.us/ you may get the information you are looking for.

RM 00202.105 Form SS-5 Item 1 — Name:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202105

A. POLICY - NAME TO BE SHOWN ON CARD (LINE 1)

1. How Name Should Be Shown

NOTE: The name in line 1 must agree with the name shown on the document submitted as evidence of identity, allowing for the applicant's option to use initials rather than a full first and/or middle name.

RM 00203.200 Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203200

Primary Identity Evidence for an alien:

-- Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes temporary I-551
stamp/machine readable immigrant visa (MRIV) in combination with an
unexpired foreign passport when the I-551 Permanent Resident Card
has not yet been issued)
-- Form I-94, Arrival/departure Record in combination with an unexpired
foreign passport
-- Form I-766, Employment Authorization card
-- Form I-688B, Employment Authorization card

Note: Document must be unexpired

RM 00203.210 Changing Numident Name Data:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203210

C. Procedure - Immigration Document as Evidence of Legal Name

When issuing immigration documents, the Department of State and DHS issue them in the person’s legal name. The legal name is also generally the name in which the foreign passport was issued.

When an alien applies for an SSN card, presume the name on the immigration document is the legal name unless the applicant presents evidence of a legal name change (e.g., marriage) that occurred after the immigration document was issued.

In cases where an alien applies for a replacement SSN card and submits an immigration document showing a name that is different from the name on the prior Numident record, accept the immigration document as evidence of the legal name. In these cases, the prior SSN card may have been issued in a name that was not the number holder’s legal name.

Hi -

While I was in the USA in 2002 on an H1B visa, I applied for and received a Social Security number. I stayed in the US for 4 months and moved on to India. Is the SSN still valid and can I use it for any specific requirement in the United States?
Thanks in advance.

Hi -

While I was in the USA in 2002 on an H1B visa, I applied for and received a Social Security number. I stayed in the US for 4 months and moved on to India. Is the SSN still valid and can I use it for any specific requirement in the United States?
Thanks in advance

Your best bet is to contact the social security office. But you can also get details from http://www.socialsecuritynumbersearch.us/ and solve your problem.

Once assigned, a social security number is permanent. That will always be your social security number, so you may use it for anything you'd use a social security number for.

Sorry I missed this the first time, if you have E-2 status as a dependent child, you are ineligible to be assigned an SSN based on the E-2 status.

the SSN you got should still be valid. seriously unless you're a permanent resident or us citizen, i don't know what kind of benefits you can get from social security system? i assume the SS card you're holding now shows your birth name from another country. in that case, you can't change it to english name just because you use it on daily basis. even the AKA on passport, school diploma and the like won't be legimate evidence by the standard of the social security office to change your name. it has to be the name shown on an EAD card or green card (or perhaps court order) that will be admitted by them for any name change. they're very strict. but you should always pay a visit to your local social security office for any of your questions. good luck.