two last names on birth certificate, can i use one last name for everything?

[jeezzz 0]

i have two last names on my birth certificate and non-american passport, myname fatherslast motherslast. i don't have a middle name. im going to get my green card and ssn soon, and im guessing there will only be my fathers last name. i usually use my father's last name, so i was wondering if i could use one last name on my ssn and green card even though my birth certificate has two. and can i use one last name on banks and drivers license? and IRS?

[menina 50]

i have two last names on my birth certificate and non-american passport, myname fatherslast motherslast. i don't have a middle name. im going to get my green card and ssn soon, and im guessing there will only be my fathers last name. i usually use my father's last name, so i was wondering if i could use one last name on my ssn and green card even though my birth certificate has two. and can i use one last name on banks and drivers license? and IRS?

We used my husband's complete name for ssn. We also filled out all of the forms and bank accounts, etc. with his full name, but the shortened it to use his first last name as the middle initial and his second last name as the only last name. I don't think it will make a big difference. It seemed like different places would use the whole name and some wanted to just use an initial as it was too long. His passport and bc have the complete name. Hope that helps! Oh, his green card also has the shortened name.

[jeezzz 0]

what does the ssn card say? and drivers license? and how was it shortened? like is your father's name for example firstname fathersname mothersname? and what name did he use at school or scholarships and ACT, SAT, and stuff like that if he even did or went? sorry, i know im asking too much but i am confused and worried.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

i have two last names on my birth certificate and non-american passport, myname fatherslast motherslast. i don't have a middle name. im going to get my green card and ssn soon, and im guessing there will only be my fathers last name. i usually use my father's last name, so i was wondering if i could use one last name on my ssn and green card even though my birth certificate has two. and can i use one last name on banks and drivers license? and IRS?

What do you mean by "get your greencard and SSN soon"? Have you applied yet? Do you have a greencard on the way? What visa are you here on? On what basis are you applyin for a greencard? Meaning are you currently married and changing your name to his? That will affect the answer.

[Mo_Mati 2]

I would follow what is on your GC. My husband's birth certificate and passport (from his home country) have both of his last names. His GC came with only his father's last name. He is now using only his father's last name for documents such as ssc, driver's license, univeristy, etc. When we fly he uses both last names.

We made an infopass appointment which confirmed that his full name (both father and mother's last names) was registered as an "Alternative Alias" and therefore he should have no problem using it while traveling with his GC and passport.

[jeezzz 0]

what is an infopass appointment? where do you put alternative alias? and the thing is idk what name will appear on my gc or ssn yet because what happens is my dad is getting married and im adjusting status. but in school when i registered they put both last names but with a hyphen in between because of their computers, on ACT, SAT, APs i have been using both names, now im on my senior year, might be applying for universities and colleges soon and i don't know if i should use both last names or just one. also i will soon apply for drivers license and bank account once i get my ssn and gc but idk if i should use one last name or two.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Okay. Well if you haven't done a LEGAL name change then you have NO CHOICE but to use your full and legal name. You must write your full name on the AOS paperwork and that's what you can get for your GC and SSN.

You are able to refer to yourself as only one surname if you like, but LEGALLY you have two surnames unless you have a legal name change (such as marriage etc).

** moved from "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" to "Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas" as you are adjusting from a visa other than a K1, K2, K3 & K4 which the prior forum is for**

[jeezzz 0]

Okay. Well if you haven't done a LEGAL name change then you have NO CHOICE but to use your full and legal name. You must write your full name on the AOS paperwork and that's what you can get for your GC and SSN.

You are able to refer to yourself as only one surname if you like, but LEGALLY you have two surnames unless you have a legal name change (such as marriage etc).

** moved from "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" to "Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas" as you are adjusting from a visa other than a K1, K2, K3 & K4 which the prior forum is for**

so does that mean i can use one last name on drivers license, bank account, university?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

so does that mean i can use one last name on drivers license, bank account, university?

uni should be fine, bank account you'll need to check whether your name on it needs to match your SSN name (or whether you can pick a preferred name), and the drivers licence USUALLY goes by your legal status document but they might let you choose a preferred name. Depends on your state I think.

[jeezzz 0]

ok, so now its confirmed that my birth certificate is firstname fathersname mothersname. i just received my papers from immigration and it seems they just wrote firstname lastname. im guessing when i am done and get my SSN, it will just follow the immigration papers and say firstname fathersname, i don't know if this piece of information will help in determining what name i should follow. if it makes a difference please tell me, oh and what name should i use for taxes?

[jeezzz 0]

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