When I apply for the Schengen visa as an American citizen, do I use my birth or legal parents' names?

Question

I am a U.S. citizen who will be living in Spain starting in October and teaching English for a year. I will be heading out with a student visa which lasts 90 days and will later on be extended. My last name hasn't changed, but my grandparents adopted me and I received American citizenship through them a few weeks shy of my 18th birthday (my grandmother has since deceased). My country of origin is European, but not in the EU. Which set of parents should I put down for the Schengen visa application?

Answer 1

You should use the name of your adopted grandparents since they are the ones who applied for your citizenship status. That is what I think but if I were you I would call and ask to be sure as to avoid any problems. It's one of those 50/50 answers. The only way to be 100% sure is to call and ask first. If you can't get a hold of the person on the phone as govt numbers can be impossible to get through, then send them an e-mail and ask. Be very specific when you ask your question and make sure to give them your contact info, name, passport number, etc. Save a copy of the response e-mail that they sent and print it for your records if they try to give you a hard time about it in the future. Good luck and safe travels.

Answer 2

your legal name, the one on all your record's, as drivers lic.

Answer 3

Use your legal parents' names.