Co-mingling finances, but bank can't add alien?

[LuckyDucky 0]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

[richo 0]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

Yes. Most banks won't allow us to open an account without an acceptable ID form (california ID, driver's license,green card even need to have SSN), just recently though my friend and I discovered that bank of america at one branch here in norwalk,CA allowed us to open an account with just our Philippine passport and costco ID in here. SO its bank to bank basis, but what can we do if we won't be able to open one. If I will prepare for my interview, my husband and I agreed to just tell the IO that we cant open a bank because those IDs are being required which I dont have yet since they wont give me even just an EAD card to have SSn and applied for other stuff. Anyways, good luck to your wife's interview and I guess just tell the truth and provide other evidence such as lease aggrement, utilitiy bills, photos, including her to your insurance etc..

[rouguewave 7]

Something sounds not right here and perhaps its the information you are hearing, rather than the information that you are given.

Most banks only require Social Security number, Income Taxpayer number (ITIN), and identification (Passport, State, Federal). Why is your bank so different? If you have trouble getting SSN for your wife (strange on its own) then try getting an ITIN from the IRS. You can find out more about that here http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/intern...d=96696,00.html

If this is really what the financial institution is telling you, you might try another one and open an account there.

Also, have you added your wife to your credit accounts (e.g. credit cards)? They represent co-mingling finances too.

[Abby-Ron 8]

I hope you applied for EAD, coz with this, it shows "legal status" in the US. I used my EAD to apply and add to Hubbys WaMu bank accont just last Saturday. They had no problem accepting the EAD as proof of legal status in the US. When Hubby has time again, I will be added to his Bank of America bank account. If you havent applied for EAD then you are probably going to be stuck until you get your green card approved. Yes the Patriotic Act is strict in terms of opening bank accounts, getting a drivers license/state ID, social security number, as you need now to prove legal status in the US, helps to deter terrorists and undocumented aliens. Proof of legal status includes US Passport, Green Card, EAD, unexpired I-94 (limited due to expiration of 3 months).

[pushbrk 12,877]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

A Social Security Card or ITIN notice from the IRS and Passport with visa, is all that's needed for most banks and certainly to satisfy the Patriot Act. Try another institution unless she has no SS Card or ITIN. Inability to comingle finances is not really a problem as long as you have other evidence of bona fides.

[Abby-Ron 8]

Something sounds not right here and perhaps its the information you are hearing, rather than the information that you are given.

Most banks only require Social Security number, Income Taxpayer number (ITIN), and identification (Passport, State, Federal). Why is your bank so different? If you have trouble getting SSN for your wife (strange on its own) then try getting an ITIN from the IRS. You can find out more about that here http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/intern...d=96696,00.html

If this is really what the financial institution is telling you, you might try another one and open an account there.

Also, have you added your wife to your credit accounts (e.g. credit cards)? They represent co-mingling finances too.

I disagree, I had the same problem. Calfiornia law is different from VA.. get your facts straight.... When you are out of status, you have no legal document being present in the US. The bank requires legal status, not pending status. Maybe in VA its easier to open a bank account. At what point did you open your bank acount? What ID did you use? They cant get an ID because CA DMV is STRICT in proving legal status.. click http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP for more info.

From CA DMV website to prove legal status (obtain CA Drivers License or CA State ID)

Birth date verification and legal presence requirements

The issue of identification reliability, integrity, and confidentiality is of prime concern to all citizens. Eligibility for government services, issuance of various licenses, assessment of taxes, the right to vote, etc., are all determined through evaluations based on identification documents. It is critical that identification documents be authenticated and accurate in identifying each individual. The California driver license and ID card have been declared as primary identification documents in this state by the California legislature.

State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and driver license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the United States to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents.

If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth date/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information.

Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

US Birth Certificate

US Certificate or Report of Birth Abroad

Federal Proof of Indian Blood Degree

INS American Indian Card

Birth Certificate or passport issued from a US Territory

US Passport

US Military Identification Cards (Active or reserve duty, dependent, retired member, discharged from service, medical/religious personnel)

Common Access Card (only if designated as Active military or Active Reserve or Active Selected Reserve)

Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

Northern Mariana Card

INS US Citizen ID Card

Permanent Resident Card

Temporary Resident Identification Card

Canadian Passport/Birth Certificate

Non-resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card

Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)

Certification from California Department of Corrections or California Youth Authority

Employment Authorization Card

Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit

Refugee travel document

"Processed for I-551" stamped in a valid foreign passport

Valid I-94 stamped "Refugee," "Parole or Parolee," "Asylee," or Section 207, Section 208, Section 209, Section 212d(2), HP or PIP

Immigration judge’s order granting asylum

Certified court order or judgment issued from a court of competent jurisdiction.

Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence"

Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition)

Mexican Border Crossing Card with valid I-94 "

[tanyaru 3]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

Go to another bank or to another branch of your bank. Just out of curiousity, was it Citibank you were trying to open an account with? if it was then go to another bank. Or you can just request additional card for your spouse from your checking account for now, they go easier about it, so it is not going to be joint account but still joint finances.

[*JG* 2]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

Yes and we didn't worry about it.

To adjust, all you need to do is prove you are married and fulfilled the conditions of the K-1.

Worry about this after you get the green card and keep track of that stuff for LOC.

You will be fine.

[kumarkitty 0]

iam here om k1 visa too and i opened a joimt accopunt with my wife in capital one before i applied for AOS , and i had no problem esp i already had my ssn for work only .so you can try Capital One bank.i hope this helps.

[LuckyDucky 0]

Thanks for the suggestions!

My wife does have an SSN, but no EAD or AP. She has a temporary driver's permit from CA DMV, but it has "Not to be used as ID" printed on it and she could not be issued a "real" card.

My financial institution is the credit union that is next to work. I spoke with 2 different folks there and they both were consistent. One did say that other banks might be more "lax" on the restrictions, but technically they aren't supposed to allow it. (I believe it has to do with allowing non-residents and non-citizens able to have potential access to launder money.)

We may try opening an account at another bank and see if we have better luck, but I think just being upfront with the situation should be fine. We have photos and other proof of a bonafide relationship, so I can't imagine it being a problem. However, given the importance of the interview (being able to live together in the US and not having to move to my wife's country), you always want to make as much of a "slam-dunk" case as possible.

[Jeraly 4]

I opened an account with WaMu a couple of weeks after being here - I was able to open an account as a non-resident then they changed it when I got my SSN. I have my own checking account and a joint savings with my husband and had no problems at all

[rebeccajo 14]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

A Social Security Card or ITIN notice from the IRS and Passport with visa, is all that's needed for most banks and certainly to satisfy the Patriot Act. Try another institution unless she has no SS Card or ITIN. Inability to comingle finances is not really a problem as long as you have other evidence of bona fides.

Our adjudicator specifically asked us for any documents evidencing co-mingling of assets.

Try another bank. They are blowing smoke about Patriot Act compliance. They just don't want to do it.

If you can't mingle cash, then find other ways to show your finances are co-mingled. There is no such thing as inability to comingle finances because there's always SOMETHING you can show.

[*JG* 2]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

A Social Security Card or ITIN notice from the IRS and Passport with visa, is all that's needed for most banks and certainly to satisfy the Patriot Act. Try another institution unless she has no SS Card or ITIN. Inability to comingle finances is not really a problem as long as you have other evidence of bona fides.

Our adjudicator specifically asked us for any documents evidencing co-mingling of assets.

Try another bank. They are blowing smoke about Patriot Act compliance. They just don't want to do it.

If you can't mingle cash, then find other ways to show your finances are co-mingled. There is no such thing as inability to comingle finances because there's always SOMETHING you can show.

It's AOS on a K1. It isn't necessary for the AOS.

[pushbrk 12,877]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

A Social Security Card or ITIN notice from the IRS and Passport with visa, is all that's needed for most banks and certainly to satisfy the Patriot Act. Try another institution unless she has no SS Card or ITIN. Inability to comingle finances is not really a problem as long as you have other evidence of bona fides.

Our adjudicator specifically asked us for any documents evidencing co-mingling of assets.

Try another bank. They are blowing smoke about Patriot Act compliance. They just don't want to do it.

If you can't mingle cash, then find other ways to show your finances are co-mingled. There is no such thing as inability to comingle finances because there's always SOMETHING you can show.

It's AOS on a K1. It isn't necessary for the AOS.

A good idea where possible but not a requirement. Being asked doesn't dictate a specific answer is required in this context. "No, we were unable to open a joint bank account but we have done this...." is acceptable. The first thing we were able to do is add my wife to the gas bill, I think but the electric wanted an SSN. Even without comingling of finances, you can probably get by with any business mail sent to the same address. Making your spouse a beneficiary of insurance or 401k is also comingling of finances.

[*JG* 2]

Hey,

Ok, so it's tough to put a succinct, yet descriptive title.

We're preparing for our interview for my wife's conditional green card. We're adjusting status from a K-1 visa. I know co-mingling finances happens to be something strongly recommended to prove our legitimate relationship.

Unfortunately, our financial institution can not add her name to my account without a US passport or California ID. She can not get a California ID without her green card. Eeks, viscious circle! The financial institution states they can not do this due to the PATRIOT act.

Has anyone else encountered this?

A Social Security Card or ITIN notice from the IRS and Passport with visa, is all that's needed for most banks and certainly to satisfy the Patriot Act. Try another institution unless she has no SS Card or ITIN. Inability to comingle finances is not really a problem as long as you have other evidence of bona fides.

Our adjudicator specifically asked us for any documents evidencing co-mingling of assets.

Try another bank. They are blowing smoke about Patriot Act compliance. They just don't want to do it.

If you can't mingle cash, then find other ways to show your finances are co-mingled. There is no such thing as inability to comingle finances because there's always SOMETHING you can show.

It's AOS on a K1. It isn't necessary for the AOS.

A good idea where possible but not a requirement. Being asked doesn't dictate a specific answer is required in this context. "No, we were unable to open a joint bank account but we have done this...." is acceptable. The first thing we were able to do is add my wife to the gas bill, I think but the electric wanted an SSN. Even without comingling of finances, you can probably get by with any business mail sent to the same address. Making your spouse a beneficiary of insurance or 401k is also comingling of finances.

We did not do any of that for AOS. But, then, we filed almost immediately after we married.

We had him on my health insurance. We had some pictures. We had our marriage certificate. That's all we had time for.

LOC is a whole different story, thugh.