How Do You Set Up A Joint Bank Account in the States?

[CarolineLovesPaul 0]

Hi guys.

Just been to the US Bank to deposit money in my fiancee's account and while I was doing that asked about setting up a joint account when we are married. The woman behind the counter said I would require our marriage certificate and driver's license ID, but I don't have a driver's license here yet. She said my British passport would not do. Any suggestions as the best course of action?

Thanks.

Paul

[HappyDancer 7]

How about your SSN ID?

[Otto 83]

Hi guys.

Just been to the US Bank to deposit money in my fiancee's account and while I was doing that asked about setting up a joint account when we are married. The woman behind the counter said I would require our marriage certificate and driver's license ID, but I don't have a driver's license here yet. She said my British passport would not do. Any suggestions as the best course of action?

Thanks.

Paul

Banks are a regional/state thing so some requirements vary. I have noticed different banks within a city/region also have varying requirements so it may be possible to switch banks and get a different result.

An acceptivle alternative to a DL is a State ID (if you can get one).

Bank of America required a social security number - but since I was adding my wife to the account, they entered a temporary social security number until we could get one (which was a couple of weeks later). They never asked for a marriage certificate.

I might be inclined to go back and speak to a supervisor.

[Old Dominion 26]

Hi guys.

Just been to the US Bank to deposit money in my fiancee's account and while I was doing that asked about setting up a joint account when we are married. The woman behind the counter said I would require our marriage certificate and driver's license ID, but I don't have a driver's license here yet. She said my British passport would not do. Any suggestions as the best course of action?

Thanks.

Paul

You just need to wait until you are married. Some bank companies make it difficult to set up an account for a new arrival to these shores, and others will accept any government proof that you are here legally, along with the marriage certificate. Others require the EAD or green card.

[Steph0814 1]

Try Wachovia. I got a joint account with my husband just with my canadian passport and marriage certificate...

Some banks will do it....

[motu 6]

Just try another bank (if you are willing to switch) - my wife was easily added to mine with just her Social Security card and marriage certificate - they accepted her passport as ID; the social security was in her maiden name at that time. Some banks are willing to do it, others may be more strict. Good Luck

[himher 634]

Our bank (Chase, used to be WAMU) added my wife with just her passport as one ID and her issued visa on the passport visa page as the other, as soon as she arrived, pending receipt of her social security card which we updated about 3 months later when she got it. Friendly banks who want your business will accomodate you, and others (like Bank of America) will not. You may need to shop around. Usually banks around universities will accomodate you as they are used to accomodating the students from other countries who only have a visa and passport as ID.

[cdn_in_wa 1]

Our bank (Chase, used to be WAMU) added my wife with just her passport as one ID and her issued visa on the passport visa page as the other, as soon as she arrived, pending receipt of her social security card which we updated about 3 months later when she got it. Friendly banks who want your business will accomodate you, and others (like Bank of America) will not. You may need to shop around. Usually banks around universities will accomodate you as they are used to accomodating the students from other countries who only have a visa and passport as ID.

Funny that you mention Bank of America as unfriendly. I found them to be the most accommodating of the banks we dealt with.

I guess it depends on the branch.