Joint Bank Account: Married(US citizen + Romanian citizen)

[pushbrk 12,877]

Bob - actually, for me, this is some great news. I'm gonna give it a shot this weekend, without ITIN.

It will be great news when you return and report your success. I'm not holding my breath.

[Darnell 8,478]

push - ya - we'll see !!!

[ryna 132]

I can't speak directly to deposit accounts, but based on a conversation I had yesterday with my brokerage (not bank), it is no problem to a foreign individual, residing overseas and w/o SSN or ITIN as a beneficiary even though the "form" requires it. Of course, the big difference being that that designation comes with no ownership (as long as I'm around, that is...)

I'd also be interested in seeing how that works out for bank accounts.

[Darnell 8,478]

oh - beneficiary for any POD (Payable On Death) instructions is dead easy, regardless of 'what it is'.

Show bio page of passport copy, marriage certificate copy, and yer done.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Here is your main problem: you don't understand that America is a land of drones more than anything else. About 10% of the people are beyond approach, and from there on it goes downhill rapidly up to a point where the stupidity hits you in the face with such a vengence that it hurts. Chances are, if you talk to a bank teller who has barely managed to get their high school diploma out of pure mercy, they won't be able to grasp anything outside the scope of daily business.

I can open a bank account for any Muslim residing in Afghanistan or Iran, today. He doesn't have to be here, he doesn't need no stinkin' SSN or even ITIN; all I need is a copy of his passport, a Power of Attorney and money. The more money the better.

Banking, spending money, transferring money, buying stocks, selling stocks, saving money, is not bound on being an immigrant or even being inside the USA. Many people have bank accounts in Monaco, Luxemburg, New York, Miami, London, Paris . . . you name it, for one purpose only: banking. Money is what makes the world go round and all banks want money more than anything else.

Hence, what you need to do is go to the bank manager. Know what you're doing, know how to present yourself and your case. You tell 'em you would like to open an money market account jointly with you and your finance. Then you mention that you want to invest $75,000 and ask for the rates. The stupid SSN will not even come up, and if it does, you just tell 'em you go to another bank, no problem.

[RobbyUSA 26]

There is no need of ITIN or SSN to open a bank account in the US and a foreign spouse only needs an ITIN if you include them in your tax filings.

In the space where ITIN or SSN is requested simply place N/A.

What you will need are good copies of your spouse's ID such as Passport or other Government issued ID.

thanks Bob! I should of asked for your help and not these other clowns who don't know to much.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

It will be great news when you return and report your success. I'm not holding my breath.

Doesn't my report of success with 2 different financial institutions count for anything?

When I added my wife to by BCU (Baxter Credit Union) Accounts we weren't even married yet. The W-8BEN (without a SSN or ITIN) was the magic pill for them.

When I returned from my trip to the Philippines (and was now married to her) I wanted to add her to my State Farm Accounts because of the ATM Fee refunds which are in effect even for foreign transactions. I explained to the CSR that I was aware of the W-8BEN Form so they researched it and called me back the next day to proceed with the next step.

Both institutions issued her Debit Cards in her own name and never questioned ongoing transaction in the Philippines as they had notes on file indicating that she was residing there for the time being.

I think that most of the "front-line" CSRs don't experience this issue much and automatically assume the answer to your inquiry is "No" but if you show them what they need and insist that they research it then you will get a positive result.

[pushbrk 12,877]

Doesn't my report of success with 2 different financial institutions count for anything?

When I added my wife to by BCU (Baxter Credit Union) Accounts we weren't even married yet. The W-8BEN (without a SSN or ITIN) was the magic pill for them.

When I returned from my trip to the Philippines (and was now married to her) I wanted to add her to my State Farm Accounts because of the ATM Fee refunds which are in effect even for foreign transactions. I explained to the CSR that I was aware of the W-8BEN Form so they researched it and called me back the next day to proceed with the next step.

Both institutions issued her Debit Cards in her own name and never questioned ongoing transaction in the Philippines as they had notes on file indicating that she was residing there for the time being.

I think that most of the "front-line" CSRs don't experience this issue much and automatically assume the answer to your inquiry is "No" but if you show them what they need and insist that they research it then you will get a positive result.

Now that you have actually made such a report, yes, it means something.

[Ronald and Elvira 0]

IF you want to open a simple Debit account for you and your spouse Try

www.netspend.com

This is through Metabank NA

They allow you to have a debit card in your name and for your foreign spouse they allow a second card in his or her name as long as you fill out the form and send with a copy of his or her passport biodata page as for ATM charges they charge $4.95 for each international Debit at a visa or Mastercard ATM

This is what I use with my Wife In the Philippines

Plus you can print transaction reports and a side benefit is they have a savings account also tied to your account you move funds in and out of at a rate of 5%

Edited June 10, 2010 by Ronald and Elvira

[Ronald and Elvira 0]

IF you want to open a simple Debit account for you and your spouse Try

www.netspend.com

This is through Metabank NA

Toll-free: 1-86-NETSPEND between 8AM-10PM CST, Monday through Friday and 8AM-8PM CST, Saturday and Sunday.

customerservice@netspend.com

NetSpend Corporation

PO Box 2136

Austin, TX 78768-2136

Fax: (512) 857-0263

give them a call and tell them you want to open an account for your spouse who is a foreigner after you have set your account of of course

They allow you to have a debit card in your name and for your foreign spouse they allow a second card in his or her name as long as you fill out the form and send with a copy of his or her passport biodata page as for ATM charges they charge $4.95 for each international Debit at a visa or Mastercard ATM

This is what I use with my Wife In the Philippines

Plus you can print transaction reports and a side benefit is they have a savings account also tied to your account you move funds in and out of at a rate of 5%

[TheSahlis 10]

Hello

I made my wife who is in Australia the beneficiary of my accounts and the very next statement came in with her name on it. No SSN / ITIN. The very next statement had her name on it.

[driver 9]

My wife opened a Citibank account without a SSN while on a visa waiver (while we were waiting for K1 to get approved).

Opening an account at a bank is one of the easiest things in the universe (at least in the US). Just walk in, say you have money, they will be humping your leg to get your account opened.

[Minted7 3]

I claimed my husband on my 2009 tax returns and they sent a paper in the mail to us from the IRS issuing him a individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN . It also says in the future if you choose to become a citizen of the u.s.a a ssn will replace the itin. It was pretty simple. The only thing is my husband isn't on my account and when i went to deposit my taxes they wouldn't let me. They said my husband has to be on my account and has to be present and have his id. Sooo I have to wait to deposit them for when I see him next! Or fill out the form you guys were talking about, but I'm in no rush for it.

Edited June 11, 2010 by Minted7

[Minted7 3]

Here's the form

INSTRUCTIONS: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8ben.pdf

FORM: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf

found it here! http://www.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/formsPublications.html?sortColumn=sortOrder&indexOfFirstRow=0&value=&criteria=&resultsPerPage=50&isDescending=true

[CanuckGurl 3]

I was, fortunately, in the US and my (then future) husband and I opened a joint bank account. I do not have an ITIN/SSN, nor have I filed a W7. We were not engaged nor married at the time and I simply had to show valid government issued ID (which is my passport) to verify I am me. I also had to sign a special form that the bank provided because I do not have an ITIN/SSN. The bank card was issued in my name, and is a sub account to my husband.

I would think the same could be done for you if you have really good, clear, crisp copies of your spouse's ID, even if she is not present in the US.

Good Luck!