Personal Checks

[timgrace Kohler 0]

Hi fellow VJ'S. I was wondering about something and I can't find any information or topics on it. We are awaiting our NOA 2 notice and got most the paperwork already done ahead of time to send in fast when its time for them. My question is can you list your wife's name on your personal checks below your name with out her listed on your account at the bank, and also with out a social security number?

[DanielParul 50]

Daniel was able to add me to his accounts without me having a SSN when I came here. We got checks and bank statements in both our names after we requested for new checks. If your bank will allow you to add your fiance(e) or spouse without an SSN then do it.

[v333k 59]

Hi fellow VJ'S. I was wondering about something and I can't find any information or topics on it. We are awaiting our NOA 2 notice and got most the paperwork already done ahead of time to send in fast when its time for them. My question is can you list your wife's name on your personal checks below your name with out her listed on your account at the bank, and also with out a social security number?

If my understanding of the banking system is correct, then the answer is no. The reason you have your name on a check produced by bank X is because you are a memeber. If you wish to add your spouse, then she needs to be an authorized user on the account which then you can add the name on the checks. Not sure about the SSN in the case of authorized user, but it looks like it it not required. Each bank is different so you need to go and ask.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Moved from Removal of Conditions forum to CR-1 forum as it appears this is the correct stage of the OP's visa process.

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(Responding now as a VJ member to the OP's question),

Your wife will need to be a joint account holder at the bank before you can add her name to the checks. She needs to go in person with you to the bank and put a signature sample on file with the bank. With her name on the check it means that she can write a check as well and she can't write a check unless she is also listed on the account. If you want to get her added before she arrives to the US you will need to talk to your bank to find out if they will do that and if so, what they will require. I do know that she can initially be added to a joint account without a SSN at the Bank of America (we did that - all I used was my passport and my Canadian Driver's License) but the bank does require her SSN as soon as she gets it. If your bank won't add her to your account then you won't be able to add her name to your cheques. You may be able to add her as a joint holder to your credit card account before she arrives in the US and use that for evidence that you have shared financial assets and responsibilities. My husband added me to our American Express account while we were stating waiting for our K-1 visa and before we were even married.

[Pineapple 0]

AS soon as we got married legally ,we need to change everything from beneficiary of the 401k,life insurance,we purchased new house,gas bills,water,auto insurance policy,house insurance policy,wills, you are one supposed to be things change espicially you have kids that is very important in your marriage stability and proven your bonafide relationship!

Good Luck!

Pineapple

[road417king 7]

She needs to go in person with you to the bank and put a signature sample on file with the bank.

Not necessarily true, it depends on the bank/credit union.

For adding my wife, Bank of America needed me to get more information from her and said that we could add the signature when she gets here (the bank guy used 300-00-0000 to indicate foreign national without an SSN).

My credit union made me send her forms to fill out and sign before they would add her.

She's now on two of my three accounts with ATM/Check cards issued in her name. She has to use the bank issued PINs because only she can change that and it must be in person at the bank.

The best thing to do is always check with the financial institution as sometimes it's simpler than it seems and each financial institution has their own rules.

Hope this helps!

Mike

[tokyo.lovers 6]

most banks will add a person to your account without an SSN, i think. but they must be physically present and have some sort of passport.

not sure about this because we are not that far yet! haha

[kruz_patz 22]

When my spouse added me in her account, than we ordered new checks and it has both our names.