Adding alien spouse to bank account

[yogi35 0]

Hi,

This topic was briefly touched on, but I am wondering if anyone knows for sure if you can add an alien spouse to USA bank account with no SSN. I know I can't open up a bank account, but can my husband (USC) add me jointly to his. If so how does he go about doing this?

Just trying to find other ways to show co-mingling of finances, considering I don't life in the USA yet.

Do the immigration services understand this?

Thanks

Yogi

[engineer21 51]

Hi,

This topic was briefly touched on, but I am wondering if anyone knows for sure if you can add an alien spouse to USA bank account with no SSN. I know I can't open up a bank account, but can my husband (USC) add me jointly to his. If so how does he go about doing this?

Just trying to find other ways to show co-mingling of finances, considering I don't life in the USA yet.

Do the immigration services understand this?

Thanks

Yogi

It all depends on the bank.

I believe someone here mentioned that Bank of America won't do it without SSN.

Someone else said Chase(?) will let you.

But I think that because you aren't even here yet (correct?) it will not be held against you if you don't have joint account.

You could maybe try the reverse? Add husband to your existing bank acct in UK?

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Research IRS Form W-8Ben, there is no reason (US Law or Banking Regulation) for a bank to not allow you to be added to his account(s) without a SSN.

[Zai & Gary 6]

I have a BOA account here in Houston and they will not allow me to add my wife for 2 reasons: 1) She does not have a SSN yet, 2) She has to sign in person to be added to my account.

[tokyo.lovers 6]

i think as long as they are physcially present and have some sort of ID, anyone can be added to your bank account.

correct me if i am wrong someone! please?

[And_Sam 44]

I just got my husband added to our bank account here in the US. He had to have his social security number and a second form of identification. He used his conditional green card since he doesn't have his driver's license or FL state id card yet.

There was some hesitation of accepting his green card, but after talking to management, they said it was acceptable.

I read somewhere that to add someone to an account they had to physically be there. Something about a law to prohibit people to open or add people to accounts because of money laundering? Can't remember off hand.

[Indy90 21]

As others here have noted, it seems to depend on the bank. I did once find a bank that would have allowed my wife to be on my account even if she was not physically present to sign anything, but she needed a social security card for that. Most local banks and some national banks seem willing to let anyone unto an account as long as they are physically present to sign and possess a passport from their home country...a social security card is not necessary, neither a green card. Others require a social security card. It just depends on the bank.

I have spent a good amount of time trying to get my wife on a bank account here in the US, but have come to the conclusion that it is impossible until she is physically in the United States. On the other hand, we were able to open up a joint account at a bank in Ecuador when I was there once.

[wendy&tamer 10]

My bank here wouldnt let me add him, since he has to be present to sign the signature card. We added me to his account in Egypt when I was visiting in April. Until they are present here Im sure most banks do not allow it. I can add him on mine when he gets here, but only when he gets his SSN. Good luck. To show the comingling, any time either of us wired any money we keep those receipts and receipts for gifts we bought each other and sent. I couldnt even add him to my credit card.

He was added to my health care and is the beneficiary on my life insurance. If this will help.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Open a new account with State Farm Bank. They are an online only bank so no physical presence is needed as all signature cards are faxed to them. Usually they do require that all account holders are verified by a State Farm agent but will waive this requirement for your foreign spouse.

An added benefit is that all ATM fees are refunded at the end of your billing segment (even for overseas ATMs).

[inloveVEN 46]

Hi

It depend on the bank.

Some of then let you open an account and let your alien spouse sing. Even with no ssn. Examples ar tdbank, bank of america. But i think most of en need the alien to be present by the moment he or she is added to your account.

I know there are some banks with sort of legal relations with other banks abroad th st allow you to open an account overseas,

Well the one that i remember is not open any more lol. Go in person to those bank youll be surprised.

[wilgrace 3]

My husband added me to his account they just asked me to show our marriage contract and i did show my drivers license in Canada as my identification but have to do it personally for you have a little bit of explanation to them for i dont have SSN at that time...so i explained to them that we are going to file my CR1 and that can help us for the processing...

[Darnell 8,478]

there was some recent discussion about this -

worth a read..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/260233-joint-bank-account-marriedus-citizen-romanian-citizen/

IMO, the Patriotic Act makes it hard, when she lives overseas, but hei - good bits in that link, worth a longish read...