Joint Names on Utility Bills

[dvrjwh 0]

Although we won't be filing for ROC until next year, we have been trying to add my name onto my husband's utility bills. All are in his name as he had these accounts years before we met.

All of the following utilities have refused to change the name of the account to include my name, Verizon (phone and Internet), DirecTV, Appalachian Power, and the Town of Christiansburg VA (water bill).

We have other documentation - I'm on his healthcare policy and my vehicle is on his motor policy etc., but I'm just interested to know whether others have had the same problem where utilities won't add a spouse to the account name?

[v333k 59]

Speak to an account manager or a manager directly and explain your situation and the reason behind your request.

If all fails, ask to be added as an authorized user?

[Barbara J 115]

Although we won't be filing for ROC until next year, we have been trying to add my name onto my husband's utility bills. All are in his name as he had these accounts years before we met.

All of the following utilities have refused to change the name of the account to include my name, Verizon (phone and Internet), DirecTV, Appalachian Power, and the Town of Christiansburg VA (water bill).

We have other documentation - I'm on his healthcare policy and my vehicle is on his motor policy etc., but I'm just interested to know whether others have had the same problem where utilities won't add a spouse to the account name?

Just as a tid bit of info here in Australia whoever opens the account be it electricity water phone whatever stays in that name. In my previous marriage I got all these things put on when we moved into our house and do you think for the life of me they would put in both names. NOPE and when we divorced and I left he had to ring all these places himself to put them in his name. Crazy I know but it must be the same here. We have not gone that route yet as we rent but the lease is in both names now (joint) when we buy a home it should be a different matter, one would hope.

Edited October 21, 2010 by barbarajlw

[dvrjwh 0]

Just as a tid bit of info here in Australia whoever opens the account be it electricity water phone whatever stays in that name. In my previous marriage I got all these things put on when we moved into our house and do you think for the life of me they would put in both names. NOPE and when we divorced and I left he had to ring all these places himself to put them in his name. Crazy I know but it must be the same here. We have not gone that route yet as we rent but the lease is in both names now (joint) when we buy a home it should be a different matter, one would hope.

It's so infuriating. The reason they all gave is that they find it too difficult to collect on accounts if one party moves for whatever reason. Therefore they apply this rule to any couple or partnership whether married or not.

To some extent I can see their point - especially if it relates to a situation with students sharing a house for example. But that doesn't help me with USCIS and their requirements!!

However, I intend to include this point in our covering letter to USCIS and I'm sure they must have come accross this problem before.

Edited October 21, 2010 by dvrjwh

[Barbara J 115]

It's so infuriating. The reason they all gave is that they find it too difficult to collect on accounts if one party moves for whatever reason. Therefore they apply this rule to any couple or partnership whether married or not.

To some extent I can see their point - especially if it relates to a situation with students sharing a house for example. But that doesn't help me with USCIS and their requirements!!

However, I intend to include this point in our covering letter to USCIS and I'm sure they must have come accross this problem before.

I am sure USCIS has and I have every bit of faith that you will be ok

[msnoob 3]

You can also change a few of those over to your name rather than adding your name to the existing account. Therefore, you will have some utilities in one name and some in the other... but showing the same address.

Best of luck!

[OBX 51]

We are in the same situation. All of our utility accounts were transferred from my husband's previous residence to our new home and were in his name only. I am simply explaining this in my cover letter. We have other documentation so I am not going to worry about it. Good luck!

[SaraDee 9]

Ya,

We had the same problem with Direct TV. One manager I talked to said he would ask a higher up to get us a letter saying that my husband was an authorized user, but he never got back to me and I was so frustrated that I just gave up. That may be possible though if you want to spend hours of the phone with Direct TV.

We didn't have too much trouble with the other bills, though I think it was a bit hard with Time Warner Cable (we have internet with them). I think we finally got them to just add his name to the statement address but he's not actually joint??? I don't know.

Well, anyways you seem to have a lot of great evidence already.

If you have a Netflix account you may want to make sure that is joint.

Other than that, I think you should be OK.

Good Luck.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Although we won't be filing for ROC until next year, we have been trying to add my name onto my husband's utility bills. All are in his name as he had these accounts years before we met.

All of the following utilities have refused to change the name of the account to include my name, Verizon (phone and Internet), DirecTV, Appalachian Power, and the Town of Christiansburg VA (water bill).

We have other documentation - I'm on his healthcare policy and my vehicle is on his motor policy etc., but I'm just interested to know whether others have had the same problem where utilities won't add a spouse to the account name?

Re verizon, I have been added to the bills, but not as an account holder. basically when we get the bills it says

husbands name

wifes name

Address

Town, State, postcode

I'm trying hard to remember how they did it, basically I'm in the "mail to" box or something. I'm not actually liable for it (it would have meant an entire new contract etc) but my name is on it which matters. Just speak to someone about receiving mail with your name on it. I know it's possible of course because Tony and I do it.

Good luck.

[dvrjwh 0]

Thanks everyone for some good suggestions here. I'll certainly be following up and getting at least one bill put into my name only, plus including this issue in my covering letter too.

Thanks again.

[Zee Bee 61]

Re verizon, I have been added to the bills, but not as an account holder. basically when we get the bills it says

husbands name

wifes name

Address

Town, State, postcode

I'm trying hard to remember how they did it, basically I'm in the "mail to" box or something. I'm not actually liable for it (it would have meant an entire new contract etc) but my name is on it which matters. Just speak to someone about receiving mail with your name on it. I know it's possible of course because Tony and I do it.

Good luck.

Same here. I added my husband with no problems. I just called customer service and asked for him to be added.

[Mountain Climber 186]

Although we won't be filing for ROC until next year, we have been trying to add my name onto my husband's utility bills. All are in his name as he had these accounts years before we met.

All of the following utilities have refused to change the name of the account to include my name, Verizon (phone and Internet), DirecTV, Appalachian Power, and the Town of Christiansburg VA (water bill).

We have other documentation - I'm on his healthcare policy and my vehicle is on his motor policy etc., but I'm just interested to know whether others have had the same problem where utilities won't add a spouse to the account name?

What I did with the companies who would not add my wife's name to the account, was to simply have her name added to the mailing address.

This way it shows the bill was mailed to both my wife and I at the same address. Not one company I contacted had a problem with doing the this.

[sasaqlain 24]

Strange! My wife was able to get my name on everything. Electric, T-Mobile, DirectTV, Time Warner Cable, Added my name to her bank accounts and Auto Isurance Policy. I even got a seperate letter from the landlord stating that I was an added tenant to the rental aggreement.

You all need to have a threatening tone when you speak to the customer support people. Being nice doesn't work with them as nobody wants un-necessary paperwork.

Good Luck.

[truffles 2]

Strange! My wife was able to get my name on everything. Electric, T-Mobile, DirectTV, Time Warner Cable, Added my name to her bank accounts and Auto Isurance Policy. I even got a seperate letter from the landlord stating that I was an added tenant to the rental aggreement.

You all need to have a threatening tone when you speak to the customer support people. Being nice doesn't work with them as nobody wants un-necessary paperwork.

Good Luck.

Woudn't necessaily agree with threatening tone advice... having worked in customer services, I can tell you that I was more inclined to go the "extra mile" for a customer who was polite and willing to try and work with me on a problem. I might be they have a particular policy on this - I would explain to whoever you speak to the reason for wanting this - if they seemed unable to help I would ask to speak to a supervisor.

I too did not have any utility bills to send to USCIS - I did explain on the cover letter why this was the case, if you are able to provide written proof from the utility companies I would send that ( maybe get them to send a letter advising that they do not add names or offer the option to have joint accounts).

Good luck with your journey.

[Nimaan 27]

If you are not able to add your name, then you may ask the companies to switch the bills completely to your name. Our water company refused to have two names but agreed to remove my x-usc wife and replaced it with my name only. This way you have proof of the bill in your name only coming to the same residence.

Just a few options:

Add your name on your spouse's credit cards as an additional user, specify the bill to come in both of your names.

Trash company may agree to two names on the bill

Gas bill if you have one

Open a gym membership in both names

Sams/Costco membership

Renters/Homeowners insurance

Life Insurance

Health Insurance--if not provided at work, purchase your own policy

Dental Insurance--if not provided at work, purchase your own policy

Joint checking account

Joint savings account

Medical records

School records (if you have children)