Joint Docs Before SSN/EAD - Help!?

[PhilCOS 0]

Hello All

AOS filed on 19th March, sadly no EAD or interview date just yet.

However, in preparation we are trying to get all the paperwork in place. We are experiencing some problems in being able to "co-mingle" finances. We have managed to get me (the immigrant, British husband) added to the car insurance policies on both cars and to the titles on both cars. My wife has also changed her name to my surname.

We are struggling to add me to anything else, in particular banking which I presume is the biggest one they go for, we bank with Chase. (Well, Barclays in the UK, Chase in the USA).

Any advice much appreciated as it's possible that the EAD (and therefore SSN) and the interview may not leave us much time.

Phil

[tony&lace 2]

We r faced with the same problem also! Chase wont let us put my name on her account either bcuz they said we needed two forms of i.d n I only have one which is my passport n my ead is still not here to use.... I hope it gets here intime so that we can co mingle our finances

[BlueDevil 61]

Hello All

AOS filed on 19th March, sadly no EAD or interview date just yet.

We are struggling to add me to anything else, in particular banking which I presume is the biggest one they go for, we bank with Chase. (Well, Barclays in the UK, Chase in the USA).

Any advice much appreciated as it's possible that the EAD (and therefore SSN) and the interview may not leave us much time.

Phil

Some people have had success with adding their foreign spouse (as long as they are physically present in the U.S.) to their accounts at Bank of America. They been asked for only one form of ID. Now of course this would mean moving your account to BoA but if they allow you to be added, it's worth it. You may want to stop by the local branch and look into this option.

Other co-mingling items you could look into is joint utility or cable accounts, gym memberships etc. Even though they may not be financial accounts per se, they are still bills which if on a joint account, both of you are jointly responsible for. What about your living arrangements? Look into getting added on to the lease or mortgage. Lease should be fairly easy but mortgage might get tricky (your wife may have to refinance in order to add you on the mortgage). Lease/mortgage is a big "co-mingling" item as well.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I wouldn't go so far as to refinance just to get the other on the mortgage. The USCIS knows you have been married a short while. You will have the opportunity to explain the lack of a SSN hinders you with Chase. You have made a start. The big proof of co-mingling comes two years down the road for removing conditions, so continue to work on it. And save things that are dated early in your marriage because they will want to see documentation spanning the two years.

[BlueDevil 61]

I wouldn't go so far as to refinance just to get the other on the mortgage.

I completely agree, and I refuse to refinance my house and incur all the additional fees and expenses since I just bought my it a couple of years back. And I'm sure the USCIS will understand this as well.

[PhilCOS 0]

We r faced with the same problem also! Chase wont let us put my name on her account either bcuz they said we needed two forms of i.d n I only have one which is my passport n my ead is still not here to use.... I hope it gets here intime so that we can co mingle our finances

Yes, we have two forms of ID (UK driving license and UK Passport), so that shouldn't be a problem for us.

[PhilCOS 0]

Some people have had success with adding their foreign spouse (as long as they are physically present in the U.S.) to their accounts at Bank of America. They been asked for only one form of ID. Now of course this would mean moving your account to BoA but if they allow you to be added, it's worth it. You may want to stop by the local branch and look into this option.

Other co-mingling items you could look into is joint utility or cable accounts, gym memberships etc. Even though they may not be financial accounts per se, they are still bills which if on a joint account, both of you are jointly responsible for. What about your living arrangements? Look into getting added on to the lease or mortgage. Lease should be fairly easy but mortgage might get tricky (your wife may have to refinance in order to add you on the mortgage). Lease/mortgage is a big "co-mingling" item as well.

Thanks - housing wise our situation is different. When I first came here, my Wife's job required her to live on site (at the time, financially a big benefit). However we have had a joint lease (albeit short-term as we plan to buy later this year) since the week after we got married. We also have proof of my staying with her onsite at the Training Center.

I don't think we would move to BoA since my Wife has been with them for many years, but that's a good call. I don't think there is a BOA branch in Colorado Springs off memory either.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I completely agree, and I refuse to refinance my house and incur all the additional fees and expenses since I just bought my it a couple of years back. And I'm sure the USCIS will understand this as well.

They understood for us. We have made it all the way to citizenship with the two different houses we have shared, only in my name.

[Morningmist 76]

Is your wife a former US military service person? USAA let my husband add me with minimum fuss. I didn't have to show them anything. Not sure what he did though.

[Yuna 0]

Chase would let you be added to her account; I got my name added to my husband's account just fine (without SSN/EAD). Just make sure you bring two forms of ID, and a translation if it's in a language other than English.