Starting a joint bank account

[Je e Gi 1]

We were able to add at Wells Fargo with just a passport. But he had to be present.

[f&c 50]

Some banks do not require a SSN, but the person being added has to be present to show ID and sign documents.

[No name 88 48]

_{I tried this with Chase in the US. No SSN needed but both parties had to be present so it wouldn't work. In the end I opened a joint account in my wifes home country.They required an FBI background check which I happened to have for a work visa for myself and I need a residance in the wifes home country plus I have to maintian a balance of 1500US. I just used the wifes address and showed the passport stamps to show I had started coming to the country more than 6 months ago.}

_{Now every month I just do an international transfer from my US bank to the wifes account for support.}

[enlijoe 20]

If you are looking into prepaid debit cards I use Akimbo. Will work internationally, You cad get additional cards for anyone by just requesting on-line. Here is a link to the thread I actually started about this.

[skysofialila 45]

I opened one at Wells Fargo and my husband emailed the banker his approval. He already had a SS# from when he was here as a student a long time ago.

So, yes, if the spouse has a SS# it's possible.

(This was at Wells Fargo in Phoenix)

[REHollier0626 4]

I have Bank of America, and we had the same problem to have a joined account, but they let him open his own checking account with his passport/I.D. and he has his own account now. He was able to be added on to my creditcard, but we couldn't open a joined account through our bank, but for whatever reason he could open his own. Good luck

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hello, Hello

Has anyone had success starting a joint bank account with out the other person being present?

Thanks!

Other person must be "present" (i'll explain below), they have to check the id and match with person. SSN is NOT I repeat NOT required; and id provided by a govenment (such as a passport from the other country will do). The SSN can be provided later, and it is for tax purposes not as a requirement to open an account.

Some banks might want you believe it is (the SSN) but it is not. There is of course a chance that some banks have their own policies but this is not a Federal requirement. If someone asks for it ask to sspeak to the manager; if that still does not work: bank Of America opens joint accounts. We did our in TX, recently a couple in NY was advised to find their BA there and reported it worked without a hitch.

"Present" means that someone (an employee at the bank) can verify id and person; it does not mean same bank branch as where you are necesarily. I have opened accounts with the joint person at another branch in another state, while we were all on the phone. Once verification at the other end is done, the process went on as normal.

Edited January 22, 2014 by Gosia & Tito

[tcsm 2]

Hi,

To open a bank account (in the USA, im guessing) you need to be present.

You do not need a SSN to open a bank account, but you will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

This apples to most US states. I have heard in some states like Nebraska you need a SSN.

[TeamM&M 4]

Try Chase and/or Citibank.

We were successful.

Opening Citi on a visit without SSN. We explained she was relocating and we were getting married. We needed evidence of an address in the US so I added her to the water bill.

Following K-1 arrival, prior to marriage and SSN we opened a joint Chase.

We utilized a screen print from CitiOnline for the address verification as our letter from the water company was old.

Obviously we went back and updated with SSN and married name following those events.

Yes, she was present.

Edited January 22, 2014 by TeamM&M

[QueenOfBlades 224]

I'm in the middle of a debate with our bank (SRP Federal Credit Union) at the moment because they told me I needed my I-94, SSN, passport, proof of address, and either a state ID or driver's license. I didn't want to have to mess around getting a state ID for it to only expire with my I-94. I have an SSN and proof of address and everything else I should need, so it's just ridiculous that they make you jump through hoops to get a bank account. Pretty sure I only needed my birth certificate and a couple of other things to open my UK one when I was 16.

[f&c 50]

I'm in the middle of a debate with our bank (SRP Federal Credit Union) at the moment because they told me I needed my I-94, SSN, passport, proof of address, and either a state ID or driver's license. I didn't want to have to mess around getting a state ID for it to only expire with my I-94. I have an SSN and proof of address and everything else I should need, so it's just ridiculous that they make you jump through hoops to get a bank account. Pretty sure I only needed my birth certificate and a couple of other things to open my UK one when I was 16.

That does seem excessive, but credit unions are usually stricter than traditional banks.

[TBoneTX 45,284]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Off Topic forum -- topic isn't a K-1 process issue. ***

[NickD 202]

Ironically, the US encourages foreign investments in this country, but sure gave us a heck of a time to open even a small joint bank account with their interpretation of the American Patriot Act. Wouldn't even let my wife join my account, veteran of a foreign war, and natural born citizen.

Heck I said that a measly thousand buck account, not nearly like those 9/11 terrorist deposited like $25,000, 000.00 each, and you have my SS number. They claimed that have to file W-9's with the IRS for both of us and need two of them with our names and SS numbers on those. Even though they don't pay a cent in interest.

So we had to deposit our cash under the mattress, they worked. It wasn't until my wife received her EAD card with a probationary SS card that we could finally open a bank account. This was with every bank in town.

Now credit cards was a completely different story for us, could get all of those we wanted. Guess its okay to borrow money, but not pay with your own money by check. Thanks to that kid idiot this country voted for president. Our then Sen. Feingold is the only one that voted against the APA, his reason was, he read it. I also read it, what a pile of BS!

[Teddy B 17,252]

Some banks do not require a SSN, but the person being added has to be present to show ID and sign documents.

[Darnell 8,478]

Hello, Hello

Has anyone had success starting a joint bank account with out the other person being present?

Thanks!

state farm has an online bank,

and some of our china members reported great success with setting things up and using it.

many state farm insurance agencies will accept any deposits as well, once the account is set up.