Joint bank account

[Pitaya 2,577]

You misunderstood What Pitaya meant is that by adding her to your bank account it may look to the CO like you and your beneficiary are already married, even though you are not.

Exactly !

I think what Pitaya meant was married to each other. You may want to wait until she is in USA to have joint accounts, not jump the gun so to speak. There are other ways to prove a bonafide relationship.

Exactly!

[AMII 4]

Wells fargo, my husband added me to his account and during that period i had jst my valid visa

[unknownuser 13]

It is possible to get a joint bank account. But because you don't have a SSN, they can't give any interest rates on the bank account, and you will probably be limited from making any transactions yourself too. But she should be able to make transactions with the joint bank account.

Right now I have been transferring my money to my fiancee mostly because of the fluctuating EUR USD currencies. EUR was expected to lose a lot of value. (Think 50-75 USD every 1000 USD).

Do know that you are likely to pay a lot of taxes in your own country having a bank account in another country. That being said, it might be better to put all the money on her name for the time being if she doesn't have enough to pay the papers or anything.

We did this because my fiancee is a student and I just started working. So we are basically doing this to save every dollar we can. But for any other reasons I wouldn't do it...

May I also remind you of the limit set by the IRS. You have to declare over 10000 USD. This also includes breaking up the amount in smaller transactions.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

Awesome thanks, that's a great suggestion and one didn't cross my mind. I'll definitely check with AMEX, Discover and my Visa CC with Chase and inquire about the possibility. Do you know if they will add her name on the monthly statements or simply issue a card under her name?

It depends on the bank. Some banks allow the billing address to be updated with the joint partner, some banks just issue a separate card with the same number on your current credit card, which is basically the same.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Anybody can be added to a bank account at anytime for any reason. I wouldn't worry about the c/o thinking you're already married because of it. I've never heard of it happening either. If you're not married then you still have different last names, how could that make it look like someone is already married?

By law you are not required to have a social security to open a bank account, but different banks do have their own rules, Call around your area until you find one that will do it for you. My bank did this for me with no problem before my wife and I got married.

Edited March 8, 2016 by Teddy B

[MandyAlex 32]

It depends on the bank. Some banks allow the billing address to be updated with the joint partner, some banks just issue a separate card with the same number on your current credit card, which is basically the same.

Thanks very much for the information.

[MandyAlex 32]

I wouldn't worry about the c/o thinking you're already married because of it. I've never heard of it happening either. If you're not married then you still have different last names, how could that make it look like someone is already married?

Teddy, that's exactly what I was thinking about. If I had attached, (with the 129F petition), copy of my divorce decree, and an official, certified government document stating my fiancée is single, how can a CO come to a conclusion that we are actually married? To me, having some kind of joint financial account, that being a checking, saving, credit card, etc., would may me think that proves a stronger, legit and committed relationship because. But once again, that's just me and my personal point of view. I am still debating if this might cause more harm than good, it appears is more of a personal opinion than anything else.

Edited March 8, 2016 by MandyAlex

[Teddy B 17,252]

Teddy, that's exactly what I was thinking about. If I had attached, (with the 129F petition), copy of my divorce decree, and an official, certified government document stating my fiancée is single, how can a CO come to a conclusion that we are actually married? To me, having some kind of joint financial account, that being a checking, saving, credit card, etc., would may me think that proves a stronger, legit and committed relationship because. But once again, that's just me and my personal point of view. I am still debating if this might cause more harm than good, it appears is more of a personal opinion than anything else.

I don't think it could hurt but for this stage of the process the joint bank account isn't all that important. They are looking more for proof of having met in person within the last two years and an ongoing record of a relationship either via, phone logs, e-mails, skype or face to face time. The joint bank account will be important when you're ready for the AOS and ROC stages, but if you can get it now, I think it would be a plus.

[TBoneTX 45,299]

The OP is thinking more about the consular stage right now. A joint bank account is NOT necessary or expected.

[Julia80 67]

Chase wouldn’t add me either. It’s ludicrous what they require to add a spouse. I have SSN and health insurance and mail to my address with my married name but that’s not enough for them.  I have to have the AOS confirmation and 2 proofs of address so I guess I’m just using my reloadable debit card for the foreseeable future.