Success story: got a joint loan and started credit history without SSN

[galephys 12]

I thought I'd share our success story, maybe it will help some couples to begin their new life in the US together.

I am a USC, my husband just moved 2 weeks ago on CR1, still waiting for SSN. Here is what I did to get his financial health started:

I am a member on a local credit union where I do most of my banking. Even before we were married, I added my husband as an authorized user to my credit card. I was told his name will be there, but they can't report it to the credit agencies until he has SSN, but when they do report, it will appear as he is a customer since the day I added him, NOT since the day he got SSN.

Later I was able to do the same with a major US bank just using his passport number.

When he moved, Credit Union told us he can't open an account without SSN with them, but a major bank may be able to help him. I recall I was able to open an account back when I was just a visitor on B1 visa, but we didn't want to complicate things right away.

Also we needed a second car ASAP, so again I went to the credit union, I wanted both of our names on the loan. Customer service said it wasn't possible at first, but then changed their mind since my husband already applied for SSN (DHS verification, 8 weeks to wait, blah-blah-blah generic response from SSA), he had his CR1 visa and passport. I think having a receipt from SSA was a big deal, it proved our intention to get his SSN.

When we went to get pre-approval for a loan,, they took his A-number as a SSN and passport number as ID. They also checked his visa. They were fine with him being unemployed at the moment. Again, we were told it will be reported to credit agencies once we add his SSN to the file.

Much to my surprise, when we finalized the loan, they gave us TWO credit reports with scores - one for me, one for my new immigrant husband! And his score was in high 700s! Not bad for 2 weeks in the country and no bank account! He signed car loan documents as a co-applicant with me being primary.

However, we couldn't register the car under both names because DMV required a DL, but we'll add him later. He is also now on my car insurance as a second "non-licensed" driver for the same reason, but a car dealership was OK with it and he is allowed to drive for 60 days in VA.

Funny thing: DMV only wanted his foreign DL, his visa, passport and proof of residence for DL, not SSN. I guess we'll get on that as soon as he's ready for a test.

Thanks for reading! I hope it was useful to some.

[jaffandliz 11]

Wow ! Thank you so much for sharing, i have a very high credit score in the Australia and i cannot have it changed over - so that was very disappointing to find out. We intend on buying a house as soon as my Credit score is high enough. My Fiance will be happy to read this as well .

[JRF 117]

I thought I'd share our success story, maybe it will help some couples to begin their new life in the US together.

I am a USC, my husband just moved 2 weeks ago on CR1, still waiting for SSN. Here is what I did to get his financial health started:

I am a member on a local credit union where I do most of my banking. Even before we were married, I added my husband as an authorized user to my credit card. I was told his name will be there, but they can't report it to the credit agencies until he has SSN, but when they do report, it will appear as he is a customer since the day I added him, NOT since the day he got SSN.

Later I was able to do the same with a major US bank just using his passport number.

When he moved, Credit Union told us he can't open an account without SSN with them, but a major bank may be able to help him. I recall I was able to open an account back when I was just a visitor on B1 visa, but we didn't want to complicate things right away.

Also we needed a second car ASAP, so again I went to the credit union, I wanted both of our names on the loan. Customer service said it wasn't possible at first, but then changed their mind since my husband already applied for SSN (DHS verification, 8 weeks to wait, blah-blah-blah generic response from SSA), he had his CR1 visa and passport. I think having a receipt from SSA was a big deal, it proved our intention to get his SSN.

When we went to get pre-approval for a loan,, they took his A-number as a SSN and passport number as ID. They also checked his visa. They were fine with him being unemployed at the moment. Again, we were told it will be reported to credit agencies once we add his SSN to the file.

Much to my surprise, when we finalized the loan, they gave us TWO credit reports with scores - one for me, one for my new immigrant husband! And his score was in high 700s! Not bad for 2 weeks in the country and no bank account! He signed car loan documents as a co-applicant with me being primary.

However, we couldn't register the car under both names because DMV required a DL, but we'll add him later. He is also now on my car insurance as a second "non-licensed" driver for the same reason, but a car dealership was OK with it and he is allowed to drive for 60 days in VA.

Funny thing: DMV only wanted his foreign DL, his visa, passport and proof of residence for DL, not SSN. I guess we'll get on that as soon as he's ready for a test.

Thanks for reading! I hope it was useful to some.

Outstanding! Having a strong credit record will be invaluable for you and your husband. I'm impressed and very happy that you all are approaching this new phase of your life so thoughtfully. I sometimes see how people bumble through this process and then complain when things go wrong. I love to see people who take ownership and make it work.

Best of luck!

[galephys 12]

Outstanding! Having a strong credit record will be invaluable for you and your husband. I'm impressed and very happy that you all are approaching this new phase of your life so thoughtfully. I sometimes see how people bumble through this process and then complain when things go wrong. I love to see people who take ownership and make it work.

Best of luck!

Thanks!

I knew nothing about how to be an adult in the US: taxes, insurances, utilities, loans... it was all very scary. But thanks to good people online and offline it's all better now.

I am actually very proud of this achievement: 5 years ago I had no savings, a conditional green card, messy divorce, and a completely new life: new accounts, new loans, new lease... now I am a USC, homeowner, have 3 months worth in savings and, until this Monday, when we bought a second car, I was also debt-free. I have a pretty average salary for my area and the house is not super big and expensive, but still, I wasn't sure I would be able to get out of that mess when I started.

Wow ! Thank you so much for sharing, i have a very high credit score in the Australia and i cannot have it changed over - so that was very disappointing to find out. We intend on buying a house as soon as my Credit score is high enough. My Fiance will be happy to read this as well .

We weren't even married when I added him to my credit card. Good luck with everything! Buying a house is stressful and they look at every little thing on your bank accounts, down to a $10 you found 3 months ago and stupidly decide to deposit.

[jaffandliz 11]

Thanks!

I knew nothing about how to be an adult in the US: taxes, insurances, utilities, loans... it was all very scary. But thanks to good people online and offline it's all better now.

I am actually very proud of this achievement: 5 years ago I had no savings, a conditional green card, messy divorce, and a completely new life: new accounts, new loans, new lease... now I am a USC, homeowner, have 3 months worth in savings and, until this Monday, when we bought a second car, I was also debt-free. I have a pretty average salary for my area and the house is not super big and expensive, but still, I wasn't sure I would be able to get out of that mess when I started.

We weren't even married when I added him to my credit card. Good luck with everything! Buying a house is stressful and they look at every little thing on your bank accounts, down to a $10 you found 3 months ago and stupidly decide to deposit.

Wow ! i have just read your Journey ! you really battled it out to get your Visa through ... do you think that using a credit Union helped more ? This is exciting news ! I'll also take your word as gospel = (Aussie Slang) according to how much you have been through.

[galephys 12]

Wow ! i have just read your Journey ! you really battled it out to get your Visa through ... do you think that using a credit Union helped more ? This is exciting news ! I'll also take your word as gospel = (Aussie Slang) according to how much you have been through.

Let's say the process of immigration was quite interesting, LOL. Thanks though! Really.

I think credit unions are more client-oriented. They are smaller, not nation-wide and they don't have as many clients as the big guys and they care. I was always able to reach a person, explain my situation and get them to work with me. It was a credit union worker who told me while I can't force my ex to transfer his debt from a joint CC to his own, I can close the card and prevent him from adding on, when my lawyer told me there is nothing I can do. They provided me with any type of paper I asked, even if it was special, they made it meet my immigration needs. They were always patient and helpful, advising me how to do things more efficiently, how to buy a car, how to find a good loan, what to do with mortgage (hint: when you know you'll sell in the next 5 years, refinance to 5\5 variable rate, APR is often super low).

Major bank, on the other hand, always tried to sell me something, force me into a new credit card that doesn't fit me and if I asked something non-traditional, it either took them ridiculous amount of time or they just said no.

My credit union was able to offer me the best rate in the area because I was their rewards program customer and did my banking online. In general smaller companies tend to be better, and local companies care more. But I may just be lucky, I don't know. Do your research, compare all rates for different unions and banks in your state, consider what happens if you move out of state and what are the chances, don't forget to ask what are the restrictions for each offer: for example, some car loan rates are only for new cars. Take advantage of pilot programs (example: state housing department programs for first-time home buyers) and introductory rates. Recently I discovered that the city is not always evil too! They don't just want to limit what you can do, but they can actually help if you talk to them. My city has an English class for adults for like $50 per semester, 6 hours a week. They have all sorts of programs and workshops too.

It takes time and a few mistakes, but at least there is a starting point. Please, please, please participate in filling out all forms with your fiance\spouse. Learn to do taxes and bills so if you are left by yourself for any reason, you can do it.

I was super scared to do anything, but there was no one else, and I had to figure it out. I remember a time I wanted to buy a new car just not to deal with minor repairs on the old one (and I mean select breaks and tires kinda thing). I replaced suspension this year and worked on electrical systems in it by myself. Granted, almost lost my wheels later, but now I know how to tighten them properly. <-- this kinda sums up my experience with everything :-D

\\sorry, I'm wordy

[jaffandliz 11]

Let's say the process of immigration was quite interesting, LOL. Thanks though! Really.

I think credit unions are more client-oriented. They are smaller, not nation-wide and they don't have as many clients as the big guys and they care. I was always able to reach a person, explain my situation and get them to work with me. It was a credit union worker who told me while I can't force my ex to transfer his debt from a joint CC to his own, I can close the card and prevent him from adding on, when my lawyer told me there is nothing I can do. They provided me with any type of paper I asked, even if it was special, they made it meet my immigration needs. They were always patient and helpful, advising me how to do things more efficiently, how to buy a car, how to find a good loan, what to do with mortgage (hint: when you know you'll sell in the next 5 years, refinance to 5\5 variable rate, APR is often super low).

Major bank, on the other hand, always tried to sell me something, force me into a new credit card that doesn't fit me and if I asked something non-traditional, it either took them ridiculous amount of time or they just said no.

My credit union was able to offer me the best rate in the area because I was their rewards program customer and did my banking online. In general smaller companies tend to be better, and local companies care more. But I may just be lucky, I don't know. Do your research, compare all rates for different unions and banks in your state, consider what happens if you move out of state and what are the chances, don't forget to ask what are the restrictions for each offer: for example, some car loan rates are only for new cars. Take advantage of pilot programs (example: state housing department programs for first-time home buyers) and introductory rates. Recently I discovered that the city is not always evil too! They don't just want to limit what you can do, but they can actually help if you talk to them. My city has an English class for adults for like $50 per semester, 6 hours a week. They have all sorts of programs and workshops too.

It takes time and a few mistakes, but at least there is a starting point. Please, please, please participate in filling out all forms with your fiance\spouse. Learn to do taxes and bills so if you are left by yourself for any reason, you can do it.

I was super scared to do anything, but there was no one else, and I had to figure it out. I remember a time I wanted to buy a new car just not to deal with minor repairs on the old one (and I mean select breaks and tires kinda thing). I replaced suspension this year and worked on electrical systems in it by myself. Granted, almost lost my wheels later, but now I know how to tighten them properly. <-- this kinda sums up my experience with everything :-D

\\sorry, I'm wordy

Wordy is good,

I am the Beneficiary in our K1 process but we might as well be married after 5 years and a baby .. We will be definitely looking into this as like i said i have a very high credit score and this is positive news for us. Were you with a Credit union for long or did you switch from a major bank ?

Sorry i am asking a lot of questions :-)

[galephys 12]

Wordy is good,

I am the Beneficiary in our K1 process but we might as well be married after 5 years and a baby .. We will be definitely looking into this as like i said i have a very high credit score and this is positive news for us. Were you with a Credit union for long or did you switch from a major bank ?

Sorry i am asking a lot of questions :-)

Questions are good too!

I am a member for 6 years as of now, I don't think it mattered at all. At least didn't look like it.