Some reason why the SSA is so backwards...

[athena_ny 1]

Most importantly, he needs to start building his own credit so we can hopefully buy a house in a few years (tired of renting).

You can potentially can hitchhike him onto your credit score by adding him as an authorized user on a credit card account. This worked for us, and several others, and no SS# was required to start out (don't ask me how it worked.. it must've been magic). I added the DAH before he ever even moved to the US.

He's on two of my cards...except they're maxed out (not getting into my financial pitfalls here, let's just say a solid job can be hard to come by). I make all my payments on time, etc. I don't know how that works though, his name only appears on the card, nowhere on my statement or account otherwise. Weird.

I know he might be able to get a store card in a while, but there's no store he shops at enough that there would be a point to using one to build credit...maybe a secured credit card? I went about building my credit the totally wrong was (was young and stupid) so I want him to do it right.

[TracyLuis 0]

The credit building issue is very important, indeed. I'm just waiting until my husband starts working, and then we can focus on his credit. Right now, thankfully, mine is good enough for the both of us. But I have no idea if it's good enough for us to get a home anytime soon....

I'm tired of renting, too

[athena_ny 1]

The credit building issue is very important, indeed. I'm just waiting until my husband starts working, and then we can focus on his credit. Right now, thankfully, mine is good enough for the both of us. But I have no idea if it's good enough for us to get a home anytime soon....

I'm tired of renting, too

Yeah, mine sucks. (I'm young, etc etc). After a few years his will probably be better than mine times two.

Or at least I'm hoping.

[meauxna 15]

He's on two of my cards...except they're maxed out (not getting into my financial pitfalls here, let's just say a solid job can be hard to come by). I make all my payments on time, etc. I don't know how that works though, his name only appears on the card, nowhere on my statement or account otherwise. Weird.

Credit scoring is complex and secretive.

There is a good article about immigrants getting going with US credit here: FAQ -Ways to Immigrate + Finance/Credit

[TracyLuis 0]

Good information as always, meauxna...thanks!