Open a joint bank account with fiance?

[Cryssiekins 976]

19 hours ago, blinkesto said:

Anyone know if this can be done?  If so how? 

It CAN be done.  Your fiancé would have to be physically present in the US though.  

 

Banks and insurance love to ask for an SSN or ITIN because it’s a unique identifier, but it’s not actually necessary.  

 

My husband and I opened a joint account before we were even engaged.  I just wasn’t able to access features like online or telephone banking (just had a debit card and the ability to call an actual branch) due to no SSN/ITIN.  I also had to provide bank statements from my accounts at home to show I wasn’t in the red, and I printed a credit report as well.   After coming to the US on a K1 and getting an SSN, I just updated the bank and then gained access to the other features.

 

We used KeyBank. 

[George & Roth 1,485]

My fiancé and I had 2 joint bank accounts, one in Cambodia and one in USA.

 

Not difficult, just need to go to the bank together with the proper ID. We used Bank of America in USA. SS# updated later on and not needed to open the account. 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2019 by George & Roth

[nguoivietnam2019 67]

20 hours ago, blinkesto said:

Thanks, I'm really just inquiring so I have something to actively do while I'm waiting.

People may assume that your fiancee is physically present in US but I assume she is not and you are working on supporting evidences.  I would suggest you skip this headache and it won't do much if anything at all. And if time and money permit, then attend the interview with your fiancee.

Edited May 21, 2019 by nguoivietnam2019

[clw654321 159]

My wife and I just did this. She has to be present at the bank with you and have SS card and passport. 

[Amadia 711]

21 hours ago, blinkesto said:

Anyone know if this can be done?  If so how? 

Yes, it can be done. Both persons must be physically present at the bank to open the account. Different banks would require different criteria to be filled but it IS possible to get a joint account. Just know that whoever has an SSN would be the primary account holder to the joint account.

I know this because I opened an account at Wells Fargo bank during a vacation in 2014 with just $50 to start. I did that so that I'd have money readily available when I visited on future trips to the US since obtaining US dollars in my home country was a real pain (it STILL is!). I was asked for my ID in which my Trinidad passport was used, and I was asked for any credit cards in my name in which my Trinidad credit card was used. Then 3 months later, I put in an application to get a secured credit card with Wells Fargo (while back in Trinidad) and it was approved and mailed to my fiance's address in the US. On my next vacation trip to see him, I collected it and was able to use it for online purchases, etc.

 

I shared my experience in the hope that it helps you and gives you encouragement and positivity.  

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[SmallTownPA 72]

Get a credit card and add spouse as an authorized user.

 

Still counts as co-mingling of assets.