I-944: How to prove wife NEVER had a United States credit score?

[Bjh 39]

Hey people,

 

I'm stumped about what the I-944 is asking. To get any credit report in the US, you need a SSN. My wife and I didn't get her one in the beginning because it didn't seem worthwhile (you don't get to work with it, and you don't need it for health insurance). So obviously she isn't going to have a credit score.

 

Can she just sign a self-written affidavit saying she has never had a SSN in the United States and therefore has no reportable credit? I get asking about use of public benefits, but asking someone applying for permanent residence for something usually only people who are already permanent residents or citizens have seems like a really dumb thing, to be honest.

[NDG 7]

39 minutes ago, Bjh said:

Hey people,

 

I'm stumped about what the I-944 is asking. To get any credit report in the US, you need a SSN. My wife and I didn't get her one in the beginning because it didn't seem worthwhile (you don't get to work with it, and you don't need it for health insurance). So obviously she isn't going to have a credit score.

 

Can she just sign a self-written affidavit saying she has never had a SSN in the United States and therefore has no reportable credit? I get asking about use of public benefits, but asking someone applying for permanent residence for something usually only people who are already permanent residents or citizens have seems like a really dumb thing, to be honest.

My husband and I have the same exact question

[K1visaHopeful 2,814]

Run a credit report using your name and dob and all zeros for SSN.

 

Youll get a record of NO CREDIT back and that is what you want.

[Bjh 39]

5 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Run a credit report using your name and dob and all zeros for SSN.

 

Youll get a record of NO CREDIT back and that is what you want.

Great, thanks!!

[Bjh 39]

20 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Run a credit report using your name and dob and all zeros for SSN.

 

Youll get a record of NO CREDIT back and that is what you want.

So, I tried this on freecreditreport.com and annualcreditreport.com (my wife's name, and all zeroes for SSN). Doesn't work for either site...

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Copy pasting what I just said about this in the other thread (He being the alien):

 

He doesn’t need an SSN to build credit. It’s just one identifier that’s used to find someone. People like students can build credit histories as well. Estimates I’m seeing are 3-6 months. The credit isn’t something to stress over. USCIS provide this link for more info:

 

https://www.usa.gov/credit-reports
 

Which in turn leads to a free credit report here:

 

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
 

Which notes it is the only source for a free credit report, and authorized by federal law. Put your husbands information in. Run a search. Save whatever results you get either way, submit it with your form. Even PrintScreen or something if it pulls up negative to show he has no credit report per the source they provide. Negative credit reports or errors have requirements too if he is pinged for that. Getting letters back saying he doesn’t have one would be helpful too, as you mentioned. 
 

Regarding not having a credit score, USCIS says:

 

“If you do not have a credit report or credit score, provide documentation that demonstrates that you do not have a credit report or score with a credit bureau. You may provide evidence of continued payment of bills if there is no credit report or credit score.”

[flfreddy 92]

1 hour ago, Bjh said:

Hey people,

 

I'm stumped about what the I-944 is asking. To get any credit report in the US, you need a SSN. My wife and I didn't get her one in the beginning because it didn't seem worthwhile (you don't get to work with it, and you don't need it for health insurance). So obviously she isn't going to have a credit score.

 

Can she just sign a self-written affidavit saying she has never had a SSN in the United States and therefore has no reportable credit? I get asking about use of public benefits, but asking someone applying for permanent residence for something usually only people who are already permanent residents or citizens have seems like a really dumb thing, to be honest.

What my spouse did was this.. maybe it will be helpful for people applying with new form ( we did old form.. so pl dont flame me).   

We entered K1 12/27/19, married 12/29/19, cert arrived from Nevada 1/7/20.   We applied SSN 1/10/20.  Got the SSN like in 1/28/20. Opened bank account and then we immediately applied for Discover $250 deposit credit card.   Within 2 weeks she has a credit profile and a score.   She was all set up by end of feb in Expedia, Experian and transunion.  She even had credit file lock/unlock feature.     

 

I am not sure how useful it is to I-944 but we were building her credit fast in case we need to buy a home later... but I figured it could be useful for I-944 requirements.

Edited March 18, 2020 by flfreddy

[Bjh 39]

10 minutes ago, flfreddy said:

What my spouse did was this.. maybe it will be helpful for people applying with new form ( we did old form.. so pl dont flame me).   

We entered K1 12/27/19, married 12/29/19, cert arrived from Nevada 1/7/20.   We applied SSN 1/10/20.  Got the SSN like in 1/28/20. Opened bank account and then we immediately applied for Discover $250 deposit credit card.   Within 2 weeks she has a credit profile and a score.   She was all set up by end of feb in Expedia, Experian and transunion.  She even had credit file lock/unlock feature.     

 

I am not sure how useful it is to I-944 but we were building her credit fast in case we need to buy a home later... but I figured it could be useful for I-944 requirements.

My wife's 90 days runs out April 2nd, so she probably won't be able to get a SSN in time...

[Boiler 45,499]

21 minutes ago, Bjh said:

My wife's 90 days runs out April 2nd, so she probably won't be able to get a SSN in time...

Is this a K1 entry? SSN would have been the first thing you would get.

[Bjh 39]

13 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Is this a K1 entry? SSN would have been the first thing you would get.

I know it's something people usually do, but SSN isn't required for anything including health insurance and you can't use it to work, so...we didn't get one. Didn't anticipate needing to establish credit before becoming a PR or prove that she doesn't have a credit report, though...

Edited March 18, 2020 by Bjh

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Everything I’m reading says about using the credit report site I listed above, including using it to provide evidence that the immigrant has no credit history. Looking at the site though, they require an SSN. So I’m not sure if they could identify her in other ways. I’m not sure how that works honestly. 
 

Request Your Free Credit Report: 
 

Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com

 

By Phone: Call 1-877-322-8228. For TTY service, call 711 and ask the relay operator for 1-800-821-7232.

 

It says to call that 877 number with any questions. If it were me, I’d probably try that and see if they can do anything. 

[Bjh 39]

16 minutes ago, QueenOfBlades said:

Everything I’m reading says about using the credit report site I listed above, including using it to provide evidence that the immigrant has no credit history. Looking at the site though, they require an SSN. So I’m not sure if they could identify her in other ways. I’m not sure how that works honestly. 
 

Request Your Free Credit Report: 
 

Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com

 

By Phone: Call 1-877-322-8228. For TTY service, call 711 and ask the relay operator for 1-800-821-7232.

 

It says to call that 877 number with any questions. If it were me, I’d probably try that and see if they can do anything. 

I'll call them tomorrow and update you all on the results

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Good luck. Perhaps they can at least recommend something. You could always try the USCIS call center but who knows how helpful that would be.. 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

13 hours ago, Bjh said:

I know it's something people usually do, but SSN isn't required for anything including health insurance and you can't use it to work, so...we didn't get one. Didn't anticipate needing to establish credit before becoming a PR or prove that she doesn't have a credit report, though...

It's always a good idea to have an SSN. There's no reason not to get it as soon as possible. Also, you should be working on her credit score from day 1 anyway. 

[Bjh 39]

3 hours ago, Orangesapples said:

It's always a good idea to have an SSN. There's no reason not to get it as soon as possible. Also, you should be working on her credit score from day 1 anyway. 

I understand, but it's a bit too late at this point, now-wife arrived Jan 2nd.