Joint account

[Disteny 39]

HI VJ members

I already applied for naturalization and in my long wait for the interview, I have a question , me and my husband don't have a joint bank account is this going to be an issue? but we file tax togther, and of course we live together, and we've been married for 10 years.

[Mike E 11,745]

It probably won’t be an issue. It is surprising it wasn’t an issue for the immigration visa or removal of conditions.
 

Anyone who got a green card through marriage is subject to questions about bonafide marriage at the N-400 interview.  I was and was married for over 30 years when I naturalized.    
 

So if I were you, I’d spent the 60 seconds it takes to create a joint account.  

[ThaOne 101]

2 hours ago, Disteny said:

HI VJ members

I already applied for naturalization and in my long wait for the interview, I have a question , me and my husband don't have a joint bank account is this going to be an issue? but we file tax togther, and of course we live together, and we've been married for 10 years.

You have been married for 10 years so you are filing under the normal "+5 year" rule, not the 3 year rule, so you do not have to prove that you are in a bona fide marriage. So a joint bank account isn't necessary at this point.

In addition, even to be an LPR and even under the n400 3 year rule as far as I know it isn't mandatory to have a joint bank account. Proof is you became an LPR without having one. In those cases (LPR and n400 under 3 year rule) it is recommended to have hard evidence that it is a bona fide marriage, and a joint account is one of those documents that (somehow) indicates a real marriage, but it isn't even an obligation then. It's just one of many documents you could have provided.

But in your case after 10 years you don't have to anyway. It wouldn't hurt to have one, but it shouldn't be held against you. Maybe at the interview he may ask you if you have one. It all depends on the interviewer and what discussion he has with you, but you may have your reasons so only if the subject arises you can give those reasons. He won't hold that against you. If someone had a real issue with that you already wouldn't have become an LPR. You shouldn't be asked, but if you are obviously don't answer things like: "because I don't trust my husband". You may not have to prove you are in a bona fide marriage, but you definitely shouldn't show that you are not in one.

[NEW CITIZEN 151]

17 hours ago, Mike E said:

It probably won’t be an issue. It is surprising it wasn’t an issue for the immigration visa or removal of conditions.
 

Anyone who got a green card through marriage is subject to questions about bonafide marriage at the N-400 interview.  I was and was married for over 30 years when I naturalized.    
 

So if I were you, I’d spent the 60 seconds it takes to create a joint account.  

After apllying? That would create more suspicion.

[Mike E 11,745]

1 hour ago, NEW CITIZEN said:

After apllying? That would create more suspicion.

First you asked for advice but it seems like you were seeking confirmation.  If I’ve learned anting at VJ; this isn’t a place for confirmation. 

Second: Why?

 

Lets say you get to interview and the IO says: “M. New Citizen, I am surprised you don’t have any joint accounts.  I am not able to make a decision. “

Wouldn’t it be nice to say, “Mr IO, funny you should mention that” and then present statements from a joint account.  
 

IO: “Well you got me there.  Ready to be take an oath today?”

 

Uscis doesn’t want excuses. It wants proof. 

[NEW CITIZEN 151]

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

First you asked for advice but it seems like you were seeking confirmation.  If I’ve learned anting at VJ; this isn’t a place for confirmation. 

Second: Why?

 

Lets say you get to interview and the IO says: “M. New Citizen, I am surprised you don’t have any joint accounts.  I am not able to make a decision. “

Wouldn’t it be nice to say, “Mr IO, funny you should mention that” and then present statements from a joint account.  
 

IO: “Well you got me there.  Ready to be take an oath today?”

 

Uscis doesn’t want excuses. It wants proof. 

I didn't ask for advice.

I responded to your comment.

 

It's VERY common for working couples to have separate accounts in this country.

Nothing suspicious about that. My daughter and her husband have separate accounts, ironically they file separate tax returns, as it provides lower taxes.

Showing your account opened AFTER applying your N400 will be suspicious. AFTER being married for 10 years, VERY suspicious.

 

 

 

[Disteny 39]

17 hours ago, ThaOne said:

You have been married for 10 years so you are filing under the normal "+5 year" rule, not the 3 year rule, so you do not have to prove that you are in a bona fide marriage. So a joint bank account isn't necessary at this point.

In addition, even to be an LPR and even under the n400 3 year rule as far as I know it isn't mandatory to have a joint bank account. Proof is you became an LPR without having one. In those cases (LPR and n400 under 3 year rule) it is recommended to have hard evidence that it is a bona fide marriage, and a joint account is one of those documents that (somehow) indicates a real marriage, but it isn't even an obligation then. It's just one of many documents you could have provided.

But in your case after 10 years you don't have to anyway. It wouldn't hurt to have one, but it shouldn't be held against you. Maybe at the interview he may ask you if you have one. It all depends on the interviewer and what discussion he has with you, but you may have your reasons so only if the subject arises you can give those reasons. He won't hold that against you. If someone had a real issue with that you already wouldn't have become an LPR. You shouldn't be asked, but if you are obviously don't answer things like: "because I don't trust my husband". You may not have to prove you are in a bona fide marriage, but you definitely shouldn't show that you are not in one.

I filed under the 3 years rule, because when we got married we lived in my home country for 6 years, then we moved here in 2017. But that joint bank account we never ever thought of having one.

[Disteny 39]

18 minutes ago, NEW CITIZEN said:

I didn't ask for advice.

I responded to your comment.

 

It's VERY common for working couples to have separate accounts in this country.

Nothing suspicious about that. My daughter and her husband have separate accounts, ironically they file separate tax returns, as it provides lower taxes.

Showing your account opened AFTER applying your N400 will be suspicious. AFTER being married for 10 years, VERY suspicious.

 

 

 

I think you are right because even in filing taxes you can file either : married filing jointly or separately.  

[ThaOne 101]

1 hour ago, Disteny said:

I filed under the 3 years rule, because when we got married we lived in my home country for 6 years, then we moved here in 2017. But that joint bank account we never ever thought of having one.

As I stated, I believe it is "A" document you can show to prove it's a bona fide marriage, but it isn't the only one. If you don't have one, then use the other documents that you have that can help prove it's a bona fide marriage.

[Limey 551]

On 10/21/2020 at 2:52 AM, Disteny said:

HI VJ members

I already applied for naturalization and in my long wait for the interview, I have a question , me and my husband don't have a joint bank account is this going to be an issue? but we file tax togther, and of course we live together, and we've been married for 10 years.

Lots of people don't have joint accounts, even though they are married and live together. My parents didn't have one for decades (in the UK). My wife and I have one, but just for shared household expenses (property taxes, insurance, etc).

 

My wife and I submitted some sample bank statements from our personal accounts as well that there were occasions when we were both in a foreign country making payments at the same time etc. I don't believe USCIS will get too hung up on whether you have a joint account. So long as you have other convincing evidence it won't be a problem.