Join checking account question...

[Mandysbaby 0]

DH and I went and opened a joint checking account at the only bank in town that would let him without a SSN. I was wondering if anyone on here opened one with there SO not having a SSN. The bank had him fill out a W-8 form that had to do with the IRS? I'm asking because I recieved my debit card in the mail but he has not. We went up to the bank to ask about this and she wasn't sure what was going on. She's never set up a account before ours without a SSN. She said they might not issues him a debit card until he has a SSN on file. That doesn't sound right to me. They should issue him one if they let us open a joint account. So basically my question is, has anyone opened a joint account with spouse not having a SSN and spouse still got their own debit card from the bank?! Thanks!

[Jasman0717 9]

My credit union wouldn't even let Claudeth open an account until she got an SSN and then would only let her do a savings account until she got an official picture I.D. from the USCIS. They told us it was the bylaws of the credit union.

[Yodrak 7]

Mandysbaby,

I added my wife as a joint owner of my checking account while she was still in her country waiting for my petition to be approved, specifically so I could get her an ATM/debit card for the account. No SSN necessary for her because they had my SSN. Someone's SSN is needed so that interest earned on the account can be reported to the IRS - any other reason is bank policy, not law.

Yodrak

DH and I went and opened a joint checking account at the only bank in town that would let him without a SSN. I was wondering if anyone on here opened one with there SO not having a SSN. The bank had him fill out a W-8 form that had to do with the IRS? I'm asking because I recieved my debit card in the mail but he has not. We went up to the bank to ask about this and she wasn't sure what was going on. She's never set up a account before ours without a SSN. She said they might not issues him a debit card until he has a SSN on file. That doesn't sound right to me. They should issue him one if they let us open a joint account. So basically my question is, has anyone opened a joint account with spouse not having a SSN and spouse still got their own debit card from the bank?! Thanks!

[~*Maria*~ 1]

DH and I went and opened a joint checking account at the only bank in town that would let him without a SSN. I was wondering if anyone on here opened one with there SO not having a SSN. The bank had him fill out a W-8 form that had to do with the IRS? I'm asking because I recieved my debit card in the mail but he has not. We went up to the bank to ask about this and she wasn't sure what was going on. She's never set up a account before ours without a SSN. She said they might not issues him a debit card until he has a SSN on file. That doesn't sound right to me. They should issue him one if they let us open a joint account. So basically my question is, has anyone opened a joint account with spouse not having a SSN and spouse still got their own debit card from the bank?! Thanks!

My hubby got me added to his checking account without a SSN. The bank filled out for W-8 and just got me to sign it and i got a debit card in the mail about 7-10 days later which was PIN activated. Couple months later Hubby and i moved to Nebraska so he had to add me to his checking account in his hometown at a different bank, we didnt have any problems, he just had a basic ATM card so we were both issued a Debit card. A week later they both arrived in the Mail. I went to activate mine over the phone with the number it said to call and was asked to input the last 4 digits of my SSN i was like "DUH" i dont have a SSN yet, so i called the bank and they lady told me that there was nothing she could do that i would have to wait till i got my SSN then i would be able to use my debit card.

If the Debit Card is PIN activated your husband shouldnt have any problems using the card.

If the Debit Card is required to be SSN activated it WILL cause problems and he wont be able to use it until he receives his SSN.

I dont know about opening a joint account without an SSN, i do know its easier to be added to an existing account without an SSN. I'm sure someone will be able to answer your question better then I.

Edited July 5, 2007 by MariaDane

[Mandysbaby 0]

Thanks everyone. It's a new account for both of us. They had no problems putting him on it, I'm just oprimary since I have the SSN. She had him do the W-8 but even she didnt know how to fill it out. She doesn't know if he'll get his debit card or not. I may have to call the 800 and see if someone knows how this all works because they never said he wouldn't get one. Oh and the card or PIN activated.

[Krikit 1,164]

I was added to our joint account without a SSN and received a debit/visa card. I used my husband's SSN to activate the card. They told me I could add my SSN once I received it. (Which I have done.)

Edited July 5, 2007 by Krikit

[Nancy2015 2]

I was able to open an account without a SSN, and later hubby added me to his account - still without a SSN. I think I was able to do pretty much everything without a SSN, except for working.

[Buxton babe 0]

As Yodrak said "...there is bank policy and then there is law.."

I couldnt add my wife to my credit union account untill she had Goverment ID in her married name. The credit card companies varied, one issued a card in the name I told them without any evidence, one asked for SSN, another we had to fill in a form with SSN, marriage Lic, utility bill with married name on it.

[bora bora 1]

My husband got his SSN quickly so I can't give much advice about that - although I don't think Bank of America asks for SSNs anyway.

But we do have a joint account. Because my hubby is not a citizen he had to go to the bank weeks after opening an account w/ Wachovia and had to show his ID....

I know that some banks treat non USCs a bit different - so if that happens to you I think it's normal.

[Artegal 1]

Many banks will request a SSN because as part of their policy they will run a credit check--this probably more to do with future marketing of investments, loans, and credit cards than any law --although they will claim it is part of the Patriot Act requirements.

[Kym 0]

Me and my fiance opened a new joint checking account the last time he was here visiting without him having a SSN (and recieved debit cards for us both). He didn't fill out W-8, all they did was made a copy of his passport.

They did explain to us that this was not normal proceedure for this particular bank. However, we had the founder of the banks son helping us out and I'm pretty sure that is what got it done.

[Yodrak 7]

Jewel,

That's the way it should be - the SSN is specifically intended only for use by the SSA and the IRS.

Yodrak

I was able to open an account without a SSN, and later hubby added me to his account - still without a SSN. I think I was able to do pretty much everything without a SSN, except for working.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

My husband added me to his bank account before I had a SSN as well. I received my debit card, activated it without a problem, and started using it without a problem. When I got my SSN I went in and they added it to my information. I don't recall having to sign anything.

My husband also added me to his American Express account while I was still in Canada and I had the card in Canada, long before I even had my visa, although I didn't use it until I paid the movers prior to shipping my belongings south. I still don't know if they have ever received my SSN because I haven't sent it to them. Perhaps you can get your husband added to your credit card account while you wait for his debit to arrive.

[Converse34 1]

I think it all depends on the bank. I have read people having a lot of success opening new accounts in university towns as they are used to a lot of non USC needing to open accounts.

Adding onto an existing account should be no problem (whether checking or a credit card). I think if you wanted to open a brand new account in your name only without an SSN is not going to fly at most banks.

[NealandCari 0]

I haven't followed through with it just yet, but I asked my bank how difficult it would be to add my fiance onto my account without an SSN, and they said that it should be no problem as long as he fills out some form relating to the Patriot Act (is that the W-8 everyone is apeaking of?) and shows his passport.