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1 minute ago, Melancholic Mage said:

 

 

 

I was planning to add my name/open a joint account with my husband. Would this solve the address issue without further barriers? 

 

Thank you for all your input so far everyone! It's very reassuring. 

Usually you need two different proofs. Yes, bank statement from joint account would work, if your name is listed. But also include second document such as utility bill.

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@OldUser Ah. Sadly I have pretty much nothing. I'm a clean slate here: I'm living with him and his parents for now until I can get my feet on the ground. Car, job, house, etc. I have no utility bills, no bank accounts (yet). 

 

All I have is my passport, my visa, hopefully the USCIS letter including my SSN and my green card, whichever comes first, and that's that. 

 

It's looking like I'll have to try and get a joint account to start getting anywhere. Or take out a phone contract or some kind of bill from a provider here while I get my US phone number sorted out. Then I can use it as a possible utility bill of sorts...

:us_outlying_islands:    qVrwoIS.gif    :us_outlying_islands:

 

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7 hours ago, Melancholic Mage said:

@OldUser Ah. Sadly I have pretty much nothing. I'm a clean slate here: I'm living with him and his parents for now until I can get my feet on the ground. Car, job, house, etc. I have no utility bills, no bank accounts (yet). 

 

All I have is my passport, my visa, hopefully the USCIS letter including my SSN and my green card, whichever comes first, and that's that. 

 

It's looking like I'll have to try and get a joint account to start getting anywhere. Or take out a phone contract or some kind of bill from a provider here while I get my US phone number sorted out. Then I can use it as a possible utility bill of sorts...


I presume he has a credit card or two as well? Def get added as a second/authorised user. That will give you some strong paperwork if needed but CRUCIALLY it also helps with getting your credit score set up which you need in the US, even more than in the U.K.  

 

None of your uk credit history transfers to US so it’s like you’ve just been born! Def look at that for multiple reasons.  

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13 hours ago, Melancholic Mage said:

@OldUser Ah. Sadly I have pretty much nothing. I'm a clean slate here: I'm living with him and his parents for now until I can get my feet on the ground. Car, job, house, etc. I have no utility bills, no bank accounts (yet). 

 

All I have is my passport, my visa, hopefully the USCIS letter including my SSN and my green card, whichever comes first, and that's that. 

 

It's looking like I'll have to try and get a joint account to start getting anywhere. Or take out a phone contract or some kind of bill from a provider here while I get my US phone number sorted out. Then I can use it as a possible utility bill of sorts...

Establish as much evidence of comingling finances and living together as possible.

Some things can take time and it's OK too.

 

 

 

 

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14 hours ago, Melancholic Mage said:

@OldUser Ah. Sadly I have pretty much nothing. I'm a clean slate here: I'm living with him and his parents for now until I can get my feet on the ground. Car, job, house, etc. I have no utility bills, no bank accounts (yet). 

 

All I have is my passport, my visa, hopefully the USCIS letter including my SSN and my green card, whichever comes first, and that's that. 

 

It's looking like I'll have to try and get a joint account to start getting anywhere. Or take out a phone contract or some kind of bill from a provider here while I get my US phone number sorted out. Then I can use it as a possible utility bill of sorts...

 

When you get your social go to a local credit union and open your own bank account and a secured card that can graduate to an unsecured credit card a few months down the line. It'll give you access to your own money, helps establish a credit score in the US with time and can be used as proof of address when you need it. 

 

In terms of credit/charge cards - if you had a relationship with Amex in the UK you can use that to open a card here in the US right away even with no prior credit history (I did that second to the bank account and secured card a couple years ago and it worked perfectly).

 

In terms of DL - make use of the official document checker to see what you need and what would be accepted. https://realid.ilsos.gov/checklist.html

asdf

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On 10/3/2024 at 3:13 AM, Cw1977 said:

I presume he has a credit card or two as well? Def get added as a second/authorised user. That will give you some strong paperwork if needed but CRUCIALLY it also helps with getting your credit score set up which you need in the US, even more than in the U.K.  

 

None of your uk credit history transfers to US so it’s like you’ve just been born! Def look at that for multiple reasons.  

 

He doesn't have a credit card yet. Working to get that all figured out though. As for the just like being born sentiment, I couldn't agree more! 

 

On 10/3/2024 at 9:08 AM, OldUser said:

Establish as much evidence of comingling finances and living together as possible.

Some things can take time and it's OK too.

 

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words. I'm trying to take things one day at a time. I've yet to transfer my UK funds to his US account for starters, as I still have one or two outstanding payments (I think) I'm waiting on. Want to make sure it's all clear to move. 

 

Still haven't told HMRC I'm gone even because I'm still waiting on my P45 back in the UK. 

 

On 10/3/2024 at 9:54 AM, ghostinthemachine said:

When you get your social go to a local credit union and open your own bank account and a secured card that can graduate to an unsecured credit card a few months down the line. It'll give you access to your own money, helps establish a credit score in the US with time and can be used as proof of address when you need it. 

 

In terms of credit/charge cards - if you had a relationship with Amex in the UK you can use that to open a card here in the US right away even with no prior credit history (I did that second to the bank account and secured card a couple years ago and it worked perfectly).

 

In terms of DL - make use of the official document checker to see what you need and what would be accepted. https://realid.ilsos.gov/checklist.html

 

I would like my own separate bank account along with a joint, so I'll ask in the bank when we go visit once I get my GC/SSN. That all sounds good. 

 

I never had a credit card. Personal reasons. Willing to get one here as I know how important they are. As for DL, I've scoured through the list but it seems to be focused on either US Citizens or 'undocumented immigrants' with no SSN or means to get one. I may have to go in/make an appointment with as many documents as I can to ask about my next steps given my CR-1.

 

Thank you all again. 

:us_outlying_islands:    qVrwoIS.gif    :us_outlying_islands:

 

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9 hours ago, Melancholic Mage said:

 

He doesn't have a credit card yet. Working to get that all figured out though. As for the just like being born sentiment, I couldn't agree more! 

 

 

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words. I'm trying to take things one day at a time. I've yet to transfer my UK funds to his US account for starters, as I still have one or two outstanding payments (I think) I'm waiting on. Want to make sure it's all clear to move. 

 

Still haven't told HMRC I'm gone even because I'm still waiting on my P45 back in the UK. 

 

 

I would like my own separate bank account along with a joint, so I'll ask in the bank when we go visit once I get my GC/SSN. That all sounds good. 

 

I never had a credit card. Personal reasons. Willing to get one here as I know how important they are. As for DL, I've scoured through the list but it seems to be focused on either US Citizens or 'undocumented immigrants' with no SSN or means to get one. I may have to go in/make an appointment with as many documents as I can to ask about my next steps given my CR-1.

 

Thank you all again. 


you got this! It’s a pain in the ### right now for sure but we’ve all done it and got to the other side. You can too

 

keep positive :)

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Just to help others with timelines and estimates, I got my SSN in the mail today ten days after entry. :)

 

On the back of the slip it mentions if my U.S. citizenship status or status as a noncitizen changes, I need to contact to update SSN and benefit record. Then the need to file an application for a replacement Social Security card with proof of identity and other evidence supporting the change.

 

Being on a CR-1 visa, will this apply when I file the I-751 to become an immediate resident, and also when I eventually apply for U.S. citizenship? Will I get a whole new SSN or will this particular one stick with me?

 

Thanks in advance.

:us_outlying_islands:    qVrwoIS.gif    :us_outlying_islands:

 

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8 minutes ago, Melancholic Mage said:

Just to help others with timelines and estimates, I got my SSN in the mail today ten days after entry. :)

 

On the back of the slip it mentions if my U.S. citizenship status or status as a noncitizen changes, I need to contact to update SSN and benefit record. Then the need to file an application for a replacement Social Security card with proof of identity and other evidence supporting the change.

 

Being on a CR-1 visa, will this apply when I file the I-751 to become an immediate resident, and also when I eventually apply for U.S. citizenship? Will I get a whole new SSN or will this particular one stick with me?

 

Thanks in advance.

SSN is issued once and for life.

Card may be replaced up to 10 times in a lifetime.

If your card doesn't say "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization" then you're fine. You'll only have to update your legal status at SSA after you naturalize. You won't even receive a new card in this case, just an update in their database.

 

Types of cards:

 

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

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