Bank Account Queries

[SL2024 75]

Hi all,

 

Just wondering if there is anything else I should provide or prepare when it comes to opening a US bank account? I am travelling to the USA next month and will be looking to hopefully obtain my SSN about 2 weeks after travelling but keen to provide as much information to the bank as I can. 

 

Also which banks would you recommend banking with? 

 

Hope you can help.

[Cw1977 109]

4 hours ago, SL2024 said:

Hi all,

 

Just wondering if there is anything else I should provide or prepare when it comes to opening a US bank account? I am travelling to the USA next month and will be looking to hopefully obtain my SSN about 2 weeks after travelling but keen to provide as much information to the bank as I can. 

 

Also which banks would you recommend banking with? 

 

Hope you can help.

What do you think they need?! They want your SSN, ID like a passport and proof of address (which is often the hardest to prove) from a recognised source (rent contract, other financial institution etc). 
 

that’s all they want. They don’t care or even want anything from your previous accounts etc

[SL2024 75]

37 minutes ago, Cw1977 said:

What do you think they need?! They want your SSN, ID like a passport and proof of address (which is often the hardest to prove) from a recognised source (rent contract, other financial institution etc). 
 

that’s all they want. They don’t care or even want anything from your previous accounts etc

 

I did think that all those things would be required but I didn't know if there was anything else that might have been needed that was all but thank you for confirming. I think the proof of address will definitely be the hardest to prove.

[Neonred 3,577]

Might be easier to get added to your partners bank account.

 

At least initially, then open your own later if needed.

Edited November 3 by Neonred

[appleblossom 2,802]

59 minutes ago, SL2024 said:

 

I did think that all those things would be required but I didn't know if there was anything else that might have been needed that was all but thank you for confirming. I think the proof of address will definitely be the hardest to prove.

The letter that your SSN comes with should suffice for that. 

[SL2024 75]

That's great - thank you for the advice everyone. 

[Melancholic Mage 115]

10 hours ago, appleblossom said:

The letter that your SSN comes with should suffice for that. 

 

Didn't work for me, was point-blank refused. Having the most difficulty with proof of address to the point I'm stuck. Some requirements appear to be State/bank dependant. Good luck. 

[SL2024 75]

51 minutes ago, Melancholic Mage said:

 

Didn't work for me, was point-blank refused. Having the most difficulty with proof of address to the point I'm stuck. Some requirements appear to be State/bank dependant. Good luck. 

 

I will try the SSN letter but I might ask my fiancee to add me onto one of the utility bills as well

[appleblossom 2,802]

6 hours ago, Melancholic Mage said:

 

Didn't work for me, was point-blank refused. Having the most difficulty with proof of address to the point I'm stuck. Some requirements appear to be State/bank dependant. Good luck. 

I’d just try another bank, for example Bank of America lets you open an account even if you’re not resident in the US. Chime bank accepts a mobile phone bill. 
 

Or how about your health insurance, do you have anything from them with your address on? 
 

If not, rental insurance? AAA membership? 

 

 

Edited November 4 by appleblossom

[appleblossom 2,802]

6 hours ago, Melancholic Mage said:

 

Didn't work for me, was point-blank refused. Having the most difficulty with proof of address to the point I'm stuck. Some requirements appear to be State/bank dependant. Good luck. 

Also, another idea if you haven’t already thought of it - get a pre-paid credit card, then you have a financial document with your address on. 

[SL2024 75]

On 11/4/2024 at 6:04 AM, Melancholic Mage said:

 

Didn't work for me, was point-blank refused. Having the most difficulty with proof of address to the point I'm stuck. Some requirements appear to be State/bank dependant. Good luck. 

What did they say to you? And which bank was this with? 

[top_secret 2,456]

There are also the fintech cards and phone apps like chime.com or cred.ai.  These things are set up to function as a checking account with a debit card, but they are structured to report on your credit report as a credit card.  So it provides you a checking account and it builds your credit rating as well. They are backed by FDIC approved banks so your money is safe and the only real downsides are no physical branches and although they give you a checking account there are no paper checks.  Only ACH checking.  My wife got both of the above in the first few months she was here, before she had a physical green card and with only the endorsed CR1 visa acting as a temporary green card and her Social Security card.  If i recall correctly she had to do some extra verifications over the phone and online but she did open the accounts.

Edited November 5 by top_secret

[ScarletWitch6x 67]

For proof of address:

• Is your fiance planning to add you to car insurance? There's a proof of address there  
• I already added my fiance to one utility and will be adding/transferring another to him.
• Once you have your SSN you can be added to your USC fiance's credit card as an authorized user (please make sure this is the best option for you before pursuing it). Credit card statements will come with both names on and depending on the statement layout can be used for proof of address. 
• Once married is your fiance adding you to their health insurance? They should mail you your medical card - proof of address!
• Some states will allow you to have the USC spouse execute an affidavit swearing that you live at the address with them, this can help you get a state-issued ID or driver's license. Then you have more proof of address. I would contact your state's BMV for guidance as its so much easier that trying to piece together policy by yourself. 
• As someone else mentioned - the letter SSA sends you with your SSC is proof of address as well. 
• If your non-US bank allows you to use a foreign (US) address, them generating a statement with that address is now proof of address. *please please please make sure you will not be penalized for this. Some banks will allow this and others will not. 

 

In the US banks are governed by federal regulations but depending on their risk profile may have stricter rules around non-citizens opening accounts. I would recommend calling the bank your fiance uses and starting there. They can tell you what you may need in order to open an account there. That way you have a checklist to work off of when you go in.

 

Smaller banks typically have stricter policies as they are low-risk. Bigger banks may be more well-versed in immigration matters and will be willing to take (what they see) as a risk as they will understand your documentation. Not a hard and fast rule but something to keep in mind. Some smaller credit unions are willing to be more helpful than big banks because they don't always have the corporate overhead that chains do. 

[TBoneTX 45,591]

Excellent, helpful post.

9 hours ago, ScarletWitch6x said:

For proof of address: [...]

 

[SL2024 75]

Hi all,

 

Sorry for the late response on this but my fiancée did call the bank and they said I would need a California Driving License or California ID Card and just the membership application form. To get one of the photo ID cards I will need to go to the DMV where they will ask for proof of residency and so I will need to be added to her utility bills.

 

For her water bill she did call and they said that I need a photo ID, fill out Update Account Form to add me to the utility bill and to show proof of ID.

 

So I think what will do is get my SSN first, then once I get that go to the DMV for California Driving License ($45) or California Photo ID ($29), once received then get added to my fiancées utility bills and then apply for a bank account.