Hi there,
I have had some debt problems in the past and they will all be paid off before I leave the UK, but I still have a 'bad' credit rating here. When I move over, my OH wants to get a joint account going (for AOS purposes) but will my credit rating here affect him? We will be moving from a rented to mortgaged house sometime in the new year and I'd hate it if my past affected our chances of getting the mortgage!

Thanks for listening...

Your bad credit does not follow you to the US, however bear in mind that you will have NO credit history here and will have to build one.

Hopefully your OH will have good enough credit to qualify for a mortgage on his own.

You have to build your credit history from scratch when you arrive in the USA. For you that is an advantage as you past record is of no account. For most it is a disadvantage as their previous good history in the UK counts for nothing.

There is an exception as always, American Express seem more willing to issue a card in the US if you have an account in the UK.

Dont worry about it following you. I went bankrupt in the UK (long story) in April and I arrived here last month. It has not followed me and I am able to start again - learn from my mistakes and build a good credit history here.

Phew thank you!!!