Credit Cards, Scores etc...

[TheFantastics09 19]

Hello there!

I was just curious as to whether or not U.S banks have access to my Canadian credit history and if so, will my credit history in any way affect my Fiancé's credit? I know for a fact (due to my age etc.) that my Future husband has a much stronger credit then I do, and I am worried that my "bad" credit will affect his good credit.

I was told by a few people that when you get married, your credit matches the other persons (either goes up or down).

Any takers?

Thank-you

[웃 910]

You don't pick up your husbands credit history just because you got married.

What you can do is have him add you as an authorized user to one of his older cards and you will pick up the credit history on that 1 particular card.

It won't affect his credit score/history at all. Unless of course you start maxing it out each month

He doesn't even have to give you access to the card. Just adding your name with social security number will do the trick. But if you don't have a US social security number then I don't think you can do this option.

[Moosker 7]

Good question! If you do "credit" search in VJ you'll pull up a lot of questions & answers. From what I know, they can't pull your Canadian credit history (unless you give them the ability to and typically they do not do that). I have great credit in Canada, but had ZERO credit here. It was as if I wasn't even recognized in the U.S. My husband put me on all bank accounts, and also put me as an authorized user on his main credit card which he's had open for probably 8 years. I also got a Macy's department store card, but turns out they don't "report" you (in good standing) unless you're in bad standing.

Capital One typically will do a pre-paid credit card or a very basic $500 limit card. This is a great way to start, use it, and pay it off every month though to build your credit.

Just a tip for the future, we were trying to purchase a home, we have our own business, and I had "no credit". So we took 6 months to really beef things up. We even got a small loan at the local credit union, made 2 small payments on it and closed it up. This was a good way that both of our names were on it, it was in good standing, and added good credit to our credit history. In the end it worked!

Slowly start building up your credit now, and make smart choices! You'll love yourselves in the end that you did!

[TheFantastics09 19]

Good question! If you do "credit" search in VJ you'll pull up a lot of questions & answers. From what I know, they can't pull your Canadian credit history (unless you give them the ability to and typically they do not do that). I have great credit in Canada, but had ZERO credit here. It was as if I wasn't even recognized in the U.S. My husband put me on all bank accounts, and also put me as an authorized user on his main credit card which he's had open for probably 8 years. I also got a Macy's department store card, but turns out they don't "report" you (in good standing) unless you're in bad standing.

Capital One typically will do a pre-paid credit card or a very basic $500 limit card. This is a great way to start, use it, and pay it off every month though to build your credit.

Just a tip for the future, we were trying to purchase a home, we have our own business, and I had "no credit". So we took 6 months to really beef things up. We even got a small loan at the local credit union, made 2 small payments on it and closed it up. This was a good way that both of our names were on it, it was in good standing, and added good credit to our credit history. In the end it worked!

Slowly start building up your credit now, and make smart choices! You'll love yourselves in the end that you did!

Thank-you both for the awesome tips!!

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

There is actually a good discussion of this right here....