Joint Bank Account for Foreign Husband

[PuppyLove 24]

Last week I went to my credit union to update them with my new married name and to ask them if they could add my husband to my account as a joint owner. I almost didn't ask because I was sure they couldn't do it until my husband came to the US on his visa. The teller told me that he didn't know about it and we started to wait for the manager to come over, but then a women came and helped us out (maybe an assistant manager). She never mentioned form W-8BEN and instead told me that they just need his passport number as something to report under, and his passport signature page so that they can compare his signature on the form to the one on the passport. She said these cases are approved on a manager basis and then gave me the regular form to fill out. I asked her if they will really accept this form being scanned abroad to my husband and him signing it then scanning it back to me and she said yes! So I took the form home (btw the line for SSN also said TIN or Passport number!) and scanned it to my husband to fill out. The next day the credit union approved his joint ownership and printed his debit card with his name and his own card number. I was beyond happy! Now I can't believe that I almost didn't ask them at all and gave up before I even tried!!!

[speedwell 224]

Last week I went to my credit union to update them with my new married name and to ask them if they could add my husband to my account as a joint owner. I almost didn't ask because I was sure they couldn't do it until my husband came to the US on his visa. The teller told me that he didn't know about it and we started to wait for the manager to come over, but then a women came and helped us out (maybe an assistant manager). She never mentioned form W-8BEN and instead told me that they just need his passport number as something to report under, and his passport signature page so that they can compare his signature on the form to the one on the passport. She said these cases are approved on a manager basis and then gave me the regular form to fill out. I asked her if they will really accept this form being scanned abroad to my husband and him signing it then scanning it back to me and she said yes! So I took the form home (btw the line for SSN also said TIN or Passport number!) and scanned it to my husband to fill out. The next day the credit union approved his joint ownership and printed his debit card with his name and his own card number. I was beyond happy! Now I can't believe that I almost didn't ask them at all and gave up before I even tried!!!

My credit union flatly refused. I went to Wells Fargo instead and opened a new account with my husband (who was present and showed his passport, and we filled all the paperwork out in the office). The manager said the credit union didn't know what they were talking about. However, I am pretty sure you are required to fill out the BEN form if your account is interest-bearing; at least if I understand my USAA bank rep correctly (my USAA account is interest-bearing). We were only offered non-interest-bearing accounts at Wells Fargo, which is fine with us since we really just need the account to prove commingled finances and to give him a way to pay visa processing and other fees in the UK that are denominated in USD. I did not need to provide my married name (I am not using it yet for some boring paperwork reasons).

Edited January 5, 2013 by speedwell

[PuppyLove 24]

My credit union flatly refused. I went to Wells Fargo instead and opened a new account with my husband (who was present and showed his passport, and we filled all the paperwork out in the office). The manager said the credit union didn't know what they were talking about. However, I am pretty sure you are required to fill out the BEN form if your account is interest-bearing; at least if I understand my USAA bank rep correctly (my USAA account is interest-bearing). We were only offered non-interest-bearing accounts at Wells Fargo, which is fine with us since we really just need the account to prove commingled finances and to give him a way to pay visa processing and other fees in the UK that are denominated in USD. I did not need to provide my married name (I am not using it yet for some boring paperwork reasons).

They didn't mention anything to me about interest or form W-8BEN and I brought up that form because I thought it would be necessary. They told me no, they don't need that form at all. It seemed to me like the woman I was talking to had dealt with this situation before or was just knowledgeable about it because she didn't hesitate at all in describing their procedures to me. I guess it really does depend on which place you bank at, but it doesn't hurt to try asking about it

[speedwell 224]

They didn't mention anything to me about interest or form W-8BEN and I brought up that form because I thought it would be necessary. They told me no, they don't need that form at all. It seemed to me like the woman I was talking to had dealt with this situation before or was just knowledgeable about it because she didn't hesitate at all in describing their procedures to me. I guess it really does depend on which place you bank at, but it doesn't hurt to try asking about it

That's true. Also, my husband was not on the Wells Fargo account as another primary accountholder; I am the primary accountholder and he is a secondary accountholder. This still counts as a joint account, I was careful to ask; he got his own online banking login and his own debit card.

[Arslan12 20]

[PuppyLove 24]

That's true. Also, my husband was not on the Wells Fargo account as another primary accountholder; I am the primary accountholder and he is a secondary accountholder. This still counts as a joint account, I was careful to ask; he got his own online banking login and his own debit card.

My husband might be a secondary accountholder too, how can you tell the difference? He has his own login to the account as well (but I was able to add a second user before making it a joint account anyway).

[speedwell 224]

My husband might be a secondary accountholder too, how can you tell the difference? He has his own login to the account as well (but I was able to add a second user before making it a joint account anyway).

I can't see him when I log into my account online at all, so I can't check this myself; I'm not sure whether your credit union's online interface is different. Certainly my husband has all the rights to actually use the account that I do; he may be restricted from removing me from the account or from closing it. You can call your credit union and speak to a customer service rep, or go in and talk to any teller.

Edited January 5, 2013 by speedwell

[PuppyLove 24]

I can't see him when I log into my account online at all, so I can't check this myself; I'm not sure whether your credit union's online interface is different. Certainly my husband has all the rights to actually use the account that I do; he may be restricted from removing me from the account or from closing it. You can call your credit union and speak to a customer service rep, or go in and talk to any teller.

I can see him as the joint owner on a different page; I'm not sure how else it is supposed to look for a joint account. I'm sure they probably kept me as a primary accountholder because it makes more sense for them since my husband is not in the US and they have never seen him in person.

[bigdog 376]

Good Job.

[Ms Hogan 295]

We are fortunate to have banks that are in Canada and the US so I just opened a new version of a US account through my Canadian account and just added DH and turned it into a joint account. I don't see his name online either but we can see each other's transactions using our Visa/Debit cards. I was sure to order checks for that account which showed both of our names on it. That is one of the items I included as evidence with our petition.

[PuppyLove 24]

We are fortunate to have banks that are in Canada and the US so I just opened a new version of a US account through my Canadian account and just added DH and turned it into a joint account. I don't see his name online either but we can see each other's transactions using our Visa/Debit cards. I was sure to order checks for that account which showed both of our names on it. That is one of the items I included as evidence with our petition.

Oh I didn't even think about checks. Did it show both your names together and then your address below? That would be really great evidence to mail in!

Good Job.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Yes, the check had both our names on it and then the address. I just wrote VOID on it and scanned it and kept the original since we are only sending copies in at this point. I felt it was useful evidence as most people wouldn't open a joint account with someone unless it was a legit relationship. Those are my thoughts anyway.

[PuppyLove 24]

Yes, the check had both our names on it and then the address. I just wrote VOID on it and scanned it and kept the original since we are only sending copies in at this point. I felt it was useful evidence as most people wouldn't open a joint account with someone unless it was a legit relationship. Those are my thoughts anyway.

Wow great! Thanks for mentioning it! I am sure that it does really help as evidence. I'm going to do the same thing you did but send it in with our NVC package so the embassy should get it all before his interiew. Good luck to you and your husband!

[Ms Hogan 295]

Wow great! Thanks for mentioning it! I am sure that it does really help as evidence. I'm going to do the same thing you did but send it in with our NVC package so the embassy should get it all before his interiew. Good luck to you and your husband!

I'm happy to help my fellow VJers any way I can

Good luck to you, too!

My biggest concern right now is my 4-year-old and 7-year-old boys behaving themselves at the consulate.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Chase bank told me my hubby had to be there in person in the bank for them to add him to my account.