Adding Foreign Wife to Checking and Credit Card Accounts

[Bugs 455]

I was trying to find specific answers to the following questions, and couldn't, so I thought I'd just ask here and see if anyone has experience/knows.

This is with Wells Fargo checking:

When adding her as a joint owner, will this require me to close my checking account and open up a new one with her?

Will she get a separate debit card with a separate number or with the same number?

If it is the same number, how does one order something online and have to enter billing info - do you have to enter both names or will either go through?

This is with a Wells Fargo credit card account:

Is it possible to add someone with no credit history and zero credit to your already existing credit card account as a JOINT owner? Or is the only option to add her as an authorized user?

Same question regarding her getting a separate card - is it with the same number or different number?

Thanks. Just want to be prepared with my options.

Edited August 11, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[Hypnos 6,576]

You can usually change a solo account into a joint account. Your wife would receive a new debit card with a different number to your own.

[Mela17 36]

I was trying to find specific answers to the following questions, and couldn't, so I thought I'd just ask here and see if anyone has experience/knows.

This is with Wells Fargo checking:

When adding her as a joint owner, will this require me to close my checking account and open up a new one with her?

Will she get a separate debit card with a separate number or with the same number?

If it is the same number, how does one order something online and have to enter billing info - do you have to enter both names or will either go through?

This is with a Wells Fargo credit card account:

Is it possible to add someone with no credit history and zero credit to your already existing credit card account as a JOINT owner? Or is the only option to add her as an authorized user?

Same question regarding her getting a separate card - is it with the same number or different number?

Thanks. Just want to be prepared with my options.

For your bank account you can add her as a joint owner. she will get a separate card with a different number and will also be able to have her own log in and her own password to access the account online. when purchasing things online you do not have to use both your names, either one is fine.

As far as I know you cannot add her as a joint user to your credit card, she will be denied based on having no credit history. You can add her as an authorized user. She will receive a card with the same number.

[Bugs 455]

For your bank account you can add her as a joint owner. she will get a separate card with a different number and will also be able to have her own log in and her own password to access the account online. when purchasing things online you do not have to use both your names, either one is fine.

As far as I know you cannot add her as a joint user to your credit card, she will be denied based on having no credit history. You can add her as an authorized user. She will receive a card with the same number.

Thanks, this helps.

I'm concerned about just adding her as an authorized user, because usually statements will only show my name in that case, which is not the best of circumstances for proving co-mingling of finances. Hence, the reason I'd like her to be a joint owner instead. So is the only reason I cannot add her as a joint owner to my credit card account instead of just an authorized user is lack of credit? Meaning that, once she gets some semblance of credit, I can then ditch the authorized user privileges and flat out add her as a joint owner?

Can another option be getting a second credit card in both our names, with a secured limit right away, and using that card instead?

Also, another thought came up. What about car loans? Is it possible to add her to my existing loan?

Edited August 11, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[TBoneTX 43,160]

When time comes to apply for AOS & ROC, photocopy the two credit cards (with the identical numbers) in each of your names.

Also, a very overlooked means of proving "co-mingling" is to draft Wills, medical powers of attorney, mutual HIPAA releases, et al. -- you to her and her to you. I remain very surprised that so many ROC applicants -- and even AOS applicants -- don't have these things prepared and ready to send, because they're excellent evidence.

[Darnell 8,478]

Well, there's 'being foreign' outside of the country

and then

'being foreign' inside of the country.

When outside of the country, it's really difficult, as The Patriot Act Applies.

When inside the country, it's really easy.

HINT - go to SSA office on day 15 past POE date, apply for SSN, come back next day, get SSN.

------

So, since you're lass is still chasing the K-1 visa and today is still 'before the interview' -

I strongly suggest you don't worry about this until she is in the country.

----

If you think you need it for a wire transfer this week or next - don't fret - she can wire money to your account without her name on it.

[Bugs 455]

When time comes to apply for AOS & ROC, photocopy the two credit cards (with the identical numbers) in each of your names.

Also, a very overlooked means of proving "co-mingling" is to draft Wills, medical powers of attorney, mutual HIPAA releases, et al. -- you to her and her to you. I remain very surprised that so many ROC applicants -- and even AOS applicants -- don't have these things prepared and ready to send, because they're excellent evidence.

Great advice. Thanks. Any advice on who to go to to draft these? Lawyers can be expensive lol.

[Bugs 455]

Well, there's 'being foreign' outside of the country

and then

'being foreign' inside of the country.

When outside of the country, it's really difficult, as The Patriot Act Applies.

When inside the country, it's really easy.

HINT - go to SSA office on day 15 past POE date, apply for SSN, come back next day, get SSN.

------

So, since you're lass is still chasing the K-1 visa and today is still 'before the interview' -

I strongly suggest you don't worry about this until she is in the country.

----

If you think you need it for a wire transfer this week or next - don't fret - she can wire money to your account without her name on it.

Well, by foreign I mean here - married on a K-1 visa. And yes, we plan on getting a SSN for her first thing.

I will have to disagree with you on not worrying about such things until she comes here. It is better to be prepared for this, as well as a lot of things, ahead of time, rather than to be suprised, stressed, and busy researching all this on the fly while she is here, adding delays and mistakes. She will most definitely appreciate a smoother transition as she makes the adjustment to life in America. What's more, we have time to do so while we wait anyways.

Edited August 11, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[Mela17 36]

Thanks, this helps.

I'm concerned about just adding her as an authorized user, because usually statements will only show my name in that case, which is not the best of circumstances for proving co-mingling of finances. Hence, the reason I'd like her to be a joint owner instead. So is the only reason I cannot add her as a joint owner to my credit card account instead of just an authorized user is lack of credit? Meaning that, once she gets some semblance of credit, I can then ditch the authorized user privileges and flat out add her as a joint owner?

Can another option be getting a second credit card in both our names, with a secured limit right away, and using that card instead?

Also, another thought came up. What about car loans? Is it possible to add her to my existing loan?

It's tricky because even though you will be married, credit histories are not a 50-50 thing. Anything you have co mingled is 100 percent each of your responsibilities. You cannot simply just add her to your car loan because it will change your interest rate. You were approved for the loan you have based on your credit history. if you try to add her, they will take note of the fact that she has no history at all and hike up your rate. When applying for anything joint, lenders typically calculate interest rates based on the lower score.

When she comes over, add her as an authorized user. When she gets a job/income coming in, she can show this to the bank and get her own secured card. that way she can begin building up her own credit history and then you and she can apply for a joint credit card account later.

TBone brings up some good points about co mingling evidence as well.

In my opinion, for the AOS what you will need is, joint banking account, credit card with her as an authorized user, joint utility bills, internet bill, cell phone bill, joint lease. that's really all you need to get past this part. worked for my hubs and me, anyway.

[Emmysaur 29]

Thanks, this helps.

I'm concerned about just adding her as an authorized user, because usually statements will only show my name in that case, which is not the best of circumstances for proving co-mingling of finances. Hence, the reason I'd like her to be a joint owner instead. So is the only reason I cannot add her as a joint owner to my credit card account instead of just an authorized user is lack of credit? Meaning that, once she gets some semblance of credit, I can then ditch the authorized user privileges and flat out add her as a joint owner?

Can another option be getting a second credit card in both our names, with a secured limit right away, and using that card instead?

Also, another thought came up. What about car loans? Is it possible to add her to my existing loan?

I'd like to share my experience about getting car loans. My husband traded in his vehicle last month and he added me as a coborrower. We got our loan through the dealership. A week after signing the paperwork, the dealership called my husband and asked him to sign another paperwork because they cannot add me as a coborrower. The reason behind was because my green card will expire before the contract ends. I don't know how it works but every bank follows different procedures so it might be worth a try.

Edited August 12, 2013 by Emmy & Wade

[Darnell 8,478]

Well, by foreign I mean here - married on a K-1 visa. And yes, we plan on getting a SSN for her first thing.

I will have to disagree with you on not worrying about such things until she comes here. It is better to be prepared for this, as well as a lot of things, ahead of time, rather than to be suprised, stressed, and busy researching all this on the fly while she is here, adding delays and mistakes. She will most definitely appreciate a smoother transition as she makes the adjustment to life in America. What's more, we have time to do so while we wait anyways.

Oh pardon - you've a point - to do the research before she arrives.

When I say 'don't worry about this stuff prior' - I was alluding to action -

ie - take no action till :

1. she has SSN and

2. yer married and have a marriage certificate in yer hand.

Research time for now, you betcha.

FWIW - this topic has been covered before. I invite you to use the advanced search tool,

search term = 'Capital One'

[Bugs 455]

It's tricky because even though you will be married, credit histories are not a 50-50 thing. Anything you have co mingled is 100 percent each of your responsibilities. You cannot simply just add her to your car loan because it will change your interest rate. You were approved for the loan you have based on your credit history. if you try to add her, they will take note of the fact that she has no history at all and hike up your rate. When applying for anything joint, lenders typically calculate interest rates based on the lower score.

When she comes over, add her as an authorized user. When she gets a job/income coming in, she can show this to the bank and get her own secured card. that way she can begin building up her own credit history and then you and she can apply for a joint credit card account later.

TBone brings up some good points about co mingling evidence as well.

In my opinion, for the AOS what you will need is, joint banking account, credit card with her as an authorized user, joint utility bills, internet bill, cell phone bill, joint lease. that's really all you need to get past this part. worked for my hubs and me, anyway.

For AOS? Or do you mean for ROC? It was my understanding that the requiring evidence of co-mingling for AOS won't be as extensive anyways since you will be appying for that right away.

Edited August 12, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[Darnell 8,478]

ya, financial co-mingling is done for RoC.

Those that do it for AOS mostly are adjusting from tourist, work, or student visas.

It's just not required when adjusting from a K-1 visa.

[Bugs 455]

I'd like to share my experience about getting car loans. My husband traded in his vehicle last month and he added me as a coborrower. We got our loan through the dealership. A week after signing the paperwork, the dealership called my husband and asked him to sign another paperwork because they cannot add me as a coborrower. The reason behind was because my green card will expire before the contract ends. I don't know how it works but every bank follows different procedures so it might be worth a try.

Yeah, it doesn't sound like a joint car loan is a good idea anyways if you (the USC) has stellar credit, as it would bring it down.

I do have a technicality question though, and that is, when the loan is paid off, would the title be in your name only or can it be transferred to joint ownership at that point?

[Bugs 455]

Oh pardon - you've a point - to do the research before she arrives.

When I say 'don't worry about this stuff prior' - I was alluding to action -

ie - take no action till :

1. she has SSN and

2. yer married and have a marriage certificate in yer hand.

Research time for now, you betcha.

FWIW - this topic has been covered before. I invite you to use the advanced search tool,

search term = 'Capital One'

Oh okay, yes, I agree with that part. None of this can be really taken care of now. Just doing preparatory research is all.