Joint bank account W/O SSN

[Cub 0]

Hey, I know this question has been asked so many times, I have been searching for a while. But I keep reading contradicting options and solutions. We have our interview for GC in a month and would like to open a joint account to have more documented evidence of our marriage being bonafide..but of course I have the no SSN catch.

Has anyone successfully gotten a joint account without a SSN and can you please tell me how?

[Darnell 8,478]

some banks will accept the W8BEN .

[Hypnos 6,576]

It varies from bank to bank. I successfully opened a joint account with my wife a few years ago when I had no SSN.

[slowlyman 118]

Varies from bank to bank. Go to a bank you have been with for along time. Explain the situation see how it goes. If you don;t get the answer you want, go to the next bank on the block and so on. It's pretty difficult these days though with the homeland security stuff. If the bank policy requires SSN, there really isn't much you can do.

Another idea, if you both have income, Build out a spread sheet showing that you are splitting expenses. Then bring a statement for the account you do have showing those exact amounts be drafted in and out each month.

Additionally, put each other as beneficiaries on each of your life insurance polices.

You can also put your immigrant spouse on the mortgage or rental agreement. You may need the SSN for that though.

[Umka36 781]

I was able to add my wife without a SSN at Bank of America, and gave her SSN after she got it. For my credit union, We had to wait until she received her SSN. Basically as others have said, it varies from bank to bank.

[coolchicn 5]

I have been able to open an account at pretty much all the major banks without SSN. You have to walk into a branch; they will require 2 forms of ID and will be able to open the account in less than 10 minutes.

For a joint account, you will need to go with your husband of course. They didn't even ask for our marriage certificate

[Erica & L 50]

I opened a joint cross-border account with my wife is Canada before we left, since at that time we thought we would have to come back up there in 6 months time (before DOMA was passed) and that way we wouldn't have to worry about paying fees and I could still pay my bills etc from the US. Turns out it ended up coming in handy for proof of our bona fide marriage for this process regardless.

We weren't married at the time and although we provided both my SIN and her SSN they were more concerned with us having two pieces of ID each, so we used a state/province ID and both of our passports. We use RBC (Royal Bank) US but there are limited locations, PNC took them over they might have the same policy I'm not sure.

Edited December 29, 2013 by justfromerica

[ValerieA 350]

Try BBVA Compass. My husband and I opened an account there before I had an SSN.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Especially if you're already married, you should be able to open a joint account at most major banks. We were able to do it with no issue at Chase. I have a history of banking with them, so that may have helped, but I imagine it would have been a non-issue either way.

[chrissyb 27]

I added my husband to my existing acct. copy of his passport and his I'd card

[ManCharsey 254]

Yeah go to Bank of America. They will do that for you right away. Usually it will be a joint checking account for which you pay a monthly maintenance fee of $12 if your account balance is below $1500. You will be issued debit cards and sometimes you can even get a credit card (yes, I said credit card) even though you don't have an SSN. It just has a few restrictions with a minimal spending limit but li works same as any regular credit card. She will get a credit card though for sure if her credit is good. So Bank of America is the bank to go to!

BOA needs to pay me for this advertisement for them ;-)..Just kidding lol

[Fingers Crossed 1]

Captial One, they did us for us, and no hassles. Just bring I.D. passport or any pic I.D.

[Cub 0]

We tried Bank of America, they said that I would be no problem, but my husband (USC) was denied because of bad history with banks..

[ManCharsey 254]

Ok whoever denied your husbands application to open a joint account with you seems not to know the law. If it's a joint checking account what harm can he possibly be to the bank? They will issue him a debit card so whatever money he spends will be from his personal account. They can deny his credit card applications. Maybe you need to speak to a supervisor in the bank because his denial is ridiculous

[Umka36 781]

The harm can include writing bad checks, racking up fees and never paying them, overdraft, and also committing fraud. I don't know the circumstances of the OP spouse, but it was mentioned that they had a bad history with banks. Whether you agree with it or not ManCharsey, banks don't have to accept you as their client. I suggest the OP try another bank.