Can we open a joint US savings account while we wait for approval?

[greg&dawn 2]

I have researched this site and found information regarding single accounts and then joint accounts if married, my question is while my Canadian fiance' and I wait throughout the Visa process (just had our NOA1) we wanted to open up a joint savings account to both put allotted money into for upcoming costs, wedding, honeymoon, etc. I have done numerous searches and have found mixed information. I guess I just want to know if anyone has successfully done this? It appears to be a bank discretionary issue, and there also seems to be potential hiccups regarding being 'in-person' when signing the signature card. In saying that, I've seen the acceptance of signature cards that have been faxed.

Anyone have success with this and if so, what bank did you use that allowed it?

Thank you very much.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

RBC, Royal Bank of Canada, should let you do it--their US branches are based out of Georgia.

[CarlaDave 27]

You can try BofA or Wells Fargo ... one thing to be careful about is if they ask if your husband is a U.S. citizen ... make sure he says "no". When I set my set my husband up on my account (online) I left that blank and wrote that he was a in the citizenship process. We had to go in and show documentation NOA1s etc.

This may not be helpful or answer your question. I just wanted to share our experience.

Good luck on your journey

[greg&dawn 2]

RBC, Royal Bank of Canada, should let you do it--their US branches are based out of Georgia.

Thank you for your answer! We will be living in Michigan but we could always open one and then after he is here and married, we can change it to my bank. We just want to start saving. Thanks again!

You can try BofA or Wells Fargo ... one thing to be careful about is if they ask if your husband is a U.S. citizen ... make sure he says "no". When I set my set my husband up on my account (online) I left that blank and wrote that he was a in the citizenship process. We had to go in and show documentation NOA1s etc.

This may not be helpful or answer your question. I just wanted to share our experience.

Good luck on your journey

Thank you for your reply and well-wishes. We aren't married yet but any information is useful information as far as we are concerned. Thank you!

[CAMama3 1]

While in Canada, we opened a US account with a (local/regional) bank right across the border. Their branch was very much used to having Canadians open accounts, so they were able to use SIN and my now husband's Canadian IDs, instead of the usual SSN and US IDs. We signed our signature cards in person (we lived somewhat near the border, so that was no biggie for us). Maybe something like that could work for you guys too?

Edited April 27, 2015 by CAMama3

[Texas22 50]

We opened a joint savings account while I was still his fiance. But we both went into his bank together (in Texas) on one of my visits down there prior to the move. Because I did not yet have a SSN, they simply used all 8's in that place. Once I moved down, got married and received my SSN, I just went in and updated it with the bank.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I don't know that there is any real advantage to trying to get this done ahead of him moving. I know many of us want to get our new lives started but banks have been pretty finicky about what's required to add a non US person to an account or start a joint account with one. And of course every bank seems to have different rules.

[greg&dawn 2]

While in Canada, we opened a US account with a (local/regional) bank right across the border. Their branch was very much used to having Canadians open accounts, so they were able to use SIN and my now husband's Canadian IDs, instead of the usual SSN and US IDs. We signed our signature cards in person (we lived somewhat near the border, so that was no biggie for us). Maybe something like that could work for you guys too?

That might be an option for us. I go in July but then we are driving to Maine to see my dad so we have options. Thank you for your reply!

While in Canada, we opened a US account with a (local/regional) bank right across the border. Their branch was very much used to having Canadians open accounts, so they were able to use SIN and my now husband's Canadian IDs, instead of the usual SSN and US IDs. We signed our signature cards in person (we lived somewhat near the border, so that was no biggie for us). Maybe something like that could work for you guys too?

That might be an option for us. I go in July but then we are driving to Maine to see my dad so we have options. Thank you for your reply!

We opened a joint savings account while I was still his fiance. But we both went into his bank together (in Texas) on one of my visits down there prior to the move. Because I did not yet have a SSN, they simply used all 8's in that place. Once I moved down, got married and received my SSN, I just went in and updated it with the bank.

Thank you! That's excellent to know!

[greg&dawn 2]

I don't know that there is any real advantage to trying to get this done ahead of him moving. I know many of us want to get our new lives started but banks have been pretty finicky about what's required to add a non US person to an account or start a joint account with one. And of course every bank seems to have different rules.

I appreciate your reply. It's not about getting our 'lives' started really (we are handling things very methodically and making sure we are in the best position possible when he comes), but it has more to do with setting aside a portion of our incomes that we cannot access so anything unpredictable will not hinder the paperwork process. It looks like we have some options based on other replies. Thank you though.

[thatangela 134]

Wells Fargo will take a SIN if you don't have an SSN yet. At least that's what our guy told us ...

[milimelo 4,221]

Google W8-BEN (IRS form), make a copy of your passport, sign the forms - both of you and send it in. No need for SSN. You can update this after you get SSN.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I had an account with RBC and opened an American RBC account before we were married and added my husband to it (before we were married) so that we could start building evidence and mixing finances. It was very fast and easy. The bank account is not good for much once you're in the U.S. because it isn't a full bank with branches you can go to easily but it served its purpose for a while. Once I moved I stopped using it and opened an account at a full U.S. bank using my green card info and SSN once they arrived.

[thatangela 134]

That's the truth. RBC reps don't seem to know that the affiliate (PBC?) - with which you can make no-fee ATM withdrawals and deposits - don't have any locations on the west side of the country.

So it's pretty much useless to me except for the brief period I'll be collecting EI and transferrring funds from Canadian to U.S. accounts.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

My wife uses usaa which has no or almost no in person branches and it works well. Rbc might be good the same way, once you adjusted?