Success with getting spouse on US bank account

[millefleur 5,035]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to update and say that I had success getting my husband on my US bank account as a JOINT holder, yay! (And I'm not even living in the US right now, so I managed it completely over the phone.)

I'm using USAA. I realize this is not a bank that's accessible for everyone, but the whole process of adding him was really convoluted. I had to call them multiple times, and each time, the customer service person didn't really know the whole procedure. I even got wrong information a couple times, but after calling and not giving up, I finally got all the steps and they added his name to my account.

So, my advice for people trying to do it: if the bank doesn't give you a straight answer at first, try to call them again some days later. You might get a different/more informed person who can help you and it might be possible, even without an ITIN or SSN. All I needed to send was a W-8 BEN form, our marriage certificate, a copy of his passport, and this thing called a signature card. On the W-8 BEN form, I put his foreign tax number. I don't even know if that's necessary but I added it just to be on the safe side. Once all those were in, his name was added.

[fletto 0]

yay! Congratulations!

[Thesmiths2016 117]

congratulations!! We tried and tried, got conflicting answers from 2 banks also, and ended up just giving up. In the end my hubby got his name put on his parents "spare" account and we are using that to transfer funds, pay fees etc. I'll look at this USAA bank you mentioned though :-)

[millefleur 5,035]

congratulations!! We tried and tried, got conflicting answers from 2 banks also, and ended up just giving up. In the end my hubby got his name put on his parents "spare" account and we are using that to transfer funds, pay fees etc. I'll look at this USAA bank you mentioned though :-)

Yes, it's frustrating. USAA is kind hard to get an account with because I think you have to have a family member who was a member. Worth checking out if you are eligible though!

[hollycenations 11]

I was able to get my husband on my Arvest bank account with not too much effort. Just in case that's an option for anyone!

[millefleur 5,035]

I was able to get my husband on my Arvest bank account with not too much effort. Just in case that's an option for anyone!

Great, it's good to know that some banks are more flexible. I don't really mind jumping through all the hoops but it's just annoying to call banks and get conflicted answers/confusing advice from them about it. I guess for a lot of banks it's just not that common of a request, especially when the spouse has no US state ID or GC/visa yet.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tax & Finances During US Immigration forum.

[millefleur 5,035]

Update: Called USAA today. I am required to submit a "proof of ID" (marriage certificate counts they told me) for my husband plus his passport, as well as "proof of address"....for our US address we are using my mom's place, so they said my mom can send in a utility bill plus a letter stating that my husband and I will be living there soon. He told me as soon as I upload those documents, everything should be finalized.

Also, since I live abroad, they asked for a proof of my foreign address. No big deal, just need to get it translated. So, it's a really convoluted process but it's possible! Whew...will be glad when the whole thing is truly finalized, though.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

Update: Called USAA today. I am required to submit a "proof of ID" (marriage certificate counts they told me) for my husband plus his passport, as well as "proof of address"....for our US address we are using my mom's place, so they said my mom can send in a utility bill plus a letter stating that my husband and I will be living there soon. He told me as soon as I upload those documents, everything should be finalized.

Also, since I live abroad, they asked for a proof of my foreign address. No big deal, just need to get it translated. So, it's a really convoluted process but it's possible! Whew...will be glad when the whole thing is truly finalized, though.

USAA is one of the easiest banks to add a foreign spouse/fiance too. We added my fiance as a joint account holder when he came into the country pre-marriage. We were going to do the W8BEN but then figured we'd just wait til we had his social. All they needed was his passport, proof that he lived with me (we submitted USCIS mail as proof) and his SSN since we weren't doing the W8BEN route.

He's on my insurance as well, all they required was his foreign DL, and we have up to a year to switch it to a US DL, which he has, I just keep forgetting to go down there to update lol.

I'm lucky though, I live in San Antonio so I can go to a physical USAA office, where most people have to deal with those on the phone.

[millefleur 5,035]

USAA is one of the easiest banks to add a foreign spouse/fiance too. We added my fiance as a joint account holder when he came into the country pre-marriage. We were going to do the W8BEN but then figured we'd just wait til we had his social. All they needed was his passport, proof that he lived with me (we submitted USCIS mail as proof) and his SSN since we weren't doing the W8BEN route.

He's on my insurance as well, all they required was his foreign DL, and we have up to a year to switch it to a US DL, which he has, I just keep forgetting to go down there to update lol.

I'm lucky though, I live in San Antonio so I can go to a physical USAA office, where most people have to deal with those on the phone.

It has been slightly more challenging getting him added with no US ID whatsoever. We don't even have a B-2 visa because he got rejected..

However, they told me that it's still fine, just needed to provide more documents like proof of address abroad and a utility bill from my US address. It's my mom's address so she was able to scan it for me. My mom also typed up and signed a letter that we will be living with her in the near future once we get an immigrant visa for my husband. Everything seems good so far, just need to translate my foreign proof of address, hopefully it'll be fine in the end!

Edited September 25, 2016 by millefleur

[kellyh 27]

If helps, my husband added me to his WellsFargo account earlier this month when I visited. We just submitted our I-130 packet, so I do not have any SSN, or any US ID. All they asked was for my passport and a current credit card that showed my name which had to match my passport. Took about 5-10 mins.

[millefleur 5,035]

If helps, my husband added me to his WellsFargo account earlier this month when I visited. We just submitted our I-130 packet, so I do not have any SSN, or any US ID. All they asked was for my passport and a current credit card that showed my name which had to match my passport. Took about 5-10 mins.

Good idea! I'll definitely send them our I-130 as well, hadn't thought about that.