bank account Help, setting up a new US bank account and need proof of address!!??

[Matt&Savannah 67]

Hi,

 

I've recently moved to the US from the UK on a K1 visa. I'm having a hard time setting up a bank account.

 

I have tried twice to set up an account now and have been denied both times.

 

I've tried setting up an account with Chase bank as it's where my now wife holds an account. The issue I'm having is with proof of address. I've already got my SSN and thought the letter this came with would be good enough to prove my address, but no! I need to have green card status for this to work (apparently).

 

I've been told the one way is to get a utility bill in my name. Me and my wife currently rent a room in an apartment but don't pay the utilities so no hope of adding my name to them. Of course I cannot have utilities of my own out here without a bank account. I thought about paying for an expensive phone contract but as im new to the country and cannot work yet I really dont have much use for a phone.

 

Any advice or similar stories out there!?

 

Thank you.

[randomstairs 270]

Do you have your name on the lease? Did you file for EAD? Any official communication with USCIS may help to establish the proof of address. Depending on your state you can apply for ID or DL without having to prove the address (of course, the ID or DL would then be sent to whatever address you state). Once you receive EAD you can find a job and get your bank account through employment. Good luck.

[kiwihurricane15 34]

Dude- I know its not ideal but go to Wells Fargo. I was able to set up an account there BEFORE I even moved to the US on my K1- easy as. They just asked for 2 forms of ID- I presented my passport and overseas credit card and they told me to bring in my SSN when I get it- I did not need to provide ANY proof of address. Simple...I like you had tried other banks and was get frustrated (Capital One).

 

Wells Fargo for sure

Edited May 10, 2018 by kiwihurricane15

[TBoneTX 43,405]

Back when, I got Mrs. T-B. on my account (not at Chase).

I took our marriage certificate to my bank branch.

She didn't even have an SSN yet.

The branch managerette said, "I'm not totally sure, but let me see what HQ says."

It turned out to be OK.  They kept the marriage certificate (= justifies ordering multiple copies).

I'd been with the bank for many years, which might have helped.

 

Sounds to me that you should identify someone in authority at your wife's branch, then approach with "we need your help and ingenuity -- how can we get this done?"

 

Otherwise, shop around for a different bank.  In my intermittent dealings with Chase, I'm finding that they're increasingly inflexible about many things.

 

Later, you can open a combined account with your wife, for ROC purposes if nothing else. 

Or, as the above poster says, try Wells Fargo!

[Lemonslice 4,583]

Your address should be printed on your State ID or driver's license.

[yuna628 9,541]

There should be absolutely no reason that you can't obtain a joint account with your spouse. It would be very beneficial to do so. Are you trying to have your name added to the current account or open your separate account? I would try a joint account first. But either way there is nothing to prevent you. Our bank did not require his SSN or his name on a bill. Our marriage certificate and his passport was sufficient. In my experience Chase is rather... well.. obtuse in dealing with. There are plenty of banks out there that would be more than willing to serve you. If Chase doesn't want your business, it's their loss, and they don't deserve you.

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

10 hours ago, kiwihurricane15 said:

Dude- I know its not ideal but go to Wells Fargo. I was able to set up an account there BEFORE I even moved to the US on my K1- easy as. They just asked for 2 forms of ID- I presented my passport and overseas credit card and they told me to bring in my SSN when I get it- I did not need to provide ANY proof of address. Simple...I like you had tried other banks and was get frustrated (Capital One).

 

Wells Fargo for sure

That's what we did for my wife when she came on a K1 visa. Wells Fargo is not great at all but it is certainly better than nothing.

[Matt&Savannah 67]

Thanks for the replies you guys!!

 

To answer a few points..

 

We first tried to get me added to my wife's account but were told I needed 'proof of address' which I didn't have. We then got my SSN and returned to the bank to see if the letter it was sent with would suffice.. It did not.. Apparently they are more comfortable with a document from a utility company than one from the US government!? So I fear they wont take our USCIS receipt for EAD either!! Perhaps it will be different when we get the marriage certificate?

 

As for my driving licence. I hold a UK license but do not have an american one yet. I can't seem to find out when is the best time to apply for one. I've seen all sorts of stories when it comes to getting a license. Some say you can't get one pre-EAD or even pre-GC, others say you can but will need to renew the license once you get EAD. Can anyone advise me on this? 

 

I think I will follow your advice and try a different bank for my own account in the meantime.

 

[Ashley Scott 180]

We added my husband (then fiancé) to my Wells Fargo account before he even applied for a SSN.  All they needed was two proofs of identification (Passport and Visa or UK drivers license).  It was a really simple process.  Try going there and see if they will get you started. 

Edited May 10, 2018 by Ashley Scott

[yuna628 9,541]

9 minutes ago, Matt&Savannah said:

Thanks for the replies you guys!!

 

To answer a few points..

 

We first tried to get me added to my wife's account but were told I needed 'proof of address' which I didn't have. We then got my SSN and returned to the bank to see if the letter it was sent with would suffice.. It did not.. Apparently they are more comfortable with a document from a utility company than one from the US government!? So I fear they wont take our USCIS receipt for EAD either!! Perhaps it will be different when we get the marriage certificate?

 

As for my driving licence. I hold a UK license but do not have an american one yet. I can't seem to find out when is the best time to apply for one. I've seen all sorts of stories when it comes to getting a license. Some say you can't get one pre-EAD or even pre-GC, others say you can but will need to renew the license once you get EAD. Can anyone advise me on this? 

 

I think I will follow your advice and try a different bank for my own account in the meantime.

 

In general, (at least in my state) you can skip most of the new driver stuff (you know.. hours of training and classes) if you have a valid foreign license, an EAD, and as long as you take the two tests. The license you get is valid for as long as the EAD, but once the GC arrives you can go back in to update it and get a full one. This varies from state to state. Our DMV did require a name on a piece of mail, so having joint name on bank statement would be helpful.

 

In some places you can get a temporary license with a still valid I-94 + the K1, but it is only valid for as long as the I-94 is, making it not very useful.

 

 

[Alabamak1 688]

@Matt&Savannah try a credit Union instead. They follow the same regulations as banks when openning an account and usually more flexible with nonsence, like this you are going through.  Even the postal office here in Alabama from all places had a hard time accepting my Social security envelope with my address to apply for a passport. But, this is ALA-BUBBA...don't get anymore backwoods 

[Matt&Savannah 67]

1 hour ago, yuna628 said:

In general, (at least in my state) you can skip most of the new driver stuff (you know.. hours of training and classes) if you have a valid foreign license, an EAD, and as long as you take the two tests. The license you get is valid for as long as the EAD, but once the GC arrives you can go back in to update it and get a full one. This varies from state to state. Our DMV did require a name on a piece of mail, so having joint name on bank statement would be helpful.

 

In some places you can get a temporary license with a still valid I-94 + the K1, but it is only valid for as long as the I-94 is, making it not very useful.

 

 

Great so I'd probably be better off waiting for my EAD before I get my license then!

[Sarah&Facundo 577]

Chase wouldn't help us at all. We also went to Wells Fargo and we could open a joint account. He has a SSN now, but didn't at the time we opened it.

[Swissmiss82 1,618]

i had the same issue with bank of america! 

it's a bit ridiculous. have to check if we have a wells fargo somewhere close-by and i'll get it there too

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

Wells Fargo. They have a bad rep currently, but overall, are not that bad. I've banked with them since high school and have never had any problems. I've already been able to have my fiancé's name (the beneficiary) added to things, and he isn't even here yet. Our plan is to have him added as a co/joint owner of my established accounts, which we can do without him even having his SSN yet. He'll get his own checks and debit card and everything.

 

As for the general issue of proof of address - I know you said there are no utility bills to add your name to, but is there not a lease or contract of some kind for where you are staying that you can be added to? That's what I've done already - I currently rent a house and added my fiancé's name to the lease at the beginning of this month, since he'll be moving in this month, and we'll add him to my current utility bills too. But the lease/contract should be considered proof of address. I'm sure this isn't the first time someone's been in this situation - some rental complexes/properties include utilities in the rent price, so renters don't have a separate utility bill in every case.