AOS from an F1 Visa for my (new) Wife

[deerefanatic 0]

My Wife and I were married on 7/7/18. Now we are beginning to look into next steps to get her permanent residency.

 

She came here for college on an F1 visa from Uganda in August last year. We met for the first time a couple months later. She elected to change her surname to mine when we filled out the marriage license. We now have 2 certified copies of our marriage license in-hand. So I have a few questions:

 

1: Will she need to get her Uganda passport updated with her changed name before we file for Adjustment of status?

2: She doesn't have an SSN, so my credit union refuses to add her to my bank accounts. Should we plan to open accounts at another bank to prove co-habitation? We are going to be taking out a student loan for her 2018-19 college, so that should count too shouldn't it? (I have to cosign since she doesn't have an ssn)

 

Thanks for any guidance you can give us.

[aznhouston 124]

1. Doesn't matter. The form will ask for other name used. Put the old one there.

2. You can open bank accounts without an SSN.

[deerefanatic 0]

Last question, in order to claim her on my taxes, we need to have either an SSN or ITIN. If we process a request with the IRS for an ITIN, will it mess things up later?

[little immigrant 800]

7 minutes ago, deerefanatic said:

Last question, in order to claim her on my taxes, we need to have either an SSN or ITIN. If we process a request with the IRS for an ITIN, will it mess things up later?

As long as you don't apply for credit cards with the ITIN it should be fine. My husband used his ITIN for taxes and as soon as he got his SSN I put that on our credit card and now he has a credit file and a record in the public system. The ITIN never showed up in the public system but the SSN now does. Hope this helps.

[NancyLyz 58]

1 hour ago, deerefanatic said:

My Wife and I were married on 7/7/18. Now we are beginning to look into next steps to get her permanent residency.

 

She came here for college on an F1 visa from Uganda in August last year. We met for the first time a couple months later. She elected to change her surname to mine when we filled out the marriage license. We now have 2 certified copies of our marriage license in-hand. So I have a few questions:

 

1: Will she need to get her Uganda passport updated with her changed name before we file for Adjustment of status?

2: She doesn't have an SSN, so my credit union refuses to add her to my bank accounts. Should we plan to open accounts at another bank to prove co-habitation? We are going to be taking out a student loan for her 2018-19 college, so that should count too shouldn't it? (I have to cosign since she doesn't have an ssn)

 

Thanks for any guidance you can give us.

1. No the passport doesn't need to be updated before the filing. You can wait until you receive EAD/AP then she can update her passport for traveling.

2. Opening a checking or a saving account doesn't need SSN. There are a lot more other documents you can submit as proof, such as utility bills, rental agreements, insurance policy statements, etc.

12 minutes ago, deerefanatic said:

Last question, in order to claim her on my taxes, we need to have either an SSN or ITIN. If we process a request with the IRS for an ITIN, will it mess things up later?

By next year April, she should receive her SSN and combo card via AOS (if you file soon) so I'd say wait until she gets her SSN then claim her on your taxes.

[Nouchigang 200]

Hello,

 

I agree with what everybody else said. Also Bank of America should let you guys open an account even if she doesnt have a SSN yet, it could be an option.

Good luck