How to Add Authorized User to Accounts

[Harmonia 211]

My fiance is an international student. He doesn't have a SSN. He will graduate soon and have OPT. We are planning to get married in the summer and file AOS. How can I add him to my accounts now? Does he need to get an ITIN? I tried adding him to a credit card, but they wanted a SSN/ITIN and I didn't know what to say. Thanks! 

 

Also, I own my own home. He isn't on the mortgage. I plan to add him to my homeowners insurance. Any other tips to show we live together? We have the same address on our license, and I'm going to add him to utility bills. Our cars are registered at the same address. We don't share car insurance because my broker said we need to get married first to combine policies.  

Edited December 27, 2022 by Harmonia

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

Tell them to pound sand. The only ones who need an SSN or ITIN is the IRS. Everybody else can work with a placeholder. So you can either try and escalate it till you find a supervisor who knows how to do it or go to a different bank that will work with you.

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from AOS from Work/Student/Tourist Visas forum to Your New Life In America forum -- topic is about getting evidence of shared residence/finances prior to marriage ***

 

[JeanneAdil 6,562]

We don't share car insurance because my broker said we need to get married first to combine policies.  

 

Never  heard of such a thing

when i broke both wrists my neighbor used my car to take me to PT and i added her (temporrary) as a user (driver ) of my vechicle

any household member can be on your auto insurance

 

try a different insurance agency

[Harmonia 211]

52 minutes ago, Letspaintcookies said:

Tell them to pound sand. The only ones who need an SSN or ITIN is the IRS. Everybody else can work with a placeholder. So you can either try and escalate it till you find a supervisor who knows how to do it or go to a different bank that will work with you.

When I try to add him online, it says "We need to verify their SSN to securely provide them with online access. We may use SSNs to more accurately identify cardholders, report information and service accounts."

 

I have my checking, savings, and 3 credit cards with this bank (Capital One). Won't it look bad to open a new account just to add him? Surely I'm not the only person who has wanted to add an authorized user without a SSN before.

[Chancy 6,241]

2 minutes ago, Harmonia said:

Surely I'm not the only person who has wanted to add an authorized user without a SSN before.

 

Those other people opened accounts in banks or signed up for credit cards that do not require SSN/ITIN for authorized users.  I've seen recommendations for Bank of America and Wells Fargo, but have no personal experience with those banks.

 

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

You can either wait till he gets a SSN or you open a new bank account with a bank that will work with you. These are your options. 

[TBoneTX 45,543]

It sometimes helps to go in person to banks, because it's harder to say "no" to someone who's right across the desk from you.

 

Smaller/regional banks may be more flexible than some of the national chains, but, as mentioned, some of the national chains may be more flexible than other national chains.  Be persistent, and you'll find one that wants your business.

[Beth & Achraf 328]

21 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Those other people opened accounts in banks or signed up for credit cards that do not require SSN/ITIN for authorized users.  I've seen recommendations for Bank of America and Wells Fargo, but have no personal experience with those banks.

 

Capital One did it for us long , long ago

[Verrou 1,962]

i did open my checking account in Bank of America just using my passport back in 2017. i dont even have SS back then

[top_secret 2,451]

On 12/27/2022 at 1:28 PM, Harmonia said:

When I try to add him online, it says "We need to verify their SSN to securely provide them with online access. We may use SSNs to more accurately identify cardholders, report information and service accounts."

 

I have my checking, savings, and 3 credit cards with this bank (Capital One). Won't it look bad to open a new account just to add him? Surely I'm not the only person who has wanted to add an authorized user without a SSN before.

 

 

Capital One has two levels of authorized users.  For "Account Managers" with online access they require a Social Security number or ITIN.  For "Authorized Users" (without online access)  The SS# is optional.  Either type of authorized user will be listed on the statement.

 

That is specific to Capital One. "Most" other banks allow you to skip the SS number for authorized users.  Generally all they need is a name and birth date.