Adding spouse name to assets, bills etc.. for AOS

[journeyman 0]

I would like to know if the SSN is required by any Banks or Utility companies.

My fiancee does NOT have the SSN yet, I was wondering if I could add her name to the following items to prove a bonafide relationship.

*********************************************

1. House (currently I'm the only owner)

2. Bank Accounts (Wells Fargo)

3. Stock Trading Account (E*Trade)

*********************************************

4. Cable Bill

5. Utility bills

6. Land-line Phone Bill

7. Cellular Phone Bill (get her a new one as well)

8. Any other items if you can suggest.

*********************************************

Thanks.

[Sand 5]

how about water bill ?

[Cécy 44]

Banks usually request a SSN, but then again it depends on your bank. Call them and see what they say for a joint account.

Utility bills: usually not a problem, just call them to have her name added.

Now, I just checked your timeline, you have plenty of time. Are you even married yet? You came on a K1, so the proof of bona fide marriage are only going to be requested at the interview. So breathe, get married, apply for SSN and then worry about the rest later.

[TracyTN 237]

All I will say about banks - everyone avoid Regions bank like grim death. They nearly want a blood sample from LEGAL immigrants (even to add them to existing USC's accounts...

[kim&james 0]

1. house can be put on title without SSN. At least here in Alabama, you might want to check with your state.

2. bank accounts vary check with your bank.

Most Utilities require SSN.

[Jashley820 0]

Our bank required a SSN to be added, but everything else I was added to did not. Here's a rundown of what I've been added to (very easily)

- Cable Bill

- Water Bill

- Eye, Medical, and Dental benefits

- Costco Membership

- Blockbuster Membership

- AMEX

- Home Depot Card

- Macy's Card

- Car Insurance

When my hubby called the cable company, they mailed us a "name change" form that we had to fill out. After that, my name was added. For everything else, he just called the customer service phone numbers and all they asked for was my name and date of birth.

Hope that helps! I know that companies in each region do things differently, but hopefully this will give you some ideas.

Good luck!

[journeyman 0]

So once the name is added to the accounts, does it SHOW up on the bills or NOT ?

I just talked to DirecTv and added my fiancee's name, the operator could NOT tell me for sure if it would appear on the monthly bill. She just said the new name will be associated with the account. What good does it do if we are unable to see it on the bill ?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would like to know if the SSN is required by any Banks or Utility companies.

My fiancee does NOT have the SSN yet, I was wondering if I could add her name to the following items to prove a bonafide relationship.

*********************************************

1. House (currently I'm the only owner)

2. Bank Accounts (Wells Fargo)

3. Stock Trading Account (E*Trade)

*********************************************

4. Cable Bill

5. Utility bills

6. Land-line Phone Bill

7. Cellular Phone Bill (get her a new one as well)

8. Any other items if you can suggest.

*********************************************

Thanks.

Good question. We went to the local Social Security office after the recommended 2 weeks waiting time (for her to be in the system) and applied for a SS# number. It arrived in the mail with about a week later. From there, my wife was able to order cable tv and internet under her name.

We tried to add her to my credit union account, but they won't allow anyone without some form of U.S. picture ID. We should've applied for a CA state ID while her I-94 was still valid (within the 90 days). Although it would have an expiration date identical to the I-94, it would have allowed us to add her to the CU account.

I haven't tried adding her to my electric or water bill, but that is a good idea. I was able to add her to my Costco account, but it shows her maiden name.

[igomo 0]

Here in NJ I added myself to phone/cable/electric bill. I could add to water/etc but there's no need. My lawyer says that there is such a thing as too much evidence (some would argue the opposite though).

I'm also on her health insurance... and once I get a SS we'll open a joint account and use it to pay bills. My lawyer says that a joint account with no activity is meaningless.

My wife owns the house and I would not feel comfortable having my name on the deed. It was left to her by her parents and it's up to her who she wants to leave it to if she passes away.

['my_destiny' 0]

I would like to know if the SSN is required by any Banks or Utility companies.

My fiancee does NOT have the SSN yet, I was wondering if I could add her name to the following items to prove a bonafide relationship.

*********************************************

1. House (currently I'm the only owner)

2. Bank Accounts (Wells Fargo)

3. Stock Trading Account (E*Trade)

*********************************************

4. Cable Bill

5. Utility bills

6. Land-line Phone Bill

7. Cellular Phone Bill (get her a new one as well)

8. Any other items if you can suggest.

*********************************************

Thanks.

When my husband add me as signatury to his checking account, the bank asked for my SSN and passport. They said that it is for verification purposes. They have a system that every clients should have SSN and either passport and Driver's licence.

About other bills, I called them and asked if they can add my name. Some asked for my SSN and some dont.

[Jashley820 0]

So once the name is added to the accounts, does it SHOW up on the bills or NOT ?

I just talked to DirecTv and added my fiancee's name, the operator could NOT tell me for sure if it would appear on the monthly bill. She just said the new name will be associated with the account. What good does it do if we are unable to see it on the bill ?

Both of our names show up on the cable bill and the water bill.

As for our credit cards (AX, Macys, HD) both names aren't on the bill. At the interview you actually bring the cards/photocopies of the cards as well as an example of a statement outlining the charges that both of you have made using those cards. The IO will see that it's a joint card, your mutual address, and charges made by both of you in the same city. It goes a long way in proving a bonafide marriage!

Same goes for Costco, car insurance, blockbuster, etc...just bring in your cards or a renewal notice or something to show that you're both on the account.

Point is, you both don't necesarily have to be listed on the bill per se. The fact that she's on the account and has a card with her name on it is a good thing!

Edited September 8, 2007 by Jashley820

[Leney 0]

We have had a terrible time getting both our names on bills, people think it's an odd request as, most normal households don't do it - Penelec won't do it, our local water company won't even consider it (hell they still haven't changed it from my maiden name despite numerous requests), HSBC won't issue joint statements, Embarq won't do it, all we have are individual bills that come to our home, our joint checking account, and his HSBC card on my credit card account.

I was told for a joint checking account, as long as it's non-interest baring, they are not required to have your social security number, even though most times they want it, and insist you have it. Ours allowed us to get our joint checking account established before the SSN was issued because of this.

[ausqueen 0]

We have had a terrible time getting both our names on bills, people think it's an odd request as, most normal households don't do it - Penelec won't do it, our local water company won't even consider it (hell they still haven't changed it from my maiden name despite numerous requests), HSBC won't issue joint statements, Embarq won't do it, all we have are individual bills that come to our home, our joint checking account, and his HSBC card on my credit card account.

I was told for a joint checking account, as long as it's non-interest baring, they are not required to have your social security number, even though most times they want it, and insist you have it. Ours allowed us to get our joint checking account established before the SSN was issued because of this.

As far as banks go, someone said it varies. Well... WAMU in California allowed us joint account without my SSN. Only... I couldn't put my married name. Have to change that once I get SSN. But I am a signatory, have my card, statements come in both names.

[athena_ny 1]

We opened bank accounts together - Bank of America said they didn't need an SSN, but then send us a letter telling us they were closing the account account if they didn't get it (which is fine, I'm going to close it anyway). Achieva Credit Union wasn't an issue, he already had his SSN and green card ... but as for the other bills - getting the power company to open an account in his name (long story, power was still in his dad's name b/c he'd died) was a nightmare. "Is this SSN really yours, this looks like a fake SS card..." you get the idea. So if he hadn't had one, he'd be SOL. Honestly though, we just put different bills in different people's names, there is no reason to have every. single. bill in both names. I have the cable, he has the power. We both have the water, because that comes with the lease. Cell phone bill is in my name, but clearly shows both numbers. Bank accounts are joint.

All we had at the time of the interview was a letter showing him as my beneficiary on my life insurance, and a dependent on my dental, along with ONE bank statement. She didn't even look at the stuff, and we were approved.

[Magnolia31 0]

My husband added me to the cable, phone, electricity, etc. and they did not ask for my SSN. Same thing with the bank .... well, one bank did ask for it for identity purposes but our other bank only asked for my ID.

As far as the house goes, I did not want to be added because I have bad credit. My husband did add me onto his title for property he has in Florida. Did not need SSN for that either.

I would like to know if the SSN is required by any Banks or Utility companies.

My fiancee does NOT have the SSN yet, I was wondering if I could add her name to the following items to prove a bonafide relationship.

*********************************************

1. House (currently I'm the only owner)

2. Bank Accounts (Wells Fargo)

3. Stock Trading Account (E*Trade)

*********************************************

4. Cable Bill

5. Utility bills

6. Land-line Phone Bill

7. Cellular Phone Bill (get her a new one as well)

8. Any other items if you can suggest.

*********************************************

Thanks.