ironporer

Went to open uo a checking account yesterday at the subject bank here in Birmingham, only to find out that Mrs. IP's greencard was not on the list of ID documents acceptable to them to prove who she is? Anyone else had this problem? As she does not drive, I guess we will have to take a day and get her an AL ID Card. Sure hope they take a GC!!

AlienUk

What about her passport?

Just Jenney

Is it possible that they call it something else, like the I-551 card? I find it strange that a permanent resident card can be used to fulfill the I-9 employment verification form but isn't considered sufficient identification to open a bank account. Maybe you should try another branch or even another bank altogether.

~ Jenney

Jerseygirl

I thinks it's because most Americans have never seen a GC...they have no reason to.

Noorah101

I agree, her passport should be sufficient ID to open a bank account.

Rene

penguinsix

Each bank is different. It might be that while it is sufficient to prove who she is, it is not sufficient to prove where she is living. They might need something with address, like a utility bill or drivers license or lease or state ID card (if she isn't driving).

Or it could be they don't know the procedure. There is a WIKI on the issue surrounding IDs and bank accounts....well, there was but the WIKI is messed up now.

ironporer

A US passport would have been accepted...but she does not have one yet.

He read the entire list of acceptable docs, everything from Birth Cert to Military ID...no I-551, no nada.

Rete

I can understand why it would not be accepted as it would appear that they want what is considered "normal" photo identification. Doesn't she have a state driver's license and/or a state identification.

dbj1000

Did you read any of the thread before posting your pointless defense of the bank?

I'm sure you feel that this board really needs someone to speak up for the American side of things that people complain about. It would just help if you put a little thought into your posts, or even read the thread you were replying to.

For the record, the three banks I've done business with recently all accepted a Green Card (I-551) as official photo ID. The fact that Regions Bank won't isn't "understandable", it's just another random bullshit rule which inconveniences someone who's already jumped through most of the USCIS hoops.

NC Penguin

If I were you IP, I'd take yours and your wife's business elsewhere. Clearly, Regions Bank isn't that interested in legitimate customers.

Brit3964

Even Circuit City accept a "government issued ID" for web order pickup! I'd take my business elsewhere if Regions insisted a GC isn't acceptable.

ironporer

With 20 million or so immigrants here, one would think that it is much more "normal" than say a Military ID (of which there would only be 3 million or so) or even a US Passport (not many would ever use that as their ID). My only answer is that being as there are so many fake greencards, they might not want to use them.

Another reason it's high time that the federal government come up with a National ID card wich also would serve to proove citizenship, or legal resident status.

Amywen

Try one of the larger banks. I work for one of the 5 largest banks in the U.S. and we do accept green cards as a valid form of photo ID. The banker may not be familiar with the card, especially depending on the branch location. If they are unsure you can kindly suggest they call their retail help number.

Most banks do accept a green card (even though they don't know to call it that) as valid photo ID, but you would need a secondary ID as well, such as a major credit card, state ID, or driver's licence, or work ID. I would strongly suggest getting a state ID or DL since that would work as a primary ID type on its own.

The policy varies from bank to bank, but bankers are nervous about ID types due to PATRIOT Act violations. They'd rather deny a valid ID form than accept one that isn't and keep their job.

U.S. Bank even accepts Canadian driver's licences as a valid primary ID type. I wish I had known that years ago so I could have opened my first US account sooner.

elfman

but they take driver licences - and of course nobody ever fakes those

ian1976

My wife was told at Trader Jo's when she bought some liquor that they weren't supposed to accept her GC as proof of age!! Apparantly they are told to use STATE issued ID only! Needless to say both her and the cashier laughed it off and the liquor was purchased.