You can try a Wells Fargo branch now, but your strongest route is to align your SSA record with a current married-name DHS photo ID before reapplying.
“I entered the US on a K1 visa and got my SSN in my maiden name, which matches my passport. I recently got married, took my husband's surname, and applied for Adjustment of Status under my married name. My proof of address (USCIS notices) is in my married name, but Chase Bank rejected my application due to the name mismatch, even though I offered my marriage certificate. Where or how can I open a US bank account despite this name discrepancy?”
Summary
Federal rules expressly allow passport information for a non-U.S. customer, but banks use risk-based verification and may decline when the two names cannot be connected. Chase’s decision therefore does not mean every bank will reach the same result.
You have an immediate branch option and two SSA routes, depending on whether your current I-94 is still valid.
Wells Fargo’s published branch checklist allows a passport as primary ID and a signed Social Security card as secondary ID; it also requires your SSN or ITIN and may require separate proof of address in your name. Bring those originals, your original or certified marriage certificate, and the married-name USCIS notices, disclose both names immediately, and request an in-branch identity review. Federal rules permit documentary and non-documentary verification, but Wells does not publish a promise to accept this mixed-name package (Wells Fargo branch ID checklist; 31 CFR 1020.220(a)(2)(ii)-(iii)).
If your K-1 I-94 is still unexpired, submit free Form SS-5 with your passport, current I-94, and original or custodian-certified marriage certificate. SSA’s marriage rules allow the new surname when it can be derived from the marriage document, and an additional identity document may be in your prior name if the marriage document lacks sufficient biographical data (Form SS-5; SSA POMS RM 10212.015(D) and RM 10212.055).
If the I-94 has expired and you have only an AOS receipt, wait for Form I-766 or I-551 because Form SS-5 rejects a receipt in place of a current immigration document. If you requested a Social Security card through Form I-765 or I-485, sends data to SSA only after USCIS approves that form; SSA says to follow up if the card has not arrived 14 days after you receive the DHS document (Form SS-5, p. 2; SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)).
This does not solve the verification problem at Wells Fargo because every joint owner must provide the two required IDs (Wells Fargo branch ID checklist).
None of these sources guarantees approval by a bank while your documents show different names.
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Watch out for
Next steps
These steps create a clear chain from your maiden-name passport and SSN to your married-name immigration record.
First
Identify which SSA branch applies
If your I-94 is still unexpired, proceed with the SSA correction now. If it has expired and you do not yet have Form I-766 or I-551, do not rely on an I-485 or I-765 receipt notice: Form SS-5 requires a current, unexpired DHS document and expressly rejects a receipt showing that you applied for one.
Requirements
If the I-94 is unexpired
File Form SS-5 with SSA
Start at https://www.ssa.gov/number-card or complete the paper form at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. For in-person service, make an appointment through https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. The correction is free; SSA requires originals or custodian-certified documents, and Form SS-5 asks for an address where you can receive the replacement card 7 to 14 days later.
Requirements
If the I-94 has expired
Use approval-based SSA processing if necessary
If you requested an SSN card through Form I-765 or I-485, sends your data to SSA only after USCIS approves that form. If no card arrives 14 days after you receive the approved DHS document, make an SSA appointment; if you did not request the card on the USCIS form, file free Form SS-5 using the new I-766 or I-551 as your current immigration document.
Requirements
Now if urgent, or after SSA updates the name
Present the complete package at a Wells Fargo branch
Use the branch route described at https://www.wellsfargo.com/checking/everyday/identification-required-to-open/. State both names at the beginning and request an in-person identity review: Wells lists a passport as primary ID and a signed Social Security card as secondary ID, but it does not promise that the marriage certificate or USCIS notice will resolve a mixed-name application. If the bank still cannot verify you, wait for the married-name EAD or green card and corrected SSA card, then reapply with the matching package.
Requirements
Legal sources
This answer is based on the current eCFR bank-identification rule, SSA’s Form SS-5 and operating instructions, and Wells Fargo’s published branch checklist.
31 CFR 1020.220
A non-U.S. person may use passport information, but each bank applies risk-based verification and may refuse an account when it cannot verify identity.
(a)(2)(i)(A)(4)(ii), (a)(2)(ii)-(iii)
The CIP must include risk-based procedures for verifying the identity of each customer to the extent reasonable and practicable. For a non-U.S. person, one or more of the following: A taxpayer identification number; passport number and country of issuance; alien identification card number; or number and country of issuance of any other government-issued document evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard. The CIP must include procedures for responding to circumstances in which the bank cannot form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of a customer.
Form SS-5 (12-2024)
Form SS-5 establishes the free filing process, original-document rule, current immigration-document requirement, and expected mailing window.
pages 1-3
Applying for a Social Security Card is free! We can only accept original documents or documents certified by the custodian of the original record. You must provide a current unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing your immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766. We CANNOT accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. Show an address where you can receive your card 7 to 14 days from now.
SSA POMS RM 10212.055
SSA can derive a married surname from an acceptable marriage document, subject to its identity-evidence rules.
RM 10212.055(B)
Evidence of the name change event, the new name, and identity is required to process a name change based on a marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership event. Accept a name change document based on marriage, civil union or domestic partnership as evidence of the new name to be shown on the card, if the new name can be derived from the document.
SSA POMS RM 10212.015
This gives the two-year and biographical-data test for using the marriage document as identity and explains the fallback evidence.
RM 10212.015(D)
The name change document can also serve as an acceptable identity document for a name change if it is not a birth certificate and: the name change event occurred within the past two years (if under age 18, within the past 4 years), and the document has the number holder’s prior name and biographical information such as age, date of birth, or parents’ names, which matches the data on the latest Numident record. If the name change event document does not meet both criteria the applicant must submit an identity document in addition to the name change document.
SSA FAQ KA-01981
SSA says to report a legal marriage name change and explains how to start or arrange an in-person appointment.
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, or court order or need to correct your name for other reasons, you must tell us. This way you can get a replacement Social Security number (SSN) card with your correct legal name. If you need in-person help, you must make an appointment at your local Social Security office or Card Center.
SSA POMS RM 10205.700
Requesting an SSN card through I-765 or I-485 does not trigger SSA processing until USCIS approves the form.
RM 10205.700(C)
SSA receives EBE enumeration data after USCIS approves the Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), or Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). Applicants should receive an SSN card after 14 days of receiving the DHS document.
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking branch ID checklist
Wells Fargo publicly lists a passport as primary ID, a signed Social Security card as secondary ID, and separate address-proof requirements for branch applications.
To open this account at a branch, you'll need to: Know your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Have two forms of identification (a primary and secondary ID). One primary ID (original version) State-issued or U.S territory driver's license State-issued or U.S territory ID card Passport U.S. Armed Forces ID Permanent resident card Employment authorization card Border Crossing Card Tribal Identification issued by a federally recognized U.S. tribal government Consular card issued by Colombia, Guatemala, or Mexico El Salvador Documento Unico do Identidad (DUI) card Canadian driver's license or ID card issued in English (Quebec-issued IDs are not accepted). Plus a secondary ID (original version) Any ID that's acceptable as a primary ID ATM, credit, or debit card Employee ID Student ID Social Security card (signed) Birth certificate (original or certified copy for minors only) ID issued by a recognized business, education institution, or government agency (domestic or foreign).
Wells Fargo checking requirements
Wells Fargo’s checking page states the amount needed as an opening deposit.
$25 opening deposit
These are the official rules and issuer requirements as published on the cited dates; rules and account terms can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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