Review of Evidence

[Saylin 1,605]

So, my ROC package is due in about one month and I was hoping I can get some feedback on the evidence I'm planning to submit.

Besides the money order, form, and copies of the front and back of my green card, this is what I was planning on sending for evidence:

-tax transcripts for 2010, 2011, 2012 (filed all three as Married Filing Jointly)

-copy of driver's licenses showing common address

-copy of car insurance ID card from 2010 when my name was first added

-most recent statement of car insurance showing both our names listed

-statement of my husband's 2013 benefit package from work, listing me as a dependent, as well as the beneficiary of his life insurance

-copy of our lease agreement from 2 years ago of our still current apartment (although I wasn't there to sign it, my name is still listed on it)

-recent screenshot of our internet provider account listing me as a "user", along with my husband (my name can't be added to the bill, so this was the next best thing)

-phone bill statement from January 2013 listing both our names

-car title from May 2012 showing both our names (I'm the only one that drives the car as my husband has his own, but my name's not on that one)

-college acceptance letter and unofficial school transcript (to show I've established myself here in town)

-about 15 photos of my husband and I, with friends or family or other occasions

I'm also going to have 1 affidavit from our friends (who also went through this immigration process from Canada) who we see every few months as they only live about 2 hours away. I'm also planning on asking my husband's uncle, whom we stayed with when we first married in 2010 and moved to this town. Plus, he's actually one of my teachers at the college here in town, so I was thinking he could add a paragraph about that in his affidavit. I'm also thinking of asking another mutual friend that we met on a video game (yay for World of Warcraft) and actually visited twice in person over the last 2 years.

We tried having my name listed on our utility bill, but they only allow one name Although, I have been sending my husband money for utilities (as he pays all of the rent), so I can get a screenshot of my bank account showing the last 6 transfers, but I'm not sure if this is good evidence or not. And as we have a family phone plan (and the entire bill comes out of his account), I also send him the portion of my phone bill and can get a screenshot of the last 11 transactions. But again, not sure if this is good evidence or not.

We don't have any joint bank accounts (hence why I send him payments for my portion of the phone bill as well as utilities). He's a spender and I'm a saver, so I'd rather keep separate bank accounts, otherwise my measly income will be spent very quickly And this is what I'm worried about the most: no joint bank accounts. I was thinking we could at least add each other's names on to each other's accounts, as well as being listed as beneficiary in case of death. Thoughts?

Any other suggestions are welcome. I know each case is different, and I'm sure there have been people approved without having any joint bank accounts, but it makes me nervous regardless...

[Beth and John 7]

I noticed a few times you mentioned that you send your husband money. Do you not live together?

[Saylin 1,605]

I noticed a few times you mentioned that you send your husband money. Do you not live together?

Yup, we live together, since I moved here. The reason I send money is because we don't have joint bank accounts, everything (rent, internet, phone, utilities) is taken out of his account as he got everything set up in his name before I moved here. So I pay my portion of the phone bill and car insurance, as well as cover utilities.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think you should have set up joint accounts long ago, even if they were only joint in name. You can have one and he can have one, but you have access to both. This protects you in case anything happens (even something like an accident).

But, for immigration, that window has passed. Any evidence made now will not count for much. They want to see these things over the course of your marriage, not just made now.

Do you not have health insurance?

Have you taken any trips together, and have any travel docs?

They don't care if you are established in town, so you do't need the college letter.

Edited April 9, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Saylin 1,605]

I think you should have set up joint accounts long ago, even if they were only joint in name. You can have one and he can have one, but you have access to both. This protects you in case anything happens (even something like an accident).

But, for immigration, that window has passed. Any evidence made now will not count for much. They want to see these things over the course of your marriage, not just made now.

Do you not have health insurance?

Have you taken any trips together, and have any travel docs?

They don't care if you are established in town, so you do't need the college letter.

Yes, I realised we probably should have made a separate joint account, but like you said, it's a little too late now.

I had health insurance through my employer, but it just ended a week ago, so I'm currently without. We're looking into adding me under my husband's.

We've only really taken 2 trips (if I recall correctly) together since I moved here. One was to Minneapolis with his grandmother to visit the Mall of America. I'm including a picture of the three of us together. The second trip was to Seattle. Although, he was going for work (so his flight and the hotel were paid completely by his work), and I was merely tagging along, so I had to take a cheaper, different flight, so no common travel itineraries/boarding passes. I am including a photo of the both of us together from the trip though as that's all I have.

I have a friend who suggested the school transcript and letter to show I've established as that's what she sent for her ROC package.

[Sandra G. 5,043]

school transcript does not show bonafide marriage at all, forget about that.You have enough proof, just send your bank statement spanning the past 2 years and his bank statement as well showing same address.

[Saylin 1,605]

school transcript does not show bonafide marriage at all, forget about that.You have enough proof, just send your bank statement spanning the past 2 years and his bank statement as well showing same address.

I know the school transcript doesn't show bona fide evidence. My friend suggested it to show proof of establishing here in town. But Harpa mentioned above they don't care about that, so.

I can definitely send bank statements though from both of us showing the same address.

[Darnell 8,478]

if the school transcripts SHOW that common address, is ok la.

That's sorta strange about the utility bills, you betcha.

For future reference? When making a joint account, is quite possible (with the bank) to set limits, - where only one person can handle up to a certain amount WITHOUT the approval of the 2nd person - so if limit to 20 bucks solo, for example, he's only spending 20 bucks at a time without yer legal consent.

[Saylin 1,605]

if the school transcripts SHOW that common address, is ok la.

That's sorta strange about the utility bills, you betcha.

For future reference? When making a joint account, is quite possible (with the bank) to set limits, - where only one person can handle up to a certain amount WITHOUT the approval of the 2nd person - so if limit to 20 bucks solo, for example, he's only spending 20 bucks at a time without yer legal consent.

Nope, the school transcript is an unofficial one and simply shows my grades, no address.

Yeah, I found the utility bill thing strange too. Maybe it's a South Dakota thing

Didn't know you could set limits on joint accounts

[apple21 953]

You sending money to your husband to pay off your share of the utility bills is kinda weird. Don't you think the IO will somehow misinterpret that?

[Saylin 1,605]

You sending money to your husband to pay off your share of the utility bills is kinda weird. Don't you think the IO will somehow misinterpret that?

That's what I was thinking, so I'm hesitant to send that proof. But as we don't have a joint account, that's the only way I can contribute to bills, by sending my husband money.

[Darnell 8,478]

maybe is wrong label? maybe instead of 'sending' - is really a 'transfer', instead?

[Saylin 1,605]

maybe is wrong label? maybe instead of 'sending' - is really a 'transfer', instead?

I think you're right

[TBoneTX 45,090]

Your evidence sounds pretty good now, si man. How about drawing up some wills, medical powers of attorney, et al.?

[Pitaya 2,577]

Your evidence sounds pretty good now, si man. How about drawing up some wills, medical powers of attorney, et al.?

I agree with TBone, si man. I think that you are good to go. His idea of wills and POAs warrant your consideration...

Good luck!