RFE: lack of proof of joint finances. Help!!!

[BrilliantBrunette 0]

My RFE reads: the conditional permanent resident provided some evidence of marital bone fides....the submitted information does not support joint finances for the past 2 years.

I sent the 2011 tax return because we had not filed the 2012 tax return yet at the time I submitted the I-751.

So the only additional documentation I can send is the 2012 tax return - but surely that won't be enough?

My husband is a student, and we don't have joint finances. We have no joint bank accounts, joint insurance of any kind (I was not added to his car insurance because he thought that may cause his insurance payments to increase), no credit card together, no loans etc.

I explained the jist of it in my cover letter, that we'll be looking at getting a new car soon and that I will be added to the insurance for that car. I explained that my husband lost his retirement soon after I moved to the US, and I am therefore not eligible for joint health insurance anymore.

Does anyone have any advice? I can't just send the 2012 tax return and a jointly signed letter explaining our separate finances again, can I?

[Cheezees 1,514]

In preparation for removing conditions, you and your husband chose NOT to have joint finances? He "thought" the insurance "may" go up? Having no evidence was the preferable outcome?

I wish you the best but I'm not sure what you can do. You just don't have what they are asking for.

[Teddy B 17,251]

Do you have anything from this list? If so, you can and should use it.

1. A deed, showing co-ownership of your property or a lease agreement with both of your names on the
lease. 2. Utility bills, credit card bills, and other types of bills which have both of your names on them. Since many utilities will only put a bill in one person's name, some bills in one name and other bills at the same address but in the other spouse's name serve the same purpose: showing your financial & social lives intermingled. 3. Copies of actual credit cards, health insurance cards, or other "joint" cards that you have together,
showing same account number. 4. Car, health, or life insurance that has both of your names on the policy or the other spouse listed as the
beneficiary. 5. 401K or other retirement plan with spouse listed as beneficiary (right to survivorship is the technical term) 6. Bank or stock accounts with both of your names on them. 7. A copy of your joint tax returns. Tax transcripts from the IRS are still the preferred method. 8. A car title or other titles to property showing joint ownership with your spouse. 9. Birth certificate of any children that have been born to your marriage. 10. Documentation of any vacations that you have taken, including flight itineraries, hotel bills, pictures of you
together on vacation. 11. Other family pictures of you together. 12. Documentary proof showing evidence of your children together (Copy of Birth Certificate, photos, etc) 13. Copies of Christmas cards and other holiday cards addressed to you both

You should have read the guide on this site for what would be needed to remove conditions: http://www.visajourney.com/content/751guide

Edited August 13, 2013 by Teddy B

[BrilliantBrunette 0]

Teddy B, thank you very much for your response! I had already read the guide you linked to, but already knew that unfortunately many things wouldn't apply to our case.

I did send a lease agreement with both of our names, also sent electric bills with both names on it, and a very extensive affidavit from our landlord, which is my husband's mother. We live on a family estate (also explained by my mother in law's affidavit), so they cover the other utilities. I think the USCIS has no further questions on our cohabitation, because the RFE does not mention anything lack of evidence of cohabitation.

If I just send them the 2012 tax return, surely going in for an interview would be the next step, which I have no issue with if that helps resolve this. Has anyone else been in the same shoes of having very little evidence for joint finances?

Cheezees, I think there is no place for snooty sarcasm on a support forum. That's all I can say to that.

[J e n n y 26]

Teddy B, thank you very much for your response! I had already read the guide you linked to, but already knew that unfortunately many things wouldn't apply to our case.

I did send a lease agreement with both of our names, also sent electric bills with both names on it, and a very extensive affidavit from our landlord, which is my husband's mother. We live on a family estate (also explained by my mother in law's affidavit), so they cover the other utilities. I think the USCIS has no further questions on our cohabitation, because the RFE does not mention anything lack of evidence of cohabitation.

If I just send them the 2012 tax return, surely going in for an interview would be the next step, which I have no issue with if that helps resolve this. Has anyone else been in the same shoes of having very little evidence for joint finances?

Cheezees, I think there is no place for snooty sarcasm on a support forum. That's all I can say to that.

Our joint finances evidence didn't cover 2 years so I think that was a reason we also got an RFE. I would just explain everything again and brace for an interview. That's when you will be able to prove that you guys are married for real. Please let us know what happens and I do hope they approve without needing to go through an interview.

Best wishes.

[BrilliantBrunette 0]

Our joint finances evidence didn't cover 2 years so I think that was a reason we also got an RFE. I would just explain everything again and brace for an interview. That's when you will be able to prove that you guys are married for real. Please let us know what happens and I do hope they approve without needing to go through an interview.

Best wishes.

Thank you, looks like we're in the same boat. I feel silly writing a whole novel explaining our finances, but I guess that's what I'll do. I have no issues with going in for an interview at all if that's what it comes down to.

I'll keep you updated and best wished to you as well!

[Navyk 78]

Thank you, looks like we're in the same boat. I feel silly writing a whole novel explaining our finances, but I guess that's what I'll do. I have no issues with going in for an interview at all if that's what it comes down to.

I'll keep you updated and best wished to you as

Cheer up - interview is not bad and almost all genuine marriages breeze through. When documentary evidence is lacking, interview is the best option left for USCIS to ascertain the facts.