Thinking ahead.........

[khwaidee1 196]

We're about 10 months out and I'm already thinking ahead. We definitely have a loving and bonafide marriage and I want our ROC to go as smoothly as our AOS.

We have been back to see her family 3 times (spent Christmas with them last year) and have all the boarding passes, photos etc. A ton of cards from my parents to us. Photos from trips we've taken since my wife's been here.

For primary evidence we have the following:

1. 2 joint savings accounts

2. 2 joint checking accounts

3. Gas bill in both names

4. Home phone bill in both names

5. Cell phone bill in both names

6. Electric bill in both names

7. California drivers license

8. Added wife to AMEX account and she has her own card

9. Added wife to my health insurance right when she got here

10. She is on the auto insurance policy

11. Water delivery bill in both names

We opened up the first bank accounts right when she got here. Unfortunately they were grouped in on my bank statement which is why we opened additional ones last year that have just our names on it. Most of the joint utility/phone accounts were changed at the end of last year because I hadn't given it much thought and I pay the bills anyway. I bought my wife a car in October however, if I wanted her on the loan/registration we would have gotten a ridiculous interest rate because she has no credit off her SSN which apparently translates to bad credit. I own our home with a mortgage. The lender will not agree to change in title due to the credit issue. Our water/trash can only have one name on the account for whatever reason. My wife starts school next week with a view towards getting a job and has not worked since she got here. I can of course get plenty off affidavits it they would be helpful.

Our K-1 and AOS went so smoothly as we prepared so dilligently and I want the same for the ROC so just looking for any comments/suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[lost_at_sea 995]

I've been doing the same and I've got til 2015. Preparedness, yay!

Do you have 401k plans or life insurance? Having those is good, since you can show the payout beneficiary is your partner. Your list is actually already pretty great.

[atm 8]

Filing your taxes as "married" will also be excellent primary evidence (and including tax return transcripts since your AOS).

With your wife not working, filing "married filing jointly" will more than likely give you a nice tax reduction.

[khwaidee1 196]

I do have a 401K and hadn't even thought of making her the beneficiary, good idea! Also have a life insurance policy through our credit union.

We filed "married filing jointly" for 2012 and will do the same for 2013.

Thanks.

[lasko12 9]

When I did ROC, I submitted almost the same as what you list here and plus 401K. Everything went smoothly.

[Sirdaniel42 86]

It looks like you are not going to have any problems, you come well prepared!