How much evidence is enough evidence for a bona-fide relationship?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I think the funniest part of the whole evidence thing is arguing over what is proof and what isn't. Let's just suppose that two people met the old school way, in person, by chance, not online, not actually looking for a spouse. Suppose they struck up a friendship and began dating. They are both in the US, one a citizen, the other an overstay on a legit visa. The US citizen knows nothing about immigration laws or visas. They date for a long time, not saving every scrap of paper to prove they are a genuine couple. They have no idea what a K-1 visa is until later in the realtionship. So what do they use for proof of relationship? They use what they have. Some people don't take pictures at all, some very few. So someone may not have thousands of pictures. If you have 5, youu use 5. If you have emails, you use them. If you wrote letters, use them. I used over 500 phone cards calling Brazil and used that as partial evidence because believe it or not, that is how we communicated by phone. We used webcams and talked by internet too, no tangible proof. I didn't follow a set script to prove anything. We used what we had. Every case has it's nuances and not everyone does things the exact same way. It's personal.

In the end, it got us thru the K-1 and I-601 waiver process, with the wavier being adjudicated by DHS in Lima Peru, one of the more difficult offices. We're married and in the AOS process. What we did worked. And that is all that matters. Sucess. Two people who love each other being able to start a life together.

[TBoneTX 46,151]

Letters to validate the relationship, from family and friends and bosses, are a very good idea. I crammed 15 from my people and 3 from my fiancee's people under the Plexiglass and said, "Are all of these people lying?" (We were ordered to attend a so-called "joint" interview -- it wasn't even that in the slightest, but that's a long story -- and I was utterly livid at the implication that the relationship was phony.)

Three attorneys (including the head of the largest Immigration law firm in Houston) and two former consular officers recommended collection of these letters. Our other proof of relationship was indisputable except in the eyes of the ####### consulate, but I'm sure that these letters turned the tide.

Your people may not have met your fiancee, but they have perhaps seen pictures of the two of you, and certainly have heard about the relationship from you over a period of months. When you ask your people for letters, remind them of when you met your fiancee and the correct spelling of her name, but other than that, just ask them to validate the relationship in their own words. An absolute MUST is to put their contact information -- phone, e-mail, address -- in their letter.

Another absolute must is to minimize the number of letters from HER people. This is because (according to ALL of my consultants above) the consul could get the impression that these people are jockeying to come to the U.S. later, after the beneficiary (your fiancee) makes it here herself. No more than two or three from her most important people are necessary, and they should be comparatively formal, such as "I certify that ___ and ___ were together in my presence on [dates] for [occasions, if applicable], and that their relationship and intent to marry are true and genuine." Again, their contact information is a must.

Hard-copy, signed letters are optimal, but get them in any way that you can. You may be very pleasantly surprised at how responsive your people will be to your request.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Very good advice TBone. I think I used 8 letters and this too was suggested by a lawyer. I also used letters as evidence when we submitted our waiver. I also had everyone list their address, email and phone number. I think it is important to use what you have for evidence, get a bit creative if necessary.

[USbride 0]

I think the funniest part of the whole evidence thing is arguing over what is proof and what isn't. Let's just suppose that two people met the old school way, in person, by chance, not online, not actually looking for a spouse. Suppose they struck up a friendship and began dating. They are both in the US, one a citizen, the other an overstay on a legit visa. The US citizen knows nothing about immigration laws or visas. They date for a long time, not saving every scrap of paper to prove they are a genuine couple. They have no idea what a K-1 visa is until later in the realtionship. So what do they use for proof of relationship? They use what they have. Some people don't take pictures at all, some very few. So someone may not have thousands of pictures. If you have 5, youu use 5. If you have emails, you use them. If you wrote letters, use them. I used over 500 phone cards calling Brazil and used that as partial evidence because believe it or not, that is how we communicated by phone. We used webcams and talked by internet too, no tangible proof. I didn't follow a set script to prove anything. We used what we had. Every case has it's nuances and not everyone does things the exact same way. It's personal.

In the end, it got us thru the K-1 and I-601 waiver process, with the wavier being adjudicated by DHS in Lima Peru, one of the more difficult offices. We're married and in the AOS process. What we did worked. And that is all that matters. Sucess. Two people who love each other being able to start a life together.

So, I guess me and my fiance met the "old school way" as you put it. We met in Colombia while I was stationed over there for four months, and had no intention of even hooking up in the first place. I had known several people that had married foreigners, and knew it was a lengthy process, but never inquired about the actual process and what was involved. We had nothing prepared when we decided to submit the package. I went feverishly looking through my stuff for evidence, and this is what I came up with:

About 6 pictures (all but one were group pictures)

3 e-mails (2 from me and 1 from him)

Ticket stubs from my last trip out there

Change ticket receipt from Colombia

Exit tax receipt from Colombia

Ticket stubs from our trip to Peru (with us sitting beside each other on both flights (that was lucky))

Copy of my passport pages showing the trips

Credit Card statement showing tickets purchased in Jan to Colombia (on Colombian airline)

Emerald certification for my engagement ring (in my name, issued in Colombia)

Leave statement (showing his address) and country clearance from the military (not really proof of being there, only intent)

Paperwork from our jointly owned dog (I thought this one was funny )

-Vet receipt showing fiance as owner

-Corresponding credit card receipt from my card (this one was lucky too)

-Flight receipt for the dog showing me as owner

I'm pretty sure all of this will work, but just to show you, use what you can find. All of our situations are different.

Edited August 23, 2008 by USbride

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Paperwork from our jointly owned dog (I thought this one was funny )

I love it! Now that is unique and creative. Best of luck to you, I think you'l be fine too. Just keep collecting evidence for the interview to prove ongoing relationship. Those of us who did it the old fashioned way must use what we have. A guide is merely a guide, it is not the end all and only way to do it.