cute, funny, unusual, interesting things sent with I-751

[Usher 0]

To be brutally honest, they don't give a damn. They need to see joint tax filing and joint money accounts. Life insurance, health insurance, bank accounts and the like. To them, any two strangers can pose together for pictures, but it takes a lot of faith and trust to share financial burdens, privileges and liabilities. All I sent was financial stuff, most importantly - joint tax filings, and I got approved last week. No RFE, no interview, just a simple approval.

With that said, if it makes you feel better, send the cute stuff along. Just make sure you give them what they need first, they want to know that you're taking this as seriously as they are.

How do you know they "don't give a damn"? I imagine when they see that my son drew a picture (including names in his handwriting) in school of "who I live with", and it includes my husband, that adds a little more proof that we're living together. The newspaper articles with pictures of the two of us, also with captions of who we are, also shows that we spend time together. Yes, the financial (and 'social') stuff is important - and we have the deed to our house that we bought together, a car title, tax returns, utility bills, credit cards, drivers licenses, life insurance, retirement accounts, the trip to Morocco, pictures of us together at (no joke) both a wedding and a funeral, cards and letters from friends/family and businesses, etc. But remember that there are (despite jokes to the contrary) actual humans opening and inspecting these packets. They are the ones who get to decide whether or not to send an RFE (and maybe pick us for an interview or flag us for suspected fraud), and we all know that mood influences their decisions. Backing a strong case with cute evidence (like pictures of people with cookies in their mouths) can possibly make the difference. Some people get approved with much less, some people get RFEs and can't figure out why because they sent everything on the list. You just never know. The more you send, the less you stress while waiting, I think.

And in my case, my kids are excited that their school papers, drawings, etc. are being copied and sent. You can't put a price on that.

If nothing else, it makes us and them (at USCIS) smile a little.

Congratulations on your approval.

venusfire

Yes, all the stuff you mentioned is indeed precious. However, they have a checklist that they go by. And the only personal thing I believe they have on that checklist is sworn affidavits from family and friends. From what I understand, is that they send out RFE's for about 10% of all applications, for training purposes if nothing else. So can you imagine if you send all this stuff and then you get an RFE, how disappointed and anxious you would be? I'm not saying that you shouldn't send it; I'm just saying that you shouldn't expect that stuff to seal the deal. And that you should focus a little bit more on official paperwork that proves your togetherness.

Good luck and thanks for the congrats.

[NickD 203]

We also had plenty of that legal stuff, even printed off from the web, our tax assessors data showing a photo of our home with both our names on it. But likewise, felt obligated to also show them we were humans and real live people with hopes and dreams and not just pieces of legal documents. Whether it helped or not, do not know, but was never called in or requested additional information, just a very long wait.

Still feel the USCIS should process the I-751 with a real ten year card within that 90 day time frame, but one way of looking at it, and if you plan on staying here as a LPR, you get to stay here free for that year as your ten year card expires from the day they get around to making it.

Filing early at the beginning of the year was troublesome for us, had to make an extra effort to get our taxes done early. Was kind of ironic at my wife's USC interview, her IO wanted to see something with a 2008 date on it, doesn't she realize that 2007 property and income taxes are done in 2008? Anyway, was glad I brought in all of our latest bank statements, so she copied one of those with a 2008 date on it. She didn't even care to meet or see me in the waiting room, was just interested in pieces of paper.

[Kiv 32]

To be brutally honest, they don't give a damn. They need to see joint tax filing and joint money accounts. Life insurance, health insurance, bank accounts and the like. To them, any two strangers can pose together for pictures, but it takes a lot of faith and trust to share financial burdens, privileges and liabilities. All I sent was financial stuff, most importantly - joint tax filings, and I got approved last week. No RFE, no interview, just a simple approval.

With that said, if it makes you feel better, send the cute stuff along. Just make sure you give them what they need first, they want to know that you're taking this as seriously as they are.

How do you know they "don't give a damn"? I imagine when they see that my son drew a picture (including names in his handwriting) in school of "who I live with", and it includes my husband, that adds a little more proof that we're living together. The newspaper articles with pictures of the two of us, also with captions of who we are, also shows that we spend time together. Yes, the financial (and 'social') stuff is important - and we have the deed to our house that we bought together, a car title, tax returns, utility bills, credit cards, drivers licenses, life insurance, retirement accounts, the trip to Morocco, pictures of us together at (no joke) both a wedding and a funeral, cards and letters from friends/family and businesses, etc. But remember that there are (despite jokes to the contrary) actual humans opening and inspecting these packets. They are the ones who get to decide whether or not to send an RFE (and maybe pick us for an interview or flag us for suspected fraud), and we all know that mood influences their decisions. Backing a strong case with cute evidence (like pictures of people with cookies in their mouths) can possibly make the difference. Some people get approved with much less, some people get RFEs and can't figure out why because they sent everything on the list. You just never know. The more you send, the less you stress while waiting, I think.

And in my case, my kids are excited that their school papers, drawings, etc. are being copied and sent. You can't put a price on that.

If nothing else, it makes us and them (at USCIS) smile a little.

Congratulations on your approval.

venusfire

Yes, all the stuff you mentioned is indeed precious. However, they have a checklist that they go by. And the only personal thing I believe they have on that checklist is sworn affidavits from family and friends. From what I understand, is that they send out RFE's for about 10% of all applications, for training purposes if nothing else. So can you imagine if you send all this stuff and then you get an RFE, how disappointed and anxious you would be? I'm not saying that you shouldn't send it; I'm just saying that you shouldn't expect that stuff to seal the deal. And that you should focus a little bit more on official paperwork that proves your togetherness.

Good luck and thanks for the congrats.

You can find part of the instructions that the agents use to review the files in the USCIS web site. I agree with Usher, they have to look for finantial/taxes and any other type of oficial documents like life insurances, leases and/or mortages. I could not find the link I used years ago as a guide for my I-751 to put here but all the cute stuff as photos and other information that you send is "additional" and it is better for you that they don't base their decision on it because that may mean that your basic information did not convice them. As Usher said before send all the things listed in your I-751 +everything that makes you happy to share. I wish you a fast approval.

[CHICTOPIC 0]

From other post , I've read that -751 is moving faster now specially if your papers go to CSC . Hope you get fast approval .

[-B&T- 1]

Good luck, hope have a speedy approval!

[Marilyn. 340]

the instructions say this...

Evidence of the Relationship

Submit copies of documents indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted conditional status was entered in ''good faith'' and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Submit copies of as many documents as you wish to establish this fact and to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date, and to demonstrate any circumstances surrounding the end of the relationship, if it has ended. The documents should cover, but not limited to,the following examples:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-751instr.pdf

so I think you can send in whatever you think fits in with that.. pictures etc... just make sure to include lots of financial evidence too...

[venusfire503 54]

I guess some people entirely missed the point of my post, even though it specifically stated that this thread's intent was to add a little entertainment to an otherwise stressful and monotonous process.

I think that it's important to be serious, but at the same time, we all need to relax a little, too.

venusfire

[james&adry 3]

To be brutally honest, they don't give a damn. They need to see joint tax filing and joint money accounts. Life insurance, health insurance, bank accounts and the like. To them, any two strangers can pose together for pictures, but it takes a lot of faith and trust to share financial burdens, privileges and liabilities. All I sent was financial stuff, most importantly - joint tax filings, and I got approved last week. No RFE, no interview, just a simple approval.

With that said, if it makes you feel better, send the cute stuff along. Just make sure you give them what they need first, they want to know that you're taking this as seriously as they are.

How do you know they "don't give a damn"? I imagine when they see that my son drew a picture (including names in his handwriting) in school of "who I live with", and it includes my husband, that adds a little more proof that we're living together. The newspaper articles with pictures of the two of us, also with captions of who we are, also shows that we spend time together. Yes, the financial (and 'social') stuff is important - and we have the deed to our house that we bought together, a car title, tax returns, utility bills, credit cards, drivers licenses, life insurance, retirement accounts, the trip to Morocco, pictures of us together at (no joke) both a wedding and a funeral, cards and letters from friends/family and businesses, etc. But remember that there are (despite jokes to the contrary) actual humans opening and inspecting these packets. They are the ones who get to decide whether or not to send an RFE (and maybe pick us for an interview or flag us for suspected fraud), and we all know that mood influences their decisions. Backing a strong case with cute evidence (like pictures of people with cookies in their mouths) can possibly make the difference. Some people get approved with much less, some people get RFEs and can't figure out why because they sent everything on the list. You just never know. The more you send, the less you stress while waiting, I think.

And in my case, my kids are excited that their school papers, drawings, etc. are being copied and sent. You can't put a price on that.

If nothing else, it makes us and them (at USCIS) smile a little.

Congratulations on your approval.

venusfire

About the extra tidbit and financial information. My soon to be bride is located in Colombia and I am not sure how to go about including her in all my financial paperwork. We will have to rely on all these photos and affidavits from family members in our cause. I heard you cannot even file joint tax returns until your spouse actually lives with regardless if you are married. So i have to do it the 'cute' and original way

[NickD 203]

To be brutally honest, they don't give a damn. They need to see joint tax filing and joint money accounts. Life insurance, health insurance, bank accounts and the like. To them, any two strangers can pose together for pictures, but it takes a lot of faith and trust to share financial burdens, privileges and liabilities. All I sent was financial stuff, most importantly - joint tax filings, and I got approved last week. No RFE, no interview, just a simple approval.

With that said, if it makes you feel better, send the cute stuff along. Just make sure you give them what they need first, they want to know that you're taking this as seriously as they are.

How do you know they "don't give a damn"? I imagine when they see that my son drew a picture (including names in his handwriting) in school of "who I live with", and it includes my husband, that adds a little more proof that we're living together. The newspaper articles with pictures of the two of us, also with captions of who we are, also shows that we spend time together. Yes, the financial (and 'social') stuff is important - and we have the deed to our house that we bought together, a car title, tax returns, utility bills, credit cards, drivers licenses, life insurance, retirement accounts, the trip to Morocco, pictures of us together at (no joke) both a wedding and a funeral, cards and letters from friends/family and businesses, etc. But remember that there are (despite jokes to the contrary) actual humans opening and inspecting these packets. They are the ones who get to decide whether or not to send an RFE (and maybe pick us for an interview or flag us for suspected fraud), and we all know that mood influences their decisions. Backing a strong case with cute evidence (like pictures of people with cookies in their mouths) can possibly make the difference. Some people get approved with much less, some people get RFEs and can't figure out why because they sent everything on the list. You just never know. The more you send, the less you stress while waiting, I think.

And in my case, my kids are excited that their school papers, drawings, etc. are being copied and sent. You can't put a price on that.

If nothing else, it makes us and them (at USCIS) smile a little.

Congratulations on your approval.

venusfire

About the extra tidbit and financial information. My soon to be bride is located in Colombia and I am not sure how to go about including her in all my financial paperwork. We will have to rely on all these photos and affidavits from family members in our cause. I heard you cannot even file joint tax returns until your spouse actually lives with regardless if you are married. So i have to do it the 'cute' and original way

AOS is a different story and with the APA, couldn't even add my wife to a small bank account until she got a green card, background checks was key, both with her and me, and we did bring in our wedding album our IO enjoyed looking at to see hundreds of people at our wedding reception. Even brought a letter from my bank showing my wife was rejected due to the APA, but our IO didn't want to see it, already knew about that.

In a sense, the USCIS is giving us two years to develop a strong financial union and if you don't do that, will have problems.

[Meriem_DZ 37]

I was just about ready to send my I-751 and was racking my brain, trying to think of any other evidence I could include. I thought of our 2 car accidents. Neither one was our fault. The first one I was driving and the other was about a year later and Hachemi was driving. Anyway the accident report showed that we were together in the car. I copied both of the accident reports and threw those in there too.

Meriem

[Mary Lou 681]

We sent in a picture of us with Elvis from Madame Tussaud's in Las Vegas!

I hope they had a laugh.

Best of Luck everyone.

[shakysgirl 1]

I sent in a handmade anniversary card my daughter made. I also sent in a letter my father-in-law mailed to us when our daughter was born telling us how happy he was with the addition to the family. I also sent in a letter my sister-in-law in England sent me that discusses the planning of the large Christening party my husband and I planned and threw in England for family and friends. I'm sure the financial items play a large role- but showing that you have an emotional LIFE together is also important. These little things prove the true love commitment. Anyone can open a joint checking account for a few years and file taxes together...but a child's innocent writing about a step-parent, the process of a family Christening, the pleasure a grandparent has in the birth of a child and other sorts of emotional photos/letters/etc prove a true and real commitment. If they aren't looking for those sorts of items, the whole process is just a bogus financial exercise that can be faked by anyone.

[Usher 0]

I sent in a handmade anniversary card my daughter made. I also sent in a letter my father-in-law mailed to us when our daughter was born telling us how happy he was with the addition to the family. I also sent in a letter my sister-in-law in England sent me that discusses the planning of the large Christening party my husband and I planned and threw in England for family and friends. I'm sure the financial items play a large role- but showing that you have an emotional LIFE together is also important. These little things prove the true love commitment. Anyone can open a joint checking account for a few years and file taxes together...but a child's innocent writing about a step-parent, the process of a family Christening, the pleasure a grandparent has in the birth of a child and other sorts of emotional photos/letters/etc prove a true and real commitment. If they aren't looking for those sorts of items, the whole process is just a bogus financial exercise that can be faked by anyone.

Which one would be easier to forge, a letter from your sister-in-law, or a tax transcript from the IRS? A card or letter written by a child, or a joint-bank statement? Trust me, that's how they look at it. They don't care about the "emotional" stuff, because they're extremely desensitized. It's a job requirement to be emotionally detached and not to identify with any certain case.

Edited April 13, 2009 by Usher

[venusfire503 54]

I was just about ready to send my I-751 and was racking my brain, trying to think of any other evidence I could include. I thought of our 2 car accidents. Neither one was our fault. The first one I was driving and the other was about a year later and Hachemi was driving. Anyway the accident report showed that we were together in the car. I copied both of the accident reports and threw those in there too.

Meriem

Oh wow - I hope you were both ok!

Not a good thing, but hey - might as well use it for a good cause! Now THAT is taking lemons and making lemonade!

venusfire

[venusfire503 54]

I sent in a handmade anniversary card my daughter made. I also sent in a letter my father-in-law mailed to us when our daughter was born telling us how happy he was with the addition to the family. I also sent in a letter my sister-in-law in England sent me that discusses the planning of the large Christening party my husband and I planned and threw in England for family and friends. I'm sure the financial items play a large role- but showing that you have an emotional LIFE together is also important. These little things prove the true love commitment. Anyone can open a joint checking account for a few years and file taxes together...but a child's innocent writing about a step-parent, the process of a family Christening, the pleasure a grandparent has in the birth of a child and other sorts of emotional photos/letters/etc prove a true and real commitment. If they aren't looking for those sorts of items, the whole process is just a bogus financial exercise that can be faked by anyone.

Those sounds like nice things you sent.

I agree! When I first went to college, my dad put me on his checking account. I have custodial accounts for my nieces and nephews, which have my name on there with theirs. As far as listing each other as beneficiary for life insurance or retirement accounts - I can go online and change that in an instant. So what would stop me, if I was commiting visa fraud, from putting my husband's name on there, getting proof of it, and then changing it to someone else's name? Different companies and agencies can screw things up. I was very surprised when checking my credit report to find out that (you're probably not going to believe this - I sure didn't) my name was erroneously listed as an authorized user on my ex-husband's girlfriend's credit card! We were all quite surprised by that one. Oh, and my sister is an authorized user on my credit card, too. So... anything financial OR 'social' could potentially be faked. That's why I believe that sending in BOTH types of things makes for the STRONGEST case. And with USCIS, why take the chance? It doesn't hurt to send extra stuff, as we all know. And I still believe that making one of them smile a little can help. I know when I was a receptionist, I was bored with answering phones. When someone was actually NICE to me, I was much more willing to help them out.

Either way, I like hearing about the interesting things that people send in.

venusfire