Sending I-751 but worried about co-habitation proof

[deadbird 2]

Hubby and I live in the basement of my mother's house. My mother rents from my grandfather, who has the mortgage on the house. She pays utilities and we pay $200 rent in month to her. We just can't afford to move out.

Here's what we're sending:

-tax transcripts

-joint bank account statements (checking & savings but we're poor so there's not a lot of money to show in them)

-joint car insurance

-joint health insurance (through him, not me, and I'm the USC)

-cell phone bill in my name but showing his phone number

-credit cards in both our names

-credit card bill in my name detailing three trips we took to Canada to see his family

-photocopies of his GC

-photocopies of both our driver's licenses showing same address

-affidavit from my mother explaining that we live here and pay her rent

-affidavits from my father, grandmother, friends, pastor, etc

-about 100 photos (everything we've got for the past 2 years)

-greeting cards in both names from family & friends

-misc. mail items in his name showing he lives here

Personally, I'm just worried because we don't have kids and no big ticket items like cars or houses in both our names, or even a lease for that matter. Both of us suffered layoffs since we've been married and trying to get back on our feet (when we weren't ever really on our feet to begin with) has been a nightmare. Both cars are in my name since he bought his car before he had a US license to we had to put it in my name and now can't really risk waiting 6 weeks to do the paperwork to put it in both names or whatever (because we straight up own the car and would have to wait for the title)

I'll write an affidavit myself, because if they send an RFE for anything, we're sending everything we've got and won't be able to send them anything they don't already have

[Minya's wife 25]

I'm not sure how you writing an affidavit would help, since by signing the joint I751 petition you're affirming that the material enclosed is 'true'. Unfortunately you have no way of knowing if USCIS will consider the evidence enough or not. It looks like you have your bases covered as much as you can for your particular circumstances. My only suggestion would be, that in addition to the affidavit your mother is signing, you could draw up a 'sublet' agreement with your mother (download a standard apt. lease agreement form from the net) place the rental amount you're paying and fill out the rest of the form, and both of you and your mother can sign it....you can also get the form notarized and send that in with all your evidence as well. You may also want to include the tickets and any receipts you have of your various trips to Canada, unless you paid for everything with the one credit card you're including the bills for. That's all I can think of, but to me it looks like you have solid evidence of having 'co-mingled' your lives as married couples do...and that is really what USCIS is looking for.

Good luck,

-P

[deadbird 2]

I'm not sure how you writing an affidavit would help, since by signing the joint I751 petition you're affirming that the material enclosed is 'true'. Unfortunately you have no way of knowing if USCIS will consider the evidence enough or not. It looks like you have your bases covered as much as you can for your particular circumstances. My only suggestion would be, that in addition to the affidavit your mother is signing, you could draw up a 'sublet' agreement with your mother (download a standard apt. lease agreement form from the net) place the rental amount you're paying and fill out the rest of the form, and both of you and your mother can sign it....you can also get the form notarized and send that in with all your evidence as well. You may also want to include the tickets and any receipts you have of your various trips to Canada, unless you paid for everything with the one credit card you're including the bills for. That's all I can think of, but to me it looks like you have solid evidence of having 'co-mingled' your lives as married couples do...and that is really what USCIS is looking for.

Good luck,

-P

Thanks for the sub-let agreement! Talking to my mom about that now.

We drove to Canada, so we put a lot of the gas on one card for the first two trips and then the third trip we used a different card that doesn't show locations of gas stations on the statement so we figure everything we put on the one card should be enough because even though we didn't use it for gas the third time, we did use it (at the liquor store LOLOLOL)

[Anh map 2,098]

An affidavit from your mom ought to be enough. That is what we used. No need to write up a formal sublease.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You worry too much. Many people sent in much less than you and got approved smoothly. Work with what you have and most likely you will be fine.

[v333k 59]

Hubby and I live in the basement of my mother's house. My mother rents from my grandfather, who has the mortgage on the house. She pays utilities and we pay $200 rent in month to her. We just can't afford to move out.

Here's what we're sending:

-tax transcripts

-joint bank account statements (checking & savings but we're poor so there's not a lot of money to show in them)

-joint car insurance

-joint health insurance (through him, not me, and I'm the USC)

-cell phone bill in my name but showing his phone number

-credit cards in both our names

-credit card bill in my name detailing three trips we took to Canada to see his family

-photocopies of his GC

-photocopies of both our driver's licenses showing same address

-affidavit from my mother explaining that we live here and pay her rent

-affidavits from my father, grandmother, friends, pastor, etc

-about 100 photos (everything we've got for the past 2 years)

-greeting cards in both names from family & friends

-misc. mail items in his name showing he lives here

Personally, I'm just worried because we don't have kids and no big ticket items like cars or houses in both our names, or even a lease for that matter. Both of us suffered layoffs since we've been married and trying to get back on our feet (when we weren't ever really on our feet to begin with) has been a nightmare. Both cars are in my name since he bought his car before he had a US license to we had to put it in my name and now can't really risk waiting 6 weeks to do the paperwork to put it in both names or whatever (because we straight up own the car and would have to wait for the title)

I'll write an affidavit myself, because if they send an RFE for anything, we're sending everything we've got and won't be able to send them anything they don't already have

You should write a cover letter instead of affidavit, which should explain the evidence you are including and then some of your circumstances that did not allow you to include other types of evidence such as leases, mortgages.... I think you will be fine looking at the list of evidence you are going to send.

Good luck!

[deadbird 2]

Thanks for telling me I'm worrying too much

I do have a cover letter, wasn't sure what I should explain in it. I did explain an issue we had with our mail which took almost a year to resolve--he got scammed by someone who told him they would give him a free TV if he filled out x papers, which ended up with all our mail getting forwarded to a PO box we never authorized or paid for, and then when we canceled the forwarding the post office started sending all our mail back to the senders saying we moved and left no forwarding address (what?!!!?!! and I WORK for USPS, but in a different office, you know how aggravating that was to get fixed?)

So if I continue explaining that we got laid off and live paycheck to paycheck (well, getting better but we haven't filed our 2009 taxes yet to show it's slowly improving) that should be acceptable?

Does all that info belong in a cover letter?

I'll put it all in but I don't want it to seem like we're trying too hard. :-/ Our living arrangement certainly isn't easy on a marriage, but so long as it doesn't kill us and we don't kill each other, I think we'll be good! lol

[taurean 0]

Based on what you listed I think you should be okay. My husband's name was not on our house at the time so we had no lease or mortgage evidence to submit. We sent in much the same evidence that you did and we were approved with no problems. As long as you have the affidavit from your Mom regarding your living circumstances and along with your other evidence I wouldn't worry.

As far as the cover letter, just include the items that you are submitting. Others may disagree but I don't think it's necessary to provide a whole of explanation about your job situation, or your living situation. Just submit what you can to establish a bona fide marriage. If USCIS needs additional explanation for holes, then provide the information if they ask. Just my $.02. Good luck!!!!

[Anh map 2,098]

Based on what you listed I think you should be okay. My husband's name was not on our house at the time so we had no lease or mortgage evidence to submit. We sent in much the same evidence that you did and we were approved with no problems. As long as you have the affidavit from your Mom regarding your living circumstances and along with your other evidence I wouldn't worry.

As far as the cover letter, just include the items that you are submitting. Others may disagree but I don't think it's necessary to provide a whole of explanation about your job situation, or your living situation. Just submit what you can to establish a bona fide marriage. If USCIS needs additional explanation for holes, then provide the information if they ask. Just my $.02. Good luck!!!!

I agree, submit the proof and leave the story for the interview (if you would even have one). 2 more cents in the kitty.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Addendum: a cover letter is worth its weight in gold. I personally sent very little documentation (about 16 pages total), but I had a wonderful cover letter which in a few paragraphs explained to the I.O. who we are, what we do, where we live, etc. I also added some photos showing us during holiday festivities and on vacation.

Keep in mind, the I.O. doesn't know you or who you are, so the goal is it to make it easy for them to approve your petition. How nice to open a file, read a well-written cover letter and be able to get an idea who they deal with right away. They then look through the documents provided, check out the photos showing the happy couple in action, smile, and approve the petition. It's really that simple.

People often send unbelievable amounts of paperwork with their I-751. I'm a big believer of quality over quantity. Send as little as necessary to show the I.O. that you are still a happily married couple, living together in harmony. Don't try to overwhelm them with #######, lots of #######.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Just Bob