What should affidavits say?

[rebecchina 0]

Hi all,

We're about to file the I-751 and we're thinking about sending affidavits. I'm thinking one of my parents and one of our friends. What exactly should they say? Is it just a short statement that they've known us as a couple, etc, or should it be a longer narrative about our relationship?

I know affidavits aren't necessary, but I thought they wouldn't hurt - is there any downside to sending them?

Here's the evidence we'll send: copies of lease, car we bought together, joint bank acct, utilities statement, life insurance beneficiaries status. And we'll send some copies of vacation pics, etc. Does this sound like enough?

Thx!

[v333k 59]

Hi all,

We're about to file the I-751 and we're thinking about sending affidavits. I'm thinking one of my parents and one of our friends. What exactly should they say? Is it just a short statement that they've known us as a couple, etc, or should it be a longer narrative about our relationship?

I know affidavits aren't necessary, but I thought they wouldn't hurt - is there any downside to sending them?

Here's the evidence we'll send: copies of lease, car we bought together, joint bank acct, utilities statement, life insurance beneficiaries status. And we'll send some copies of vacation pics, etc. Does this sound like enough?

Thx!

Hi,

Affidavits are, as you said, suggested. I think if USCIS doesn't see they need them, they will just ignore them and keep them in your file.

There is a sample letter on VJ (i'll try to find it and post a link to it) which you can use as a reference. Mainly, the issuer of the affidavit needs to write how they know you, and their knowledge of your marital life and your relationship...

You list of evidence looks good, a few things that come to mind are:

1. Car insurance showing both your names

2. credit cards (if joint accnts)

3. If you have children: b-certs.

and don't forget a copy of your GC front and back...

Good luck!

Ok... it was faster than I thought to find the sample affidavit.

http://www.visajourney.com/examples/USCIS_I751_Affidavit.doc

[rebecchina 0]

Hi,

Affidavits are, as you said, suggested. I think if USCIS doesn't see they need them, they will just ignore them and keep them in your file.

There is a sample letter on VJ (i'll try to find it and post a link to it) which you can use as a reference. Mainly, the issuer of the affidavit needs to write how they know you, and their knowledge of your marital life and your relationship...

You list of evidence looks good, a few things that come to mind are:

1. Car insurance showing both your names

2. credit cards (if joint accnts)

3. If you have children: b-certs.

and don't forget a copy of your GC front and back...

Good luck!

Ok... it was faster than I thought to find the sample affidavit.

http://www.visajourney.com/examples/USCIS_I751_Affidavit.doc

Thanks! We'll definitely do car insurance (we don't have joint CC or kids, yet).

Just to be totally clear on instructions - if he sends copies of his GC, he doesn't have to send fingerprints, right? I think that's only for the exception cases, but just want to make sure.

By the way, is it absolutely necessary that the affidavits be notarized? I think I saw on another post that it isn't necessary, but I believe the definition of affidavit is that it has to be witnessed by a notary.

[v333k 59]

Thanks! We'll definitely do car insurance (we don't have joint CC or kids, yet).

Just to be totally clear on instructions - if he sends copies of his GC, he doesn't have to send fingerprints, right? I think that's only for the exception cases, but just want to make sure.

By the way, is it absolutely necessary that the affidavits be notarized? I think I saw on another post that it isn't necessary, but I believe the definition of affidavit is that it has to be witnessed by a notary.

Yes - you will receive a biometrics appointment for fingerprints after USCIS receives you package so no need to include that.

As for affidavits, many people sent them without being notarized and it seems like USCIS accepts them.

[OBX 51]

Don't forget your tax returns!

[Tom_Jim 40]

Good luck on your ROC! The bottom of my signature has all the stuff I sent. As V33K mentioned, it appears USCIS doesn't mind if they are not notarized. I sent many and none were notarized. My lawyer just mentioned that they should have something in the bottom that says: "Singed Under Penalty of Perjury".

[rebecchina 0]

Thanks for reminding me about tax returns!

Don't forget your tax returns!

[rebecchina 0]

Just to make sure, we don't need to send in passport photos this time around, right?

Also, in terms of sending copies of bank account statements, do we need to send the full statement or just the first page with both of our names on it? I guess that also goes for utility bills - necessary to send it all? I assume one bank acct statement/utility bill is enough.

In terms of tax returns, I figure I'll send all of them since we got married (which is only 2 so far).

thx!

Good luck on your ROC! The bottom of my signature has all the stuff I sent. As V33K mentioned, it appears USCIS doesn't mind if they are not notarized. I sent many and none were notarized. My lawyer just mentioned that they should have something in the bottom that says: "Singed Under Penalty of Perjury".

[OBX 51]

Just to make sure, we don't need to send in passport photos this time around, right?

Also, in terms of sending copies of bank account statements, do we need to send the full statement or just the first page with both of our names on it? I guess that also goes for utility bills - necessary to send it all? I assume one bank acct statement/utility bill is enough.

In terms of tax returns, I figure I'll send all of them since we got married (which is only 2 so far).

thx!

No photographs are required; they will be done at your biometrics appointment.

I am still at the collecting evidence stage (don't file until next March) but I am planning on sending first page only of utility bills (this shows, name address, date) and for bank statements two pages (showing names, address, date and transactions showing payments of household bills.)

Hopefully those that have already filed will chime in

Good luck!

Edited July 26, 2010 by OBX