Are affidvaits required?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

No. They are worthless unless the immigration officer has the people that signed them present to testify.

You are giving out bad information. Go read the instructions as written by USCIS. You can interpret it any way you wish, but to tell others that they are worthless is wrong.

[Ning 619]

You are giving out bad information. Go read the instructions as written by USCIS. You can interpret it any way you wish, but to tell others that they are worthless is wrong.

I did read the instructions. What you think isnt important to me. What others think is up to them. I have no way of imposing my opinion on others & neither do you. Its your opinion that there is value in an affidavit. Why dont you write the affidavits for the OP? Then he will have your exact words to submit & that should ensure the perfect outcome.

The affidavits are worthless unless the officer asks that the authors present themselves at the meeting. In that case they have value if the officer determins they do. Other than that they are just paper. If they were of real value they would be a requirement.

To tell others they should submit something of no value is wrong. Giving them false hope based on you cherry picking the instruction is also wrong. What you have to say is simply your opinion based on your interpertation of what you read.

Edited March 17, 2011 by Ning

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I did read the instructions. What you think isnt important to me. What others think is up to them. I have no way of imposing my opinion on others & neither do you. Its your opinion that there is value in an affidavit. Why dont you write the affidavits for the OP? Then he will have your exact words to submit & that should ensure the perfect outcome.

The affidavits are worthless unless the officer asks that the authors present themselves at the meeting. In that case they have value if the officer determins they do. Other than that they are just paper. If they were of real value they would be a requirement.

To tell others they should submit something of no value is wrong. Giving them false hope based on you cherry picking the instruction is also wrong. What you have to say is simply your opinion based on your interpertation of what you read.

USCIS obviously places value on affidavits or they wouldn't list them as a source of evidence, would they? It isn't up to me to place value on them, it's up to the agency that makes the decision, isn't it? No need to be a wise a$$ about it. Where does it state on the USCIS web site that affidavits are worthless without the person being present?

You are sounding more foolish with each reply and you are giving bad advice. It has nothing to do with my opinion. It is a fact that USCIS suggests including affidavits as evidence. Read it again if you don't understand it. Stop giving bad advice.

[Ning 619]

USCIS obviously places value on affidavits or they wouldn't list them as a source of evidence, would they? It isn't up to me to place value on them, it's up to the agency that makes the decision, isn't it? No need to be a wise a$$ about it. Where does it state on the USCIS web site that affidavits are worthless without the person being present?

You are sounding more foolish with each reply and you are giving bad advice. It has nothing to do with my opinion. It is a fact that USCIS suggests including affidavits as evidence. Read it again if you don't understand it. Stop giving bad advice.

A wise a** uses words like ludicrous. A wise a** posts offensive kitty pictures with the foul language. Get down off your podium & polish your halo.

A wiss a** continues to make these statements regarding the actual agencys decision making process. I think we all know who makes the decisions. No need to be a wise a** about it.

A wise a** knows it doesnt say they are worthless. I said they are worthless not USCIS. USCIS doesnt answer questions on V J. USCIS instructions are clear about the actual value of the affidavits. They are worthless unless the author testifies in front of an officer when asked to do so. If that happens & the officer places value on that testimony the affidavit has value.

[sarah&rob 1]

Since this is the Removal of Conditions of 2yr conditional green cards forum and not for a visa, perhaps the value of the affidavits differ.

In the I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence instructions on evidence, this is what it says regarding affidavits:

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by at least two people who have known both of you since your conditional residence was granted and have personal knowledge of your marriage and relationship. (Such persons may be required to testify before an immigration officer as to the information contained in the affidavit.) The original affidavit must be submitted and also contain the following information regarding the person making the affidavit: his or her full name and address; date and place of birth; relationship to you or your spouse, if any; and full information and complete details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge. Affidavits must be supported by other types of evidence listed above.

Affidavits are helpful if you lack stronger "primary" evidence. We had to We felt we should send affidavits because we have no joint utilities and no lease or rental agreements. They are not required, but do have value if you have weaker evidence.

Edited March 17, 2011 by sarah&rob

[TBoneTX 46,151]

Affidavits are helpful if you lack stronger "primary" evidence. [...] They are not required, but do have value if you have weaker evidence.

This is exactly what I was told by an immigration attorney.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

We didn't send any affidavits.

But we sent "the kitchen sink". Deed to old house; deed to new house. Bank accounts. Car titles. Mail addressed just to him at our mutual address. Health insurance cards. Credit cards. Reciprocal wills.

Because it took so long to get the green card, we'd been married almost four years by the time he could remove conditions. I'm sure that didn't hurt either.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

A wise a** uses words like ludicrous. A wise a** posts offensive kitty pictures with the foul language. Get down off your podium & polish your halo.

A wiss a** continues to make these statements regarding the actual agencys decision making process. I think we all know who makes the decisions. No need to be a wise a** about it.

A wise a** knows it doesnt say they are worthless. I said they are worthless not USCIS. USCIS doesnt answer questions on V J. USCIS instructions are clear about the actual value of the affidavits. They are worthless unless the author testifies in front of an officer when asked to do so. If that happens & the officer places value on that testimony the affidavit has value.

Reported.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Since this is the Removal of Conditions of 2yr conditional green cards forum and not for a visa, perhaps the value of the affidavits differ.

In the I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence instructions on evidence, this is what it says regarding affidavits:

Affidavits are helpful if you lack stronger "primary" evidence. We had to We felt we should send affidavits because we have no joint utilities and no lease or rental agreements. They are not required, but do have value if you have weaker evidence.

I am curious as to why they are only helpful if you have weaker evidence. It is listed as one of the forms of evidence to include and IMHO, there is no harm in sending a variety of evidence, both strong and not so strong. Plenty of people send in pictures and other evidence that is not even listed and that is fine too. I just find it ironic that something listed by USCIS itself is being downplayed as useless.

[ao_cons 1]

Okay. Thanks, cristera.

So now I'm confused. I've got this on my list so far:

lease

birth cert of child

auto insurance

health insurance with me and baby as beneficiaries

bank statements

utility bills

hospital bills

invoices

tax returns

doctor visits

photos

joint return

If we submit these all, could USCIS still call that insufficient evidence and ask for the affidavits?

We didn't send any affidavits.

But we sent "the kitchen sink". Deed to old house; deed to new house. Bank accounts. Car titles. Mail addressed just to him at our mutual address. Health insurance cards. Credit cards. Reciprocal wills.

Because it took so long to get the green card, we'd been married almost four years by the time he could remove conditions. I'm sure that didn't hurt either.

Just saw this. Thank you!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

It looks like you have good evidence. You don't have to include affidavits if you don't want to, but if it's not a problem to get them, then why not? It can't hurt.It's your choice so do whatever you feel comfortable with. As for what USCIS may do, who knows. Some of it makes no sense at all. I know of people who married just for a green card and never lived together and went through the process trouble free. And others who had a legitimate marriage that were scrutinized closely.

[sarah&rob 1]

I am curious as to why they are only helpful if you have weaker evidence. It is listed as one of the forms of evidence to include and IMHO, there is no harm in sending a variety of evidence, both strong and not so strong. Plenty of people send in pictures and other evidence that is not even listed and that is fine too. I just find it ironic that something listed by USCIS itself is being downplayed as useless.

Well, I never said there was harm in sending them or that they were useless, just that they aren't required if you do have a lot of stronger evidence. I agree with you, it certainly doesn't hurt to send a variety of evidence. And especially since they are listed on the instructions as something to send, I'm sure affidavits do hold value no matter what other types of evidence you send in.

We DID send affidavits even after people told us we didn't need them because I felt they would only add to our application.

We live with my mom and don't have a lease or rent agreement or any joint utilities, so we got one from her stating we have lived with her since he moved here from the UK and we've been paying her X amount of rent a month. We don't have joint credit cards because I'm in a debt management program and cannot have credit cards.

We don't have any tickets or anything from vacations together, the one vacation we did take was to TX to visit my best friend who actually introduced my husband and I...so I got one from her. And then since we got married in Vegas, only my two brothers and my brother's fiancee were with us...so I got one from my brother and his (now) wife.

I think if there is no problem in asking those close to you to provide an affidavit, then certainly do it! It really can only help

[FLgal 0]

Forgive me if I am in the wrong forum. Soon I will be preparing my package to Remove Conditions but I will hopefully be divorced by then.

I lived in a very rural area, left an emotionally abusive hubby, and am now 'unwelcome' in the 'old hood'. There's no way I would be able to produce an affadvit from wedding witnesses as we are now 'estranged'.

I am hopeful that wedding photos and affadavits from visiting friends (NON USC's) might be of some use. I also have a stack of correspondence addressed to us both as well as some financial records.

I have been assured by an immigration attorney that under my circumstances, financial records are key evidence (i.e. bank, insurance, tax returns etc)

Edited March 18, 2011 by FLgal

[TBoneTX 46,151]

You're in the correct forum. Your attorney is wise. As others have said, include whatever else makes sense, too.

Sorry to hear about your situation -- keep the faith.

Edited March 18, 2011 by TBoneTX

[sasaqlain 24]

Okay. Thanks, cristera.

So now I'm confused. I've got this on my list so far:

lease

birth cert of child

auto insurance

health insurance with me and baby as beneficiaries

bank statements

utility bills

hospital bills

invoices

tax returns

doctor visits

photos

joint return

If we submit these all, could USCIS still call that insufficient evidence and ask for the affidavits?

Just saw this. Thank you!

If you have joint bank accounts, tax returns and a child, your evidence is more than strong. Don't worry much about proving your relationship. your child's birth certificate is worth a thousand evidences alone.

Edited March 20, 2011 by saspk