Do we have enough evidence? Need affidavits?

[jtmh 0]

Here's a list of the evidence we can or plan to provide, with some concerns noted.

• 
  
• Copy of the passport and green card of spouse.
  
• Copy of our tax returns for 2009 and 2010.
  In 2009 we filed 'married filing separately' because spouse was a part-year resident and we thought we had to. Later realized we could have filed jointly, but we made no money so it didn't impact our taxes anyway. Will this be a problem?[/i]
  
• Copy of the lease for our apartment.
  We don't have a lease from the first 6 months because we didn't have jobs and were living with family
  
• Letter of our life insurance designations to each other.
  
• Copy of spouse's student loan application on which members of my family are listed as references.
  
• Copy of our joint auto insurance policy.
  Only from Feb 2011 to present. Spouse just got driver's license.
  
• Copy of our state issued IDs showing same adddress.
  Well almost same address. DMV messed up the apt# on mine and the new one hasn't come yet. (6-8 week wait)
  
• Copy of the title of our car, showing joint ownership.
  Put in both of our names this March after spouse got DL
  
• Copy of joint savings account statement.
  Only opened a joint bank account together this month. Didn't have enough money to bother until we got our taxes back this year.
  
• Copies of bank statements showing transfers to/from each other over past two years.
  
• Copy of two store credit cards showing joint accounts and shared address.
  
• Copies of our mobile phone bill showing a joint account and shared address.
  
• Copies of our electric utility bills showing a joint account and shared address.
  
• Copies of our gas utility bills showing a joint account and shared address.
  
• Copy of our health/dental insurance cards showing a joint policy
  Portion of 2010 only, we now have our own health insurance through our own jobs because it's cheaper.
  
• Photos
  
• Copies of some birthday, holiday cards and envelopes from friends/family.
  
• Copy of flight and hotel booking for vacation with spouse's parents last summer.
  
• Copy of flight booking for summer 2011 vacation with spouse's parents.
  

My main concern is that we have a gap in evidence from when we first came back to the US together (we lived abroad and did direct consular filing the first time around): No jobs = no apartment lease, no bills, no insurance, no money for joint bank accounts, etc. Same with our taxes for the first year. We filed 'married filing separately' because I thought we had to because spouse was a part-year resident. A number of other things are only from the past few months (car title, joint savings account, car insurance, etc) because that's when it made sense to get them. We plan to explain this stuff in the cover letter, but it seems like we have lots to explain!

Would you recommend affidavits from friends/family? Anything else to be added or removed? I've read through the pinned thread on evidence, but would still appreciate your advice. Thank you!

[deidre 13]

you have got it all! it looks good to me!

we just sent our ROC packet today and included everything you have listed but minus the student loan (as we dont have any), minus the letters & envelopes & cards, and minus the gas and electricity bills (because thats already included in our rent). I also included 2 affidavits, and the reason why i did this is because on the I-751 instructions, it mentions to include them (you dont have too but i wanted to follow their instructions perfectly!).

you are good to go IMO !

Edited May 18, 2011 by deidre

[TBoneTX 45,288]

We plan to explain this stuff in the cover letter

Excellent plan.

Would you recommend affidavits from friends/family?

I'd get a couple -- one from a family member, another from a "third party" whose position or title would carry respect -- a minister, judge, policeman, or similar. Just be sure that the writers' complete contact information is included in the affidavit, and that the "early" part of your relationship (that's thin on evidence) is mentioned or covered in the statements that are made.

It sounds as though you have your head on straight, and I believe that you'll ultimately be fine, si man.

[McLogan 0]

I think I pretty much what I need to submit except my husband who sells insurance does not have a policy and I don't want to buy one just for my ROC application. Also, we have about three pics together as the others were lost when my husband's computer crashed. Will not having an insurance policy naming either of us as beneficiary harm us?

Already have joint Credit Union and bank accounts but no joint credit cards, joint tax return for one year, joint car insurance,affidavits, greeting cards,utility bills in both names, my pay advice showing spousal benefit for health insurance etc.