what is the strongest evidence of bona fide relationship do you think?

[KittyPollitt 284]

to me a baby is the top of the list

Tell that to my best friend and her 2 out of wedlock kids.

[OBX 51]

IMO the strongest evidence you can provide to USCIS to prove a bona fide marriage is to show them that a couple is commingled financially. There are many couples that can't have children or they have chosen not to have children for personal and different reasons, but they still have a legitimate married, sometimes even happier that those who have children together. That's why for USCIS purpose to show financial ties are on the top, because into a real marriage must exist a financial commitment, though to have children cannot to be forced.

Not to mention many of us are past the age of having children together.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Things like joint tax returns, both names on a lease for a house... that's strongest. Whatever shows a comingling of financial and personal lives.

We were able to enclose the "birth facts" sheet (from the hospital) for newborn Mini-Bone, plus a photo of him and the bleary-but-happy Papa & Mama T-B. after surviving the very first night in the hospital. Fortunately, I had put the rest of the ROC package together in advance, or we NEVER would have gotten it off. Things have gotten a bit less hectic now that Mini-B. is 4.5 months old -- those first 3 months were an experience, si man.

Speaking of babies, when you order the birth certificate, get at least 4 official copies -- you'll need them (they make great gifts for the grandmas, in addition to formal use).

I don't know why the birth certificate was $23 per copy when our marriage certificate was only $7 -- go figure, si man.

T Bone are doing this right now too?

[TBoneTX 45,304]

T Bone are doing this right now too?

Huh, man?

[sachinky 465]

Things like joint tax returns, both names on a lease for a house... that's strongest. Whatever shows a comingling of financial and personal lives.

We were able to enclose the "birth facts" sheet (from the hospital) for newborn Mini-Bone, plus a photo of him and the bleary-but-happy Papa & Mama T-B. after surviving the very first night in the hospital. Fortunately, I had put the rest of the ROC package together in advance, or we NEVER would have gotten it off. Things have gotten a bit less hectic now that Mini-B. is 4.5 months old -- those first 3 months were an experience, si man.

I didn't know there was a mini-Bone, congrats on his arrival!

[sachinky 465]

As has been listed before: financial co-mingling.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Huh, man?

The I 751 and all that. We just submitted as well.

[Math Man 6]

I understand the argument that financial co-mingling SHOULD be viewed as the strongest evidence of a valid marriage. However, I've seen a surprising number of posts from people who have received RFEs despite sending in a couple years of joint tax returns. On the other hand, I can't recall seeing a post about an RFE from someone who sent in a birth certificate for a biological child of the U.S. citizen and foreign spouse. Now maybe my memory is faulty and someone can dig up posts that disprove what I wrote, but I would tend to agree with the original post. Also, put yourselves in the shoes of an adjudicator--if there's a child involved, you may think twice about throwing up roadblocks to the immigration process.

By the way, none of what I wrote should be construed as an argument that children are necessary to prove the validity of a marriage. I'm just commenting on what I've observed.

[elikhom 7]

A baby might be the single strongest evidence, but there's a reason why it's not the only one asked. The term "anchor baby" was not created for nothing.

[mari&Ryan 93]

I understand the argument that financial co-mingling SHOULD be viewed as the strongest evidence of a valid marriage. However, I've seen a surprising number of posts from people who have received RFEs despite sending in a couple years of joint tax returns. On the other hand, I can't recall seeing a post about an RFE from someone who sent in a birth certificate for a biological child of the U.S. citizen and foreign spouse. Now maybe my memory is faulty and someone can dig up posts that disprove what I wrote, but I would tend to agree with the original post. Also, put yourselves in the shoes of an adjudicator--if there's a child involved, you may think twice about throwing up roadblocks to the immigration process.

By the way, none of what I wrote should be construed as an argument that children are necessary to prove the validity of a marriage. I'm just commenting on what I've observed.

Oh, I have seen many filers that have kids together getting RFE and sometimes even they have to attend an interview. I don’t know if you understand Spanish, but if you do, I invite you to read the sub forum of Latin America here in VJ. Also another forum in Spanish where you can confirm what I’m telling you is Univision Immigration forum.

Problem I have seen with those filers is that they believe that they do not need to send much more evidence because they have kids together, and that should be enough to be approved, which we have to agree is not totally certain despite the fact that it’s completely unfair to those filers with not children.

I was approved without interview or RFE in both process AOS and ROC and we don’t have children together. Bottom line is each case is unique and the decision is in the hands of the IO that has your case.

[deus360 9]

LOL :thumbs:

Don't mean to be rude.. I have a daughter myself... I just think this is a funny comment..

If you don’t mean to be rude why do you lets us know you have a daughter. I personally don’t care about that info.

I am not sure if I should help you guys here because you are trying to trivialize the info that Just-Bob give here because you probably feel personally alluded by his bluntness. On top of this his comment is right and all the latter comments are mostly wrong. For the USCIS having a child is not always good because having a child doesn’t always demonstrate an ongoing relationship. Having kids is only good for the USCIS when BOTH spouses participate in the child's development and education in and ongoing bases.

The most import information for the USCIS is joint assets. Bank account, joint loans etc. because people never joint their asset with people they don’t trust.

I have gathered this info from a past post where a member had Chat with USCIS director

Here is the link:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/220440-i-751-evidence/

Edited June 9, 2011 by deus360

[galatakulesi2003 1]

I think a child definetely shows that marriage is bona fide..i don't think those who get married only to get green card would like to make a child because their marriage is fake and they will want to divorce after they get the green card. However a child always doesn't show ongoing relationship. That is why uscis needs to see more evidence that proves ongoing relationship, but a child still an important proof..

[sasaqlain 24]

List I am submitting

1) Birth Cert. of baby

2) Joint Tax Returns

3) Same address on DL

4) Same address on ID cards from counry of Origin(myself, wife & baby)

Thats all there is to it. Rest is all commentary.

[deus360 9]

List I am submitting

1) Birth Cert. of baby

2) Joint Tax Returns

3) Same address on DL

4) Same address on ID cards from counry of Origin(myself, wife & baby)

Thats all there is to it. Rest is all commentary.

You should also submit joint tax transcripts because these legitimize your tax returns, because tax transcripts are issued by the IRS and are more difficult to fake. You should also maybe provide joint bank accounts or some other joint liabilities.

[KittyPollitt 284]

I think a child definetely shows that marriage is bona fide..i don't think those who get married only to get green card would like to make a child because their marriage is fake and they will want to divorce after they get the green card. However a child always doesn't show ongoing relationship. That is why uscis needs to see more evidence that proves ongoing relationship, but a child still an important proof..

I know of women who's husbands knocked them up, got their citizenship, and still left. There are no limits to what some individuals will do to stay in the US. USCIS knows this and judges people accordingly, using OTHER evidence.