I-751 - Insufficient Evidence Letter

[w0rryw0rt 0]

Hi everyone.

First and foremost, thank you very much in advance. I've looked through many threads and was very glad to see how kind and helpful people in here are.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter stating that I need to submit more evidence. I know that there are many people that receive this letter, but my case is a bit complicated and has me feeling extremely desperate. This is what the letter said:

"...You submitted taxes without W-2s and bank statements, but you have not established that you and your spouse entered the marriage in good faith and continue to share a life together. The evidence you provided was insufficient because it did not span the entire length of your marriage in sufficient detail nor does it support joint financial obligations, joint ownership of assets, joint indebtedness, co-mingling of funds and cohabitation."

The economy being as it is, my wife has not worked (except as a babysitter to my little niece, at home) since she came to the U.S. Also, as a result, we are currently living with my parents in a big apartment (their names are on the lease, not ours), and the utility bills are under their name also. We do not own a car (therefore, have no drivers' licenses), and we do not have credit cards (because we have little or no credit history). The only trip we've taken together was our vacation a few months ago (a delayed honeymoon of sorts).

We're married because, like almost all of you here, we love each other immensely. A year and a half ago, we got married in a church (We sent them photos of that, and many other photos of our time together). And although what we want the most right now is to have a baby, we cannot at the moment because of a condition my wife has. The only health insurance we can afford is through a hospital that allows us to pay about $20 per visit, so i'm not sure if i should even include that as evidence.

In our case, what can we possibly submit as valid, sufficient evidence?

My apologies for such a long post, but I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me.

Thank you!

Edited July 8, 2011 by w0rryw0rt

[Diazy 10]

You can't get driver license but you can get identification cards.

As to the credit cards - you can get a secured credit card (when you put a deposit and then use that amount of money)

Do you have cell phone family plan?

You can also ask your family to write an affidavit exaplining that you live with them and that they're paying for most of the bills.

Edited July 8, 2011 by Diazy

[w0rryw0rt 0]

You can't get driver license but you can get identification cards.

As to the credit cards - you can get a secured credit card (when you put a deposit and then use that amount of money)

Do you have cell phone family plan?

Thank you very much for your helpful reply... We were thinking of getting ID cards tomorrow, but would they care if the cards were obtained just now as opposed to the beginning of our life together in the US? Also, I don't think we have time to get a secured credit card under our names and send it to them by July 30th.

On the plus side, we are part of a family plan! (along with 3 other relatives)

[nycfeng 2]

What are the list of evidence you sent?

Rental agreement, if you rent; joint tax filing; joint financial mingling evidence, like insurance, credit card, bank, membership, are the 3 most factors.

[w0rryw0rt 0]

You can also ask your family to write an affidavit exaplining that you live with them and that they're paying for most of the bills.

Thanks! We were thinking of asking relatives and also neighbors that know us very well... My parents and I split the utility bills, rent, cable, etc. but unfortunately there's no legit proof of that. Would it help if I have them write a letter acknowledging that?

@nycfeng: Thank you! ...We sent copies of my income taxes, a copy of the earliest monthly statement of our joint account, random pictures (including the religious ceremony), a copy of an anniversary card, and a copy of our religious certificate of marriage.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Simply curious, when did you file your ROC?

What about mail sent in both your name to the common address? what about e-mail correspondences? What about card sent to each other?

Good luck

Edited July 8, 2011 by canadian_wife

[nycfeng 2]

You really need to resend more than what you have sent.. too little evidence.

...We sent copies of my income taxes, a copy of the earliest monthly statement of our joint account, random pictures (including the religious ceremony), a copy of an anniversary card, and a copy of our religious certificate of marriage.

[Diazy 10]

Thanks! We were thinking of asking relatives and also neighbors that know us very well... My parents and I split the utility bills, rent, cable, etc. but unfortunately there's no legit proof of that. Would it help if I have them write a letter acknowledging that?

@nycfeng: Thank you! ...We sent copies of my income taxes, a copy of the earliest monthly statement of our joint account, random pictures (including the religious ceremony), a copy of an anniversary card, and a copy of our religious certificate of marriage.

Yes, affidavits will help.

You can send multiple bank statements. For example, I sent 1 bank statement for each 3-4 months.

Also you can go to the bank and ask for a letter which states that you have a joint account together.

Thank you very much for your helpful reply... We were thinking of getting ID cards tomorrow, but would they care if the cards were obtained just now as opposed to the beginning of our life together in the US? Also, I don't think we have time to get a secured credit card under our names and send it to them by July 30th.

On the plus side, we are part of a family plan! (along with 3 other relatives)

I think that 'young' ID cards won't hurt your application. My husband and I renewed our ID cards a month before sending the ROC application.

[w0rryw0rt 0]

Simply curious, when did you file your ROC?

What about mail sent in both your name to the common address? what about e-mail correspondences? What about card sent to each other?

Good luck

I started the entire process near the end of January... The only letter that arrives with both our names is the monthly bank statement. And ever since she came to the US, we've never emailed or mailed each other.

You really need to resend more than what you have sent.. too little evidence.

I know but I have no clue what I can send to convince them.

I'm hoping the ID cards arrive soon, since someone just told me they take 2 weeks to be delivered.

[Darnell 8,479]

alas, on paper, you two as a married couple, don't exist. ROC primilary seeks to reveal your financial co-mingling - as is, you not really have proof of that.

Don't fret so much, though.

re: utilities that you do pay to the parents -

get a receipt book at the local office supply store, create 2 years of receipts with the parents, have both names put on the receipts (you and yer wife)

re: rental agreement, lack of -

explain in brief your living situation with the parents, list the duration as well.

re: joint bank account, lack of -

explain in brief why the two of you not have a joint bank account.

re: health insurance - show it.

Good Luck !

[w0rryw0rt 0]

alas, on paper, you two as a married couple, don't exist. ROC primilary seeks to reveal your financial co-mingling - as is, you not really have proof of that.

Don't fret so much, though.

re: utilities that you do pay to the parents -

get a receipt book at the local office supply store, create 2 years of receipts with the parents, have both names put on the receipts (you and yer wife)

re: rental agreement, lack of -

explain in brief your living situation with the parents, list the duration as well.

re: joint bank account, lack of -

explain in brief why the two of you not have a joint bank account.

re: health insurance - show it.

Good Luck !

great ideas! thank you very much!

Would the fact that she's never worked affect our 'financial co-mingling,' since I'm the only one making money?

Edited July 8, 2011 by w0rryw0rt

[Friday 1]

I know but I have no clue what I can send to convince them.

I'm hoping the ID cards arrive soon, since someone just told me they take 2 weeks to be delivered.

if not! make copy from the copy ID cards they give it to you, and like they say above ? letter from your family will help very well ! and make all of them sign it

Good luck

[Friday 1]

The Immigration office need approve and Evidence you guy's live together in same address, so any paper or hospital bill have you & your wife name on it.

Good Luck

[Darnell 8,479]

great ideas! thank you very much!

Please take them as directives, not ideas.

[aravis227 1]

I started the entire process near the end of January... The only letter that arrives with both our names is the monthly bank statement. And ever since she came to the US, we've never emailed or mailed each other.

Include letters (especially official ones: government, bills, library, anything like that) sent to each of you individually, but at the same address. Many of our bills have only one or the other of our names on them and we each have our own credit cards (we have a couple of joint credit cards, too), so I included copies of mail, even if it was sent to just one of us, highlighted where it said the name and address and put a note saying something along the lines of "mail to each of us arriving at the same address."