proofs of a bonadife marriage & ongoing relationship

[jon&cess 0]

Hello everyone! For starters, I'll be having my USEM Manila interview on December 9. The thing is, I am confused to what proofs of a bonafide marriage and ongoing relationship should I present during the interview. I already have in hand civil documents such as marriage certificate, advisory on marriage (certificate of marriage), and the like.

My question is, what other proofs should I bring with me (aside from the civil documents)? I have chosen about 121 photos, printed out magic jack calls log and money transfer transactions. I prepared about 268 pages screenshots of our Facebook conversations (but haven't printed them out yet though - yahoo messenger chats, skype videocalls log are not yet included). But I have heard that the consular officers aren't interested with such proofs. You see, hubby and I converse most of the time in facebook, yahoo messenger & skype. What do you suggest I do?

I am hoping that Philippines IR1/CR1 applicants who are already done with their interviews could give me some advise here. It would be such of great help!

[Leatherneck 693]

Op, not sure where you heard the CO isn't interested in the evidence you have to prove a bona fide marriage. The some things you have are what they are looking for. You're doing fine with what you have.

Consider these also.

Photographs that show both of you together and with family and friends. Photographs taken at the wedding, trips, at other functions or events, and throughout the relationship.

Letters, birthday cards, get well cards, sympathy cards and graduation cards between you, with their postmarked envelope.

Evidence of trips you and your husband have taken together, hotel receipts reflecting both names and plane tickets.

[jon&cess 0]

Op, not sure where you heard the CO isn't interested in the evidence you have to prove a bona fide marriage. The some things you have are what they are looking for. You're doing fine with what you have.

Consider these also.

Photographs that show both of you together and with family and friends. Photographs taken at the wedding, trips, at other functions or events, and throughout the relationship.

Letters, birthday cards, get well cards, sympathy cards and graduation cards between you, with their postmarked envelope.

Evidence of trips you and your husband have taken together, hotel receipts reflecting both names and plane tickets.

Thanks for the prompt reply and suggestions. I just heard somewhere that consular officers aren't asking/looking for such types of communication (facebook, YM, skype) during the interview. But yeah, that's how we communicate. So I was just confused of what evidences will I provide them.

I have pictures with me, us hubby & wifey together, with my family and his family, wedding pictures and other pictures through out the relationship. But we don't have letters & cards with postmarked envelope (almost all were done electronically ). We weren't able to go in trips coz I was working as a nurse during the time he was here. I'm afraid that what I have will not be enough to satisfy the consular officer.

[Leatherneck 693]

Thanks for the prompt reply and suggestions. I just heard somewhere that consular officers aren't asking/looking for such types of communication (facebook, YM, skype) during the interview. But yeah, that's how we communicate. So I was just confused of what evidences will I provide them.

I have pictures with me, us hubby & wifey together, with my family and his family, wedding pictures and other pictures through out the relationship. But we don't have letters & cards with postmarked envelope (almost all were done electronically ). We weren't able to go in trips coz I was working as a nurse during the time he was here. I'm afraid that what I have will not be enough to satisfy the consular officer.

I wouldn't put much faith in the facebook stuff, but Skype and Yahoo Messenger is good, along with emails and the phone call logs and cell bills or how ever you communicate, as long as you have a record of it.

You have what you need, no worries OP.

[TeapotGirl 66]

Thanks for the prompt reply and suggestions. I just heard somewhere that consular officers aren't asking/looking for such types of communication (facebook, YM, skype) during the interview. But yeah, that's how we communicate. So I was just confused of what evidences will I provide them.

Out of 13 respondents (as of 11-04-2011, 09:29PM MLA) there's still one that was asked about the screenshot on my poll Importance of communication screenshots and ongoing relationship proof during interview

Just bring it. You wouldn't know what kind of CO you are going to talk to. Sometimes if they don't like you for some weird reason, they make things hard but if you have a shield on every bullet, there will be no space for doubt.

Edited November 4, 2011 by teapotgurl1983

[jon&cess 0]

I wouldn't put much faith in the facebook stuff, but Skype and Yahoo Messenger is good, along with emails and the phone call logs and cell bills or how ever you communicate, as long as you have a record of it.

You have what you need, no worries OP.

I guess I'm just being paranoid! Haha! And thanks for your words of encouragement. Phew! Now I'm relieved!

Out of 13 respondents (as of 11-04-2011, 09:29PM MLA) there's still one that was asked about the screenshot on my poll Importance of communication screenshots and ongoing relationship proof during interview

Just bring it. You wouldn't know what kind of CO you are going to talk to. Sometimes if they don't like you for some weird reason, they make things hard but if you have a shield on every bullet, there will be no space for doubt.

Thanks teapotgurl1983! I'll bring screenshot evidences (most prolly one per week) each from facebook, skype, yahoo messenger & emails. It'll still reach over a hundred pages I guess. Haha! Better over-prepared than under right?

Edited November 4, 2011 by jon&cess

[DouglasFiel 53]

We did a lot of Yahoo Messaging. We just took a transcript of a conversation one about every 2 weeks of the relationship after

the date of the marriage. So, basically 8-10 transcripts for the 4 months between the date we got married and the interview

date.

Regards,

[jon&cess 0]

We did a lot of Yahoo Messaging. We just took a transcript of a conversation one about every 2 weeks of the relationship after

the date of the marriage. So, basically 8-10 transcripts for the 4 months between the date we got married and the interview

date.

Regards,

4 months from the date you got married until interview date?! That was fast! We're now 10months married, 10 months apart from each other (he left PI 2 days after our wedding), 8 months since he filed the petition. I still have to include conversations when we were still dating (bf/gf) right? (coz you stated that you obtain your Yahoo Messenger conversations after the date of marriage).

[JoeVisa 1]

Hello everyone! I am hoping that Philippines IR1/CR1 applicants who are already done with their interviews could give me some advise here. It would be such of great help!

In addition to the above suggestions already. Don't forget to bring a complete copies of all the other important paperworks; most importantly the AOS package, all the receipts you have for paying the application/immigration fees and also NBI clearances for all your names you may have used in the past. If you want more detailed information check out this link: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/306605/atienzalb/Packet%204%20_appointment%20packet_%20English%20rtf%20_revised%20GSS_%20_2__001.pdf Good luck next month and try to be there as early as possible!

[jon&cess 0]

In addition to the above suggestions already. Don't forget to bring a complete copies of all the other important paperworks; most importantly the AOS package, all the receipts you have for paying the application/immigration fees and also NBI clearances for all your names you may have used in the past. If you want more detailed information check out this link: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/306605/atienzalb/Packet%204%20_appointment%20packet_%20English%20rtf%20_revised%20GSS_%20_2__001.pdf Good luck next month and try to be there as early as possible!

Hi! I wanna ask you something re the AOS package. I really need your advice regarding my case. Please do help me! I badly need it!

For starters, I'll be having my USEM Manila interview on December 9 @ 8:30am. So basically, I'm preparing all of the necessary documentations and paper works that I'll be needing to present during the interview. A lil backstory : During the NVC process, we passed our AOS packet which contains the following : Hubby's IRS & W2s (2010), original pay stubs & I-864 (no employment letter coz he's unemployed during that time). He's total income was also below the 125% required on the poverty guidelines ($11k last year), so we opted having a co-sponsor. Also included in the AOS packet was the co-sponsor's IRS & W2s (2010), original pay stubs, I-864, employment letter and biographic page of his US passport. Co-sponsor's total income was around $38k (for household size of 2, co-sponsor & me, the intending immigrant).

Earlier this month, hubby got a new job at firestone but only earns $12/hr flat rate. We are planning on requesting an employment letter from firestone (so that I'll have one in case it will be asked during the interview). But yeah, he'll still be below the 125% requirement on the poverty guidelines.

Here is my query, will I have a problem during USEM interview regarding my hubby's AOS (since he is the petitioner and still earns below the 125% requirement in the poverty guidelines though recently employed)? Or I'll do just fine since we have a co-sponsor? Will the CO ask me questions regarding our co-sponsor, his employment history, assets etc? I'm kinda worried here!

[JoeVisa 1]

Hi! I wanna ask you something re the AOS package. I really need your advice regarding my case. Please do help me! I badly need it!

Here is my query, will I have a problem during USEM interview regarding my hubby's AOS (since he is the petitioner and still earns below the 125% requirement in the poverty guidelines though recently employed)? Or I'll do just fine since we have a co-sponsor? Will the CO ask me questions regarding our co-sponsor, his employment history, assets etc? I'm kinda worried here!

Okay, it looks like the AOS is good to go for both sponsors, although, I would've prefer the last 3 income taxes 2010, 2009, 2008 for both. Why not submit the last 3 years? – this will show the CO that the sponsor is capable and above the 125% requirements. Well, with having a co-sponsor already making enough you should be alright. They (prescreener/CO) will ask you about the co-sponsor's AOS so you should know something about it but you can just tell them that he makes more than enough the poverty line to sponsor for 5 – $32,712 . Again, bring all the pertinent documents to the interview and don't worry just be ready! This link might help you more so read every page also: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?trim=no&cty=&cnty=Philippines&page=1&dfilter=5 Good luck and God bless!

[jon&cess 0]

Okay, it looks like the AOS is good to go for both sponsors, although, I would've prefer the last 3 income taxes 2010, 2009, 2008 for both. Why not submit the last 3 years? – this will show the CO that the sponsor is capable and above the 125% requirements. Well, with having a co-sponsor already making enough you should be alright. They (prescreener/CO) will ask you about the co-sponsor's AOS so you should know something about it but you can just tell them that he makes more than enough the poverty line to sponsor for 5 – $32,712 . Again, bring all the pertinent documents to the interview and don't worry just be ready! This link might help you more so read every page also: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?trim=no&cty=&cnty=Philippines&page=1&dfilter=5 Good luck and God bless!

We can't submit the last 3 income taxes of hubby (sponsor/petitioner), coz during 2010, 2009 and 2008, he was a college student and working only part time. So basically he'll still be below the 125% requirement. Having a co-sponsor is our only option. Re co-sponsor last 3 income taxes, well, we (hubby & I) were a bit shy to bother our co-sponsor. We already asked for a HUGE favor and we don't want him to feel we were abusing him, kinda requesting too much from him. So yeah, I guess I have to also "study" our co-sponsor's AOS papers. Hehe! Thank you for your insight JoeVisa!

[andrea4prez 1]

Thanks for the prompt reply and suggestions. I just heard somewhere that consular officers aren't asking/looking for such types of communication (facebook, YM, skype) during the interview. But yeah, that's how we communicate. So I was just confused of what evidences will I provide them.

I have pictures with me, us hubby & wifey together, with my family and his family, wedding pictures and other pictures through out the relationship. But we don't have letters & cards with postmarked envelope (almost all were done electronically ). We weren't able to go in trips coz I was working as a nurse during the time he was here. I'm afraid that what I have will not be enough to satisfy the consular officer.

I think you have enough proof, no need to worry!

Good luck!

[JoeVisa 1]

We can't submit the last 3 income taxes of hubby (sponsor/petitioner), coz during 2010, 2009 and 2008, he was a college student and working only part time. So basically he'll still be below the 125% requirement. Having a co-sponsor is our only option. Re co-sponsor last 3 income taxes, well, we (hubby & I) were a bit shy to bother our co-sponsor. We already asked for a HUGE favor and we don't want him to feel we were abusing him, kinda requesting too much from him. So yeah, I guess I have to also "study" our co-sponsor's AOS papers. Hehe! Thank you for your insight JoeVisa!

OK, I understand your hubby was below the 125% requirement and I hope you guys attached a letter of explanation for the tax exemption. In Form I-864, Part 6 requires you to explain and include a copy of the IRS Publication 501 http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar01.html#d0e112 (on mine I included the first 3 pages of 501 to show my filing exemptions.) Same with the one year Income Tax Return (2010 only) from your joint sponsor. But I hope yours will be sufficient enough to satisfy the consular officer (as they will be the one to decide on the AOS) at the US Embassy. I know what you meant by abusing them already, but you know might as well do it one time rather than getting an RFE (I hope not!) I wish Ryan H, caly, Pushbrk, Darnell and NavyK can chime in and see what they say "I respect them so much!" Don't worry... this is just in case, okay!?

Edited November 18, 2011 by JoeVisa

[jon&cess 0]

I think you have enough proof, no need to worry!

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement andrea4prez! I'm gettin more confident for the USEM interview as each day pass. Hubby had already done his part, now, it's all up to me.

OK, I understand your hubby was below the 125% requirement and I hope you guys attached a letter of explanation for the tax exemption. In Form I-864, Part 6 requires you to explain and include a copy of the IRS Publication 501 http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar01.html#d0e112 (on mine I included the first 3 pages of 501 to show my filing exemptions.) Same with the one year Income Tax Return (2010 only) from your joint sponsor. But I hope yours will be sufficient enough to satisfy the consular officer (as they will be the one to decide on the AOS) at the US Embassy. I know what you meant by abusing them already, but you know might as well do it one time rather than getting an RFE (I hope not!) I wish Ryan H, caly, Pushbrk, Darnell and NavyK can chime in and see what they say "I respect them so much!" Don't worry... this is just in case, okay!?

I'm kinda confused on what you've said (coz I really have no idea when it comes to US taxes, forms and such). But yeah, I'll ask my hubby. I'll show him your response and let him explain everything to me (he only opened our VJ account once or twice). I'll inform you as soon as I clarified these things with him.