Evidence of a bonafide marriage?

[AmyWrites 593]

I don't know what I can submit as evidence. I'm a student, and my SO, having a good job, pays the rent and the bills. We don't have kids. We don't have a joint bank account or property together. The only thing I can submit is letters from family members and our marriage certificate. Anything else I can submit?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

You may not have joint bills, but maybe you at least have bills in separate names going to the same address? Are you his emergency contact at work, maybe he has life insurance with you as beneficiary?

Not having any co-mingling of finances (no joint accounts etc) will be questioned, be prepared with a good answer why he didn't add you to his account.

[AmyWrites 593]

You may not have joint bills, but maybe you at least have bills in separate names going to the same address? Are you his emergency contact at work, maybe he has life insurance with you as beneficiary?

Not having any co-mingling of finances (no joint accounts etc) will be questioned, be prepared with a good answer why he didn't add you to his account.

Nope, I basically live with him for free (I pay for groceries sometimes but that's it), and my other bills back in the States I pay for online. No life insurance, am unsure about the emergency contact thing, I think I'm not, given my Russian is not fluent so he probably put his father in.

Edited March 28, 2012 by AmyWrites

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Photos of you together over the months?

Letters addressed to both of you, say from family back home for Christmas or congrats on your marriage?

Did you need to register with the Russian police or something, or even the US embassy, to say where you'd live, and gave your husband's address?

[AmyWrites 593]

Photos of you together over the months?

Letters addressed to both of you, say from family back home for Christmas or congrats on your marriage?

Did you need to register with the Russian police or something, or even the US embassy, to say where you'd live, and gave your husband's address?

I do have photos and we did go home for Christmas and have plenty of pictures of that. I registered with the embassy at my hubby's address but I have no idea where to get a record of that.

I'm gonna see if I can somehow add him to my bank account in the States even if we're both abroad.

Edited March 28, 2012 by AmyWrites

[Joshua+Oksana 0]

Below you will find an example of evidence in order to show that you have a bonafide marriage. Please be prepared to present suitable documentation at the time of your visa interview. The type of documentation you present will depend on your particular circumstances and the consulate post your visa interview will be held at. If you are unable to satisfy a consulate officer that you have a bonafide marriage not entered into for immigration purposes alone, then your visa can be denied. Section 221(g) INA

Tax returns showing joint filing

Receipts showing joint obligations for housing and living expenses, such as rent, utilities, telephone, etc

Joint mortgages, leases, credit accounts, or any other financial obligations including joint ownership of any property

Any evidence of joint finances, e.g. joint bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement plans, trusts, wills, etc.

Phone bill, photos, and correspondence between you and your spouse - from before and during the marriage

Any Correspondence to both spouses from family members e.g. emails or letters

Any evidence that those who know you and your spouse recognize you as a married couple, such as invitations, cards, correspondence (emails, letters), etc.

Any other documentation or evidence that shows that the marriage is a genuine marital union.

[AmyWrites 593]

He's adding me to his bank account, not as an owner (he can't), but I'll have the ability to withdraw and deposit money. We also have picture, Skype records, emails (including a few that speak about or to both of us), pictures of us in the States, tickets of said trip to the States, and our families are writing letters confirming that we've been living together since June and are married. This enough?

[AmyWrites 593]

Also, we sometimes loaned money to each other; like, I paid for his computer because the website wouldn't allow a non-US credit card, and he once paid for part of my study abroad program. I have receipts of both. Can this prove financial co-mingling?