How do I prove my marriage is "real?"

[Freedove7 17]

We've been together for 10 years,married for almost 5 years.The Marriage cert shows that we had a common residence,however,we moved to a new place and I didnt want my name on the lease since I had no social sec.# at the time.We have like 3 pics together.We never take pics together.Same thing with our child,he has no pics with him...maybe like a few. What can I use to show this is a real marriage even though its totally obvious that it is? Also we have no joint account.His credit is bad so I keep my finances separate from his.I just got a job and was asked to fill out info for tax purposes.I did put that I was married and I did list him as dependent but Im not sure if his name shows.Will a copy of that form help?

Edited June 13, 2012 by Freedove7

[Cathi 5,771]

It isn't obvious to USCIS if you have little to no evidence of a bona fide marriage. How about joint tax returns, life insurance plans listing each other as the beneficiary, joint health insurance, notarized letters from friends, birth certificates of children, if any.

[Freedove7 17]

It isn't obvious to USCIS if you have little to no evidence of a bona fide marriage. How about joint tax returns, life insurance plans listing each other as the beneficiary, joint health insurance, notarized letters from friends, birth certificates of children, if any.

Yes we have a kid together and we will bring the bith cert.Shouldnt that be enough ? He never added me as dependent because I had no social and was out of status.I did list him as dependent on tax related forms at my new job.

[Waiting_In_SC 28]

What can I use to show this is a real marriage even though its totally obvious that it is?

Please don't think I'm flaming you here, because I'm not... but what makes it 'totally obvious' that your marriage is real? You have to look at it from the eyes of an outsider that doesn't know you from a hole in the wall. What, to them, makes it obvious?

[Freedove7 17]

Please don't think I'm flaming you here, because I'm not... but what makes it 'totally obvious' that your marriage is real? You have to look at it from the eyes of an outsider that doesn't know you from a hole in the wall. What, to them, makes it obvious?

Well we've been married for 5 years and have a child together.If thats not real then what is

[Lornaevo 48]

Well we've been married for 5 years and have a child together.If thats not real then what is

You've been married 5 years and don't have pictures together? What about wedding pictures? Anniversary? Birthday Pictures?

[Freedove7 17]

You've been married 5 years and don't have pictures together? What about wedding pictures? Anniversary? Birthday Pictures?

Seriously, guys?? We have a kid together We have pics together but not a lot.

[Waiting_In_SC 28]

Well we've been married for 5 years and have a child together.If thats not real then what is

Again, I'm not trying to argue or flame you, so I hope you don't think that. You do, however, have to look at the situation realistically. A USCIS officer, who is trained to try to sniff out 'fake' marriages, is going to interview you to ensure that your marriage is real, or as they put it, 'bona fide'. I do think that having a child together is a positive thing for you. On the other hand, I know lots and lots of people who have children together that are either not married (nor intend to become married to the other parent), or are married and living apart.

The USCIS officer wants to see evidence that your marriage is 'bona fide' and that you live together, share a life together, and intend to continue doing so. They don't visit you at your home or follow you around to see you kissing, holding hands, being parents together, and just generally sharing life as a married couple. They can only go on what evidence you provide them, so they are limited to relying on photos, shared or 'co-mingled' financial resources, leases, loans, having health/life insurance together, etc.

I certainly don't know what a USCIS officer is going to view as a minimum amount of evidence of a 'bona fide' marriage, but I fear that walking through the door for your interview with only a marriage license and evidence of having a child together is pushing it. I'd definitely try to get some photos put together, and gather anything and everything with both of your names on it to take with you.

Good luck! I certainly hope your case goes well. Everyone deserves a chance at happiness, and I hope that USCIS will give you that chance.

[DandT14 272]

Your husband could be an ex-boyfriend who's just helping you out with citizenship. You have to prove to immigration that's not the case.

If you don't have anything else, start looking for people who will sign affidavits for you.

[JohnR! 5,495]

1339594687[/url]' post='5444935']

Seriously, guys?? We have a kid together We have pics together but not a lot.

Freed, consider your experience in this thread as a dry run. Someone has play devil's advocate so you can prepare for the interview and be ready for whatever may come.

Having said that, you can only bring to the interview that which you have. IMHO consider bringing everything, and I mean the lot. Bring all the pix, no matter how few they are. Asknfor affidavits from family if you can, and failing that see if you can get affidavits from close friends and even neighbors, school teachers and otherbs who can vouch that you and spouse are seen together in situations where a couple is expected to be, such as PTA meetings, sports practice, etc. Could there be pictures of you at a party orr function somewhere, taken by another person? Meanwhile, you may wish to take some pictures of your home and have them handy so you can show where you live. You mentioned having keeping your finances separate from your husband's for credit purposes. Have his credit report handy so you can support that statement if questioned by the officer. How about credit cards? If he does not have a credit card, maybe you have used your card to pay for something visibly his, such as an oil change or repair. Do you charge for groceries? Bring credit card statements to show evidence that you are a family.

Of course, these are just ideas and they may help or not. Unfortunately nobody can sy for sure either way.

As I said, bring whatever you have but do not forget that those who come to these interviews with a clean conscience and nothing to hide, also bring to the table their reassured attitude of being on the right side of the law. Don't forget that because your countenance is also evidence that your request is legit and your relationship bonafide.

Good luck! I hope all goes smoothly!

[Lornaevo 48]

No one is trying to rain on your parade, but If you can't convince us that your marriage is bona fide, how can you expect a USCIS officer to believe it.

[Cathi 5,771]

Seriously, guys?? We have a kid together We have pics together but not a lot.

you asked for advice, we gave it to you and you proceeded to start a new thread. If you want to be argumentative with people who are trying to help you, then don't ask. It doesnt matter if you know your marriage is real...immigration has little to no proof that it is. Whether you like it or not you have to convince them, and having a child together does not prove a relationship, it merely proves you had sex. Sorry to be so blunt, but for some reason you don;t want to believe those of us who tried to help. If you go for your interview with a birth certificate, and a few pictures after being married 5 years the visa won't be issued. Your choice.

[seth2013 39]

I don't take too many pics with my husband either, but we do have some that are representative of our relationship. A couple from travel, a couple with his family and mine. Do you have something like this? If not, you can start taking some now! Go on picnics, take photos with landmarks, with family, and that will help a lot

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Seriously, guys?? We have a kid together We have pics together but not a lot.

Unless you undertook a DNA test YOU have a kid that HE accepts as his. Nothing else. If you DID undergo a DNA test then you had sex with him and bore a child. I know many people with kids who aren't married to their kids dad. I know plenty of people who are still friends with their kids dad and who would live together as friends in order to keep their kid around in the country. You haven't proved anything by having a child. It's a positive factor sure, but doesn't mean your marriage is bonafide. Esp as right now it could be it WAS legit and you've broken up and facing the prospect of being apart from his child he's gunna help you AOS so that you can stay (which is fraud). You need to disprove all these assumptions.

I'm sorry but I just find it hard to believe that there's not SOME pics of him with his kid, you and him and the kid... we're not talking 50 million, a couple here and there is fine.

There could be a club membership together. Joint bank account. Wills, Powers of Attorney, being on his health insurance, being on car insurance, ID's with the same address, joint names on bills, birthday cards from friends/family, facebook printouts showing relationship stuff or comments on your photos together, proof of his accounts paying your bills and vice versa... you'll have more than you realise when you really sit down and think about EVERYTHING in your life. I could print MSN chats with my mum where we talk about me and tony or where she asks about him etc.

[ChrisPG 30]

I find it hard to believe that you have been together for 10 years and married for 5 years and the only "evidence" you have is a child's birth certificate and marriage certificate!

- You have no lease/mortgage agreements?

- No joint financial evidence (credit, checking or savings)?

- No joint life or health insurance?

- No Ids with the same name (State ID, DL, SSN, Passport or Student ID)?

- No joint car insurance or even a joint car title?

- No photos of you guys together with friends and family for the 10 years you have together?

- Never taken a vacation together? No photos of that or boarding passes?

- No written affidavits of support from friends, family neighbors, bosses or landlords?

- No wedding cards written to the both of you?

- No joint ultilties?

- No pieces of separate mail showing going to the same address? For example a gym member in your husband's name and a magazine subscription in your name, both with the same mailing address.

I am not sure how all of this will look to the IO on the day of your interview.

Edited June 13, 2012 by ChrisPG