Evidence of a Bonafide marriage

[renlsu 0]

Hey,

I have a few questions about what to include in the section for "evidence of a bonafide marriage." The VJ instructions list, for example, "5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union."

What are the rules regarding the affidavits? My husband and I did not have a marriage ceremony because we could not afford it. We simply went to the Courthouse; however, all my friends and family knew about it beforehand. Lastly, what would be any other relevant documentation? I recently just changed my last name to my husbands. Is this something that would count?

Thanks for your help!

[dwheels76 5,468]

In the guides I believe are examples of affidavits. here's a list of some suggestions I have pulled here and there. But one thing i would highly suggest is go to your countries embassy reviews and read over what people have said and what they were asked and what they presented. You may get some tips. What flies at one embassy doesn't at another. My husband will be interviewing at the highest fraud embassy Lagos, Nigeria so we have to front-load our case like mad. Sorry hope i didn't overwhelm you with this list.

• Include phone records, chat messages, email, snail mail etc.
• Be careful of the emails/letters that you submit, and only use those that show you guys in the best light (Do not submit documents with the information blacked out (unless it is a social security number).
• Anything that shows you are a normal loving couple, that you discuss the things that most couples discuss (i.e. work, family, future plans, etc.) is good to submit. If you've been corresponding with his family, and they've been corresponding with other members of your family, submit this as well. You want to show depth and real family ties.
• You have to go into this thinking that they think your marriage is a fraud, unless you prove them otherwise.
• If you can get a letter from his family stating that they are aware of the age difference and give their approval this will be a big help as well.
• Financial support: If money is being sent keep track of it - be it western union, paypal world debit, credit card with the spouses name on it (you do not need a social security card to add a spouse to your credit card and get them a card).
• Ongoing Communication - Talking on the internet every day? Make sure you are logging it.. Telephone bills, etc..
• Personal Meetings - Make sure these are documented, photos, passport stamps, hotel bills, etc.
• I would organize your information with a timeline of your relationships and then bullet those three items..
• Page one is a cover sheet describing the relationship and the evidence, then the timeline of the relationship, then the evidence as laid out in the cover sheet.
• Each piece of evidence I have also explains what it covers with a small header.. For example I organize internet chats by month –
• I only show the log that shows that we talked/chatted each day (a screenshot) and above have one paragraph explaining why we talked more or less that month and general things we talked about (ie: we did not talk June 24-28th because her internet was down, the heavy usage days the first week were because we were planning my upcoming trip, the heavy Wed and Fri days are because we go over new English word from her class, etc)...
• If you do it month to month the time it takes is not great and shows an ongoing relationship evolving over time.

Whatdocuments are necessary to determine a bona fide marriage?

1. Photographs that show both spouses together and with family and friends. These photographs can be taken at the wedding, at other functions or events, and throughout their relationship.
2. Letters between the couple before the marriage, with their postmarked envelope.
3. Evidence of trips the couple has taken together, including bills and receipts reflecting hotel stays, car rental, plane tickets, postcards sent to family members while on the trip.
4. Birth certificates of children of the marriage.
5. Copies of joint income tax returns.
6. Evidence of joint checking or savings accounts.
7. Photo ID cards of both spouses with a new card for the wife showing her married name.
8. Driver's licenses, credit cards, check cashing cards, employment ID cards, video club memberships, etc. for both parties.
9. Real property deeds showing joint tenancy.
10. Apartment lease or a letter from the landlord indicating that both spouses live at the apartment or copies of rent receipts showing both parties' names.
11. Letter from an employer showing a change in records to reflect the spouses' new marital status.
12. Letter from an employer showing designation of the spouse as the person to be notified in event of accident, sickness, or other emergency.
13. Evidence of life insurance policies where the spouse is named as beneficiary.
14. Evidence of medical or health insurance plans, which name the spouse as a member or beneficiary.
15. Evidence of correspondence between parties, including letters, birthday and holiday cards, telephone calls, and other correspondence addressed to the parties.
16. Religious marriage certificates if the couple had a church wedding.
17. Copies of gas, electric, telephone and other utility bills.
18. Evidence of joint ownership of an automobile.
19. Evidence of all major purchases made together, such as stereo, television, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.
20. Pictures of spouse and family.

[sms78 18]

Hey,

I have a few questions about what to include in the section for "evidence of a bonafide marriage." The VJ instructions list, for example, "5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union."

What are the rules regarding the affidavits? My husband and I did not have a marriage ceremony because we could not afford it. We simply went to the Courthouse; however, all my friends and family knew about it beforehand. Lastly, what would be any other relevant documentation? I recently just changed my last name to my husbands. Is this something that would count?

Thanks for your help!

If you're already married then, you're filing CR-1 correct? I didn't have a wedding ceremony before filing either. I sent 3 letters from mom, mother in law, and USC husband's friend as well as 15-20 pictures of us and our families together. That was it. We had no problem and I'm in US now

[dwheels76 5,468]

If you're already married then, you're filing CR-1 correct? I didn't have a wedding ceremony before filing either. I sent 3 letters from mom, mother in law, and USC husband's friend as well as 15-20 pictures of us and our families together. That was it. We had no problem and I'm in US now

Yes this is why I suggested reading the country's reviews from embassy. I have no idea if its a tough embassy. Every embassy is different. Lagos you have to prove more than Japan. I know we had a courthouse wedding had pics pics got lost so no wedding pics to show. Oh well we had plenty of others. Our best evidence is me living there 6 months.