No joint accounts

[frombrazil 6]

We are about to file for my adjustment of status and we have decided that no one will interfere with the finances of each other. She doesn't wanna know how much I make (will make) and I don't wanna know how much she makes. We have been leading our finances this way and it works very well for us. We talked about adding each other to our bank accounts but we are afraid that it's just a something to bug us.

I was wondering how much this would affect with AOS and later with ROC. We are young and haven't earned much. We don't own property nor have health insurance together, etc.

Thanks in advance!

-Matt

[bigdog 376]

Establish a third joint account, the balance is not important for AOS / ROC but shows a combination of your lives and a small balance to start, you both will have a debit card also. Open it after she gets her social, you can do the name change stuff after that.

[Que Saudade 284]

In response to your question, Yes it may affect AOS.

For AOS, you will need to show something. USCIS will question the validity of your relationship. Do not let emotions get in the way here. Think of it like this, imagine you have to go to court and PROVE with EVIDENCE that you are in a legitimate relationship. What evidence do you have to back up your claim? Most married couples (remember I said most and not all) do share bank accounts. Health insurance is a big issue. Your lease should have both of your names on it. You can have utility bills in both names. Just because you show up with a marriage certificate will not be enough evidence. There have been tons of posts about this issue and all of them receive the same sort of answers. Burden of proof lies upon you.

The good news is that you still have time to rectify some of these issues. The sooner the better.

Good luck with your process. Best wishes to the both of you.

Edited July 6, 2012 by John & Mari

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

We are about to file for my adjustment of status and we have decided that no one will interfere with the finances of each other. She doesn't wanna know how much I make (will make) and I don't wanna know how much she makes. We have been leading our finances this way and it works very well for us. We talked about adding each other to our bank accounts but we are afraid that it's just a something to bug us.

I was wondering how much this would affect with AOS and later with ROC. We are young and haven't earned much. We don't own property nor have health insurance together, etc.

Thanks in advance!

-Matt

USCIS can't read your minds, so they rely on other evidence. They want to see evidence that you've put your lives in each others hands. This is why they consider evidence of co-mingled finances to be so important. It shows that the spouses trust each other enough to give each other complete access to the others finances. Insurance shows that they are trying to take care of each other.

If they see a couple who aren't taking any risks on each other, and aren't taking care of each other, then they'll smell a scam.

[frombrazil 6]

Thanks for the replies. So far we have a joint bank account (we decided to open a third bank account) lease with both our names, utilities and phone bills. Is that anywhere near satisfactory?

[SF2007 48]

That's for USCIS to judge, but it could probably be sufficient for most cases. If they have doubts, they can always schedule you for an interview, which you can also be scheduled for no reason at all. Do you have driver's license or some other kind of state ID showing a shared address? Cards sent to both of you by friends? You could also ask friends and family to sign affidavits to confirm the relationship.

[Anh map 2,098]

Thanks for the replies. So far we have a joint bank account (we decided to open a third bank account) lease with both our names, utilities and phone bills. Is that anywhere near satisfactory?

You are going down the right path. Being listed as drivers on auto insurance, being added to a health insurance policy, mail addressed to the both of you, etc. The things that a couple will create during a typical marriage. No one has everything that is listed as potential evidence.

Use the joint account to pay the house bills. A joint account with no activity isn't much evidence.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Like many have already mentioned, it isn't one particular piece of evidence that shows that you have a bonafide marriage. It is the sum and strength of all of the presented evidence that demonstrates to USCIS that both of your intentions are legitimate and that you are creating a real marriage.

Keep working on that "couple" thing, and it should be fine.

Edited July 9, 2012 by A&B

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Thanks for the replies. So far we have a joint bank account (we decided to open a third bank account) lease with both our names, utilities and phone bills. Is that anywhere near satisfactory?

Just keep working on gathering evidence of co-mingling after you file for AOS. The only evidence of marriage needed with the initial AOS filing is a copy of the certified marriage certificate. Save all the other evidence in case you have an interview. Not everyone adjusting from a K-1 have an interview. You will need that stuff for ROC later anyway though, so best to start a file and keep all the co-mingling documents, photos, etc. there for when you need them.

[Bryan and Isabel 29]

I would suggest to have at least SOMETHING joint, maybe a debit card, saving account, bills, etc. just to show for evidence, its a vital requirement. LIke someone mentioned above, they are not mind readers. Good LUck

[Darnell 8,478]

for AOS, co-mingling of finances and showing PROOF of co-mingling of finances, isn't required.

For ROC, however, it's a big dealio.

Good Luck ! You've got some time to change your co-mingling attitude, from now till the green card arrives.