August 2012 AOS Filers

[Kim & Gesner 14]

I believe is a letter signed saying that they know you from X years, met your husband, etc

If you have enough evidence of bona fide marriage you wont need them do...Also I read here on VJ that USCIS understands that newlyweds dont always have TONS of proof. What do you have to prove it?

http://www.visajourn...of-proof-i-751/

We really don't have a lot of documentation for our marriage. I rent with a friend, she owns the home. She is gone a lot so I take care of her pets while she is away. So all bills are in her name (she's owned the house for 11 yrs). Without the EAD, Gesi cannot get his SSN and my bank absolutely will not let me add him without a SSN. Nor will my job allow me to add him to my health insurance. I was able to add him to my life insurance as a beneficiary but that was submitted with original packet. I guess affidavits are going to be our only addition as we can't get anything else. There is a possibly move to Texas in Feb/Mar so I want to wait to find out about that before getting our own place together. I am originally from there so moving back is my goal.

[iaia 8]

I did called. They said to wait 15 days and if nothing, to call again. I'm making an infopass too just to cover all bases. Can't believe they lost it or never sent it

I was very clear on the phone about the fact that the NOAs and BIO got here after 4 days. I also told them I was worried that got lost in the mail. They told me on the phone that If the letter doesnt come after 15 days to call again and they will resend it. I told him that if 15 days go by and the letter is not here (it got lost) how can he assure me that it wont get lost again. He couldn't

Beyond frustrated

[Timon 26]

We really don't have a lot of documentation for our marriage. I rent with a friend, she owns the home. She is gone a lot so I take care of her pets while she is away. So all bills are in her name (she's owned the house for 11 yrs). Without the EAD, Gesi cannot get his SSN and my bank absolutely will not let me add him without a SSN. Nor will my job allow me to add him to my health insurance. I was able to add him to my life insurance as a beneficiary but that was submitted with original packet. I guess affidavits are going to be our only addition as we can't get anything else. There is a possibly move to Texas in Feb/Mar so I want to wait to find out about that before getting our own place together. I am originally from there so moving back is my goal.

Thanks and same to you. I hope that you guys interview goes smoothly. Since your friend owns the home I think you should ask her to draw up a lease with both you guys name or at least have her write a letter stating you guys rent her home and all utilities are included in the rent. Make sure that it's signed and notarized.nthat should suffice. Also, did you add him as an authorized user on your credit card? His name won't be on the statement but at least you guys will have matching cards of which you can make copies and take to the interview. It'll show that you trust him with your money. May be what seals the deal with the IO as proof of bonafide marriage.

Good luck with your move by the way.

[epsonderby 85]

All we have are a joint credit card account with me as an authorized user (same number), some cards from our family regarding the wedding, a few bits of mail I've received at the address and our marriage certificate.

We haven't been able to get a joint bank account with the bank we want. I've heard that you can open one with BoA without SSN, but we don't want to open an account with them just to show someone we're married - that isn't what married couples do, just open stuff to prove something. So we'll just wait on that one.

We live with her father now so we're going to get him to write a letter stating that we live with him, that he pays all the bills and we don't pay rent etc.

You can't take what you don't have. A good IO will know when you're being genuine. If you've only been together a short time, too much could see suspicious to an IO. People on F-1 or J-1 have had more time to build up their history and whatnot as they've lived together, or at least been in the US together, to do it.

[Timon 26]

All we have are a joint credit card account with me as an authorized user (same number), some cards from our family regarding the wedding, a few bits of mail I've received at the address and our marriage certificate.

We haven't been able to get a joint bank account with the bank we want. I've heard that you can open one with BoA without SSN, but we don't want to open an account with them just to show someone we're married - that isn't what married couples do, just open stuff to prove something. So we'll just wait on that one.

We live with her father now so we're going to get him to write a letter stating that we live with him, that he pays all the bills and we don't pay rent etc.

You can't take what you don't have. A good IO will know when you're being genuine. If you've only been together a short time, too much could see suspicious to an IO. People on F-1 or J-1 have had more time to build up their history and whatnot as they've lived together, or at least been in the US together, to do it.

Think I have to agree with you

[iaia 8]

We have joint bank accounts with PNC, debt and credit cards and checks, joint lease and renters insurance, Comed bill with both names and kids who happen to be dual citizens.

Now if only could have the stupid RFE letter...hahaha

[Kim & Gesner 14]

All we have are a joint credit card account with me as an authorized user (same number), some cards from our family regarding the wedding, a few bits of mail I've received at the address and our marriage certificate.

We haven't been able to get a joint bank account with the bank we want. I've heard that you can open one with BoA without SSN, but we don't want to open an account with them just to show someone we're married - that isn't what married couples do, just open stuff to prove something. So we'll just wait on that one.

We live with her father now so we're going to get him to write a letter stating that we live with him, that he pays all the bills and we don't pay rent etc.

You can't take what you don't have. A good IO will know when you're being genuine. If you've only been together a short time, too much could see suspicious to an IO. People on F-1 or J-1 have had more time to build up their history and whatnot as they've lived together, or at least been in the US together, to do it.

I have to agree with you on this. My friend offered to draw up a lease for us stating we live in her home, all bills included. But I did not want to seem like we are reaching for evidence. It is what it is. I think I would much rather her write up an affidavit for us as she is the person we both have the most interaction with. She see's us on a regular basis, knows when we argue, she see's us sneaking kisses while cooking dinner. She knows we take her dog for a walk together. She see's us when we come home from walmart, grocery shopping etc. She above anyone else can attest to our genuine marriage. Of course she can mention in the letter we pay her for rent if that is important to USCIS but it's not a REAL lease and I do not want to make up one just for immigration purposes.

I can also have my mom write a letter. While she lives in Texas and does not have daily interaction, she talks to Gesi weekly by phone. He calls and texts her more than I do! lolol We spent a week back home after the wedding where he met all of my family, my son (who is in the Navy), my best friend and even a former boss lol I am not sure how much weight it holds that my mom who has only spent one week with him means, but the fact they talk on a regular basis (he calls her mom) means something. I also have screen prints where she mentioned meeting "her gorgeous new son in law" - she mentioned how excited she was we had our interview on facebook. Anything she mentions him in, I screen print. Not for USCIS purposes but for my own. He used to have FB but cancelled it about a month after we married. He said he only made it to keep in contact with me while we away from one another and he did. He didnt have one before he met me.

I know we do not have much together, but we will have only been married 4 months at the time of our interview. I am not comfortable opening acounts and trying to invent things we simply do not have just to prove our marriage is real. We have nothing to hide, our relationship is as real as it comes

[Frenchican 13]

We really don't have a lot of documentation for our marriage. I rent with a friend, she owns the home. She is gone a lot so I take care of her pets while she is away. So all bills are in her name (she's owned the house for 11 yrs). Without the EAD, Gesi cannot get his SSN and my bank absolutely will not let me add him without a SSN. Nor will my job allow me to add him to my health insurance. I was able to add him to my life insurance as a beneficiary but that was submitted with original packet. I guess affidavits are going to be our only addition as we can't get anything else. There is a possibly move to Texas in Feb/Mar so I want to wait to find out about that before getting our own place together. I am originally from there so moving back is my goal.

tell your friend to write a letter of tenancy. My husband doesn't have a lease since it's old friends that rent the house, but I asked her for a proof. here's the template. I added copies of our rent checks, copies from utilities at her name and copies f my bank statement paying those bills. If she's letting you stay without paying. It is still a sort of tenancy. She can write the letter explaining the agreement you have, either it is exchanging occupancy for house sitting, subletting, or just living arrangement. the letter shouldn't make something up, just state the truth. I didn't had mine notarized since it is not a lease.

NAME

ADDRESS

PRIMARY NUMBER (Primary)

FAX NUMBER (Fax)

Subject: Proof of Occupancy-Residential Property-at (EXAMPLE: 1212 FAKE LANE-REPLACE WITH CONDENSED ADDRESS-REMOVE PARENTHESIS)

Tenant(s): xxx and yyy

To whom it may concern,This letter is to verify the above listed as (an) occupant(s) of residential property(REPLACE WITH COMPLETE ADDRESS-REMOVE PARENTHESIS) This text also verifies that tenant(s) have occupied this space since month (REPLACE WITH MONTH) year (REPLACE WITH YEAR) at the monetary rate of (TENANT PAYMENTS PER MONTH) / per men sum. (REMOVE AFTER READ; MONETARY LINE OPTIONAL, SOME SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS REQUIRE THIS LINE, SO IT IS BEST TO HAVE IT AVAILABLE.)

If there are any questions or other relevant concerns please contact the owner-(REPLACE WITH FULL NAME)-using the information provided above.

Sincerely,

(REPLACE WITH NAME)

(SIGNATURE-REMOVE BEFORE PRINT)

Edited September 18, 2012 by Frenchican

[epsonderby 85]

Kim, I couldn't agree more with what you wrote and I see you got what I was writing. Just do what you would normally do and it will all work out. I think in cases like ours where we haven't lived with our partners in the US before, nor have we been married long, too much info would look suspicious I think?

If I'm asked by an IO, I'll tell them so as well. I think they appreciate people being honest. I won't have my EAD in time for the interview anyway so what could I have done more? nothing is the answer...

[Kim & Gesner 14]

Kim, I couldn't agree more with what you wrote and I see you got what I was writing. Just do what you would normally do and it will all work out. I think in cases like ours where we haven't lived with our partners in the US before, nor have we been married long, too much info would look suspicious I think?

If I'm asked by an IO, I'll tell them so as well. I think they appreciate people being honest. I won't have my EAD in time for the interview anyway so what could I have done more? nothing is the answer...

I agree! If asked, I will simply be honest. Had the EAD came in time, sure we would have gotten his SSN, added him to my accounts, health insurance, etc but we simply do not have it. I think the letter from my friend who see's us on a daily (or almost daily) basis and my mom explaining she has met him and continues to talk to him weekly through phone and text. One thing I haven't thought of is with him not working, I send his kids (well to his kids mother) money every payday. Well maybe that wont work because he sends it Western Union to Haiti. I just give him the money to send it so it's not in my name. I guess that would be stretching it.

[Frenchican 13]

I agree! If asked, I will simply be honest. Had the EAD came in time, sure we would have gotten his SSN, added him to my accounts, health insurance, etc but we simply do not have it. I think the letter from my friend who see's us on a daily (or almost daily) basis and my mom explaining she has met him and continues to talk to him weekly through phone and text. One thing I haven't thought of is with him not working, I send his kids (well to his kids mother) money every payday. Well maybe that wont work because he sends it Western Union to Haiti. I just give him the money to send it so it's not in my name. I guess that would be stretching it.

I agree USCIS can't ask for much without EAD! (BTW, july filers are getting their approval close to day 60)

ButI guess there is things we have to try to plan for USCIS even if we wouldn't normally care.

- I have been giving my share for the rent in cash to my husband (I do have a EAD & SSN) and he sends a check, I realized we should change strategies since I can not show evidence of cash, so now we are trying to do 1 month he sends a check, next month I do.

- Our joint bank account is completely empty since the savings went into USCIS process. but let's say we're back saving. -I haven't figured this yet-. I transfer directly from my account in same bank (chase), but he is in another bank. To deposit he would have to withdraw cash and go deposit it to the shared account, or write himself a check and deposit that?!. how the hell would we prove he is the one depositing cash proving the savings are from both?!

In my country you can transfer easily between banks, and you would see in the bank statement both electronic deposits each one with origin account's name. BUT in the US it's that stupid concept of check that makes things more complicated! Any ideas?

(Husband doesn't want to switch banks because his employer transfers within the same bank. And I am not switching to that bank because it's a mini local bank with 2 branches, both 25 miles away from me)

[epsonderby 85]

I think we're all going to be ok. I think if you can get to the interview stage without RFE, it's a chance in 100 that they'll refuse you and at worst an RFE for something. I'll take that any day

[iaia 8]

I agree USCIS can't ask for much without EAD! (BTW, july filers are getting their approval close to day 60)

ButI guess there is things we have to try to plan for USCIS even if we wouldn't normally care.

- I have been giving my share for the rent in cash to my husband (I do have a EAD & SSN) and he sends a check, I realized we should change strategies since I can not show evidence of cash, so now we are trying to do 1 month he sends a check, next month I do.

- Our joint bank account is completely empty since the savings went into USCIS process. but let's say we're back saving. -I haven't figured this yet-. I transfer directly from my account in same bank (chase), but he is in another bank. To deposit he would have to withdraw cash and go deposit it to the shared account, or write himself a check and deposit that?!. how the hell would we prove he is the one depositing cash proving the savings are from both?!

In my country you can transfer easily between banks, and you would see in the bank statement both electronic deposits each one with origin account's name. BUT in the US it's that stupid concept of check that makes things more complicated! Any ideas?

(Husband doesn't want to switch banks because his employer transfers within the same bank. And I am not switching to that bank because it's a mini local bank with 2 branches, both 25 miles away from me)

[/quote

I think he need to withdraw the cash (is going to show up in his bank statement) and go to your bank and deposit cash or check. That way with both statements you can show them.

Back home is very easy to transfer money between banks and accounts. I hate checks...

I think we're all going to be ok. I think if you can get to the interview stage without RFE, it's a chance in 100 that they'll refuse you and at worst an RFE for something. I'll take that any day

Thank you for that...

[Kim & Gesner 14]

I think we're all going to be ok. I think if you can get to the interview stage without RFE, it's a chance in 100 that they'll refuse you and at worst an RFE for something. I'll take that any day

Yeah I agree! I read the same thing you did about USCIS understanding newlyweds might not have lots of evidence, esp when one hasn't LIVED here and again if there is no EAD yet. I also read ROC will be the time to really prove comingling fiances, by then hopefully we'll have a mortgage together! lol

[Frenchican 13]

Thank you for that...

sorry! it sucks. you'll get it very soon.

think it this way, this delayed almost 2 weeks your process, but you haven't done biometrics, as soon as you complete those and send back your RFE, you'll still be on normal time since after biometrics you still wait 2-3 weeks. you probably won't have to wait that long after biometrics since all your review will be done. Think about it in a good karma way.

p.s. are you the one from Argentina or is it your husband?