RFE Question

[melbell54 0]

February 2012 filer here who just received an RFE. They have asked for two things: A copy of our marriage certificate, and more evidence.

First, the marriage certificate. Is this a normal thing for them to request? I read through the guide many times before actually sending my packet in and I never saw a need to send this. Furthermore, if we never got married how would he even have gotten his green card in the first place? And surely they still have this on file from when we submitted his AOS? At any rate, this is easy enough to procure so I will give them what they want...just curious if I've missed something or if anyone has any insight on this.

Secondly, I was a little taken aback by the request for more proof as this is what I provided:

• Copy of the green card of Paul McDonnell

• Copy of deed transfer for the home we purchased together

• Copy of the closing statement for our home

• A complete copy of our 2009 and 2010 tax returns, which we filed jointly

• Original of a recent statement from our joint bank account at Bremer Bank

• Copy of our car insurance notice

• Copy of the title of our car, showing joint ownership

• A copy of our airline reservations for a vacation that we have planned in March of 2012

• A copy of our airline reservations for a trip we took to England over January of 2012

• Various photos showing vacations and events we’ve attended

• A copy of our wedding invitation

• Greeting cards sent to us by family and friends

I realize the more financial stuff I can send the better...so I plan to send the title of another car we have purchased since this time, and something to show my husband is on my health insurance plan. But other than that, I'm not sure that we have anything else to show financially that our marriage is legitimate. And I guess I was surprised because I felt like what I sent originally was more than enough. Not trying to sound like a victim, I just want to make sure that I cover my bases to avoid another RFE or a rejection. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all, I don't know how we'd ever have gotten through this process without Visajourney!

[nickbits 43]

Ugh. Your packet sounds exactly like what I sent in. I wonder if I'll get an rfe.

Insurance, affidavits or a will are about the only things I can think of you could send in. I'm assuming you have no children.

Edit: any joint debt?

Edited September 24, 2012 by nickbits

[Anh map 2,098]

Financial comingling is a biggie. Your list is a bit thin with regard to finances of daily/weekly life. The house is good, but you aren't showing much about actually living there together.

Include a transcript (or copy) of the 2011 federal tax return. Also Include a few bank and utility statements covering the last 2 years. Drivers licenses for both showing the same address. Credit card statements (joint or individual) showing common address.

[melbell54 0]

Financial comingling is a biggie. Your list is a bit thin with regard to finances of daily/weekly life. The house is good, but you aren't showing much about actually living there together.

Include a transcript (or copy) of the 2011 federal tax return. Also Include a few bank and utility statements covering the last 2 years. Drivers licenses for both showing the same address. Credit card statements (joint or individual) showing common address.

This is what I'm concerned about...to some extent we don't comingle our finances as I'm a shareholder in a company that necessitates some things are kept separate. In addition, I can't show any of the stuff you mentioned...he doesn't have a credit card and mine is in my name only. Our driver's licenses still show different addresses as we haven't renewed since we bought a house together. Utilities are all in my name...as they were always all in one name before he moved...so why add another name? Just seems odd to me that people put 2 names on a utility statement. Anyway, I will certainly see what I can dig up. If I still can't satisfy them, will they outright reject us or would we just get an interview? Sorry if that's a silly question...

Any thoughts on the request for a marriage certificate?

Thanks for the comments.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You only showed one statement from the bank - usually they want to see information over the course of two years. I would send back statements. Also, how about joint utilities (kind of lame, but reinforces the fact that you both live at the same place)?

[Anh map 2,098]

This is what I'm concerned about...to some extent we don't comingle our finances as I'm a shareholder in a company that necessitates some things are kept separate. In addition, I can't show any of the stuff you mentioned...he doesn't have a credit card and mine is in my name only. Our driver's licenses still show different addresses as we haven't renewed since we bought a house together. Utilities are all in my name...as they were always all in one name before he moved...so why add another name? Just seems odd to me that people put 2 names on a utility statement. Anyway, I will certainly see what I can dig up. If I still can't satisfy them, will they outright reject us or would we just get an interview? Sorry if that's a silly question...

Any thoughts on the request for a marriage certificate?

Thanks for the comments.

You can't show a 2011 tax return? Did you file for an extension? If so, submit a copy of the extension letter. You don't have bank statements (joint or individual) covering the span of your marriage? D/L with separate addresses after 2 years will raise a flag. Joint utilities is just an example of things that a married couple will often have in place.

The rejection would come after an interview. You cannot create the past (unless you've got one of those cool DeLoreans) so gather up what you have that shows that you two live as a married couple and submit it.

The marriage certificate may have been lost/misplaced. Just submit another copy.

[melbell54 0]

You can't show a 2011 tax return? Did you file for an extension? If so, submit a copy of the extension letter. You don't have bank statements (joint or individual) covering the span of your marriage? D/L with separate addresses after 2 years will raise a flag. Joint utilities is just an example of things that a married couple will often have in place.

The rejection would come after an interview. You cannot create the past (unless you've got one of those cool DeLoreans) so gather up what you have that shows that you two live as a married couple and submit it.

The marriage certificate may have been lost/misplaced. Just submit another copy.

Yes sorry, I can submit 2011 tax returns...I didn't include them originally because it was February when we sent our information in. And we do have bank statements....I just hope that's enough. I do find the utilities thing a bit strange, why would a person go out of their way to add another person on their utility statement? Though saying that, if I had been smart I would have done it specifically for this purpose. I just find it hard to believe that that's the norm. Heck we don't even get utility statements anymore...we just do it all online.

Thanks for easing my mind though, I don't really mind if we have to do an interview!

[Phil & Alla 26]

You need to send the marriage certificate, it shows you are married.

Additional evidence: beneficiary on life insurance, medical insurance card or EOB's, and any type of mail sent to you together

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Don't forget the instructions say

Submit copies of as many documents as you wish to establish this fact and to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date,

Do you have a two year old car Insurance form as well as the currrent? Bank statements from 2010', 2011, and 2012 or get the bank to write a letter saying how long the account has been held in both names. Does the account look like its used jointly or just one with $200 in it and no activity because your real money is held separately? And go get new driver's licenses. There's probably a state law requiring change of address within so many days of moving.

For whatever reason, they doubt you so dig for a two year string of evidence.

Edited September 24, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[melbell54 0]

Don't forget the instructions say

Submit copies of as many documents as you wish to establish this fact and to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date,

Do you have a two year old car Insurance form as well as the currrent? Bank statements from 2010', 2011, and 2012 or get the bank to write a letter saying how long the account has been held in both names. Does the account look like its used jointly or just one with $200 in it and no activity because your real money is held separately? And go get new driver's licenses. There's probably a state law requiring change of address within so many days of moving.

For whatever reason, they doubt you so dig for a two year string of evidence.

Good point...all of my copies were the most recent copy. I'm sure I can access copies of everything i sent dating back to 2010. And since we have 2 months to send the RFE back I guess we have time to change our driver's licenes addresses too.

Thanks for the help everyone!