Evidence of Marriage when you've never lived together?

[cbott 0]

My Fiance and I are planning to get married and then apply through the CR1 Spouse process. However, I see that one of the most important parts of the process is showing evidence of a bonafide marriage, which is supported by things such as co-mingled finances, joint property, children, etc. We wont be co-mingling our finances until after we are living in the same country (too impractical), and we've never lived together (because we're required to live in different countries). I don't really see how this is supposed to work.

Can anyone in a similar situation offer advice on how you show a bonafide marriage when you haven't been allowed to live as a normal married couple? I can certainly prove our relationship though years of photos, emails, plane tickets, etc. But is it enough to prove a relationship & a marriage certificate?

Also, we will most likely have a quick Justice of the Peace wedding so that we can get our process kicked off, followed by a "real" wedding a few months later (whatever is convenient for planning). Is that plan going to get us into trouble?

[fav13259 1]

Interesting question because I'm in a similar situation. My wife and I married in June in a justice of the peace wedding and I returned back to the US while she remained in Mexico. We have never lived together although I did purchase a home for us to live in when she does finally come over. Our big wedding is in March and we got our NOA state 8/7/12. We did end up opening a joint bank account together (as I hold Mexican citizenship), and we also submitted photos, marriage certificate, and bank account statements for the last 5 years showing my card was used in Mexico. I hope this is more than enough proof.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

trips to visit each other, phone records, emails, photoss. Basically living as a couple, but apart.

You can be added to bank accounts now (or get a joint account at least), add you to insurance, file taxes together as married (jointly or separately - you will need an ITIN), add names to car titles. Anything you can do now, that will save time when you're in the US later, would be great.

[scotinmass 588]

My Fiance and I are planning to get married and then apply through the CR1 Spouse process. However, I see that one of the most important parts of the process is showing evidence of a bonafide marriage, which is supported by things such as co-mingled finances, joint property, children, etc. We wont be co-mingling our finances until after we are living in the same country (too impractical), and we've never lived together (because we're required to live in different countries). I don't really see how this is supposed to work.

Can anyone in a similar situation offer advice on how you show a bonafide marriage when you haven't been allowed to live as a normal married couple? I can certainly prove our relationship though years of photos, emails, plane tickets, etc. But is it enough to prove a relationship & a marriage certificate?

Also, we will most likely have a quick Justice of the Peace wedding so that we can get our process kicked off, followed by a "real" wedding a few months later (whatever is convenient for planning). Is that plan going to get us into trouble?

There are thousands of us who have been in the same boat and not had a problem. The USCIS realize couples who haven't lived together do not have joint finances and joint tenant agreements etc. You just have to provide as much evidence as you can along the lines of the stuff you mentioned above.

We also had a small wedding in a registry office in Scotland with only 4 members of my family present and none of my wife's. It was never questioned. We don't have to spend tens of thousands of dollars and have hundreds of people present to prove we are in love.

Good luck on your visa journey.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Most of us aren't living with our spouses during this process. There are many ways beyond what is listed in the instructions for the I-130.

We have a joint RBC account. I had an account with RBC in Canada already so added a US account to it and then added my husband to it over the phone. We both deposit money in there and use it for purchases since we each have a Visa Debit card on it. TD Canada Trust has also added something recently to make this easier. Come over to the Canada forum to read that post.

Lots of pictures of your time together including other family members.

Emails, chat logs, phone records etc.

We added me to things like AAA and utility bills for the house.

Affidavits from friends and family.

[hellINTIM 9]

My Fiance and I are planning to get married and then apply through the CR1 Spouse process. However, I see that one of the most important parts of the process is showing evidence of a bonafide marriage, which is supported by things such as co-mingled finances, joint property, children, etc. We wont be co-mingling our finances until after we are living in the same country (too impractical), and we've never lived together (because we're required to live in different countries). I don't really see how this is supposed to work.

Can anyone in a similar situation offer advice on how you show a bonafide marriage when you haven't been allowed to live as a normal married couple? I can certainly prove our relationship though years of photos, emails, plane tickets, etc. But is it enough to prove a relationship & a marriage certificate?

Also, we will most likely have a quick Justice of the Peace wedding so that we can get our process kicked off, followed by a "real" wedding a few months later (whatever is convenient for planning). Is that plan going to get us into trouble?

i only show to them was wedding pics, emails, chat logs ( be sure its on ur name and her name no nick name) marriage cert., receipt of the money that his sending to me,.. that's all i showed to CO, oh the wedding receipt , copy of his ticket .