Please Review my RFE

[Sponge 0]

So I originally sent the following, but it seems to be isufficient:

• 2010 & 2011 Tax returns (married in 2010)
  
• Four bank statemens (which they said don't have a lot of transactions)
  
• Three credit card statements (2 months each) which also are considered too few transactions despite being our primary cards
  
• Joint health insurance
  
• Beneficiary designation form showing my wife as the beneficiary
  

They are now asking for either a kid, more joint finances (which list things that I already provided), common residence, evidence of we've made planning arrangements together (isn't that the beneficiary form?), and/or affidavits.

It also states not to resend my documents. However, it's been 8+ months and I don't know what stuff I have sent, and how much I have sent. I also don't know what additional material I can send. I have compiled the following:

• Both state and federal tax returns for 2010 & 2011
  
• Two Years worth of bank statements from our primary bank
  
• Letters addressed to either of us, such as credit card, amazon orders, etc, going to the same address (our names are not on the lease, and I decided I did not want my wife responsible for the rent in case something happens to me, so though she is a resident, I am solely liable for the rent)
  
• Joint health insurance
  
• Beneficiary Forms from my work, my investments, and my IRA
  
• Photos from a musical in 2011, as well as the tickets
  
• Tickets and receipts and photos (90 pix) for a 7-day cruise we went on together
  

I have a number of questions. Will we be penalized/denied for resending the same documents? I frankly don't remember what I sent specifically, maybe I didn't send enough pages of the taxes? I don't know. Is this sufficient? If so, why wasn't the previous one sufficient?

I hope someone can help me. This forum has been my go-to place for advice and I'm very perplexed by this RFE.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Sponge

[Mithmeoi 29]

So I originally sent the following, but it seems to be isufficient:

• 2010 & 2011 Tax returns (married in 2010)
  
• Four bank statemens (which they said don't have a lot of transactions)
  
• Three credit card statements (2 months each) which also are considered too few transactions despite being our primary cards
  
• Joint health insurance
  
• Beneficiary designation form showing my wife as the beneficiary
  

They are now asking for either a kid, more joint finances (which list things that I already provided), common residence, evidence of we've made planning arrangements together (isn't that the beneficiary form?), and/or affidavits.

It also states not to resend my documents. However, it's been 8+ months and I don't know what stuff I have sent, and how much I have sent. I also don't know what additional material I can send. I have compiled the following:

• Both state and federal tax returns for 2010 & 2011
  
• Two Years worth of bank statements from our primary bank
  
• Letters addressed to either of us, such as credit card, amazon orders, etc, going to the same address (our names are not on the lease, and I decided I did not want my wife responsible for the rent in case something happens to me, so though she is a resident, I am solely liable for the rent)
  
• Joint health insurance
  
• Beneficiary Forms from my work, my investments, and my IRA
  
• Photos from a musical in 2011, as well as the tickets
  
• Tickets and receipts and photos (90 pix) for a 7-day cruise we went on together
  

I have a number of questions. Will we be penalized/denied for resending the same documents? I frankly don't remember what I sent specifically, maybe I didn't send enough pages of the taxes? I don't know. Is this sufficient? If so, why wasn't the previous one sufficient?

I hope someone can help me. This forum has been my go-to place for advice and I'm very perplexed by this RFE.

When we first filed ROC I had sent copies of shipping forms and letters, but in the RFE they sent with evidence listed all of those were ignored. It won't hurt to have them but they don't look at them as main evidence. Credit cards are a good thing to add though, make sure you have copies of bills from that if you have both your names on them. I'd get an affidavit from a friend, neighbor or family member to add in there. It wouldn't hurt.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Mithmeoi

[Cathi 5,748]

This is an example of why people are advised to always make photocopies of everything sent in their packets.They wouldn't have sent an RFE if they thought what you sent originally was sufficient, only they can be the judge of that. Without knowing what you sent to begin with, it will be difficult to say what you should send. But here are a few other things that come to mind

Copies of your drivers licenses showing the same address

pictures that span the entire time since the beneficiary has arrived, include family and friends in some of the pictures with the both of you

Notarized letters from friends and family

utility bills showing both of your names(i added my husband the day he got here)

Make sure that whatever you send this time you photocopy and document. Good luck

[StephAnn2012 50]

RFEs are sent to gather more information. In this case, ask yourself, what are they trying to establish/accomplish? If they are needing to see proof of a continuing relationship and co-habitation, then send anything that supports that claim. I would include color photos of your driver's licenses as has been recommended - I would make color photo copies of credit cards with your name and her name on them. Any utility bills that have her name and yours. Any photos that show you two together. (One event, raises more questions than it answers, don't make that mistake) - Organize organize organize - whatever you send to them - make it very logical - easy to follow and read - put a 3 ring binder together with dividers in it for the sections and clearly label the sections.

They look at so many cases and they truly appreciate when we make their jobs easier.

When we first filed ROC I had sent copies of shipping forms and letters, but in the RFE they sent with evidence listed all of those were ignored. It won't hurt to have them but they don't look at them as main evidence. Credit cards are a good thing to add though, make sure you have copies of bills from that if you have both your names on them. I'd get an affidavit from a friend, neighbor or family member to add in there. It wouldn't hurt.

[Sponge 0]

RFEs are sent to gather more information. In this case, ask yourself, what are they trying to establish/accomplish? If they are needing to see proof of a continuing relationship and co-habitation, then send anything that supports that claim. I would include color photos of your driver's licenses as has been recommended - I would make color photo copies of credit cards with your name and her name on them. Any utility bills that have her name and yours. Any photos that show you two together. (One event, raises more questions than it answers, don't make that mistake) - Organize organize organize - whatever you send to them - make it very logical - easy to follow and read - put a 3 ring binder together with dividers in it for the sections and clearly label the sections.

They look at so many cases and they truly appreciate when we make their jobs easier.

What do you mean in the bold? Are you saying I should not include photos? Or I need more events? We both don't like taking photos; we are lucky we even have these! I have put the photos of the musical in one set, and have organized the 7-day cruise based on the destinations we went to (lots of us smiling at different sites!). We did so much, and even took a group photo with David Brin in one. I'll definitely add the credit cards, didn't think of that (add statements?).

To clarify the "I don't know what I sent," the letter sounds like we haven't shown joint finances, but we sent so much... Taxes, health, beneficiary stuff. Why was that not enough? I think I only sent the federal taxes, so this time I just copied the whole giant pamphlet, with the e-file and state material. But will it look bad if I resend when they specifically ask not to? Or is it better to be safe than sorry?

In regards to residence, would 1090T documents sent to the same address be good to add as well? My wife does not work but goes to school.

THanks to EVERYONE for their feedback!

Edited February 1, 2013 by Sponge

[Martyshk 137]

To all the people who are (again) adamant about pictures - stop.

I know I'll catch flack for that, but people put too much faith in the power of photos.

Read what the OP wrote. Pictures are not going to help in this case (they could aide combined with the additional evidence, though).

OP:

You mention that your wife is not on the lease - That's what I think have triggered the RFE.

In your post you say:

• Letters addressed to either of us, such as credit card, amazon orders, etc, going to the same address (our names are not on the lease, and I decided I did not want my wife responsible for the rent in case something happens to me, so

So my question is: are you on the lease and your wife is not?

To me it seems that this is about proving common residence over everything else.

Other evidence (bank statements for 24 months) will definitely help, but you need some sort of government issued IDs showing the same address along with an explanation about why your wife is not on the lease. Again, from your post it seems like your name is not on the lease either? (you say "our names are not on the lease"). Makes it a little confusing providing advice here.

Let's wait for the gurus to chime in though!

Organize organize organize - whatever you send to them - make it very logical - easy to follow and read - put a 3 ring binder together with dividers in it for the sections and clearly label the sections.

They look at so many cases and they truly appreciate when we make their jobs easier.

You do know that the first thing they do at USCIS is disassemble your package and put it together the way they like it, right? Organizing helps, but only to a point...

[Sponge 0]

OP:

So my question is: are you on the lease and your wife is not?

Yes, only I am on the lease, so I think it actually works against me... I did not send it before and I don't see how sending it will provide evidence, lol. I think it might hurt!

Do you think the 1090T tax forms for school would work as official documents going to the address?

Let me know if you need anything else!

Edited February 1, 2013 by Sponge

[Martyshk 137]

Yes, only I am on the lease, so I think it actually works against me... I did not send it before and I don't see how sending it will provide evidence, lol. I think it might hurt!

Do you think the 1090T tax forms for school would work as official documents going to the address?

Let me know if you need anything else!

Do both of you have government issued IDs showing the same address?

To me it feels like that's what they are asking. Thing is, government IDs have a "hidden" benefit - they show signatures. Those signatures could be compared to the ones on I-751 or anything else, further proving identity.

Also, it's a rock solid evidence of the same residence.

Yes, 1090T would work, but only with conjunction with a government issued ID, in my opinion.

[Sponge 0]

Do both of you have government issued IDs showing the same address?

To me it feels like that's what they are asking. Thing is, government IDs have a "hidden" benefit - they show signatures. Those signatures could be compared to the ones on I-751 or anything else, further proving identity.

Also, it's a rock solid evidence of the same residence.

Yes, 1090T would work, but only with conjunction with a government issued ID, in my opinion.

Errr... I think I'm in a bit of a pickle... We do indeed have government-issued IDs showing the same residence... but we haven't updated them in ages! So it doesn't show our current residence, but one we had 2 years ago. We were actually going to the DMV this weekend to update them because they are expiring (NYC doesn't really lend itself to driving, so we never had the need to update). Would that look fishy?

Thank you for your help btw!

Edited February 1, 2013 by Sponge

[Martyshk 137]

Errr... I think I'm in a bit of a pickle... We do indeed have government-issued IDs showing the same residence... but we haven't updated them in ages! So it doesn't show our current residence, but one we had 2 years ago. We were actually going to the DMV this weekend to update them because they are expiring (NYC doesn't really lend itself to driving, so we never had the need to update). Would that look fishy?

Thank you for your help btw!

Wouldn't look great, yeah, but still worth doing.

Take copies of the current ones, it shows that you've lived at your previous address together. Go get new ones and send copies of that too, along with your other stuff.

[Sponge 0]

Wouldn't look great, yeah, but still worth doing.

Take copies of the current ones, it shows that you've lived at your previous address together. Go get new ones and send copies of that too, along with your other stuff.

Thanks! I'll update this thread with my full list when I've assembled everything!

[Martyshk 137]

Thanks! I'll update this thread with my full list when I've assembled everything!

Also, not for nothing, but it'd be helpful to know the exact wording of your RFE. Like I said before - it's just my guess that they want proof of residence as their main theme for RFE.

Is it asking for proof of bona fide marriage?

[silvermug 16]

So I originally sent the following, but it seems to be isufficient:

• 2010 & 2011 Tax returns (married in 2010)
• Four bank statemens (which they said don't have a lot of transactions)
• Three credit card statements (2 months each) which also are considered too few transactions despite being our primary cards
• Joint health insurance
• Beneficiary designation form showing my wife as the beneficiary

They are now asking for either a kid, more joint finances (which list things that I already provided), common residence, evidence of we've made planning arrangements together (isn't that the beneficiary form?), and/or affidavits.It also states not to resend my documents. However, it's been 8+ months and I don't know what stuff I have sent, and how much I have sent. I also don't know what additional material I can send. I have compiled the following:

• Both state and federal tax returns for 2010 & 2011
• Two Years worth of bank statements from our primary bank
• Letters addressed to either of us, such as credit card, amazon orders, etc, going to the same address (our names are not on the lease, and I decided I did not want my wife responsible for the rent in case something happens to me, so though she is a resident, I am solely liable for the rent)
• Joint health insurance
• Beneficiary Forms from my work, my investments, and my IRA
• Photos from a musical in 2011, as well as the tickets
• Tickets and receipts and photos (90 pix) for a 7-day cruise we went on together

I have a number of questions. Will we be penalized/denied for resending the same documents? I frankly don't remember what I sent specifically, maybe I didn't send enough pages of the taxes? I don't know. Is this sufficient? If so, why wasn't the previous one sufficient?I hope someone can help me. This forum has been my go-to place for advice and I'm very perplexed by this RFE.

The credit cards addressed to your names, and to the same address are good, I think. For your cruise, do you have the flight reservations and stuff? I mean, if you took a domestic flight to the port. Flight reservations should have both your names, showing you would be on the same flight, on the same day. Throw in those boarding passes, too, if they still haven't fallen apart. Lol. Boarding passes these days are printed on this tissue-like paper that after using it as a bookmark for 4 hours, they start to fall apart. Gah!

Umm, what else... we also went for a cruise. And they give you this ID for the whole duration of the cruise, right? Each of you have that ID. Photocopy those, and throw those in, as well.

Joint finances -- not sure what you have and just haven't mentioned. But if you have loans under both of your names? Or any financial obligations that have both your names in it. For instance, we had our basement repair and it costed us arms and legs... and we took a loan for it, under both our names.

Oh! Where are your other insurances? You have health, sure. Dental? Vision? Car? Home? Rental prop insurance? Do you have insurance for that renting thing?

And no phone bills? Family plan of some sort? Or addressed to both of you, going to the same residence?

Ok... That's all I could think of, right now. Lol.

You do know that the first thing they do at USCIS is disassemble your package and put it together the way they like it, right? Organizing helps, but only to a point...

What? Is this true?! Rats. If they disassembled my package, they'd better not lose any of it, and fail to see that as an evidence! Crapsters.

Yes, only I am on the lease, so I think it actually works against me... I did not send it before and I don't see how sending it will provide evidence, lol. I think it might hurt!Do you think the 1090T tax forms for school would work as official documents going to the address?Let me know if you need anything else!

Doesn't the apartment require that you register with them the list of occupants in the unit? That's what happened with me and my husband. Sure, I got included in the lease, but they asked for the names of the occupants in the unit. I'm sure they NEED that for official reasons. They must keep a masterlist of "who lives/lived in my property" kind of thing. Edited February 1, 2013 by silvermug

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Also, letters from your wife's school sent to your common address, any joint mail or bills addressed to either of you at the address (maybe she pays a cell phone and you pay the electric).

The planning documents might be a will listing each other as the beneficiary, disposition of remains documents, etc.

I'd definitely include affidavits as well.

[GodsGift225 54]

To all the people who are (again) adamant about pictures - stop.

I know I'll catch flack for that, but people put too much faith in the power of photos.

Read what the OP wrote. Pictures are not going to help in this case (they could aide combined with the additional evidence, though).

OP:

You mention that your wife is not on the lease - That's what I think have triggered the RFE.

In your post you say:

So my question is: are you on the lease and your wife is not?

To me it seems that this is about proving common residence over everything else.

Other evidence (bank statements for 24 months) will definitely help, but you need some sort of government issued IDs showing the same address along with an explanation about why your wife is not on the lease. Again, from your post it seems like your name is not on the lease either? (you say "our names are not on the lease"). Makes it a little confusing providing advice here.

Let's wait for the gurus to chime in though!

You do know that the first thing they do at USCIS is disassemble your package and put it together the way they like it, right? Organizing helps, but only to a point...