Proof of Domicile?

[oohpartiv 484]

Just as soon as I think I've got everything under control, I stumble onto something new and get nervous.

The story:

I met my husband when I was still in high school. I came to South America for an exchange program and ended up going to his school. We started dating while I was here and continued doing the long distance thing after I went home to finish my senior year. After I graduated, I moved to Ecuador and started going to college, as did he. As is such, I've been living in Ecuador for the past four years, but have never had an official job (I was an English teacher/tutor for a while, but the pay was under the table and VERY little). I had a great deal of savings in my bank account for college, and have just used that for rent/food/transportation, etc, and since prices down here are so much lower than in the States, it's not too hard.

HOWEVER.

I've been reading that if the petitioner lives with the beneficiary abroad, the petitioner has to somehow prove that they have a place to live back in the States. Considering I left right after turning 18, and have only been back briefly a few times to visit, I don't know how to do this. When we go to the States, I'm going to stay with my father (who's handicapped and needs some help around the house anyway), so it's not like I have an apartment lined up I can get a lease from or something. How do I go about fixing this? I'm planning on taking some classes at a community college when I go home and have spoken to them through email - maybe take this to my interview as proof? I'm really lost as to what to do, when I should be showing this "proof", what it should be, etc.

Thanks in advance!

[BoogyPup 1]

Just as soon as I think I've got everything under control, I stumble onto something new and get nervous.

The story:

I met my husband when I was still in high school. I came to South America for an exchange program and ended up going to his school. We started dating while I was here and continued doing the long distance thing after I went home to finish my senior year. After I graduated, I moved to Ecuador and started going to college, as did he. As is such, I've been living in Ecuador for the past four years, but have never had an official job (I was an English teacher/tutor for a while, but the pay was under the table and VERY little). I had a great deal of savings in my bank account for college, and have just used that for rent/food/transportation, etc, and since prices down here are so much lower than in the States, it's not too hard.

HOWEVER.

I've been reading that if the petitioner lives with the beneficiary abroad, the petitioner has to somehow prove that they have a place to live back in the States. Considering I left right after turning 18, and have only been back briefly a few times to visit, I don't know how to do this. When we go to the States, I'm going to stay with my father (who's handicapped and needs some help around the house anyway), so it's not like I have an apartment lined up I can get a lease from or something. How do I go about fixing this? I'm planning on taking some classes at a community college when I go home and have spoken to them through email - maybe take this to my interview as proof? I'm really lost as to what to do, when I should be showing this "proof", what it should be, etc.

Thanks in advance!

yeah those community college emails can be used to prove domicile....did u vote last year? if yes then show them the proof....try finding some apartments online and keep the emails for proofs....email ur local shipping company for the household removal quotes and that quotation can also be a proof that ur moving back to USA...

[The Mean Lady 604]

have your dad make you a lease.

thats proof thats actually true.

[oohpartiv 484]

have your dad make you a lease.

thats proof thats actually true.

Like, saying that he's going to be renting me a room, or just that I'm going to be living there? I guess he could just write a letter vouching for it, but I don't know if that would be worth anything.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Like, saying that he's going to be renting me a room, or just that I'm going to be living there? I guess he could just write a letter vouching for it, but I don't know if that would be worth anything.

not a letter but those are helpful too

look online for a lease sample for your state

montreal is a hard consulate to prove domicile in and leases like these are used all of the time to help

post in your regional forum for advice better suited to your consulate.

Edited February 7, 2013 by KDH

[dwheels76 5,468]

Go to this NVC filers thread Post #2 has some real good tips how to set up and show domicile.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412212-nvc-filers-february-2013/

[oohpartiv 484]

Go to this NVC filers thread Post #2 has some real good tips how to set up and show domicile.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412212-nvc-filers-february-2013/

No idea how I missed that. Thanks so much! Very helpful.

[Roosha 51]

Yea proving domicile sucks, I've got to do it too and my situation is almost like yours which means I can provide very few things that will prove that I'm returning. Let me know what you come up with! Here's what I have as my list of evidence so far:

Steps I have taken to maintain US Domicile:

• Maintained my XXXX voter registration

• Maintained my Virginia drivers license

Supporting Documents for the above steps I have taken:

• Copy of Voter registration card showing permanent US address

• Virginia drivers license showing permanent US address

Steps I have taken to return to the US to take up residence:

• Made arrangements for us to move in with my parents

• Contacted Fairfax County Public Schools for requirements of things to bring to register my children in school

• Contacted shipping company for estimate of costs to ship belongings

Supporting documents for the above steps I have taken:

• Lease agreement between my spouse and I with my parents

• Email from Fairfax County Public Schools regarding registration requirements as well as copies of all documents I have prepared so far

• Email from XXXX with estimate and correspondence regarding shipping our belongings

[oohpartiv 484]

Yea proving domicile sucks, I've got to do it too and my situation is almost like yours which means I can provide very few things that will prove that I'm returning. Let me know what you come up with! Here's what I have as my list of evidence so far:

You know, it looks like we have just about the same things, except I never registered to vote before I left (I JUST missed the ability to vote in the 2008 election - didn't turn 18 until April 2009). I also have a bank account at home, so I'll use that, too. Other than those things I can't really think of much, unless maybe I check on Craigslist or something and inquire about jobs, and show the correspondance? Gah, I hate it.

[speedwell 224]

Did you file taxes for the past three years? I've heard of using that in the domicile package too, if you stated your address as an actual US address. Any evidence that your father or another US citizen considered you as part of their household for tax (or even student loan) purposes may also work.

Edited February 7, 2013 by speedwell

[oohpartiv 484]

Did you file taxes for the past three years? I've heard of using that in the domicile package too, if you stated your address as an actual US address. Any evidence that your father or another US citizen considered you as part of their household for tax (or even student loan) purposes may also work.

Oh, good idea! I hadn't thought of that.

By the way, do you guys think I should have my Dad write up an "official" lease (in reality we're not going to be paying any rent) or just a notarized letter vouching for us, saying we'll be living with him?

[speedwell 224]

Oh, good idea! I hadn't thought of that.

By the way, do you guys think I should have my Dad write up an "official" lease (in reality we're not going to be paying any rent) or just a notarized letter vouching for us, saying we'll be living with him?

Yes, indeed he should do so. Have him pick up a standard lease form from the office supply store or... even better... http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CPHD/housing/pdf/sample_lease.pdf

[oohpartiv 484]

Yes, indeed he should do so. Have him pick up a standard lease form from the office supply store or... even better... http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CPHD/housing/pdf/sample_lease.pdf

Oh wow, thanks a bunch!

[speedwell 224]

Oh wow, thanks a bunch!

Just a caution: It will need to show your signature and your husband's signature as well as your father's. Talk to your dad about what should go in the blanks. Please use something close to actual market rent and real figures; this is a bona fide legal document even if your dad chooses to forgive payments indefinitely. Make sure both of you are named as tenants. Then your dad should fill out the form and sign it and initial each page at the bottom, and then scan and e-mail you a copy. Print out and sign the copy (each of you) and initial each page at the bottom. Scan and e-mail the form back to your dad and keep a copy for your records.

Incidentally this will protect your rights as a tenant in case something (god forbid) happens to your dad and there's a question about your right to stay in the home.

Edited February 7, 2013 by speedwell

[The Mean Lady 604]

My lease will state no cost for rent but paying half of the electric bill for (3) months at which time if occupancy is still in progress, rent will be charged at $400 per month.

It would not make sense to pay market value for an apt as you aren't renting an apt.

You're renting a room and common areas.