Bona Fide Marriag Proof

[Doncito 1]

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. There are a number of examples listed to establish a "bonafide marriage"....wouldn't a

copy of the certificate of marriage be enough?

[jkedhd 5]

Its enough, but more things can be provided specially if both of you lives togather

[X Factor 1,112]

Nope ... people use that all the time for fake marriages to get green card.

You need joint account statements, joint credit card stmts, marriage/wedding photos, joint tax returns, etc.

[Greg n Veronica 17]

Nope ... people use that all the time for fake marriages to get green card.

You need joint account statements, joint credit card stmts, marriage/wedding photos, joint tax returns, etc.

How in the world do they expect you to have joint anything if you just got married and the SO is in another country? Oh well, I feel for you all that have to go through this.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Greg n Veronica

[UK-USA-K1 128]

Nope ... people use that all the time for fake marriages to get green card.

You need joint account statements, joint credit card stmts, marriage/wedding photos, joint tax returns, etc.

Yes, there are two types of marriages (for visa purposes), one is bonafide, where the couple honestly love each other and are in a committed relationship which they expect to spend their lives together. The other is a sham marriage which is presented as real for the purposes of receiving immigration status. Both marriages will receive a certificate of marriage, but only one legally qualifies for immigration. Thus, to avoid as many sham marriages as possible, there must be proof that the marriage is real. The more proof you supply the better. If you just supply a marriage certificate, it's going to likely get you a lot more questions and a more difficult journey.

[bsd058 296]

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. There are a number of examples listed to establish a "bonafide marriage"....wouldn't a

copy of the certificate of marriage be enough?

That proves marriage. It doesn't prove bona fide ("good faith") intentions for the marriage. That's what they are looking for.

[bsd058 296]

How in the world do they expect you to have joint anything if you just got married and the SO is in another country? Oh well, I feel for you all that have to go through this.

We all have to find a way. Life Insurance on each other (a policy from your country and a policy from their country). Pictures of ceremony. Changed name (sometimes). Pictures of outings together. Phone Bill showing spouse's number called constantly or long phone conversations. Affidavits signed by mutual friends and family. Bona fide marriages never exist in a vacuum.

Edited February 13, 2013 by bsd058

[NickUSMC 3]

When I sent the I-130 and I-824 I just gave them the original marriage license. Everything got approved and got my interview at the end of the month. Of course I couldn't provide and still can't provide bills, joint bank accounts or anything like that simply because I am not authorized to work in the United States and I cannot open a bank account in the US or anything like that. So the only proofs I have is photos, the marriage license, some emails (because we mostly talk on the phone with prepaid cards) and call logs (If I can find a way to get that!) and affidavit of support signed by her sister. Of course if I were allowed to work in the US I was going to find an apartment for both of us, pay bills, buy a car together and all that stuff, but I am not allowed to work in the US with a tourist visa and I don't want to cheat the system so I am doing it the legal way. I hope the officer will understand. But like I said everything got approved, even though we have a huge age difference. Just gotta wait for the final step the interview and see what they tell me there.!

Edited February 13, 2013 by NickUSMC

[LaVegano 12]

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. There are a number of examples listed to establish a "bonafide marriage"....wouldn't a

copy of the certificate of marriage be enough?

No it is NOT enough. In addition to your marriage certificate you need to provide one of the following. 1. Documentation showing joint ownership of property. 2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence. 3. Documentation of co-mingling of financial resources. 4. BCs of children born to you and your spouse together. 5. Financial records showing joint ownership of assets and joint responsibility for liabilities, such as joint savings and checking accounts, joint federal and state tax returns,insurance policies and so on. 6. Affidavits sworn to by 3rd parties. 7. Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an on going marital union. Also I strongly recommend to include as much documentation as you can.

[sunflower123 6]

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. There are a number of examples listed to establish a "bonafide marriage"....wouldn't a

copy of the certificate of marriage be enough?

I agree with bsd058, the marriage certificate is just a proof that you are married.

You need to prove that your marriage was in good faith, that you got married because you love each other, because you want to spend the rest of your lives together and not because of immigration purposes.

This is why it's highly reccomended that you send as much evidence as you can when you file your I-130.

You have many choices

a) Photos of you together (I think this is probably the easiest proof you can get)through out the time, pictures of you with your family and friends

b) Wedding pictures (easy one as well)

c) Affidavits sworn by family and friends. You can ask the people who attended your wedding to make an affidavit for you, stating that they have attended your wedding, explaining the perception they have of you and your spouse as a couple, when did get to know your spouse, when did they met you as an official couple, etc etc. You can get them notarized if you like (A little expensive, but it's worth it, the affidavits look more professional, and they are signed in front of the notary. Ours got stamp, hologram and notary's letter with contact info)

d) Plane tickets, bus tickets, receipts from wedding rings, catering service, etc etc showing both names

e) A Joint bank account (in Mexico you can open a joint bank account in Banamex,I don't know if in another bank, but you can open a savings account under your and your spouses name, even if your spouse is only under tourist visa)

f) Receipts of lease, properties you have together etc

g) Insurance, it's possible that the US citizen can add the spouse to the insurance plan.

h)Call logs, e-mails, chats, phone bills, letters, cards (xmas, valentine's day, bday etc), facebook screenshots etc etc to show you are in touch constantly.

i) If you have children together, Birth certificate of your children, showing both names on it.

Edited February 14, 2013 by sunflower123

[aurpol 17]

The Marriage Certificate will suffice since you are just filing I-130 but the other documents has to be brought during the interview.

[Jeune Jolie 0]

Ok,, here is what I'm planning to show for bona fida. Myn interview is next month in Cameroon.

-Two small albums of 25 pictures each, one has our court wedding pictures and the other outing pictures of my hubby and I

He has never met my family so no pictures of him and my family but I've met his dad so a couple of pictures with the 3 of us.

-Skype chats between the two of us of about 70 pages

-two email printouts since we communicate mostly by Skype.

-two money gram receipts that I received money from him.

We got maried in about 9 months ago and haven't met since then Blc he's a student and I am too.

We met just twice, ones before the wedding and ones again during the wedding.

Can anyone please suggest any other proof I can get to add to the bona fida. Our wedding was attended just by us and our two witnesses since we

Got married in an island and didn't have family there.

Do u think this is enought proof of bona fida or what can you recommend. Thank you.

Jolie.

Edited February 14, 2013 by Jeune Jolie

[LilyR 7]

When I sent the I-130 and I-824 I just gave them the original marriage license. Everything got approved and got my interview at the end of the month....

Did you already have your interview? If so, congrats!

If not, please keep in mind, the ruling that there is not enough evidence of a bona fide marriage can be made (and is often made) at the visa interview stage of the process.

[NickUSMC 3]

Did you already have your interview? If so, congrats!

If not, please keep in mind, the ruling that there is not enough evidence of a bona fide marriage can be made (and is often made) at the visa interview stage of the process.

Hi LiyR,

Yes I have my interview scheduled already (10 days left..!)

[bsd058 296]

Ok,, here is what I'm planning to show for bona fida. Myn interview is next month in Cameroon.

-Two small albums of 25 pictures each, one has our court wedding pictures and the other outing pictures of my hubby and I

He has never met my family so no pictures of him and my family but I've met his dad so a couple of pictures with the 3 of us.

-Skype chats between the two of us of about 70 pages

-two email printouts since we communicate mostly by Skype.

-two money gram receipts that I received money from him.

We got maried in about 9 months ago and haven't met since then Blc he's a student and I am too.

We met just twice, ones before the wedding and ones again during the wedding.

Can anyone please suggest any other proof I can get to add to the bona fida. Our wedding was attended just by us and our two witnesses since we

Got married in an island and didn't have family there.

Do u think this is enought proof of bona fida or what can you recommend. Thank you.

Jolie.

Don't send albums of photos (they will not use them if they are in albums) and understand that if you send them photos, you will never get them back.