Help! Interview coming up!

[ndeplano 0]

Hi!

My husband and I have our interview coming up in a few days, and we are a little worried about the supporting documents we should bring to it. We don't have any joint accounts, no mortgages, no leases (we rent a room at our brother and sister in law's house so we can save up for a house), nothing. We are thinking of bringing pictures, but we're worried they might not care about them, and not approve our marriage. What should we do? I am so worried...

[A&M21 21]

Get five sword affidavits from friends and family, church members or neighbors that can bare witness of your true and legitimate union. Church records, and specially and affidavit from your in laws that you live with stating what the rental agreements are and for how long. His job listing you as dependant for tax returns, insurance. And yes pictures!! Your wedding invitation, Christmas cards, wedding greeting cards and gift card from wedding attendants.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Have the in-laws write an affidavit that you rent from them and live together there as a married couple. Have bills/mail with same address? Copies of license/IDs with same address? Nothing that involves both of you? Insurance of any kind?

[ndeplano 0]

Have the in-laws write an affidavit that you rent from them and live together there as a married couple. Have bills/mail with same address? Copies of license/IDs with same address? Nothing that involves both of you? Insurance of any kind?

No...Nothing.

[aussie_jason 195]

No...Nothing.

Aren't you saving for a house? Why isn't that a joint savings account? You should at least have statements proving that you live at the same address and then you can get whatever other supporting documentation you can like the suggested affidavits along with things like photos throughout the relationship, any personal notes to each other like love letters and anything proving you have done things together like itineraries for trips.

[agnesb 47]

No...Nothing.

Even if you by any chance go through aos interview you will have huge problem to remove conditions in 2 years if you wont start co-mingling.

[ndeplano 0]

Even if you by any chance go through aos interview you will have huge problem to remove conditions in 2 years if you wont start co-mingling.

We don't believe in joint accounts, since we both have different jobs and different incomes. I save what I can and he saves what he can. I just think this whole thing it's ridiculous, and I should not have to worry about being separated from the love of my life because something silly like that.

[aussie_jason 195]

We don't believe in joint accounts, since we both have different jobs and different incomes. I save what I can and he saves what he can. I just think this whole thing it's ridiculous, and I should not have to worry about being separated from the love of my life because something silly like that.

Nobody is disputing that it is ridiculous but it is what it is, as it stands instead of posting on an internet forum you should be busy putting together as many items as you can to prove that your marriage is bonafide.

[agnesb 47]

Yep we all dislike the need of proving our relationship to anyone but it's gotta be done.

[ndeplano 0]

Well, we'll see what we can do.

[Deema & Wayne 28]

Perhaps if you have him listed as your emergency contact at work or have life insurance through your job and have him as the beneficiary, you can print out proof of that. I added that into my ROC package. He's also listed as my medical emergency contact. It's not much but may help. The Affidavits are a great idea and pictures too. Make sure you know everything there is to know about your spouse. During my AOS interview, the separated us, and asked us questions and the officer flat out asked my husband what would it do to him if they denied my green card and I got sent home. Be well prepared and remain calm. Gather what you can, Everyone is free to keep their accounts separate, but when in Rome...couples here in America mingle their finances from credit cards to bank accounts to cars to mortgages, etc. It's solid proof that if you're willing to share this debt then you're a legit couple. It is very important but no one can force you to do that. It's just the way it is. Good luck.

[A&M21 21]

We don't believe in joint accounts, since we both have different jobs and different incomes. I save what I can and he saves what he can. I just think this whole thing it's ridiculous, and I should not have to worry about being separated from the love of my life because something silly like that.

JOINT ACCOUNTS ARE USUALLY ONE OF THE BEST THING YOU CAN SHOW AS SUPPORTING EVIDENCE! Besides, if you believe in you pay this and I pay that, you are going to have money issues with your husband!

[tittysprinkles 4]

We don't believe in joint accounts, since we both have different jobs and different incomes. I save what I can and he saves what he can. I just think this whole thing it's ridiculous, and I should not have to worry about being separated from the love of my life because something silly like that.

Sometimes I sympathize with your frustration, but if you take that approach with your Interviewing Officer (IO) you’re going to be on a one-way ticket to DENYLAND faster than you can say “Mea Culpa”. Please, have your song and dance that we’ve all thought about regarding the injustice and hassle about having to prove that you’re in a bonafide relationship. However, from the IO’s point of view, they are trying to establish that your marriage is genuine, and these days “but we love each other, can’t you see” isnt going to cut it. They need proof. As in documentation.

Now, it’s a few days away, so to be honest the below isnt going to help a lot, but it’s a good lesson-learned:

While some folks share the same sentiments about financial approaches with their spouses, in reality there are ways around this. The joint account is just a means by which you can prove there’s some sort of financial commitment. For example, you pay your in-laws, and this money comes from both of you? So why not setup an account, put the rent money in their from your separate accounts, and then pay your in laws from that account?

“Holy #######, that’s a lot of hassle”. Yeah, and it leaves a big fat paper trail. Also known as “evidence”. You know what isnt evidence? Handing your in laws cash every month.

It can be as simple as putting your spouse down as beneficiaries on your insurance policy through work (if one exists), or from your 401k (again, if one exists). The “In case of emergency” is another option. Or maybe a joint medical plan?

From your view in a few days, do you have any mail addressed to both of you at the same address? Any Christmas cards (my wife has kept everything for "Mr and Mrs")? Any family photos together? Photos of trips together? Ticket stubs from concerts, sports games, or the opera that you both went to? Whatever experiences you had together. Maybe flight receipts?

Is your car insurance under both of your names? That can be done pretty quickly (a quick phone call).

Good luck in a few days! Buon Viaggio!