Does it look fishy to make changes right before submitting the I-751?

[nica 5]

When my husband got into the country, we were both so euphoric that we didn't spend a lot of time making a checklist of "things we need to do in preparation for the I-751 two years from now." The CR-1 process was horrendous enough that we just didn't want to think about it for a while.

So of course, it's snuck up on us. Our POE was June 2012, so we're going to submit documents next month. We have some things ready, but there are some things that I'd like to change to (hopefully) make our I-751 go through as smoothly as possible. That being said, I'm wondering whether making changes at the last minute looks worse than not doing it at all.

For example: I have a Roth Ira account with a little bit of cash in it that I don't do anything with (don't make enough to contribute at the moment). I'd like to add him as a beneficiary. Does it look bad to do that 1-2 months before we submit the I-751?

We also have a shared checking account and a shared savings account, but we also have separate accounts (his from his home country, and one that I use for extra savings). At some point I'd like to consolidate into one shared checking and one shared savings accounts, but again, I'm concerned that it looks like we're scrambling to change things right before the I-751.

Should we wait, or should we go ahead and make these changes?

[dwheels76 5,468]

When my husband got into the country, we were both so euphoric that we didn't spend a lot of time making a checklist of "things we need to do in preparation for the I-751 two years from now." The CR-1 process was horrendous enough that we just didn't want to think about it for a while.

So of course, it's snuck up on us. Our POE was June 2012, so we're going to submit documents next month. We have some things ready, but there are some things that I'd like to change to (hopefully) make our I-751 go through as smoothly as possible. That being said, I'm wondering whether making changes at the last minute looks worse than not doing it at all.

For example: I have a Roth Ira account with a little bit of cash in it that I don't do anything with (don't make enough to contribute at the moment). I'd like to add him as a beneficiary. Does it look bad to do that 1-2 months before we submit the I-751?

We also have a shared checking account and a shared savings account, but we also have separate accounts (his from his home country, and one that I use for extra savings). At some point I'd like to consolidate into one shared checking and one shared savings accounts, but again, I'm concerned that it looks like we're scrambling to change things right before the I-751.

Should we wait, or should we go ahead and make these changes?

You are just showing the co-mingling of your life not the dates. Showing bills in each of your names (cable, water, apt ;ease) is all that necessary. Showing a few pics maybe of things you did since you been here trips. Parties. Just really showing your life together.

You will be fine.

[nica 5]

You are just showing the co-mingling of your life not the dates. Showing bills in each of your names (cable, water, apt ;ease) is all that necessary. Showing a few pics maybe of things you did since you been here trips. Parties. Just really showing your life together.

You will be fine.

I thought we would have to provide bills over a period of time (i.e. a credit card bill from each 6-month period since he moved here). Is that not the case? Do we only need to show one piece of paper proving we have a joint account?

[deidre 13]

You definitely need more evidence... I would suggest adding in two written and signed affidavits stating that yall are a couple. I included two in my ROC packet - one from my husbands daughter and one from his uncle (hubby is the USC) which basically stated that we are married and that it is a genuine marriage etc.

Other things you could include would be copies of yalls AAA cards (you could easily sign up and get cards in the mail within a week), copies of past and future travel itineraries (showing planned vacations together), pieces of mail that show the same address...

As for bills etc...yes you are correct...for the statements you should print out one per quarter and include this so they can see yall co-mingling finances.. but if you havent got it..I would go ahead and add him on, and include the new statements which shows both your names on it.

But if you haven't got much by way of joint finances, just be sure to include a lot of other strong pieces of evidence.

[2ndMessiah 184]

They look for a history of co-mingling.

I am sure you have filed joint tax returns for the last two if not three years. Get IRS tax transcripts. available free and online.

copies of joint bank statements over the last few years.

Property in both your names. IE car registrations.

Health insurance policies in both your names.

Life insurance policies showing Spouse as beneficiary.

[mike411 15]

The dates are not important. USCIS told my friend to co-mingling their finances and they did everything that was asked in a week. USCIS was fine with that..

Looks like if you can't trust your spouse to co-mingle finances, they won't either.

[engineer21 51]

Definitely include tax transcript - showing your filing status as married (we did married filing jointly)

for bank statements, we have one joint and we each also have separate ones.

I only sent statements from the joint one. Didn't do anything with the separate ones and there were no issues.

I also sent statements showing each other as pension & life insurance beneficiaries, joint auto/renters/health insurance, apartment leases, loans we co-signed together, boarding passes for trips we took together, a few pictures with us and with our families. A few other odds and ends that I can't think of right now.

Dig around.. you may have more than you think. Good luck!