Family/Friends reference letters.... yay or nay?

[wavj 26]

Hi again,

When my husband and I talked to two different immigration lawyers for an initial consultation, both were consistent with the information provided. Also both mentioned to include in the package at least a couple of letters from a family member and friends testifying that we are a real marriage, including basic information such as : for how long they have known us together, if they attended to the wedding, their address, DL # , telephone # etc.

Has anyone here done this for your process? should I request those letters to our friends and family or it is not necessary?

Thank you

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Family member/friend letters are secondary evidence at best and could easily fabricated.

If you have solid primary evidence of bona fide marriage, the letters are not necessary.

Though there is no harm include them if you like.

I did not include any of these letters during AOS or ROC.

[wavj 26]

Family member/friend letters are secondary evidence at best and could easily fabricated.

If you have solid primary evidence of bona fide marriage, the letters are not necessary.

Though there is no harm include them if you like.

I did not include any of these letters during AOS or ROC.

We have plenty of primary evidence, so in that I will have a couple of letters ready in original by the time of interview then.

I've read that some people include some pictures in the package. Should I do that too? how many is reasonable? I am putting a photo album together in chronological order for the interview.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I included 5 photos only

You could bring your whole photo albums to the interview later on.

[Clair 6]

I included 7 letters from family and friends to my husband's AOS package: from my parents'-in-law, the man who served at a best man at our vow renewal ceremony, my matron of honor, the man who served as a witness at our legal wedding ceremony, my husband's boss, and two more close friends. I wrote all of the letters myself - rough drafts, to be precise - and emailed them to the people. All of the letters included names, DOB, citizenship, address, phone, email. I did not ask for DL# and SSN. Two out of seven people decided to have them signatures notarized.

I have no idea if those letters had any weight or it was overkill. Our GC interview was a breeze: 5 minutes were spent going through my divorce decrees, 1 question asked (how we met) - and the rest was a conversation between the officer and my husband about the 2013 Ashes.

Edited May 12, 2014 by Clair

[aussie_jason 195]

The letters aren't necessary, they may be helpful for some especially those where the timeline is questionable but looking at your timeline you should be fine as it seems like a natural progression and you would have plenty of primary evidence as a result of that.

[wavj 26]

The letters aren't necessary, they may be helpful for some especially those where the timeline is questionable but looking at your timeline you should be fine as it seems like a natural progression and you would have plenty of primary evidence as a result of that.

Very good , thank you!

[Erica & L 52]

It wouldn't hurt to include them but like everyone else said, secondary evidence at best. Same with photos. I submitted 2 affidavits and 10 pictures with my AOS package. I might bring a bit more for my interview just to have but what you send in with the package can be much more minimal than what you bring to the interview.

[VJnew 8]

Since i dont have much evidence of my marriage bc we just recently got married,im gonna include letters from friends.And a few pics.So its not gonna harm anybody ))

[HoussemAnna 20]

I received an RFE from the letters attesting to the validity of my marriage (all notarized) then they asked for more letters from people that attended the wedding also i included pictures form the wedding and from out time together showing the different days and activities. So if you send letters and pictures make sure to include letters from people who had knowledge of your relationship and people who attending the ceremony. And pictures of you and your spouse and with their family as well :D