Newbie Approaching I-751 Application

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

You need to include a copy of the green card, front and back. You don't need the employment authorization card.

1) The lease is important. They will not look at evidence from previous applications. This is a brand new petition and needs to be self-contained. You need to find the lease or get something in writing from your landlord.

2) You need to show that you are living together. Copies of both of your drivers licenses with the same address are good. Utilities or other bills with both of your names on them, addressed to your current address.

3) You need 2 years of joint bank and/or credit card statements. YOu can choose to include a statement every few months, but the total timespan needs to cover the entire period of marriage.

Not sure where you are getting all these details on the timeframe of required info. Can you elaborate, please? Or is this just your opinion?

1) A lease is not required, it is one of the optional documents.

2) None of that is required, either. Our DLs are from different addresses. None of the bills are in her name. Doesn't apply to everyone.

3) Nowhere does it state how many statements to show. Or that they are even required. Again, they are one of the optional pieces of data. Nowhere have I seen a "total time span of coverage" written anywhere.

I would gladly read and re-learn based on any valid websites from which you extracted this critical info. Thank you in advance.

[mymarriagejourney 113]

From the US Government: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-751instr.pdf

Scroll down to "Evidence of Relationship"

Not sure where you are getting all these details on the timeframe of required info. Can you elaborate, please? Or is this just your opinion?

1) A lease is not required, it is one of the optional documents.

2) None of that is required, either. Our DLs are from different addresses. None of the bills are in her name. Doesn't apply to everyone.

3) Nowhere does it state how many statements to show. Or that they are even required. Again, they are one of the optional pieces of data. Nowhere have I seen a "total time span of coverage" written anywhere.

I would gladly read and re-learn based on any valid websites from which you extracted this critical info. Thank you in advance.

[BBCC 16]

We sent no copies of tax returns and haven't had any RFEs (yet). Just her ID and GC, my ID and pay stub, and a joint bank account statement.

We had that the IRS returns for the past 3 years and the joint property lease/mortgage were among the most important. It would be interesting to see if you receive a RFE for the returns.

Also, we did not submit joint bank account statements over the entire two years. The I-751 does not mention the need to do so over the two year period. Just to submit "Financial records showing joint ownership of assets and joint responsibility for liabilities," So we included just the most recent month. Perhaps the amount of co-mingled finances worked in our favor and contributed to the reason we didn't have to submit for the entire two years. Maybe not.

Edited July 7, 2014 by BBCC

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

From the US Government: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-751instr.pdf

Scroll down to "Evidence of Relationship"

That counters not one of my points. "Should include, but not be limited to" is their exact verbiage. Should, not shall.

[mymarriagejourney 113]

Should not could. It counters your points.

should = used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness

could = used to indicate possibility

That counters not one of my points. "Should include, but not be limited to" is their exact verbiage. Should, not shall.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Should not could. It counters your points.

should = used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness

could = used to indicate possibility

So using your interpretation, one must include EVERY item listed on that page, eh?

Did you include sworn affidavits from two people who know you?

Edited July 7, 2014 by DavenRoxy

[mymarriagejourney 113]

It's not my interpretation. It's the dictionary definition of the word used on the US Government's instruction page.

And, it says "not limited to" which indicates that more can be included.

To answer your question, I included 3 affidavits from US Citizen friends and family.

Edited July 7, 2014 by mymarriagejourney

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

It's not my interpretation. It's the dictionary definition of the word used on the US Government's instruction page.

And, it says "not limited to" which indicates that more can be included.

To answer your question, I included 3 affidavits from US Citizen friends and family.

"Crimes should be punished" - does it mean they will? Or just that they ought to be?

"You should answer the door in a 3-piece suit" - Must you? Or would a shirt and tie also be acceptable?

"You should wake up earlier to avoid having to speed to make it to work on time" - This is a suggestion to avoid breaking the law.

"If I leave early enough, I should arrive on time" - Perhaps. Depends on a lot of other variables. But certainly not mandatory that I arrive on time.

Used to give advice, or a suggestion. As in:

"You should go back to bed"

"You should go out more often"

Tomato/pineapple, I guess. I think if it were mandatory, the word MUST would have (SHOULD have) been used.

Kind of like elsewhere in the instructions, where it was stated: "...if the conditional parent is deceased, then those dependent children must file form I-751 separately..." Or: "If you are filing this petition jointly with your spouse, you must file it during the 90-day period..."

Read your link again. The word MUST appears 17 times. The word SHOULD only three. In all three instances (well, two, since we are debating one use of the word should), there are other options presented.

[mymarriagejourney 113]

In your examples, obligation, duty, or correctness is indicated.

Feel free to follow to see if I receive an RFE, and I will do the same.

However, we are not really comparing apples to oranges, since you are military and afforded a different set of obligations to prove validity, as well as expedited processing.

Good luck.

"Crimes should be punished" - does it mean they will? Or just that they ought to be?

"You should answer the door in a 3-piece suit" - Must you? Or would a shirt and tie also be acceptable?

"You should wake up earlier to avoid having to speed to make it to work on time" - This is a suggestion to avoid breaking the law.

"If I leave early enough, I should arrive on time" - Perhaps. Depends on a lot of other variables. But certainly not mandatory that I arrive on time.

Used to give advice, or a suggestion. As in:

"You should go back to bed"

"You should go out more often"

Tomato/pineapple, I guess. I think if it were mandatory, the word MUST would have (SHOULD have) been used.

Kind of like elsewhere in the instructions, where it was stated: "...if the conditional parent is deceased, then those dependent children must file form I-751 separately..." Or: "If you are filing this petition jointly with your spouse, you must file it during the 90-day period..."

Read your link again. The word MUST appears 17 times. The word SHOULD only three. In all three instances (well, two, since we are debating one use of the word should), there are other options presented.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

We had that the IRS returns for the past 3 years and the joint property lease/mortgage were among the most important. It would be interesting to see if you receive a RFE for the returns.

Also, we did not submit joint bank account statements over the entire two years. The I-751 does not mention the need to do so over the two year period. Just to submit "Financial records showing joint ownership of assets and joint responsibility for liabilities," So we included just the most recent month. Perhaps the amount of co-mingled finances worked in our favor and contributed to the reason we didn't have to submit for the entire two years. Maybe not.

At the end of the day, the amount of "stuff" you feel comfortable collecting is what is right for you. I didn't mind pushing the limit a bit for ROC, cuz we have a year to deal with an RFE if one were to occur. I opted not to send the taxes, and like you, only sent one months' bank statement. If the VSC were moving anywhere NEAR the speed of the CSC, we might know by now if I did right or not!

The point I was trying to make in this thread is that more is not always better. Especially when it comes to gubmint paperwork...

Good luck on getting your ROC and naturalization (if you go that far)!!

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

In your examples, obligation, duty, or correctness is indicated.

Feel free to follow to see if I receive an RFE, and I will do the same.

However, we are not really comparing apples to oranges, since you are military and afforded a different set of obligations to prove validity, as well as expedited processing.

Good luck.

Correctness is not an all-inclusive term, however. I am sure you will be fine if you sent all examples in the instructions. Nothing at all wrong with doing more. Only something wrong with instructing others that it is required. After 21 years of government service, I can assure that is not the case.

Being military means only that I was able to submit my LES (pay stub) showing I have a spouse. (Doesn't mean much however, as said spouse is not listed on the LES, it could have been you). All other recommended proof of a relationship still applies to me like it does to everyone.

And expedited processing?? Think again. None of that going on here. Being military CAN get you expedited handling, but only in certain circumstances. And if you call and ask for it, the decision as to whether you qualify or not takes 45 days. Not much expediting going on there, I assure you.

At any rate, best of luck. The race is nearing the finish line, eh?

[mymarriagejourney 113]

We sent quarterly bank statements for the 2 year period of our marriage as well as tax transcripts from the IRS. Perhaps you are confusing me with another poster. And, yes, naturalization next year....

At the end of the day, the amount of "stuff" you feel comfortable collecting is what is right for you. I didn't mind pushing the limit a bit for ROC, cuz we have a year to deal with an RFE if one were to occur. I opted not to send the taxes, and like you, only sent one months' bank statement. If the VSC were moving anywhere NEAR the speed of the CSC, we might know by now if I did right or not!

The point I was trying to make in this thread is that more is not always better. Especially when it comes to gubmint paperwork...

Good luck on getting your ROC and naturalization (if you go that far)!!

[mymarriagejourney 113]

Can't wait to be done with immigration.

It's much like the process for adoption. To be an adoptive parent, you must jump through all kinds of hoops and endure countless checks to ensure you are a fit parent. To be a biological parent, you can be 13 and on drugs.

This is a similar situation, but we knew what we were getting into...

At any rate, best of luck. The race is nearing the finish line, eh?

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

We sent quarterly bank statements for the 2 year period of our marriage as well as tax transcripts from the IRS. Perhaps you are confusing me with another poster. And, yes, naturalization next year....

If you scroll back up and re-read post #25, you will see I was replying to BBCC, not you.

[BBCC 16]

At the end of the day, the amount of "stuff" you feel comfortable collecting is what is right for you. I didn't mind pushing the limit a bit for ROC, cuz we have a year to deal with an RFE if one were to occur. I opted not to send the taxes, and like you, only sent one months' bank statement. If the VSC were moving anywhere NEAR the speed of the CSC, we might know by now if I did right or not!

The point I was trying to make in this thread is that more is not always better. Especially when it comes to gubmint paperwork...

Good luck on getting your ROC and naturalization (if you go that far)!!

There is definately a balance to strike with every unique situation.

We're done with ROC.

Let us know how it goes

I hope your process goes smoothly.