1st NOA since biometrics

[H&I 6]

I got my first NOA requesting more information. I sent bank statements, car insurance, bills, but only only one month of each. I figured the "joint" names on each document would be enough, but they want more. So should I just send all our joint documents for the last 2 years? Can anyone tell me what documents are most important to them, so I can do those?

Thank you all so much for your help. Hope you all are doing well.

Diana

Edited July 5, 2014 by Kathryn41

[H&I 6]

Hi everyone... maybe someone can help me with my evidence. I just got a NOA after doing biometrics. They need more evidence. I sent only one copy because I read that they don't like a bunch of copies I sent:

One bank statement with both our names on it.

Our car insurance card - but Geico sends cards every six months (both names on it)

One energy bill with both names on it

One lease with both our names on it

The income tax return for 2012 - my husband got here in 2011

A voided check to show we have the same account

*Plus I sent pictures and notes from family during a surgery I had ~ a letter from SS stating my name change ~ our discount cards from my place of work.

They say it's not enough. Does anyone have any suggestions. We don't go out a lot, we like being at home together. We haven't had a vacation yet.

When they put in what I sent, they kept saying, BUT it only covers one month. I read someones post that said they worked with USCIS and they didn't like

alot of copies of things....

If anyone can help, I am greatful.

Diana

Edited July 5, 2014 by Kathryn41
to remove full name for security reasons

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I would send in several of each of the above covering more than a one month period. Go back to when you set up the account jointly and include a statement from then, then the most recent statement showing you are still using the account. The same for the utilities and car insurance. What about health insurance? What about 2013 income tax return - you should have had it filed by now so can include that. Do you have a joint credit card? Any investments together? Listed as beneficiaries on each others pension information or retirement savings accounts? You mentioned you had surgery- what about hospital bills showing coverage through joint health insurance? What about including the joint bank statement showing where you both paid for your share or co-pays for your surgery - in fact, use a highlighter to highlight that amount. Do you pay your rent by checks? Again, show a joint bank statement highlighting that check. If you both work, then highlight where on the statement both of your employment earnings are deposited. Who signs the check for the rent? If you sign it one month and he signs it the next month then get copies of both checks from the bank and send those in, showing you are sharing financial responsibilities. What about renter's insurance? You could include that. If you have any pets you can get a statement from the vet showing the pet in both names. What about a family plan for phones? Copies of both of your driver's licenses showing the same address. You could write your wills listing each other as beneficiary and/or executor/trustee. Definitely include the marriage certificate (I suspect you did) and perhaps any photos you have from the wedding, even if it was a quiet and civil service.

Your job is to convince USCIS that you are a bonafide couple so you need to include as much documentation as it takes. While USCIS may not want to be overwhelmed with a copy of every single bank statement, they also want to have enough information provided that shows beyond a reasonable doubt that you are indeed a couple who is living together, sharing resources, expenses and responsibilities . It is relatively easy to fake one month of common documentation. It is a lot harder to fake several months - or years - of common documentation. It is a good idea, if you have it, to show several different examples of shared expenses, resources or responsibilities stretching over time because married people do accumulate this type of documentation. That is a lot harder to fake, so helps reassure the adjudicator that you are indeed a bona fide couple.

Good luck.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Kathryn41

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Removing Conditions on Residency Discussion.

Hiding post pending edit of personal information.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Personal information has been edited out. Please do not disclose personally identifying information as you don't need to be a member to view information posted on Visa Journey, just to post information, and this can open you up to identity theft..

Additional post and response posted to an unrelated thread in a different forum have also been moved to this thread so as to keep all of the information together in one place. It is never a good idea to ask a question on someone else's thread as it becomes confusing to figure out who is being answered and you may get the wrong information. It is also not necessary to post the information more than once.

-VJ Moderation

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moderator's Hat off . . .

Since you are trying to remove conditions on your marriage, it is vital that you include information that covers the whole span of your marriage - from when you first got married right up to the current date. One month's worth of documents definitely does not prove that you have a valid marriage - you should provide at least 4 examples of every type of document you sent for each year of your marriage, basically proof from every 'quarter'. This is the time when 'more' is definitely better because they want to see the continuity of the marriage along with the intermingling of personal, financial and social obligations and commitments.

Edited July 5, 2014 by Kathryn41

[H&I 6]

Thank you Catherine and Ryan for your advice...I read someones article where they said the USCIS dont like to go through a lot of paperwork and showing our names on documents was enough. I will get quarterly statements ready and we also opened a credit card at the end of this last year. The electric company and cable company refuse to add my husband to our bill, so I dont know how to fix that. We are also getting a trust started on our accounts.

One of my main concerns is that his visa was approved 90 days after we applied...he even got a letter that he would get his visa in 3 weeks, but didnt get it for another for another 5 months. And I didnt apply for his visa for 6 months after I came home from Jordan as I was getting settled. So we didnt see each other for 2 years after we married, and he was working, so there is no financial connection for that time. Will they be ok with that? We are homebodies. We would rather have a quiet barbque and a movie than go to an amusement park. But we are happy with this. We go out a little, but we just both like quiet. So we dont have alot of pics together..but we are very content...we are totally connected financially though, so I will get these documents ready.. thank you both so much for your support! Will let you know how it goes. Diana

[DLR & M 0]

Hi, We had our biomterics appointment on June 3, 2014 and I still have yet to receive anything.

His visa expired on July 18, 2014, last Friday. Now I am really starting to worry.

When I call USCIS it just states to expect to be receiving something in the mail, nothing more.

I sent several joint account items, as well as my checking / savings account with a selection of dates for the past 2 years which refelected since he got here.

Edited July 20, 2014 by DLR & M

[H&I 6]

Many utilities and cable companies don't add two names in bills. This is perfectly normal. However you would still do good in adding bills from one company listing only your name and other bills from other companies listing only your spouse's name. It still shows you're both being financially responsible as a couple.

Thank you Happy for your advice.... I came back to the US after we married and set everything up... so it's all in my name. But I have a lot of other things I could send... I just took the wrong advice from something I read and didn't send enough of what I sent... I am getting a huge package ready of everything I have... I hope this helps them.

[H&I 6]

Hi, We had our biomterics appointment on June 3, 2014 and I still have yet to receive anything.

His visa expired on July 18, 2014, last Friday. Now I am really starting to worry.

When I call USCIS it just states to expect to be receiving something in the mail, nothing more.

I sent several joint account items, as well as my checking / savings account with a selection of dates for the past 2 years which refelected since he got here.

There should be a number on the letter you got to go to get his biometrics done... I would keep calling... or go back there and talk to someone... Please let me know what happened.

[Junior11 14]

Hmmm I'm confused...

DLR&M already had biometrics done 2 months ago. Why is she worried about not receiving anything from USCIS? Don't we just sit and patiently wait for the approval at this point?

H&I's reply confused me even further. What are we supposed receive after bio? Go back and talk about what?

PS: title of this tread is NOA after bio, but did she mean RFE? Is this what made DLR&M worried?

[H&I 6]

Hmmm I'm confused...

DLR&M already had biometrics done 2 months ago. Why is she worried about not receiving anything from USCIS? Don't we just sit and patiently wait for the approval at this point?

H&I's reply confused me even further. What are we supposed receive after bio? Go back and talk about what?

PS: title of this tread is NOA after bio, but did she mean RFE? Is this what made DLR&M worried?

Please don't be worried! But I did receive a NOA last month requesting more information... long after my husband went and did his biometrics and prints... I will send my packet tomorrow...they gave me 3 month's to do it...but I will send it back tomorrow...hopefully this will be enough... I also thought it was done...apparently every case is different... I wish you well in your case. H&I