New to AOS - Questions

[Arazia 0]

In looking over the guide and the Tips that are stickied to the top of this forum, I have one starting question...

Where does it say you have to show proof of common residence? I've looked up and down the forms and can't find anything that says you need to do so, and I don't see it mentioned in the guides, although it is in the 'Tips' sticky. Is this sort of evidence really necessary? Some of it seems a bit difficult to get directly after marriage.

[Meriem_DZ 37]

I think it is very important, to show that you are living together under the same roof. I had my cable bill changed to show both our names. You can even use any mail that has you new spouse's name, that comes to your address. I added my husband to my bank account and now the statement has both our names.

Meriem

Edited February 15, 2007 by Meriem_setif

[sarahsmiles 0]

You will need the bonafides (proof) for your interview, assuming you have one. This can include joint lease, car title, cable, bank accounts, life and/or health insurance, affidavits from friends, etc. This proves that you have a valid marriage.

[JenT 0]

You don't have to submit this with the I-485, but if called to an interview, you will have to bring proof of a bona fide marriage. One of those, obviously, is having the same address. In March of '05, in anticipation of David's coming to visit at the end of May, I subscribed to a jazz magazine so that it would be waiting for him when he arrived....

I changed our newspaper subscription to his nme once he moved here, so the billing is sent to him. Meriem suggested bank statements... we did that too. And David obtained his driver's license when he got his SSN.... Germany has recipriocity with Michigan, so all he needed was a vision test and a check to get his US license. I also have him listed under my medical/dental insurance/AAA membership and we have a joint credit card....

Hope this helps!

Jen

[Dr_LHA 3]

Is this sort of evidence really necessary? Some of it seems a bit difficult to get directly after marriage.

If you go to interview you will be asked for this kind of evidence. However as far as I remember, the only proof of marriage required to go along with the forms is a copy of the marriage certificate.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

This sort of evidence falls under supporting documents or evideance of relation ship I do recall it being on either the I-130 or I 485, or I-864 form instructions.

All you need to do is open up a joint credit card even if it is a secured card, or if you already have joint account established such as a cell phone, or bank account, then have the bill reflect both of your names. Your IRS forms can be a very vaild way of showing this if either of you claimed one as a dependant.

When my wife & I were going through the process we obtained a lot support evidence.

Incidently they did not ask for much at the interview, the IO asked for Our Income tax returns and our IRS transcripts had both our names on them reflecting the same address.

So don't worry about it too much, just have something to show in the event that IO asks for additional evidence, you want to be able to show what ever you can to avoid possibility of USCIS requesting more eviddence or delaying your case.

[Miranda&James 8]

Usually you have a few months from your filing date to your interview, so this should be enough time to get some joint things together I see you are a K1 - I would be sure that you go to get your foreign (future) spouses SS number before his I-94 expires. You must file to get a SS number within 76 days of arrival (since they won't issue a SSN with there are less than 14 valid days left on the I94) but as I'm sure you've seen the general advice given on VJ is to file two weeks after they have been here. With the SSN you can (at least at most banks) get him on your bank accounts to show a joint account. Call your cable/electric company and see if they'll add another name on the account and the credit card thing was good advice. It isn't always easy to get stuff like joint insurance before the interview since sometimes the interview comes faster than the EAD and any job that comes with the EAD may not have insurance or have some kind of a waiting period. Other evidence you can be sure to have on hand is stuff like wedding photos and cards and other stuff that shows you two together

[NYGirl 0]

I live with my parents in a huge house and when he’ll arrive here more or less we will live with my parents until he gets a job and hopefully by that time I’ll get a better job too and will be able to afford our own place but if it won't happen until our AOS , and if we will still live with my parents obviously none of the bills are under my name ( except my own, like cc, and cell phone) how do I have to prove that we live together?

[no name 1]

I live with my parents in a huge house and when he'll arrive here more or less we will live with my parents until he gets a job and hopefully by that time I'll get a better job too and will be able to afford our own place but if it won't happen until our AOS , and if we will still live with my parents obviously none of the bills are under my name ( except my own, like cc, and cell phone) how do I have to prove that we live together?

Read above, it's clearly stated in earlier posts.

[NYGirl 0]

I live with my parents in a huge house and when he'll arrive here more or less we will live with my parents until he gets a job and hopefully by that time I'll get a better job too and will be able to afford our own place but if it won't happen until our AOS , and if we will still live with my parents obviously none of the bills are under my name ( except my own, like cc, and cell phone) how do I have to prove that we live together?

Read above, it's clearly stated in earlier posts.

I just want to make sure that HOUSE BILLS AND LEASE is not the most important paper they are looking for. other evidence won't be a problem.

[Rosie420 2]

I live with my parents in a huge house and when he'll arrive here more or less we will live with my parents until he gets a job and hopefully by that time I'll get a better job too and will be able to afford our own place but if it won't happen until our AOS , and if we will still live with my parents obviously none of the bills are under my name ( except my own, like cc, and cell phone) how do I have to prove that we live together?

Read above, it's clearly stated in earlier posts.

I just want to make sure that HOUSE BILLS AND LEASE is not the most important paper they are looking for. other evidence won't be a problem.

We just had my husband's AOS interview on February 14. We live together in my parents' house, so my mother wrote a letter stating the date I moved in, the date my husband (then fiance) moved in, and the address. She and my dad both signed it. The agent who did our interview said that was fine. We also had joint car insurance and joint bank account statements.

[rebeccajo 14]

They like real estate documents cause it's one of the 'proofs' spelled out in their handbooks and in the CFR.

But they are realistic. I commented to our AO - "do you know just how hard it is to get names added to utility bills?". He shook his head yes and in a very sympathetic manner too.