Proof of health insurance?

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

What documents do I need showing that my spouse and I have joint health insurance? I have my health insurance card with both our names on it, is that enough? I also have a copy of a Health Insurance Marketplace Statement (Form 1095-A) saying that my spouse and I were both covered starting from December 2015. As it only shows 2015 dates, is this enough evidence? We get bills mailed to us with the cost of our insurance every month but it only has my husband's name on it, despite being joint.

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

I would include the cards with both names and the monthly premium statements even if it has only your spouse's name. The bills show ongoing, active health insurance. December 2015 is very recent. Hopefully you have previous joint health insurance or other joint evidence to include.

Thank you. Yep, we have a joint bank account and joint tax returns from 2015 and 2014. Just need to contact the bank to get a statement which shows both of our names as it only shows his name on the online banking.

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

USCIS expects to see several statements starting from the inception of your marriage to your time of filing. Be sure to read several topics on this on VJ. Also, tax transcripts are better evidence than tax returns.

Yes, I meant transcript, sorry! We got married in October 2013 and his tax return for that year was filed single (the accountant said he was considered single for that year) so we were able to file jointly for years 2014 and 2015. I think I got added to the bank account this time last year when we got our tax return so my name has only been on it for a year. I hope that should be fine. We have a little over $1000 in the account and will have more once our Federal tax refund arrives but that won't be for a few weeks, so I can always show them we have more in there if they send an RFE. We don't have any leases as we live with his family at the moment, no joint car insurance as I can't drive yet and technically his car is on his family's insurance. The only financial proof I have is those 3 things: joint health insurance, joint tax returns from two years and joint bank account. I hope it should be okay. If not, I guess I can send copies of train tickets from vacations, photos, Christmas cards, affidavits but I heard I should only send them if I get an RFE and just send the financial stuff first...

[Ksenia_O 696]

As on December 31, 2013 you were married, you should have filed your Tax Return as a married.

You should file an amendment of your Tax Return for tax year 2013.

[Laura. 90]

We got married in October 2013 and his tax return for that year was filed single (the accountant said he was considered single for that year) so we were able to file jointly for years 2014 and 2015.

The accountant was wrong. We were married in October 2013 too and we filed our 2013 tax return jointly. As long as you were married on the last day of the year you can file jointly.

If the accountant doesn't know that, I'm not sure I would trust them with anything else.

Edited March 29, 2016 by Laura.

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

The accountant was wrong. We were married in October 2013 too and we filed our 2013 tax return jointly. As long as you were married on the last day of the year you can file jointly.

If the accountant doesn't know that, I'm not sure I would trust them with anything else.

Okay there might have been another reason why, then. I'll have to ask my husband. Also, is it better to send an affidavit the first time you send the ROC form or is it better to wait until/if they send an RFE and THEN do it?

[MariaR323 199]

Yes, I meant transcript, sorry! We got married in October 2013 and his tax return for that year was filed single (the accountant said he was considered single for that year) so we were able to file jointly for years 2014 and 2015. I think I got added to the bank account this time last year when we got our tax return so my name has only been on it for a year. I hope that should be fine. We have a little over $1000 in the account and will have more once our Federal tax refund arrives but that won't be for a few weeks, so I can always show them we have more in there if they send an RFE. We don't have any leases as we live with his family at the moment, no joint car insurance as I can't drive yet and technically his car is on his family's insurance. The only financial proof I have is those 3 things: joint health insurance, joint tax returns from two years and joint bank account. I hope it should be okay. If not, I guess I can send copies of train tickets from vacations, photos, Christmas cards, affidavits but I heard I should only send them if I get an RFE and just send the financial stuff first...

To be quite honest, if you only have the 3 items you said, joint health ins, joint tax returns and a joint bank account... it just doesn't sound like a convincing packet for ROC. I believe for ROC they do look for more.

My suggestion: get a will drawn up and maybe a power of attorney (both financial and health directive) for each of you naming each other. Does your spouse have a 401k at work? Any life insurance policy? Get yourself added as the beneficiary. As for the joint bank account, you need to send each monthly statement because they want to look at the activity to show comingling of finances and not just an account opened for namesake purposes. Also, do you have a state ID? Send both IDs showing the same address.

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

To be quite honest, if you only have the 3 items you said, joint health ins, joint tax returns and a joint bank account... it just doesn't sound like a convincing packet for ROC. I believe for ROC they do look for more.

My suggestion: get a will drawn up and maybe a power of attorney (both financial and health directive) for each of you naming each other. Does your spouse have a 401k at work? Any life insurance policy? Get yourself added as the beneficiary. As for the joint bank account, you need to send each monthly statement because they want to look at the activity to show comingling of finances and not just an account opened for namesake purposes. Also, do you have a state ID? Send both IDs showing the same address.

I could make a will. Just weird as I'm very young lol but I could. We don't have life insurance or 401k. How long does it take to get a state ID?

We have records of vacations we took to New York (Amtrak train tickets, the cost and our names on them, I can also find hotel bookings from hotels we stayed at, both in New York and the beach. I just thought earlier that for his birthday, I bought him a custom oil painting of us and our cat that died before Christmas and it was very pricey so I could include a receipt of that?

I'm really trying to think of things I can include but it sucks because we don't have much money so we don't have our own house, a lease or anything like that...

[MariaR323 199]

I could make a will. Just weird as I'm very young lol but I could. We don't have life insurance or 401k. How long does it take to get a state ID?

We have records of vacations we took to New York (Amtrak train tickets, the cost and our names on them, I can also find hotel bookings from hotels we stayed at, both in New York and the beach. I just thought earlier that for his birthday, I bought him a custom oil painting of us and our cat that died before Christmas and it was very pricey so I could include a receipt of that?

I'm really trying to think of things I can include but it sucks because we don't have much money so we don't have our own house, a lease or anything like that...

You're never too young or too old to have a will and power of attorney. If you don't have kids or assets, you can probably skip the will but do the power of attorney. You wouldn't want a court deciding for you if something happens to either of you. I'm assuming it's just processing time for a State ID, check your state department's website.

Anything you can think of you should send because the packet as is needs more convincing Good luck!

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

You're never too young or too old to have a will and power of attorney. If you don't have kids or assets, you can probably skip the will but do the power of attorney. You wouldn't want a court deciding for you if something happens to either of you. I'm assuming it's just processing time for a State ID, check your state department's website.

Anything you can think of you should send because the packet as is needs more convincing Good luck!

Oooh my driving learner's permit has my address on it.

[zz top 14]

With my petition I've included copies of health insurance cards (dental too) and printout of health insurance coverage from the website with effective dates of the coverage.

[MyHeartWillGoOn93 8]

So it looks like we were supposed to file a joint tax return in 2014 for year 2013, because being married for only 2 months still counts as married. I have no idea why the accountant said he was considered single for one more year. Anyway, can I file a tax return for year 2013 at any time or does it have to be from January to April (whenever the deadline ends)?

[Laura. 90]

So it looks like we were supposed to file a joint tax return in 2014 for year 2013, because being married for only 2 months still counts as married. I have no idea why the accountant said he was considered single for one more year. Anyway, can I file a tax return for year 2013 at any time or does it have to be from January to April (whenever the deadline ends)?

You'll need to amend the 2013 return. Use Form 1040X, you have to mail to them and it can be done any time of the year.