I-130 from Japan, Bona Fideing evidence of marriage?

[michaelsammler 0]

Lets see.

E. Nope
F. Apartment we live will only put one name on the lease.
G. All our bills are in my name, or my wife's. None are in both. Bank will not allow two names on an account.

H. No kids.

So, option I, we are going to the US Embassy in Tokyo to show our translation of documents and sign an affidavit. So we are thinking my Japanese wife's parents can come and sign an affidavit saying we are really married for love and not for a visa. But, reading some older comments on this forum, it sounds like this is not a good option.

Any ideas?
Thanks for any help.

Edited July 19, 2016 by michaelsammler

[NuZayetsPogodi 117]

Do you have a credit card or two that you can add her as a cardholder? Will you transfer a bill, like the garbage bill or something, to her name? Millions of married people, both mixed USC-immigrant couples and not, do this. Surely you can, also.

[michaelsammler 0]

Do you have a credit card or two that you can add her as a cardholder? Will you transfer a bill, like the garbage bill or something, to her name? Millions of married people, both mixed USC-immigrant couples and not, do this. Surely you can, also.

Thanks. Unfortunately we tried those ideas already.

Japanese credit cards only have one name. We tried that. We also tried to put both our names on the internet and other bills, which was also not allowed in Japan. We have a shared bank, but only one name on it. We went to the bank and they say it is against the rules to have two people on a bank account. Japan is pretty strict, and usually the head of the household puts everything in their name.

So I am not sure what other couples from Japan do for this part.

[NuZayetsPogodi 117]

You don't have a bank account in the United States? Can't you open a bank account with CitiBank in Japan and put both names on the account?

Thanks. Unfortunately we tried those ideas already.

Japanese credit cards only have one name. We tried that. We also tried to put both our names on the internet and other bills, which was also not allowed in Japan. We have a shared bank, but only one name on it. We went to the bank and they say it is against the rules to have two people on a bank account. Japan is pretty strict, and usually the head of the household puts everything in their name.

So I am not sure what other couples from Japan do for this part.

[michaelsammler 0]

You don't have a bank account in the United States? Can't you open a bank account with CitiBank in Japan and put both names on the account?

Ah. Good idea. Didn't think about that. It is something we plan to do soon as well. Thanks. Been in Japan for too long I guess.

[NewBrunswicker 19]

My wife and me submitted with our application Affidavit letters from our friends. Two actually for primary evidence for the bona fide of our marriage. We also included a picture of our ceremony plus other pictures (total of 5 I believe) as a secondary evidence. We are still waiting for approval of I-130 but from what I have red on VJ, it should be more than enough. There are multiple ways of proving your relationship.

[michaelsammler 0]

My wife and me submitted with our application Affidavit letters from our friends. Two actually for primary evidence for the bona fide of our marriage. We also included a picture of our ceremony plus other pictures (total of 5 I believe) as a secondary evidence. We are still waiting for approval of I-130 but from what I have red on VJ, it should be more than enough. There are multiple ways of proving your relationship.

Thank you. I wasn't sure if the photos were included in the application, or just for the interview. But I guess both?

I wanted to have a friend make an affidavit as well, but the embassy hours where they notarize are too restrictive. But my wife's parents are retired so they can come anytime.

Good luck on your I-130. Time to print some photos :-)

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

***** Moving from US citizenship to CR-1 spousal visa forum *****

[tidanukaji 0]

Hi! We just went through the whole IR-1 process from Japan and moved to the U.S. last month. We have been married for 15 years and have two kids so we had enough Bona Fide marriage documentation but we've included 10 pictures as an additional evidence. We didn't have a wedding so we made sure the pictures to be with both side of families; a couple photos of us visiting Colorado and Oregon to be with my husband's families; a couple photos of us with my family in Japan for New Year's or other important events; and a couple photos with our close friends. We had 3-4 photos per page with short texts explaining when and where they were taken for what events. We also made sure the photos covered events from the year we were married to the year we submitted I-130. In addition to photos, some people I know have included copies of Jyuminhyo; USC's foreign registration card showing spouse visa status; cell phone family plans contract; Kokuho/medical insurance; etc... Of course, with English translation of each documents.

If you have been in Japan as long as we had, then you might want to start collecting proofs of U.S. domicile as soon as I-130 is sent out. If you already have a job or a place to live waiting, then it shouldn't be much of a problem but in our case we had to collect evidence of domicile as much as possible. Just to give you some ideas, my husband's U.S. drivers license, U.S. bank account, a signed letter from his sister stating that she will provide a room for us to stay at her house temporarily, and a copy of his one way flight ticket to the U.S. (he left Japan after our packet was transferred to NVC) have worked out for us.

Also, tell your wife to check out Ameblo blogs. There are helpful blogs people post about their immigrant visa process.

Good luck with your visa journey!

[Ryan H 3,812]

OP, focus on any kind of evidence you have of time spent together in-person, that is your strongest evidence. Many other couples don't have joint leases or ownership of property, joint bank accounts, etc. and have no issues.

[kris&me 572]

do you have income in japan and have to file US taxes?

have you added her name of them?

you need residency in the US before the interview

[michaelsammler 0]

***** Moving from US citizenship to CR-1 spousal visa forum *****

Thank you Penguin. Sorry about that :-o

[michaelsammler 0]

Hi! We just went through the whole IR-1 process from Japan and moved to the U.S. last month. We have been married for 15 years and have two kids so we had enough Bona Fide marriage documentation but we've included 10 pictures as an additional evidence. We didn't have a wedding so we made sure the pictures to be with both side of families; a couple photos of us visiting Colorado and Oregon to be with my husband's families; a couple photos of us with my family in Japan for New Year's or other important events; and a couple photos with our close friends. We had 3-4 photos per page with short texts explaining when and where they were taken for what events. We also made sure the photos covered events from the year we were married to the year we submitted I-130. In addition to photos, some people I know have included copies of Jyuminhyo; USC's foreign registration card showing spouse visa status; cell phone family plans contract; Kokuho/medical insurance; etc... Of course, with English translation of each documents.

If you have been in Japan as long as we had, then you might want to start collecting proofs of U.S. domicile as soon as I-130 is sent out. If you already have a job or a place to live waiting, then it shouldn't be much of a problem but in our case we had to collect evidence of domicile as much as possible. Just to give you some ideas, my husband's U.S. drivers license, U.S. bank account, a signed letter from his sister stating that she will provide a room for us to stay at her house temporarily, and a copy of his one way flight ticket to the U.S. (he left Japan after our packet was transferred to NVC) have worked out for us.

Also, tell your wife to check out Ameblo blogs. There are helpful blogs people post about their immigrant visa process.

Good luck with your visa journey!

Super Helpful. Thanks Tidanukaji.

I definitely have photos of my family meeting my girlfriend, and next year meeting my fiance (In Oregon). And stoic pictures of her father signing our marriage form.

When getting an affidavit of translated documents, is it one per document? Or can you do all the documents at once with one affidavit? $50 a pop might get spendy fast.

[michaelsammler 0]

OP, focus on any kind of evidence you have of time spent together in-person, that is your strongest evidence. Many other couples don't have joint leases or ownership of property, joint bank accounts, etc. and have no issues.

Good to hear Ryan. Thanks.

do you have income in japan and have to file US taxes?

have you added her name of them?

you need residency in the US before the interview

I file a 10-40 every year showing I have zero taxable income for the US. And I did add my wife this year. Married last year in Feruary, so my first chance to tick the married box and I added her name. I will make a copy of that. Good idea. Thank you.

We are looking at places to live next month and hope to move early next year. But my sister or mother both offered us a place to live for as long as we need so I will use their address.

[tidanukaji 0]

Super Helpful. Thanks Tidanukaji.

I definitely have photos of my family meeting my girlfriend, and next year meeting my fiance (In Oregon). And stoic pictures of her father signing our marriage form.

When getting an affidavit of translated documents, is it one per document? Or can you do all the documents at once with one affidavit? $50 a pop might get spendy fast.

Are you talking about getting translations notarized at US Embassy or Consulate? If so, you don't need to. See FAQ from below link.

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivfaq.html#twelve

You can also download translation forms from below for your reference.

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-forms.html

For my case, I've translated all documents that required English translations and signed them myself. I've also translated documents for my friend, and she had no problems. I did not get them notarized at the Embassy or Consulate.

Hope this information helps!