After CR1 -> I-751 tips on getting stuff together

[luukee 19]

Hello VJ,

I was looking at some of the great tips in regards to put the I751 together and i was wondering with some of the evidence,

like with Bank Statements, did you guys print out all of the pages per statement (I'm thinking of submitting the last 3 months worth of each account), but usually those have like 2-3 pages, depending on how many transactions occur, did you guys just print out the first page, where it normally shows a summary and the names of the owners?

thanks!

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

One statement per quarter since marriage date or account opening is the minimum. I personally sent each for the two whole years.

[agrabs 241]

One statement per quarter since marriage date or account opening is the minimum. I personally sent each for the two whole years.

Ditto!

[Sukie 1,463]

Hello VJ,

I was looking at some of the great tips in regards to put the I751 together and i was wondering with some of the evidence,

like with Bank Statements, did you guys print out all of the pages per statement (I'm thinking of submitting the last 3 months worth of each account), but usually those have like 2-3 pages, depending on how many transactions occur, did you guys just print out the first page, where it normally shows a summary and the names of the owners?

thanks!

Luukee, don't make the mistake that many do. You need to submit bank statements FROM THE TIME OF YOUR MARRIAGE to the present day - not just the past three months. You'll get an RFE for sure. And you need to print ALL the pages of your statement - even though it seems ridiculous.

We had a LOT of joint financial assets, so we only sent one statement per quarter. But many people send all statements since marriage. It's up to you.

Sukie in NY

[Cheezees 1,514]

Agreed. I seent every single statement. Lots of paper but they couldn't accuse me of sending too little evidene. BTW I had 3 savings accounts and 2 checking accounts. I sent every statement from all 5!

[luukee 19]

Thank you very much for the tips guys. Since you guys mentioned that we should send all our bank statements since marriage, a large portion of mine only had my name since marriage. The reason being is that most of the institutions didn't allow me to add her until she had a ssn. Which of course she didn't get until she got here. So that's about a year and half of statements with just my name. So does this mean I still should send all since marriage, or since she got to the US?

Thanks again! !

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Thank you very much for the tips guys. Since you guys mentioned that we should send all our bank statements since marriage, a large portion of mine only had my name since marriage. The reason being is that most of the institutions didn't allow me to add her until she had a ssn. Which of course she didn't get until she got here. So that's about a year and half of statements with just my name. So does this mean I still should send all since marriage, or since she got to the US?

Thanks again! !

I would submit a selection of statements since she's had her name on the account, starting with the first month a random selection in between and the last month before you file. I'd include all relevant pages of the statement (mine always had random stuff disclosure type stuff at the end that wasn't relevant).

As to general tips - I just kept a file in the cabinet and added stuff as we went along. Things with both of your names on them, just anything that you come across and think, "hey this would be good for ROC" put in the folder. Now is a good time to get wills and life insurance done too.

[NikLR 13,227]

I agree with Nola. Bascially if it has two names on it, keep until ROC. Get a will done. Do MPOA. Make sure you guys are beneficiaries of life insurance, 401k etc...

[Sukie 1,463]

You need to EXPLAIN (in a cover letter) why she's not on statements since your marriage. Your bank was incorrect about adding her without a SSN (unless your bank has a specific policy against it). You can have a non-SSN holder on an account if you file a W-8BEN statement with your bank. You may wish to get a statement from your bank stating that it is their policy not to add a person without a SSN - because it should have been possible. Many new account clerks don't understand this.

You'll be fine. Just be sure to explain. And, if those early statements with just your name clearly show that you are paying rent/mortgage/car payments - stuff that benefits you BOTH - then add them along with the explanation.

Other hints about wills, medical powers of attorney, beneficiaries are very good advice.

Sukie in NY

Edited October 8, 2016 by Sukie

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I don't believe it is necessary to explain at all. We were married for probably a year before we had a joint account and then we opened two and another two a year later. There was no RFE. I would only feel it necessary to write a letter if your other evidence is sparse or you got a joint account several months before ROC.

[luukee 19]

Cool guys, this really helps. I'm a bit early on getting the stuff together, but knowing how some things take time (and things that I didn't think of, but thanks to you guys for the advice)- I wanted to organize early.

Sukie, one of my accounts is an online only account, so in adding a secondary, it required a ssn. Believe me, I wanted to add her as soon as possible, in case anything was to happen to me.

Also, wouldn't it be hard for you guys to add your spouse if he/she was still living in the other country?

Great tips guys, I haven't done a will yet, but for the most part I think all my accounts has her as my beneficiary.

We're also expecting a new member to the family soon.

[NikLR 13,227]

I call BS on adding people without an SSN. People are told they can't do this but both of my banks are online only and I had both before getting an SSN. You have to call and do some faxing (hellofax is easy to use) but it's often totally possible with a form called a W8Ben and then using a w9 after SSN is received.

Congrats on the soon to be new family member!

[millefleur 5,046]

I call BS on adding people without an SSN. People are told they can't do this but both of my banks are online only and I had both before getting an SSN. You have to call and do some faxing (hellofax is easy to use) but it's often totally possible with a form called a W8Ben and then using a w9 after SSN is received.

Congrats on the soon to be new family member!

Agreed. My personal experience with it is that banks actually just aren't used to the request and can be kind of scatterbrained about it, but if you are persistent and call them frequently and talk to different reps there, you can probably find someone who knows what's going on and can help you get someone added without a SSN. It can be kind of frustrating having to call back multiple times, get different answers and have to dig up a bunch of documents proving identity and whatnot, but it is possible with persistence.

[luukee 19]

Thanks millefleur!

Yeah I think it sucks too, but I can also see why they want the ssn or at least some sort of way to identify if you're actually a real person.

I think having my spouse on my accounts for over a year and 6 months should be good right? Plus with our future child too!