Proof of "Legitimate Marriage" (merged)

[tds0317 2]

Hi... What a great website! Was wondering some opinions and whether anyone had an issue with proving a bona fide marriage. I currently own my home. My future spouse and I will be married on 11/19. I was reading many of the ways to prove a bona fide marriage is a joint lease agreement, etc... It obviously is impossible to simply add someones name onto a mortgage and utility bills (especially without a SS#). What we will have is 3 affidavits, pictures, a wedding invitiation, proof that my spouse is an authorized user on credit cards, 3 months of bank statements, eventual joint health insurance through my employer, pictures over time (including our wedding) (we have been together for four months), beneficiary info for retirement accounts... Does anyone see this as a problem? Or has been in a similar situation?

Thanks so much!!!!

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Welcome!

Are you living together in the USA or is the beneficiary living abroad?

[Ladyj 13]

Hi... What a great website! Was wondering some opinions and whether anyone had an issue with proving a bona fide marriage. I currently own my home. My future spouse and I will be married on 11/19. I was reading many of the ways to prove a bona fide marriage is a joint lease agreement, etc... It obviously is impossible to simply add someones name onto a mortgage and utility bills (especially without a SS#). What we will have is 3 affidavits, pictures, a wedding invitiation, proof that my spouse is an authorized user on credit cards, 3 months of bank statements, eventual joint health insurance through my employer, pictures over time (including our wedding) (we have been together for four months), beneficiary info for retirement accounts... Does anyone see this as a problem? Or has been in a similar situation?

Thanks so much!!!!

When your at the I-130 petition stage there is certain information they know that you will not have until you are actually married which is ok, but so far all the documents that you have named is perfectly fine. Congratulations and all the best with your process.

[tds0317 2]

Thanks for the info. We are both in New York.

Do people really submit photographs? It's hard to picture an immigration officer looking through photos!

[spring333 44]

1. you can/should add your spouse to your checking and saving

2. adding someone on utility bill is actually easy (at least it was for me) - you just call them and explain that you need to add someones name on the bill

3. add your spouse on your car insurance

4. open costco/sams club card or something like that

5. you can use copy of your convos with your spouse (like facebook messages, texts messages, phone company statement of how often you call his/her number

6. add your spouse on your phone plan

Hope i helped a bit

Thanks for the info. We are both in New York.

Do people really submit photographs? It's hard to picture an immigration officer looking through photos!

And yes, people bring 100-200 pix. and believe or not IO looks at pix, they ask whos this or where was this and they usually keep few for their record

[Ladyj 13]

Thanks for the info. We are both in New York.

Do people really submit photographs? It's hard to picture an immigration officer looking through photos!

Your welcome. Yes I know a lot of people that submit photos. I submitted a few as well. Photos of us hanging out together, our wedding photos with family and any other photos of you and your spouse spending time together. It doesn't have to be a lot of photos but at least a few of each event taking place.

[tds0317 2]

Thanks. Problem is they don't have a US drivers license yet. Seems like you need a SS card to apply for a license in the states.....so insurance for a car wouldn't work yet.

People actually print out facebook conversations and send it in to immigration?

[Ladyj 13]

Yes people do print out FB conversations if they feel it will help their case for proof.

[Ortolan 381]

You can go online and get Living Will forms from your state, one for you, one for your spouse. Give each other medical power of decision. Get the forms notarized at your local county court clerk. You can send copies of these (and they're a good idea anyway).

[spring333 44]

Thanks. Problem is they don't have a US drivers license yet. Seems like you need a SS card to apply for a license in the states.....so insurance for a car wouldn't work yet.

People actually print out facebook conversations and send it in to immigration?

Well once you send application it will take actually month or so to get work permit and ss#. you will have probably 2 month in between getting work permit and interview so you have bunch of time to get DL and make those adjustments

[tds0317 2]

Thanks for all the info! Can they deny your I-130 if there isn't enough evidence? Or they let you present more documentation at the interview? After having a SS#, a lot of these things will be much easier to gather and we'll have a lot more to show at the actual interview. Right now, there isn't even a way to get a US ID card with my address for my future spouse.

[spring333 44]

Thanks for all the info! Can they deny your I-130 if there isn't enough evidence? Or they let you present more documentation at the interview? After having a SS#, a lot of these things will be much easier to gather and we'll have a lot more to show at the actual interview. Right now, there isn't even a way to get a US ID card with my address for my future spouse.

yes you can present more docs on the interview.

Aslo as you are getting married this year you would have to do tax return as married joint so it is one more proof

[tds0317 2]

Thanks. You can do joint tax returns if one doesn't have a social security number yet?

[spring333 44]

Thanks. You can do joint tax returns if one doesn't have a social security number yet?

not quite sure but i think you can.

[TBoneTX 45,273]

Welcome to the forum.