Latest Update - for your amusements...

[JanaknJanet 0]

Love all the ideas... actually got some for myself..

As far as Netflix... they have a free trial.. .. sign up.. get the free dvd for the address to be sent put.. the address to: His name..Your name Last name. then address.. ..

no credit check.. no problem.. use the first lables. as proof.. and then woahoooo.. you are now also in database..

If you wish.. I can too send you both a card.. heheh . and address it.. .. .. ill send you a wedding card from me.. congrat's ... .

hehe just a thought.. can you imagine.. ..if we all sent a card.. ... you will be bombarded.. lol...

best wishes...things will work out in the end.. just remember why you married. .. .. love will always concour all... MIL or not..

[thndrdancr 0]

I forgot to mention that since we were so low on evidence, I had started a bit of a scrap log, of things we had done together, had a few movie rental receipts, tickets to a boat/travel show we went to, a couple of receipts for when we went out to eat,a state park sticker, etc. She didnt pay much attention to it, but I did shove it in her face, we had a LOT of movie rentals on it. lol It was only one page, with a bunch of ####### taped in it, but I thought we were so sadly lacking that I was looking for any ideas.

Also, its pretty easy to get those address labels sent to you if you donate $10 to some of those wildlife federation sites, or disabled vets, or any of those, but you might not have time to receive them at this point. That was an idea I had too. Once your name gets on that list, you start getting free address labels from EVERY charitable organization in the states! This IS a good idea for anyone that has a month or more tho, just donate and have both your names on the address label. Or somehow get on the list. I swear my sister gets about 5 sent to her a week from dif organizations cuz she donated one time 3 years ago. Its one idea I havent seen, and altho its not free, if you have a lil extra, they are nice.

[helsbells 0]

don't forget those cheap "write a will" kits...make a will out for yourselves... that is pretty good evidence

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

Jay, lots of hugs to you, girl. Your MIL seems like someone I would not have the patience to put up with. Kudos to you.

As far as evidence goes, one thing I did was order free brochures online from websites such as explore Minnesota or any of the local colleges etc. There's an option to add both of your names to the addressee lines. Oh and for pictures, you could take along one of those single-use cameras with you and snap a few pictures here and there with family, coworkers etc.

Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll be fine!

[meddykomp 0]

JayJay,

I am sorry to hear that things are so stressfull for you right now. I do agree that you and Ben should file your taxes in the way that gets you the maximum return. If that concerns you, fill them out on paper both ways and take your handwritten copies with you so you can show why you filed the way you did. They probably won't ask, but you are prepared.

About your MIL, if you feel she takes over what you do and that your thoughts do not weigh in on decisions, this is something you need to talk to Ben about. Regardless of whether your MIL is right or wrong, these are your taxes, not hers, and there is an underlying issue there. If this continues and there are other instances in other areas in your life where she is taking over, it will tear you apart and could ultimately destroy your marriage. Better to talk these things out early on. This issue is not about the taxes, but about establishing that you and Ben make your marital decisions together.

And finally, if you feel you need even further evidence of yourself as a couple, get someone to send you a good luck card for your interview. If you don't have someone that will, PM your info and I will be happy to drop something in the mail for you.

~Angel~

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

And finally, if you feel you need even further evidence of yourself as a couple, get someone to send you a good luck card for your interview. If you don't have someone that will, PM your info and I will be happy to drop something in the mail for you.

~Angel~

Good idea! I can send you a card if you want, Jay. We should get all the Minnesotans on the board to do that hehe.

[JayJay 4]

You're all SO cute!!! (F) (F) I feel da love - man I feel better now :)

[Autumnal 25]

Cards for the Minnesotans! From Illini with warm wishes.

[samantha_lou 0]

Jay,

The credit should not be a problem for you guys opening a joint account with a bank...Ryan and I opened a bank account with Washington Mutual just a couple days after we were married (we just had to take our marriage certificate, social security cards (I think) and I showed them my passport in my original name), with like $10 and then a few weeks later we added the savings account. Try US Bank or Bank of America, you really shouldn't have a problem and you still have enough time to have recieved the info about the account before your interview.

Another option is a credit union - you can usually open a joint savings and checking with nothing more than $15 just to get another account started. (We just signed up with Boeing Employees Credit Union, as we want to use them for a home loan and IRA) Netflix is another great idea, they'll send a DVD out to you with both your names on it - Ry and I had one of those envelopes for our interview.

Try not to worry too much Jay, which I know is difficult. I was majorly stressed out and freaking about our interview, and I can't begin to explain to you what an anti-climax the whole thing was! I came out of there thinking "Is that it?", but I know thats not going to help your fears right now. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a rough time at the moment with everything, but just keep focussed on you & Ben getting your own place, and moving forward! Ryan and I just rented a real cheap one bedroom apartment, with no laundry in the unit when we first got our own place (it was cute though, and it was our space!)...I know renting isn't the best, but it will help you & Ben strike out on your own.

*hugs* Sam Xx

[Mand 1]

Remember too JayJay, that you're adjusting from WVP so you came over with the intention of a holiday and events happened that led to a wedding. You, Ben and his family were not expecting this, so this explains the living with parents, etc. You won't have as much "stuff" as others here for your AOS and I am sure the interviewing Officer will understand that too.

I remember you said Ben was in hospital too, did you sign any release forms? Rob had to go in for surgery about 2 months ago, and I signed release forms, etc. I am also bringing these forms with me to our interview.

I really hope you guys get outta that house soon and into your own place. You need some space and some sanity!

Best of luck

[p&w 0]

I sympathise with you and can understand what a stress this must be. However, it does seem like most experiences on this forum show interviews go much easier than expected. Snapping some more photos sounds like a good idea. From my experience as another brit, opening a joint bank account without a SSN number is tricky - not impossible, but we had to phone the manager of the bank, then phone them again, and still (2 weeks later) I haven't a debit card, tho I do have a cheque book....

Remember that you love each other and that will show at the interview, no matter if you haven't a sheaf of papers. And just smile sweetly at the MIL, then take your frustration out on a defenceless pillow :-)

[chri'stina 190]

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, just scanned through the posts. Can your MIL write a letter saying you both have lived in her house since such and such a date? Before getting our own place, we lived with my parents for 6 months and I had my dad write a letter saying we lived there. They never asked for it though, I just wanted to be prepared.

[Garfield fan 0]

Hello fellow Minnesotan !!

Try to relax, I'm sure everything will be just fine for you two ! I got my interview August last year and it was a breeze. The lady officer was so nice, she asked us some questions such as 'how did you meet', 'where do you work', etc. before asking for any evidence. By the time she asked for them, she didn't even care to look at them, she just put them together with our files in a big thick binder. I think she already made her decision from the questioning part itself, proof of joint lives are just additionals.

I believe that the officers are trained to 'see' if there is a geniune relationship between a couple, they can tell by your body languages/gestures and the way you communicate with each other during the interview. Therefore the written evidence is not the only thing that they will make their decision upon. The most important thing is try to relax and be yourself during the interview, remember that a lot of married couples don't really have tons of joint 'thingy' even after years of marriage.

In regards to the tax filing, it's OK to file as 'married file separately'. The key word here for USCIS is 'married'. I'm just curious to why it's more beneficial for you guys to file separately. When we did our tax this year, my hubby asked our tax accountant if we can do better by filing separately, and she said no and we will even get 'penalized' for doing that. But anyway, you are fine with either one of them.

Wish you the best !!

[Marie1123 0]

Calm down Jay,

I didn't have much more than you had, we didn't even have our taxes yet. Our 04 taxes were before we even got married and it wasn't a problem. I ended up opening an ING online account, it was almost instant and I was able to print my statelment for the interview. We also had AAA cards, since we would be needing them in the future and it was only 81 dollars for the year. In total i think we had 14 pictures, none from our wedding and we were fine. You'll be ok. Smile

[daisy16 0]

hey jayjay!

I have 2 bits of advice.

Buy that one-way ticket for your MIL and life will get better.

During the interview, fight with Ben about your MIL. That will prove to the officer beyond a shadow-of-a-doubt that you are married.

Lots a hugs honey. You'll be fine at the interview.