How to prove proof of domicile? Help.

[joanamber 16]

Hi, 

 

I am a USC (dual citizen) living in the Philippines for almost 20 years now. I want to do DCF for my husband and child so we can go together and live with my husbands relative for a while upon arriving in the US. 

 

How can I prove my domicile for the i864 if I haven't worked, studied or have any bank account in the US? Can a written explanation work? Please give me some ideas, I am really confused and nervous that our petition might get denied. 

 

Thank you!

Edited August 8, 2017 by joanamber

[GreatDane 366]

In order to get it setup, you need to open bank accounts, start looking for a job, talk to landlords, etc. It might be that you only need a trip to the US or you might need to move there ahead to set things up.

 

If you are working with a US company abroad on a temporary basis, a letter will suffice, as proof that the US is your main country of residence. Otherwise, you do need to reestablish residency. 

 

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-overseas-us-citizen-proves-us-domicile-form-i-864-sponsorship.html

[Coco8 1,042]

Do you have family in the US? Then try to do a quick trip to the US, open bank account, get a state ID/drivers license, register to vote, etc. Use your family's address for everything. Otherwise, you will need to get a place to have an address (no PO Box).

 

If you don't do anything, the consulate will say you have to establish domicile. Better to do it before you start if you are doing DCF.

 

 

[joanamber 16]

Thanks for the infos! 

[databit 328]

Have you been filing US taxes all those years, as all US citizens living anywhere in the world are required to do? If not, you will need to file back taxes.

[joanamber 16]

4 hours ago, databit said:

Have you been filing US taxes all those years, as all US citizens living anywhere in the world are required to do? If not, you will need to file back taxes.

I left the US when I was young and finished my studies in the Philippines so I don't have the chance to work in the US or file taxes.

[joanamber 16]

6 hours ago, GreatDane said:

In order to get it setup, you need to open bank accounts, start looking for a job, talk to landlords, etc. It might be that you only need a trip to the US or you might need to move there ahead to set things up.

 

If you are working with a US company abroad on a temporary basis, a letter will suffice, as proof that the US is your main country of residence. Otherwise, you do need to reestablish residency. 

 

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-overseas-us-citizen-proves-us-domicile-form-i-864-sponsorship.html

Hi, thank you for the link that you sent me. I read this on the last part of the article.

 

U.S. Citizens Domiciled Abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen domiciled abroad, you may still be allowed to file a Form I-864 if you intend to establish a domicile in the U.S. in the future – either before or at the time of your beneficiary’s arrival in the United States. Evidence of such intent would include proof that you have taken concrete steps towards leaving the foreign country to move permanently to the U.S. – such as correspondence with U.S. landlords, resignation from your foreign job and application to jobs in the U.S., initiation of a business in the U.S., closing of accounts with foreign institutions and opening of accounts with U.S. institutions, and so on.

 

So this means it's possible for me not to go back to the US while the petition is on process?

[stephanie918 46]

I think the more evidence you have, obviously the better.  Maybe do as much as you can remotely, and if you think you need more evidence you'll have to go open a bank account.  I have yet to complete my I-864, so on this same topic, I'd like to ask, did you put your domicile as the US? My husband and I have both applied from Australia (i'm the US citizen), so not sure when it comes to that part whether I put my parents US address or my Australian address as my domicile?