ROC and Property Ownership

[NovaSprings 89]

We are about 3.5 months away from submitting our ROC paperwork (will be filing in late Nov) so I have been spending time lately gathering information, making copies, etc.  I think that we have a strong financial case, we have joint wills, Power of Attorneys, living wills, joint life and health insurance, joint credit cards, joint bank accounts, and jointly own an LLC and both of our cars have joint title.  The one question I have is around property.  Just after I arrived in the US we contacted the bank that holds the mortgage on the house we live it to have my name place on the documents - to show joint ownership/liability.   Unfortunately they told us that it would cost us $2400 in fees to make this simple change.  We asked them to waive the fees, but they would not budge and suggested we wait until the mortgage was up for renewal in a few years to make the change as it is much cheaper then.  We did not make the change because of the cost.  So here is my question, has anyone else had a similar situation?  Is it something that should be mentioned in our ROC paper work?  If we should include this, what is the best way? We don't really have any documentation from the bank, just verbal.  Any suggestions/advise would be much appreciated.

[Going through 5,671]

Honestly, I think you have more than enough evidence without the name being added on the property.  Lots of couples don't have both names on property or leases for various reasons.  At the time of my AOS and ROC (and even now still while I'm filing for citizenship) only my husband's name is on ours.

 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2017 by Going through

[NovaSprings 89]

Thanks everyone, we appreciate the advise!

Edited August 24, 2017 by NovaSprings

[Sukie 1,465]

This is a challenge faced by many of us - especially if we are, say, a little more mature.

 

We solved the issue by describing the fact that I owned the house before I even met my spouse in our cover letter.  But...I added my spouse to our homeowner's insurance as an authorized claimant.  Both of our names are listed on the policy - and we had three years' worth of policies to add to our packet.

 

We had no issues - and no RFEs.  You DO need to explain it, though, or they WILL ask!

 

Good luck!

 

Sukie in NY

[Going through 5,671]

11 minutes ago, Sukie said:

You DO need to explain it, though, or they WILL ask!

  I wasn't asked to explain anything, or even asked about property ownership, and never mentioned anything in my cover letter or sent anything in regarding ownership of property.  Depends on the adjudicator, and the bulk of the rest of the evidence submitted, I would imagine.

 

[NovaSprings 89]

With many aspects of the whole process sooo subjective, it is really hard to know....I think that is the reason this form is so useful!  Thanks Sukie for the suggestion of the home insurance, I didn't think of that one.  Since we have it, I will be sure to include it - it can't hurt!