Are affidavits really important for I751?

[Shanny89 1]

Hey guys, still working on completing my I-751 package to mail and just adding some final touches as my green card (which was lost) expires on November 24, 2017. My question is, do you really need an affidavit to write letters? I mean i can get friends/family to write letters but i really don't want to bother anyone if you know what i mean. Below is a list of all the evidence i have so far, will this be enough to avoid an RFE and also to prove a bona fide marriage? or is it too little? We don't have any children, we rent a room so o lease and no car.

 

FOLDER 1: Payment, Form I-751 and Letter Explaining How Permanent Resident Card Was Misplaced

 

ü  Cashier’s check for $680 payable to U.S Department of Homeland Security (Application and Biometrics Fee)

ü  Completed and signed Form I-751 by Petitioner & U.S Citizen Husband

ü  Detailed letter explaining how permanent resident card was misplaced and travel stamps for temporary travel from United States Department of Homeland Security and USCIS (I-551 stamp)

 

FOLDER 2: Copies of Financial Records Showing Joint Ownership of Assets and Joint Responsibilities for Liabilities

 

ü  Jointly filed tax transcripts for; 2014, 2015 and 2016

ü  Statements (every 6 months) from our joint checking account

ü  Copy of debit cards for joint checking account

ü  Life insurance policy from petitioner’s employer displaying spouse as a primary beneficiary

ü  Utility bill for cable/internet/home phone from Verizon showing joint occupancy

ü  Mobile bill from T-Mobile displaying shared mobile/data plan

 

FOLDER 3: Evidence of Relationship

 

ü  Copy of marriage certificate

ü  Copy of driver’s license and learner’s permit displaying shared residence

ü  Mail addressed to both parties at mutual residence (previous and new address)

ü  Annual benefits confirmation from employer stating that my husband and I are included on each other’s benefits

ü  Boarding passes, travel itineraries and hotel reservation for various vacations taken throughout the years

ü  Photos throughout the years on different occasions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 8, 2017 by Shanny89

[Shanny89 1]

@CookieCat no i don't have copies of my GC that's why i included copy of the stamps they gave me and also the letter that i wrote about losing my card was notarized. I'm including a utility bill (cable/internet) in New York water is free and as stated since we only stay in a room with another roommate we don't pay electric.

[nightingalejules 678]

9 minutes ago, Shanny89 said:

@CookieCat no i don't have copies of my GC that's why i included copy of the stamps they gave me and also the letter that i wrote about losing my card was notarized. I'm including a utility bill (cable/internet) in New York water is free and as stated since we only stay in a room with another roommate we don't pay electric.

• The I-551 stamp effectively is a green card so you're all good there.
• Include actual statements from any joint accounts (at least one per quarter (4/year) since you've been together) Just the debit cards is probably not enough.
• Your original post doesn't mention why you don't have a lease, but I assume you're staying with someone. That someone (or the owner of the property) can just write a statement that you live there together. You could even go online and produce a lease-type document that you and the person you're staying with can sign. It doesn't have to be a fancy lease. 

Good luck!

[Sukie 1,460]

We didn't have any affidavits.  As another poster said - they are usually NOT prime evidence.  But here are some times when affidavits can be useful:

 

1.  When you do not have a formal lease, it is often helpful to get a notarized affidavit from the person with whom you live to explain what the living arrangements are.  If you contribute any money to the household, the person should say so, and say HOW the money is contributed (cash, in-kind arrangement, transfer to checking account, etc.).  Then you should be able to prove how you GIVE money to this person (IF you give money).

 

2.  When cultural circumstances would make a marriage suspicious - such as a Christian/Muslim couple, or a same-sex couple - it is sometimes helpful to have parents, or family write affidavits showing family support.  The person should say how they are related to you, how long they have known you as a couple, and how they feel about the marriage.  I personally think the kind of stories where relatives were really not certain at the start, but have come to love both people, are very compelling.

 

3.  When you have a more casual working situation - such as providing child-care or elder care - and you are working privately and not through an agency.  Your "employer" should explain the arrangement, how long they have known the two of you as a couple, and how they have observed you as a married couple.

 

4.  If you are religious, and you have unusual circumstances (like you are students and you have had to live apart, or you don't have a lot of financial co-mingling), sometimes it can be helpful to have a religious leader (especially if they were involved in your ceremony) write an affidavit saying how s/he met the two of you, what kind of relationship s/he has with you, and how s/he has observed you as a couple in the community.

 

Again - if you have great financial documentation, and you don't have red flags (widely different ages, different religions, different cultures, etc.), affidavits are probably not needed.

 

A personal note and a Public Service Announcement...you might find that having wills, and Medical Powers of Attorney weigh "more" than affidavits.  Planning for the future together - for good, or bad - shows dedication to each other.

 

Good luck!

 

Sukie in NY

[Shanny89 1]

57 minutes ago, nightingalejules said:

• The I-551 stamp effectively is a green card so you're all good there.
• Include actual statements from any joint accounts (at least one per quarter (4/year) since you've been together) Just the debit cards is probably not enough.
• Your original post doesn't mention why you don't have a lease, but I assume you're staying with someone. That someone (or the owner of the property) can just write a statement that you live there together. You could even go online and produce a lease-type document that you and the person you're staying with can sign. It doesn't have to be a fancy lease. 

Good luck!

@nightingalejules thank you so much for your response, i have included copies of actual statements from the account. I've printed every 6 months, for the past 2 years...

[Shanny89 1]

Thanks everyone for your prompt replies, i greatly appreciate it. I'm going to try and have the homeowner to write a letter stating the living conditions, if that doesn't work out i guess i'll have to use affidavits. 

[Shanny89 1]

I already have my husband on my life insurance does that not show enough that i am planning for our future?, i'm not ready to write any will as yet. I think i would like to wait until i have my children before i begin doing so. I didn't know not having a will or Medical Power of Attorney could have such a great impact on the immigration officer's decision. Now i'm worried and confused.

[AdnanS 82]

I believe it's important depending on the circumstances for example, my wife & I, live with my parents and all utility bills are on their name and I had my Dad write one saying he's paying for everything and that my wife & I aren't responsible for anything. My brothers live with my parents also and wrote one as well. And this is also due to Pakistani culture whereas after marriage it's a joint family system.

[Pinkrlion 2,721]

I dont see any evidence of your residence?  Lease?  You will need an affidavit for this.  Otherwise if u have a lease then u are fine.

[Shanny89 1]

26 minutes ago, Pinkrlion said:

I dont see any evidence of your residence?  Lease?  You will need an affidavit for this.  Otherwise if u have a lease then u are fine.

i'm going to have my landlord write a rental agreement letter, stating how long we've lived there, how much we pay etc.

[K & V 33]

On 9/7/2017 at 11:53 PM, Sukie said:

 

 

Again - if you have great financial documentation, and you don't have red flags (widely different ages, different religions, different cultures, etc.), affidavits are probably not needed.

 

 

Sukie in NY

Lol Sukie! I think most of us on here have marital unions of different cultures

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Our lawyer recommended it. We had 2 friends complete them- notarizing them was free- really wasn’t much of a hassle and they were happy to help us out.