I-751 : Is this enough evidence?

[cx711s 2]

Hi everyone, 

 

My filing is actually like a year away but I like planning ahead so.. 

 

Below is the evidence I can think of so far. 

 

• Marriage Certificate
• Driver’s license of both with old address
• Driver’s license of both with new address
• Jointly filed tax returns
• 2 joint debit cards and 2 joint credit cards
• 2-30 Photos with family and friends
• Joint vision,dental,health insurance
• Joint car insurance
• Joint rental insruance
• Life insurance/401K listing each other as beneficiary
• Joint phone bills
• Vacation receipts – inside and outside US
• Copies of bill calendars with our paychecks and spendings combined (this is nothing official but what I personally note every month to manage our finance, and was thinking why not including this)
• Greeting cards from friends and family addressed to both of us

 

The thing is our proof of living together - we don't have a lease / utility bills with both names on since we are on a sublease from our friend. Only my spouse is listed on the contract and utilities technically go through our friend's name.

However I was thinking of still including a contract, rent/utilities coming out from our joint account, a cover letter explaining this and all the important mails for both of us addressed to the same address.

 

 

We can also try to get an affidavit from that friend about the housing situation, and a Medical Power of Attorney if evidence above is not solid enough - what do you think? Will we need more than those? 

 

Thank you soo much for your chiming in in advance  

 

[Dashinka 24,806]

It seems like enough, and similar to other lists I have seen.  I would add the Powers of Attorneys and you may also consider Wills.  Also, you did not mention affadvaits.  You can only send in what you have.

 

Good Luck!

[sddude89 31]

Marriage certificate is not necessary for I-751.

 

The living situation sounds strange. You say that your spouse's name is on the lease agreement? Then one must assume that the rental lease is on your spouse's name and someone else but not you. To an skeptical eye, that may sound like your spouse lives with someone else but not you.

Why don't you add your name to the lease? Landlords don't care as long as the rent is being paid on time and property is kept in good conditions.  Or have your friend write a sub-lease stating that he is sub-leasing to you and your spouse. Not complicated to do.

An affidavit from the friend sub-leasing the apt to you two would not be a bad idea either. (Stating how he knows you two and why he is subleasing to you two, etc).

 

A few things more you could include:

-Registration for vehicles. If both of you are not on registration, just go to the DMV and add both names to the registration.

-Paystubs of both of you or W2s that show your current address.

-Instead of Tax Return copies, you have to submit IRS Tax transcripts, which is what USCIS prefers to see.

 

[payxibka 10,047]

Way more than I submitted

[oncoming traffic 21]

3 hours ago, sddude89 said:

An affidavit from the friend sub-leasing the apt to you two would not be a bad idea either. (Stating how he knows you two and why he is subleasing to you two, etc).

i think this is the only additional thing i would recommend especially if you can't officially get your name on the sublease too (i know some landlords are touchy about sublets)

4 hours ago, cx711s said:

• Driver’s license of both with old address

i would not include this because while i know what you hope to achieve - to prove you've lived together the entire time - old identity documents can't be used to verify information (other than when you're submitting it to the original issuing agency for renewal or something)

Edited December 12, 2017 by oncoming traffic
words

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

17 hours ago, oncoming traffic said:

 

i would not include this because while i know what you hope to achieve - to prove you've lived together the entire time - old identity documents can't be used to verify information (other than when you're submitting it to the original issuing agency for renewal or something)

We actually submitted this because we moved states and didn't have any other concrete proof of residing together at the old address.  I think it is a perfectly valid thing to include.

[Roy&Chanel 109]

On 12/11/2017 at 6:20 PM, sddude89 said:

Marriage certificate is not necessary for I-751.

 

The living situation sounds strange. You say that your spouse's name is on the lease agreement? Then one must assume that the rental lease is on your spouse's name and someone else but not you. To an skeptical eye, that may sound like your spouse lives with someone else but not you.

Why don't you add your name to the lease? Landlords don't care as long as the rent is being paid on time and property is kept in good conditions.  Or have your friend write a sub-lease stating that he is sub-leasing to you and your spouse. Not complicated to do.

An affidavit from the friend sub-leasing the apt to you two would not be a bad idea either. (Stating how he knows you two and why he is subleasing to you two, etc).

 

A few things more you could include:

-Registration for vehicles. If both of you are not on registration, just go to the DMV and add both names to the registration.

-Paystubs of both of you or W2s that show your current address.

-Instead of Tax Return copies, you have to submit IRS Tax transcripts, which is what USCIS prefers to see.

 

Not all lease allow to add names to lease agreements, sadly. My landlord is strict on that without credit score and a job for the first year (esp on K1 status) and 2nd year for renewal lease (we had to persuade them so much and they only accepted to include me as an occupant on 2nd yr), I had to use my cousin's name as my guarantor. Until we moved to a new unit, they allowed us to have my name included, removing cousin's name, after getting my credit build up. 

As for registration of vehicle, some States require driver's license to do so, which I don't have it yet, only learner's permit. I'm slow in reaction, bad driver

 

I am in quite similar situation, I'm providing each letter of explanation in the front page of exhibits. 

Not going to provide Power of Attorney and affidavits, but I included my country's ID with my US residing address on it, Government letters and updates of my US residential address, emails liaison with lease regarding having my name included lol

 

Edited December 13, 2017 by Roy&Chanel

[Roy&Chanel 109]

Update: Im going to do Power attorney and affidavits, better to have additional than never.

[sddude89 31]

7 hours ago, Roy&Chanel said:

Not all lease allow to add names to lease agreements, sadly. My landlord is strict on that without credit score and a job for the first year (esp on K1 status) and 2nd year for renewal lease (we had to persuade them so much and they only accepted to include me as an occupant on 2nd yr), I had to use my cousin's name as my guarantor. Until we moved to a new unit, they allowed us to have my name included, removing cousin's name, after getting my credit build up. 

As for registration of vehicle, some States require driver's license to do so, which I don't have it yet, only learner's permit. I'm slow in reaction, bad driver

 

I am in quite similar situation, I'm providing each letter of explanation in the front page of exhibits. 

Not going to provide Power of Attorney and affidavits, but I included my country's ID with my US residing address on it, Government letters and updates of my US residential address, emails liaison with lease regarding having my name included lol

 

My husband works in property management and we know a little bit about leasing.

For starters, if you are leaving in a property, the landlord will eventually know you are there. And, actually, most standard leases have provisions that prohibit any adult NOT on the lease to live permanently in the property. So if you live in the property but are not on the lease, you are most likely violating the terms of the lease.

It is for the benefit of the landlord that your name is one the lease as then he can hold you liable for any damage or issues with the property.

 

At the end of the day, it is worth the effort to actually SPEAK to the landlord and not assume he will say no.

You seem to be assuming that your credit score is bad. Is it really? Check Credit Karma and know your number.

I was able to rent on my own a very nice place and buy a car with just 3 months being in the United States. A short credit history does not imply a bad credit score.

Delinquencies and bankruptcies are the main factors bringing down a credit score.

[Roy&Chanel 109]

9 minutes ago, sddude89 said:

My husband works in property management and we know a little bit about leasing.

For starters, if you are leaving in a property, the landlord will eventually know you are there. And, actually, most standard leases have provisions that prohibit any adult NOT on the lease to live permanently in the property. So if you live in the property but are not on the lease, you are most likely violating the terms of the lease.

It is for the benefit of the landlord that your name is one the lease as then he can hold you liable for any damage or issues with the property.

 

At the end of the day, it is worth the effort to actually SPEAK to the landlord and not assume he will say no.

You seem to be assuming that your credit score is bad. Is it really? Check Credit Karma and know your number.

I was able to rent on my own a very nice place and buy a car with just 3 months being in the United States. A short credit history does not imply a bad credit score.

Delinquencies and bankruptcies are the main factors bringing down a credit score.

Hold on. Im confused with your reply. What do you mean by I seem to be assuming my credit score is bad? Lol.. I think you're misunderstanding my message there. 

First off, there is 0 credit score upon POE when entering United States, hence, I was not even offered to be able to include name on lease. And also even before entering United States, and after, we have persuaded, spoken to landlord NOT ASSUMING that she will say no but she did of not able to allow me to be included in the lease. Like what I have said above, 'not all' lease does not mean I am implying 'all lease' do not allow that. Just not my lease, allow a POE foreigner, without credit score, no job,k1 status, person to be included in lease. 

Great and happy to hear that you are able to rent a nice place and buy your own car within just three mths. Just not everyone is in the same financial situation. 

[sddude89 31]

1 minute ago, Roy&Chanel said:

Hold on. Im confused with your reply. What do you mean by I seem to be assuming my credit score is bad? Lol.. I think you're misunderstanding my message there. 

First off, there is 0 credit score upon POE when entering United States, hence, I was not even offered to be able to include name on lease. And also even before entering United States, and after, we have persuaded, spoken to landlord NOT ASSUMING that she will say no but she did of not able to allow me to be included in the lease. Like what I have said above, 'not all' lease does not mean I am implying 'all lease' do not allow that. Just not my lease, allow a POE foreigner, without credit score, no job,k1 status, person to be included in lease. 

Great and happy to hear that you are able to rent a nice place and buy your own car within just three mths. Just not everyone is in the same financial situation. 

The moment you obtain a social security number, you will have a credit report/score.

While at 0 days, things were difficult, now you are two years in the United States (as I assume you are filing for ROC) and  you have a credit score (everybody with a SS number does, regardless if they have credit or not). So now could be a good time to try to speak again with the landlord.

Check Creditkarma.com and if your score is 600+, this could be a good time to add your name to the lease and have a great package to show to USCIS.

 

I bought a $8,000 car on a 5 year loan ($155 a month) and rented a modest studio. I was not implying that I was a well off person but that with just 3 months in the US I already had a credit score and report (with pretty much nothing in them other than my address) and I was able to rent and get a credit line for the car.

 

I am just trying to give constructive advice, not judge anybody.

 

Peace,

[Roy&Chanel 109]

2 minutes ago, sddude89 said:

The moment you obtain a social security number, you will have a credit report/score.

While at 0 days, things were difficult, now you are two years in the United States (as I assume you are filing for ROC) and  you have a credit score (everybody with a SS number does, regardless if they have credit or not). So now could be a good time to try to speak again with the landlord.

Check Creditkarma.com and if your score is 600+, this could be a good time to add your name to the lease and have a great package to show to USCIS.

 

I bought a $8,000 car on a 5 year loan ($155 a month) and rented a modest studio. I was not implying that I was a well off person but that with just 3 months in the US I already had a credit score and report (with pretty much nothing in them other than my address) and I was able to rent and get a credit line for the car.

 

I am just trying to give constructive advice, not judge anybody.

 

Peace,

Just like what I have said on the above posts that I have written, I was able to include my name in lease from second year onwards. I guess you did not read that part. I am really confused right now as you're asking me to include my name on lease now which I have already done so last year since credit was built, i said it in above post lol. Lets just end this convo because I am so confused right now lol. 

[sddude89 31]

Gotcha.

It was not clear to me that your name was on the lease already after the second year.

 

In general, for most ROC filers that have been two years in the United States, it is advisable to add the name on the lease for multiple reasons. 

 

Of course there are situations of bankrupcy or bad credit which precludes one from carrying out a normal life in the US including not being able to rent a place. That should be explained in the cover letter. With USCIS, the best is to be as honest and as straightforward as possible. If your marriage is bona fide, there is nothing to fear.

Edited December 13, 2017 by sddude89