Getting ready to file ROC in February

[Danielle and Jake 24]

Hey all, hope everyone had a good holiday!

 

Continuing to gather and review the instructions, and are "Affidavits of Support" really not necessary? The wording for that section in the I-751 instructions are leaving me a little unsure - "The documents should include, but are not limited to, the following examples".

 

So far, other than that, I have the following:

• 2 years of joint bank account statements (I added her like 27 months ago, but 24 months is the furthest back I could get them - so I'll call and see if I could get the extra few months).
• Tax Transcripts (both online copy and from the IRS by mail) for the 2015 and 2016 year. I plan on attaching our 2017 tax return when I complete it (assuming I get all the necessary forms by February).
• Renewal Document for auto insurance showing both our names
• Coverage document for renter's insurance showing both our names
• Over Christmas, we got about 4-5 photos of us with various family members. Otherwise we have a handful of "selfies" of us together we took over the past 2 years. These have been posted to Facebook, so I'm wondering if it's beneficial to print screenshots of when those were posted, as they provide timestamps, as well as acknowledgement of other people (by them liking it). Would that be a good idea? Anyone know the best way to print those out?
• Also have a pair of trip itineraries from Priceline, and even though they are in my name alone, they have dates, which I could pair with some of the Facebook pictures, would that be a good idea?
• Our copies of our lease to our most recent place, as well as our copies of leases to the old place (we signed a new one each year) - still need to make photocopies of those.
• Still need to print out a screenshot of my work's benefits page that lists her. They do have a "beneficiary" page where it lists the people to pay my life insurance to. Currently it has my parents there, but I think I can change it to her and print that out.
• Still need to look into the utility bill thing. I can't access the old ones online (maybe if I scroll through my old email) since we moved, but I'm kind of not hopeful and worried =/

Anything else I should consider?

 

Also, do we need to do that form where we get passport photos for her? I can't remember the name, but I'm not seeing it in the instructions for I-751.

[cablewyres 38]

On 12/29/2017 at 2:33 PM, Danielle and Jake said:

Hey all, hope everyone had a good holiday!

 

Continuing to gather and review the instructions, and are "Affidavits of Support" really not necessary? The wording for that section in the I-751 instructions are leaving me a little unsure - "The documents should include, but are not limited to, the following examples".

 

So far, other than that, I have the following:

• 2 years of joint bank account statements (I added her like 27 months ago, but 24 months is the furthest back I could get them - so I'll call and see if I could get the extra few months).
• Tax Transcripts (both online copy and from the IRS by mail) for the 2015 and 2016 year. I plan on attaching our 2017 tax return when I complete it (assuming I get all the necessary forms by February).
• Renewal Document for auto insurance showing both our names
• Coverage document for renter's insurance showing both our names
• Over Christmas, we got about 4-5 photos of us with various family members. Otherwise we have a handful of "selfies" of us together we took over the past 2 years. These have been posted to Facebook, so I'm wondering if it's beneficial to print screenshots of when those were posted, as they provide timestamps, as well as acknowledgement of other people (by them liking it). Would that be a good idea? Anyone know the best way to print those out?
• Also have a pair of trip itineraries from Priceline, and even though they are in my name alone, they have dates, which I could pair with some of the Facebook pictures, would that be a good idea?
• Our copies of our lease to our most recent place, as well as our copies of leases to the old place (we signed a new one each year) - still need to make photocopies of those.
• Still need to print out a screenshot of my work's benefits page that lists her. They do have a "beneficiary" page where it lists the people to pay my life insurance to. Currently it has my parents there, but I think I can change it to her and print that out.
• Still need to look into the utility bill thing. I can't access the old ones online (maybe if I scroll through my old email) since we moved, but I'm kind of not hopeful and worried =/

Anything else I should consider?

 

Also, do we need to do that form where we get passport photos for her? I can't remember the name, but I'm not seeing it in the instructions for I-751.

Your evidences look good. I've learned from visajourney myself, from personal friends who have and are going through the process themselves, and after advises from an attorney (I am in no way claiming that I am an attorney but simply like to share what could possibly be helpful information).

The fact that you already have copies of renewed leases with both your names and signatures, that itself is i think a stronger proof of joint communal residence than random bills. I would gather what bills you can as supplementary evidences. If they're no longer accessible, don't sweat it as long as you have the lease covering the entire time period. That's at least what my other personal friends (no submission of joint utility bills) did during their ROC and so far so good. I learned that it's all about how you present your evidences that show and prove that your relationship was not only genuine but on going the past two years and that you two have been taking care of each other. If I have the evidences that you have, I would present them this way:

 

A. Evidence of Joint Communal Residence:

-Joint lease (first)

-Joint lease (second)

-Joint lease (latest)

-driver's licenses or ids showing same address of residence

 

B. Evidences of Joint Finances and Liabilities:

-IRS Tax Transcripts: Period 2015, 2016 and 2017 (if you plan on waiting on 2017 to include as well which might actually be a good idea unless waiting would put you past the filing period)

-copy of Joint Checking Debit Cards (showing that both are under the same account)

-Joint Bank Account Statements: Period from inception of marriage till latest one before ROC fiiling (Include every statement if possible or submitting bi monthly I heard from successful filers should be fine)

-Joint Auto Policy (include first policy and renewed policy to cover span of marriage as much as possible)

-Life insurance (if you can print out anything to show that she is your beneficiary)

 

C. Other Evidences of relationship as a married couple (the goal here is to make immigration feel that they are dealing with actual human beings' case with personal lives, and not just some random paperwork for them to process. This is just my take on this part of the ROC process):

-copy of Marriage Certificate (not necessary but just reiterates that fact that you are married to begin with)

-Pictures! (Yes, screen shots from your FB profile should be fine. Organize your photos from the date of your marriage until present. As much as possible, only include the significant ones such as holidays, occasions with friends & families, out of town trips. Be creative and customize the way you lay them out with your own personal touch to it if you want to.)

-Greeting Cards sent to you as a couple (gather these if you have any)

-Joint Trips Together (time line receipts and attach corresponding photos to match trip. this can be best be achieved if you have photos with identifiable landmarks in the places you've visited)

-Two Sworn Affidavits (doesn't need to be notarized as long as each affidavit from the source would state "I swear under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true to be best of my knowledge" and of course information on the affidavit should include what USCIS is requesting or wants to know. you can refer to this on their website.)

 

Presenting your ROC evidences this way shows continuity and proof of a genuine and loving relationship.

 

Other things you may want to add, not just for ROC sake but for both of you as a couple (inexpensive and can add both your names into the policy):

-Home Renters Insurance

-Joint Vision Insurance

-Joint Dental Insurance

 

I wish you and your spouse the best! Happy New 2018!!!

 

Edited January 1, 2018 by cablewyres

[Danielle and Jake 24]

1 hour ago, cablewyres said:

Your evidences look good. I've learned from visajourney myself, from personal friends who have and are going through the process themselves, and after advises from an attorney (I am in no way claiming that I am an attorney but simply like to share what could possibly be helpful information).

The fact that you already have copies of renewed leases with both your names and signatures, that itself is i think a stronger proof of joint communal residence than random bills. I would gather what bills you can as supplementary evidences. If they're no longer accessible, don't sweat it as long as you have the lease covering the entire time period. That's at least what my other personal friends (no submission of joint utility bills) did during their ROC and so far so good. I learned that it's all about how you present your evidences that show and prove that your relationship was not only genuine but on going the past two years and that you two have been taking care of each other. If I have the evidences that you have, I would present them this way:

 

A. Evidence of Joint Communal Residence:

-Joint lease (first)

-Joint lease (second)

-Joint lease (latest)

-driver's licenses or ids showing same address of residence

 

B. Evidences of Joint Finances and Liabilities:

-IRS Tax Transcripts: Period 2015, 2016 and 2017 (if you plan on waiting on 2017 to include as well which might actually be a good idea unless waiting would put you past the filing period)

-copy of Joint Checking Debit Cards (showing that both are under the same account)

-Joint Bank Account Statements: Period from inception of marriage till latest one before ROC fiiling (Include every statement if possible or submitting bi monthly I heard from successful filers should be fine)

-Joint Auto Policy (include first policy and renewed policy to cover span of marriage as much as possible)

-Life insurance (if you can print out anything to show that she is your beneficiary)

 

C. Other Evidences of relationship as a married couple (the goal here is to make immigration feel that they are dealing with actual human beings' case with personal lives, and not just some random paperwork for them to process. This is just my take on this part of the ROC process):

-copy of Marriage Certificate (not necessary but just reiterates that fact that you are married to begin with)

-Pictures! (Yes, screen shots from your FB profile should be fine. Organize your photos from the date of your marriage until present. As much as possible, only include the significant ones such as holidays, occasions with friends & families, out of town trips. Be creative and customize the way you lay them out with your own personal touch to it if you want to.)

-Greeting Cards sent to you as a couple (gather these if you have any)

-Joint Trips Together (time line receipts and attach corresponding photos to match trip. this can be best be achieved if you have photos with identifiable landmarks in the places you've visited)

-Two Sworn Affidavits (doesn't need to be notarized as long as each affidavit from the source would state "I swear under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true to be best of my knowledge" and of course information on the affidavit should include what USCIS is requesting or wants to know. you can refer to this on their website.)

 

Presenting your ROC evidences this way shows continuity and proof of a genuine and loving relationship.

 

Other things you may want to add, not just for ROC sake but for both of you as a couple (inexpensive and can add both your names into the policy):

-Home Renters Insurance

-Joint Vision Insurance

-Joint Dental Insurance

 

I wish you and your spouse the best! Happy New 2018!!!

 

 

Thanks! A few notes on your suggestions:

 

- Driver's licenses w/ same addresses - I've noted this earlier, but her's is still at our old address, because you're not required to get a new card, so long as you update it online. Mine shows the new address because we moved the same month I had to renew mine. I don't think we have enough time to change her's, especially since the utility company didn't copy over her name when we moved. So if I add her now, it won't show up until next bill, and we'd need that to get her ID changed.

 

- Tax Returns - got the 2015, 2016 transcripts, will be filing 2017 as soon as possible (I usually get all my forms we need within first week or so of the New Year). I won't be able to get a transcript for that, but I can print out the return and use that.

- Copy of Joint Checking Debit Cards - How does that work exactly? Just scan the front of them? I'm not sure it shows the account # on the card.

 

- Pictures - Should we include wedding photos and photos before getting her initial GC?

- Greet cards - Are we talking ones written to both of us? I think we only have a couple Christmas ones, but that doesn't have any addresses on them? Should we make copies or send them in? My wife kind of likes to keep them for sentimental value.

- We have a couple trips to the Wisconsin Dells and Niagara Falls, and my Priceline trip itineraries for the Dells trips (Niagara Falls was a gift and all of our lodging and food was paid for by others).

- Affidavits - I'm still confused/concerned on this, because others have noted it's not necessary. What would the contents of those include? The description is as follows:

 

"The original affidavit must be submitted and also contain the following information regarding the person making the affidavit: his or her full name and address; date and place of birth; relationship to you or your spouse, if any; and full information and complete details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge."

 

So is that something like "I, ______, swear under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true to the best of my knowledge." Then go on to say that the relationship is genuine and how they know us? Are there any examples of these? I always feel like I am "coaching people up" when I have them write these.

 

As for all those insurances, she is on my plan, so I am wondering what's the best way to get proof of that (I think I can print out my work's HR page for that information).

 

Thanks!

[sddude89 31]

1 hour ago, Danielle and Jake said:

 

Thanks! A few notes on your suggestions:

 

- Driver's licenses w/ same addresses - I've noted this earlier, but her's is still at our old address, because you're not required to get a new card, so long as you update it online. Mine shows the new address because we moved the same month I had to renew mine. I don't think we have enough time to change her's, especially since the utility company didn't copy over her name when we moved. So if I add her now, it won't show up until next bill, and we'd need that to get her ID changed.

 

- Pictures - Should we include wedding photos and photos before getting her initial GC?

 

- Greet cards - Are we talking ones written to both of us? I think we only have a couple Christmas ones, but that doesn't have any addresses on them? Should we make copies or send them in? My wife kind of likes to keep them for sentimental value.

 

- Affidavits - I'm still confused/concerned on this, because others have noted it's not necessary. What would the contents of those include? The description is as follows:

 

As for all those insurances, she is on my plan, so I am wondering what's the best way to get proof of that (I think I can print out my work's HR page for that information).

 

Thanks!

-Driver License: It is ok if you don't submit those, specially if they don't prove anything (addresses don't match). For proof of same address, if you both work, you can submit your paystubs and highlight that they have the same address for you both.

 

-Pictures: Pictures of wedding are NOT necessary. Only submit pictures that were taken AFTER the date you became Permanent Resident (date of issue of your 2 year green card).

 

-Greet Cards: photocopies are fine.

 

-Affidavits: It is not that affidavits are not necessary. It is just that they are not as strong evidence as financial comingling documents. You can google "green card affidavit sample" and you will get a lot of articles on line. For example this one:

https://citizenpath.com/how-to-write-an-i-751-affidavit/

 

Personally, we did not submit affidavits, greet cards or DL copies for I-130/I-485, neither for ROC. I did not get an RFE and interview was quick and smooth for temp. green card (I-130/485), so I think we did fine with our bona fide docs. Still waiting for ROC though.

[ameribrazil 37]

We just finished gathering documentation for my wife and we just it to our attorney today. Here's what we sent as per the attorney's request:

• Wife's Conditional GC
• Wife's Passport
• My Passport and DL
• Marriage Certificate (Although they already have this)
• Wife's SSN to show name change
• Wife's DL
• Wife''s Translated Birth Certificate in English
• Our twin boy's Birth Cert
• 2 years of Photographs from the time wife got her GC
• Joint Bank Stmt
• We purchased a home so we sent the Deed to show both of our names on the home
• Hilton Timeshare Deed to show we both own it
• Cable Bill under wife's name
• Property Tax which shows both of our names
• Car Insurance which shows my wife as a second driver
• Heal Insurance Coverage which includes the entire family
• Evidence showing my wife is my emergency contact at work
• Cell phone bill
• Tax return from the last 3 years (MFJ)
• Life Insurance which shows my wife is the Beneficiary (work life insurance & personal life insurance

The only thing I worry about is that she doesn't work so I cannot show her funds are commingle with mine. It was both our decision for her not to work because we have twin boys (2 years old) and plus my step children. It wasn't worth for her to work. I'm hoping these are enough evidence to show bona fide marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

[cablewyres 38]

On 1/10/2018 at 7:20 PM, ameribrazil said:

We just finished gathering documentation for my wife and we just it to our attorney today. Here's what we sent as per the attorney's request:

• Wife's Conditional GC
• Wife's Passport
• My Passport and DL
• Marriage Certificate (Although they already have this)
• Wife's SSN to show name change
• Wife's DL
• Wife''s Translated Birth Certificate in English
• Our twin boy's Birth Cert
• 2 years of Photographs from the time wife got her GC
• Joint Bank Stmt
• We purchased a home so we sent the Deed to show both of our names on the home
• Hilton Timeshare Deed to show we both own it
• Cable Bill under wife's name
• Property Tax which shows both of our names
• Car Insurance which shows my wife as a second driver
• Heal Insurance Coverage which includes the entire family
• Evidence showing my wife is my emergency contact at work
• Cell phone bill
• Tax return from the last 3 years (MFJ)
• Life Insurance which shows my wife is the Beneficiary (work life insurance & personal life insurance

The only thing I worry about is that she doesn't work so I cannot show her funds are commingle with mine. It was both our decision for her not to work because we have twin boys (2 years old) and plus my step children. It wasn't worth for her to work. I'm hoping these are enough evidence to show bona fide marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

I think your list of evidences are fine. What's important though aside from number of evidences is the time your evidences span. And it should show commulatively that you both were sharing your lives together the past two years. So my question is, what were the time line or time covered by the bills and joint policies you submitted in your packet? Did you submit your joint bank statements from date of your marriage till the lastest statement?

Regarding your tax returns, do make sure you included copies of your W2s or 1099s. It would be better to submit IRS tax transcripts instead of tax returns which show exactly what you've filed to IRS. It's free and bears more weight.

The only two things, I would have left out from your list is the cable bill under your wife's name unless you also presented other utility bills under your name that shows that you both are paying utility bills under the same address. Otherwise, it would not mean anything to immigration. The other thing is your passport. They don't need a copy of any passports. As per USCIS instructions, they only require a copy of the conditional permananent resident's green card and your evidences of marriage.

Edited January 13, 2018 by cablewyres

[ameribrazil 37]

6 hours ago, cablewyres said:

I think your list of evidences are fine. What's important though aside from number of evidences is the time your evidences span. And it should show commulatively that you both were sharing your lives together the past two years. So my question is, what were the time line or time covered by the bills and joint policies you submitted in your packet? Did you submit your joint bank statements from date of your marriage till the lastest statement?

Regarding your tax returns, do make sure you included copies of your W2s or 1099s. It would be better to submit IRS tax transcripts instead of tax returns which show exactly what you've filed to IRS. It's free and bears more weight.

The only two things, I would have left out from your list is the cable bill under your wife's name unless you also presented other utility bills under your name that shows that you both are paying utility bills under the same address. Otherwise, it would not mean anything to immigration. The other thing is your passport. They don't need a copy of any passports. As per USCIS instructions, they only require a copy of the conditional permananent resident's green card and your evidences of marriage.

Thanks cablewyres!

 

So my question is, what were the time line or time covered by the bills and joint policies you submitted in your packet? Did you submit your joint bank statements from date of your marriage till the lastest statement?

Comment: I submitted quarterly statement starting from our marriage

 

Regarding your tax returns, do make sure you included copies of your W2s or 1099s. It would be better to submit IRS tax transcripts instead of tax returns which show exactly what you've filed to IRS. It's free and bears more weight.

Comment: Apologies, I meant to say Transcript. So yes, I submitted transcript. Didn't think about copies of the W2's since I am supplying them with a transcript. But definitely will send them over.

 

The only two things, I would have left out from your list is the cable bill under your wife's name unless you also presented other utility bills under your name that shows that you both are paying utility bills under the same address.

Comment: I sent out property tax bill and HOA bill from the timeshare.

 

The home we purchased was the second year we were together. The following year, we purchased a timeshare together. So I am hoping this will suffice the sharing of finance. I am an authorize user to her CC and she's also on mine. I could perhaps send that over also.

 

My wife don't work so I pay for everything so not sure how to prove her finances when she has no income coming in.

[Danielle and Jake 24]

Another question, probably a basic one. But the for the fee, there's the I-751 fee plus the biometrics. Can we just write one check for the total amount, or do they need to be separate?

[YecaCruz 379]

I think one check makes it simpler and less chance of misplacing one of the checks. I wrote one check for AOS with no problem

[ameribrazil 37]

8 hours ago, Danielle and Jake said:

Another question, probably a basic one. But the for the fee, there's the I-751 fee plus the biometrics. Can we just write one check for the total amount, or do they need to be separate?

When we first did the AOS (2 Yr GC) we only sent one check. Our lawyer only asked for one check. So we will be sending one check.

[YecaCruz 379]

Same with us for AOS. Sent 1 check. No problems for our case. Less to 'misplace' on their side

[cablewyres 38]

On 1/13/2018 at 2:18 PM, ameribrazil said:

Thanks cablewyres!

 

So my question is, what were the time line or time covered by the bills and joint policies you submitted in your packet? Did you submit your joint bank statements from date of your marriage till the lastest statement?

Comment: I submitted quarterly statement starting from our marriage

 

Regarding your tax returns, do make sure you included copies of your W2s or 1099s. It would be better to submit IRS tax transcripts instead of tax returns which show exactly what you've filed to IRS. It's free and bears more weight.

Comment: Apologies, I meant to say Transcript. So yes, I submitted transcript. Didn't think about copies of the W2's since I am supplying them with a transcript. But definitely will send them over.

 

The only two things, I would have left out from your list is the cable bill under your wife's name unless you also presented other utility bills under your name that shows that you both are paying utility bills under the same address.

Comment: I sent out property tax bill and HOA bill from the timeshare.

 

The home we purchased was the second year we were together. The following year, we purchased a timeshare together. So I am hoping this will suffice the sharing of finance. I am an authorize user to her CC and she's also on mine. I could perhaps send that over also.

 

My wife don't work so I pay for everything so not sure how to prove her finances when she has no income coming in.

RE tax documents, if you are sending transcripts, no need for any W2 or 1099s. Transcripts should be good enough.

 

RE bills, as long as both bills though under separate names show same address and span the entire time your marriage, should be fine like by adding bills from start of your marriage, another one the following year, then submitting recent ones.

 

RE credit cards, yes, submit those that you are both authorized users to each other's credit cards. You can achieve this by sending copies of your actual cards and highlighting (using highlighter pens) purchases on your statements that match with your card numbers. By doing this, it proves that both of you are indeed using each other's CCs.

On 1/14/2018 at 8:25 AM, Danielle and Jake said:

Another question, probably a basic one. But the for the fee, there's the I-751 fee plus the biometrics. Can we just write one check for the total amount, or do they need to be separate?

Yes, you can send one combined check for the filing fee and biometric fee.

[Danielle and Jake 24]

So we just filed the big packet a couple weeks ago with the fee and got the I-797 notifying us they've received our application and her conditional resident status is extended a year, etc.

 

There's the following part which I am unsure of how to interpret:

 

"NOTE: Conditional resident applications, including conditional resident dependents residing overseas pursuant to military or government orders WILL NOT RECEIVE an ASC appointment notice. To complete biometric processing, these applicants must submit the required items listed on the I-751 form instructions."

 

I believe we've included everything in the instructions, so does that mean we won't be getting a biometrics appointment? If not, why would they still have you pay the fee (which is non-refundable, but oh well)? I'm just overly anxious about biometrics because you get the notice with only 10 days notice (at least for the AoS we did), so I'm just not sure if I can take a sigh of relief in this case. I've read in older threads here that they just started using your old biometrics info (which in our case, is less than 3 years old).

 

Anyone got any information/advice on this? Thanks!

[NikLR 13,227]

The LPR will get biometrics.  Only if they reside overseas will they not get an appt and have to do it themselves.