I’ve always thought the ROC was a formality...

[InsanelyOne 8]

All along I’ve been thinking the I-751 was just a formality but after reading the “megathread” showing a literal mountain of evidence I’m suddenly feeling underprepared.

 

Just to give a little history, the process so far has been very easy for us.  We are a same-sex couple that lived together outside the U.S for 12 years before we had the option to get married and return to the U.S.  Proving a bonifide relationship was easy.  In our photos together you could witness my hair turning from brown to gray!  During our interview for the K-1 visa they didn’t ask a single question and didn’t ask for a single supporting document.  The adjustment of status was super easy and required no interview.  I’ve been thinking all along that the removal of conditions would be the same.

 

I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry but I’m still inclined to go easy on the supporting documents for the ROC.  An I being to casual about this?

[MadMax101 32]

7 minutes ago, InsanelyOne said:

All along I’ve been thinking the I-751 was just a formality but after reading the “megathread” showing a literal mountain of evidence I’m suddenly feeling underprepared.

 

Just to give a little history, the process so far has been very easy for us.  We are a same-sex couple that lived together outside the U.S for 12 years before we had the option to get married and return to the U.S.  Proving a bonifide relationship was easy.  In our photos together you could witness my hair turning from brown to gray!  During our interview for the K-1 visa they didn’t ask a single question and didn’t ask for a single supporting document.  The adjustment of status was super easy and required no interview.  I’ve been thinking all along that the removal of conditions would be the same.

 

I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry but I’m still inclined to go easy on the supporting documents for the ROC.  An I being to casual about this?

 

You still have over a month before you can file for the removal, right? Just gather all the paperwork it tells you to send. Your attitude doesn't really do much.

 

It's too early to know if this is some kind of unexpected manpower crunch or part of a unofficial policy shift to lower legal immigration that will continue to cause further delays. If you are in DC then I would be less concerned because the Vermont office doesn't seem to be as bad.

[Going through 5,671]

14 minutes ago, InsanelyOne said:

I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry but I’m still inclined to go easy on the supporting documents for the ROC.  An I being to casual about this?

When it comes to immigration, there's never a time to "go easy" on supporting documents.  Quite the opposite---gather every piece of evidence you have.   Put it this way--- Having lots of evidence and being prepared never hurts, however having too little evidence and not being prepared can be detrimental.

 

 

[Sukie 1,460]

We are also a same-sex couple.  Our ROC packet was extremely complete with good financial co-mingling, evidence of our living situation, an explanation, in advance, of the one thing we thought they might question (I am the only one on the deed of the house, since I purchased it long before I knew my spouse), future considerations with wills and medical powers of attorney, and the one thing I thought important for us as a same-sex couple - pictures of us with members of our families - showing support.

 

It's not about how MUCH you send.  It's about your documents telling your story in such a way that leaves no room for questions.  You build your case with your quality data.  Do not skimp - take it seriously.  But don't send 500 pages of texts!

 

Remember - you need to show the continuity of your relationship. An example: A shared car title is good, but three years of car insurance with both names is even better. 

 

Again - you have to tell a story, and the documentation does that.

 

Best of luck!  We are currently in the citizenship phase - it has been a long haul....

 

Sukie in NY

[Ketsuban 1,034]

One thing that people do too often is send in one or two bank statements and think it's enough. They want to see different types of evidence spanning your entire marriage, or as far back as is physically possible. Do some Googling and some searching on VJ to get an idea of what your package should consist of.

 

Ultimately, if you're not able to get a complete package together in time, it's better to send in the I-751 with payment before the deadline and deal with an RFE later on.

[SM & EF 41]

As others have said, don't go easy on the documentation, especially financial docs. We thought my husband's ROC packet was complete but got an RFE.

 

Our initial packet had hundreds of pages including the initial pages of all our bank statements and samples of credit card statements. In the end we sent hundreds more with every page of every bank and credit card statement from the previous 3 years.  It was approved a month later, but I wish we had sent it all at the beginning.

 

Hope your process goes smoothly!

[InsanelyOne 8]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses!  I will take it all into consideration and will be sure to update my timeline as things progress.