Evidence that we don't have

[Elena 0]

No joint lease – I have a one bedroom apt in my name which I rented before my husband arrived in the U.S. Now he is here and we do not plan on renewing the lease (we want a bigger place) so we just left it under my name. I don’t want to ask the landlord to write a letter of support because technically, I’m not supposed to have another occupant in this apartment who’s not on the lease. The landlord lives several hours away and doesn’t really check up on the tenants here.

No wedding photos – We got married in his country and really didn’t have a “ceremony” the way Americans would expect a wedding to be. We just went to the court and did the paperwork. His family cooked us dinner, blessed the food, blessed our marriage and that was it. They live a modest life and I didn’t want to insult them by throwing my American money around to do a lavish wedding.

No affidavits of support from family/friends – I really do not want to ask people to write letters for us. They weren’t thrilled with the idea of me marrying someone from another country to begin with. People are starting to warm up to the idea of us being together, but I don’t want to get anyone else involved with this process. I’ve had to defend this relationship too many times. My husband and I have done everything on our own up to this point. I don’t want to bother any friends and family with this.

I really don’t know what else I can do to make our evidence look better. How should we handle it when the interviewing offer asks us about evidence we don’t have? I would appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks so much.

What we do have:

- Joint bank account

- His name as the beneficiary on my life insurance

- Family phone plan with both our names on the bill

- Credit card statements in both our names.

- Internet bill with both our names

- Pictures of us together, cards, emails

- Marriage Certificate (original and translated)

[Dr_LHA 3]

No joint lease – I have a one bedroom apt in my name which I rented before my husband arrived in the U.S. Now he is here and we do not plan on renewing the lease (we want a bigger place) so we just left it under my name. I don't want to ask the landlord to write a letter of support because technically, I'm not supposed to have another occupant in this apartment who's not on the lease. The landlord lives several hours away and doesn't really check up on the tenants here.

No biggie I'd say, although breaking the terms of your lease is not a good thing to do!

No wedding photos – We got married in his country and really didn't have a "ceremony" the way Americans would expect a wedding to be. We just went to the court and did the paperwork. His family cooked us dinner, blessed the food, blessed our marriage and that was it. They live a modest life and I didn't want to insult them by throwing my American money around to do a lavish wedding.

I was never asked for any photos at my interview. If you explain this when/if you are asked for photos, I'm sure they will understand.

No affidavits of support from family/friends – I really do not want to ask people to write letters for us. They weren't thrilled with the idea of me marrying someone from another country to begin with. People are starting to warm up to the idea of us being together, but I don't want to get anyone else involved with this process. I've had to defend this relationship too many times. My husband and I have done everything on our own up to this point. I don't want to bother any friends and family with this.

These are not required for an AOS interview.

What we do have:

- Joint bank account

- His name as the beneficiary on my life insurance

- Family phone plan with both our names on the bill

- Credit card statements in both our names.

- Internet bill with both our names

- Pictures of us together, cards, emails

- Marriage Certificate (original and translated)

All this evidence looks good! I'm sure you'll be fine, remember the best evidence you can take to an AOS interview is your demeanor.

[pnd629 0]

You probably have enough--and you can't bring what you don't have.

At our interview(in March) we were asked how we met, then the interviewer asked for photos. We brought wedding photos, but any photos of the two of us together would have probably been fine. We also were asked for copies of mail my husband had received at our address. We gave a few copies of bank statements with both our names and a couple pieces of junk mail. That was it. My husband's name is not on my credit cards, most of the utilities, or the mortgage of the house, but none of that was asked for at our interview, so it didn't matter.

Bring what you have, I bet you will be fine.

[cellarlily 0]

That is a good list of evidence that you have. While it's foolish to compare interviews, many people did not have to provide photos or half the evidence you currently have. There was someone who just had their AOS interview who asked the interviewer if she wanted to see photos of their wedding and she declined. Other interviewers do ask, but I think your explanation will be fine.

Bring what you have, be calm and polite and you should have no problems!

[Elena 0]

thank you all for the reassurance!