Not enough evidence of a bona fide marriage?

[Throwaway3882828 0]

So my green card expires on 9/11 and it's already june now. I should have prepared earlier but I didn't know it's going to come up so fast. I basically only have this things for evidence; joint tax return, health, dental and car insurance, affidavits signed by his parents and a couple of pictures together. We don't have any utilities or leases both in our names and no joint bank account because I don't work yet,  and I don't have a drivers license because I don't drive either. I'm very worried that this won't be enough as evidence. Is there anything else that we can add to this? 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

You need more evidence but like you said you have time so you are in luck. Go obtain a state ID and open a joint bank account. You don’t need a job to have a bank account. Both VERY easy to obtain. Your husband can add you to a user of his credit card as well and you can create wills. That will show proof of living together and commingling finances which are two important pieces that show the legit relationship.

[Throwaway3882828 0]

5 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

You need more evidence but like you said you have time so you are in luck. Go obtain a state ID and open a joint bank account. You don’t need a job to have a bank account. Both VERY easy to obtain. Your husband can add you to a user of his credit card as well and you can create wills. That will show proof of living together and commingling finances which are two important pieces that show the legit relationship.

State ID is different from a drivers license? I don't think I can do all of this in the time that I have

[Fr8dog 312]

A lot of people disagree with me on this one;

Yo ucan only submit what you have. It is not the amount your got, it's the reasoning behind certain things that makes or breaks the case. For now, think about what you may have overlooked, phone plans for instance or policies showing the other as beneficiary. Invites showing both names.

 

A valid license or state ID is not required but you have time (if DMV is open) so you might as well get one now.

Joint bank account is not required, it is nice to have but useless if it shows no activity.

 

Worse case scenario, you get an interview. There you will be able to explain why certain things are not there.

The IO is looking for a couple answering questions, not two individuals, if that makes sense.

Both my wife and me have had bad experiences with joint accounts with previous partners. So neither of us wanted it and when we explained that, the IO said it made perfect sense. My wife got the house before I showed up, no need to ad me to mortgage. But she did ad me as the beneficiary for her 401K. We had no pictures of us together. Either I take pictures or she does kind of hard to both be in them that way. We had a few of me with the kids (from her previous marriage) so I added those. We had not taken any trips together either, reason being I rather spent the money on the kids going to see there dad during the summer and we can only spent the money ones. Again the IO nodded in approval and moved on.

It will take them roughly 2 minutes, I think, to figure out if you are for real or not. The rest of the questions is a combination of confirming their thoughts, going through the file to make sure everything you gave them is correct and some small talk. Now if you are not a "real" couple or you have a bunch of red flags things will get different pretty quickly.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

I do agree with the previous post. 

It is not about fabricating evidence to fulfill a requirement, but being honest. Each couple is different. Worst thing that can happen is getting an RFE or being called for an interview. 

 

On other threads, some members advise to include a letter explaining why you don't have a joint bank account.

If you don't drive, you should get a real ID. Will serve as evidence for ROC, but mostly, it will be your official ID for traveling domestic beginning next year. After all the necessary paperwork at your nearest DMV office, it takes 3-4 weeks to arrive it in the mail.

Other things you should have that are important -and work as evidence- is you being your husband's beneficiary for the 401k and for his bank account in case of death. 

Also, if you have mail addressed to both, include it -even Christmas cards from family and such-.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

2 hours ago, Throwaway3882828 said:

State ID is different from a drivers license? I don't think I can do all of this in the time that I have

Your husband should be helping you out. In CT you get a state ID at the DMV in a day. Now it may not be open but if it is there’s no reason you shouldn’t have one. I imagine you are carrying your passport everywhere for your photo ID? Not necessary- just get an ID.
I’m unsure how obtaining an ID is fabricating your relationship. Also why chance having to explain at the interview why you don’t have this or that- the officer can chose to believe you or not. Some people may have a nice and understanding officer while others may not.

[Sukie 1,460]

 

Try this.  It's not about how MUCH you have.  It's how you sell your story.

 

Good luck!

 

Sukie in NY

[JayDGODITRUST 132]

I agree with the posts here that’s encouraging you to bring whatever you have, drafting up some documents hurriedly doesn’t cut it if it’s there it’s there if not then it’s not it’s all about how you present your case. Look these people are human beings thinking just Like you and me 

if something doesn’t adds up then you know what it means don’t stress yourself over anything once you know that your marriage is real and you got some valuable joint documents I think you should be fine

not all couples agree with certain documents being joint. 😉

[Orangesapples 1,954]

16 hours ago, Throwaway3882828 said:

State ID is different from a drivers license? I don't think I can do all of this in the time that I have

State ID in this case serves the same purpose as a driver's license, you don't need to be driving in order to get ROC. 

[JasonGG 280]

I was able to add my wife's name to our phone/cable bills (Verizon) and electric bill over the phone.  Very quick and the next bills came with both our names.

 

You may not need to open a new checking account.  Again, I added my wife to my existing account in about 5 minutes, but you will both probably need to visit the bank.

 

Life insurance beneficiary statements?  Medical power of attorney (templates are available online)? - Jason

[Ortolan 381]

You can also do Medical Powers of Attorney and Living Wills for each other; that's a good thing to do.

[Chibizen 1]

19 hours ago, Throwaway3882828 said:

State ID is different from a drivers license? I don't think I can do all of this in the time that I have

But u need to remember that they what the evidence since you came here in country that you guys are building your marriage together slow. 

[aratamorne 165]

Send what you have.  You already went through AoS without the same items.  Honestly, I think we sent the least amount of evidence for RoC because we did not have much that was new, all was the same as from AoS.  If my wife gets called in for an interview, the only new change is that we are now buying a home together.  You just need to wait and see if they want an interview then answer honestly.  Work on getting the joint account and anything else, you can always present it later if it is requested or you go in for an interview.  

 

My wife does not drive, does not have a State Issued ID, nor does she work.  If we get called for an interview, it is an easy explanation.  She is a stay at home mom for our 2 year old son and my income is sufficient.  She never drove in her home country and has not needed to get a license here.

 

God willing you will not need an interview or receive any kind of RFE.  Good Luck

[ychen76 1]

How about:

• messages/ texts/ letters or any communications between you two
• packages or any mail sent that addressed to both of your names
• any agreements you signed together such as wedding venue contract, etc.
• any trip flight/train tickets, admission tickets, etc.
• I listed out more details here: https://diysimpleidea.blogspot.com/2020/05/bona-fide-marriage-evidence.html

For photos, if you have pictures with each others' family members will help a lot! 

[jaya_razz 20]

On 6/18/2020 at 5:39 PM, Throwaway3882828 said:

So my green card expires on 9/11 and it's already june now. I should have prepared earlier but I didn't know it's going to come up so fast. I basically only have this things for evidence; joint tax return, health, dental and car insurance, affidavits signed by his parents and a couple of pictures together. We don't have any utilities or leases both in our names and no joint bank account because I don't work yet,  and I don't have a drivers license because I don't drive either. I'm very worried that this won't be enough as evidence. Is there anything else that we can add to this? 

I was not added to any of our utility bills for our main residence. I submitted a few other things like the following:

1) It may sound redundant but you can also request online for tax transcripts and have it mailed to you.

2) Also, add more pictures of you and spouse together with friends and other family members.

3) And yes opening a joint account need not have a huge balance.

4) Another option would be asking for a notarized letter of support from your friends.

 

Good luck!

Edited June 22, 2020 by jaya_razz