Proofs Bona Fide Marriage

[emiloo 4]

Dear Visa Journey Community, 

 

My husband and myself are in the process of collecting all the documents needed for the green card application - Change of status from an O-1 visa (been living and legally working in the us for 10 years.)

 

- For the evidence of Bona Fide Marriage, could our venmo transactions be used as proofs? We just married and opened a joint bank account that we will now use for shared bills. Before that though, all the transactions between us were made through venmo. They include electricity, gas, rent and phone bills for the last 2 years we lived together. All the accounts are under my name as well as the lease but my husband has sent me payments of half the bills each month through venmo for two years. Should I also include our new joint account statement besides the venmo transactions with this explanation even if it would only be a one month and a half statement? We are planning to send our file before October 1. 

 

- For the "English" speaking proof under the I-944 (Self-Sufficiency) proof, could a Bachelor and Master degree in the USA be sufficient? Or do I actually need to take a specific test?

- For the Affidavit of bona fide marriage from friends, is there an example of a letter available somewhere? With the major elements that should be present in the letter, the length, specific terms...?

- Any reference to an official US credit bureau for the credit report. Does it have to be only a credit report of the beneficiary or also for the petitioner? 

- Is it possible to pay and upload the documents for the application directly online on the USCIS website or does it need to be mailed? 

 

Thank you in advance for your help and advice. 

 

[Ontarkie 14,190]

~~Moved to AOS from Work, Student and Tourist Visas, from AOS FAmily K1/K3 P&P - the OP is adjusting from a work visa.~~

[Celebi 136]

On 8/22/2020 at 1:36 PM, emiloo said:

- For the evidence of Bona Fide Marriage, could our venmo transactions be used as proofs? We included our new joint bank account

 

- For the "English" speaking proof under the I-944 (Self-Sufficiency) proof, could a Bachelor and Master degree in the USA be sufficient? Or do I actually need to take a specific test? I-944 is no longer required especially being from New York. See article: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge/injunction-of-the-inadmissibility-on-public-charge-grounds-final-rule

- For the Affidavit of bona fide marriage from friends, is there an example of a letter available somewhere? With the major elements that should be present in the letter, the length, specific terms...? We did not include this since most VJs advised that this is not a strong evidence being that it can be faked. Marriage certificate, plane tickets visiting each other, joint bills, accounts, etc. would be the best evidences.

- Any reference to an official US credit bureau for the credit report. Does it have to be only a credit report of the beneficiary or also for the petitioner? For I-944? Again, this is no longer required. However, if you insist in sending it, there are a lot of topics here regarding that. Here's one: 

 

- Is it possible to pay and upload the documents for the application directly online on the USCIS website or does it need to be mailed? You can do this for I-130 but the rest needs to be submitted via mail. 

Hope this helps you in a way  

[emiloo 4]

Thank you so much Calebi! Yes, this is very helpful!

 

emilie

[VizeAndBees 6]

You'd be surprised at what you can use as proof of a bonafide marriage. My wife and I took several pages of screenshots showing two year's worth of DoorDash orders for two. We had a lot of strong evidence already, but the IO was happy to accept that as proof.

[emiloo 4]

That is great to know! Thank you!

[pazzee 29]

Not sure if you still need guidance on the affidavits, but I've copy and pasted the guideline my attorney had me send to friends and family below. I've put blanks where are names were. Most people's letters were one page long and my attorney was happy with that, as well as the IO since they approved my green card.

 

LAW OFFICES OF

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2020

 

To the Relatives and Friends of ______________ and _______________:

 

I represent ________ in her immigration matters. As part of ______’s immigration process, she must establish that she and her wife, _____________, married in good faith because they genuinely want to spend their lives together. If you are reading this letter, it means that _______ and ________ have asked for your assistance.

 

Please write a letter, addressed “To whom it may concern.” Please include the date on the top of your letter. The letter should include:

 

1.     Your name, date and place of birth, and the country of which you are a citizen. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but are living in the United States, please include your immigration status in the United States (i.e. lawful permanent residence and your “A” number).

2.     Your address and phone number.

 

3.     Based on your personal knowledge, please include as much information as you can in your statement regarding the following points:

 

Ø  The date and circumstances regarding when you first met ______ and _______ and your relationship with them.

Ø  How often do you see _______ and ________ and what do you do together when you see each other?

Ø  From your viewpoint, provide a description of the relationship between _______ and _______? How do they interact with each other as a couple and what sort of activities do they participate in together? Please provide specific examples.

Ø  Did you attend ________ and ________’s wedding or any event to celebrate their marriage? If so, please describe.

Please discuss only those points that you have personal knowledge of. If you do not have knowledge or information about any of the above points, you do not need to state that you do not know in your statement. You may simply not discuss those points.

 

Please either sign your statement before a notary public or include the following sentence at the beginning of your statement: “I hereby affirm, under penalty of perjury, that the following is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.” Please make sure you sign your statement.

 

 

[emiloo 4]

Thank you so much! This will be very helpful!