Are sworn affidavits required for I-751 application?

[Alejandro_B 26]

Hello, it's been a while since I posted here but I am back looking for some guidance, I am applying to remove the conditions on my green card and I am in the final stages of putting my application packet together, I was readin through the official instructions for the I-751 application form and they include sworn affidavits as evidence of marriage, so I am wondering if this is more of a recommendation or if it is a requirement, so far I have included the following for evidence of marriage:

 

·       Photos in the United States

·       Photos of trip to native country.

·       Photos of American spouse with applicant’s family.

·       3 months of phone bill statements.

·       Applicant's work benefits with coverage for both american spouse and self.

·       3 months of Joint Bank Account Statements for Checking Account.

·       3 months of Joint Bank Account Statements for Savings Account.

·       Joint tax returns of the past 2 years that we have been married.

·       Applicant's 401K statements that include american spouse as beneficiary.

·       Joint Car insurance policy.

 

How do you guys feel about this evidence packet, should I include more? Are affidavits a must? I just feel funny about asking our family to get involved in this process.

 

 

Thank you for all of your help throughout this.

 

Edited November 5, 2020 by Alejandro_B

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

I would include all joint bank account statements.  Insurance? Rental agreement? Property deed?  Insurance documents? Will/trust documents? joint health care documents? 

Affidavits are not mandatory unless you have a weak case.

Edited November 5, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Alejandro_B 26]

My work benefits documents include health, dental, vision and life insurance that covers both of us, also includes supplemental accident and critical illness coverage. I have also included joint checking and saving account statements for 3 months worth.

19 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

I would include all joint bank account statements.  Insurance? Rental agreement? Property deed?  Insurance documents? Will/trust documents? joint health care documents? 

Affidavits are not mandatory unless you have a weak case.

 

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

6 minutes ago, Alejandro_B said:

My work benefits documents include health, dental, vision and life insurance that covers both of us, also includes supplemental accident and critical illness coverage. I have also included joint checking and saving account statements for 3 months worth.

 

I would include ALL joint bank account statements....not just 3 months.  Showing the entire period is better evidence.

Edited November 5, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

3 months of statements are not enough

[Alejandro_B 26]

33 minutes ago, NancyNguyen said:

3 months of statements are not enough

Should I include the more than 2 years worth of statements that we have then? It would be a pretty thick package just on that, if not, how many statements would be appropiate/enough?

[carmel34 3,633]

21 minutes ago, Alejandro_B said:

Should I include the more than 2 years worth of statements that we have then? It would be a pretty thick package just on that, if not, how many statements would be appropiate/enough?

Send all joint bank account statements since your marriage.  They want to see financial co-mingling since marriage, not just for the last three months.  Don't worry about the thickness of the package.  Financial co-mingling documents are much more important than affidavits from family or friends, which are not necessary if the other evidence is strong.  I would also suggest that you include more evidence that you both live at the same address, like both of your driver's licenses, and an apartment lease, mortgage statement, or deed showing both names, same address.  Do you have any other utility bills showing both of your names and same residence?  Good luck!

[Alejandro_B 26]

1 minute ago, carmel34 said:

Send all joint bank account statements since your marriage.  They want to see financial co-mingling since marriage, not just for the last three months.  Don't worry about the thickness of the package.  Financial co-mingling documents are much more important than affidavits from family or friends, which are not necessary if the other evidence is strong.  I would also suggest that you include more evidence that you both live at the same address, like both of your driver's licenses, and an apartment lease, mortgage statement, or deed showing both names, same address.  Do you have any other utility bills showing both of your names and same residence?  Good luck!

Thank you for your comment, I will definately add driver's licenses that show same address, I totally forgot about that, other than that we don't really have any other utilities that share our names, but thank you for your comment!

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

29 minutes ago, Alejandro_B said:

Should I include the more than 2 years worth of statements that we have then? It would be a pretty thick package just on that, if not, how many statements would be appropiate/enough?

You can send random statements within those years. Like Jan,Feb, May, July, Sept, Nov, Dec...

[Bob in Boston 713]

What all of the above said! I sent 3 years of Taxes , 2 Plus years of Bank Statements 2 years of utility Bills, house deed, christmas cards addressed  to both of us trip tickets, cruise documents hotel receipts and pictures of us on these trips. Pile it on!

[Thegirl 225]

I would suggest 4 statements per year-one for each quarter... it will show continuity without having to send that much. I certainly didn't send every one. 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

6 hours ago, Alejandro_B said:

Should I include the more than 2 years worth of statements that we have then? It would be a pretty thick package just on that, if not, how many statements would be appropiate/enough?

That's what I did and it was a very thick package indeed. But that's really quality evidence, so it's better to do it than not do it. 

[da95826 387]

More evidence you could consider to add to your i751 package ...

W2 from each of you for each year of the marriage

Get IRS transcripts for each tax year of your marriage from the IRS website quick and easy to download (USCIS prefer them over tax forms, send both transcripts and forms)

Affidavit are good to include from family, and friends that can attest to your marriage and that you and your spouse live together. (not required but they would help)

If you don't have a joint least get an affidavit or letter from your landlord or apartment manager that indicates you and your spouse live together at your home.

Document that you and your spouse are beneficiaries of insurance policies, 410k plans, or investment accounts,  

Joint membership at store or gym

Joint bills, utilities, phone, internet

Joint Credit cars

Any travel documents of trips taken together, itineraries, tickets, boarding passes, hotel  receipts.

 

You can't have too much evidence so make the package stack tall, 

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

5 hours ago, da95826 said:

You can't have too much evidence so make the package stack tall, 

Too much fluff can result in an RFE, imo.  Choose quality over quantity. 

[NikLR 13,227]

Definitely quality over quantity. Joint gym memberships or magazine subscriptions add nothing. They’re things that are paid regardless. It’s not a financial co-mingling.