i-751 Evidence - joint accounts

[WhJi 108]

Hi all - my husband is up for conditions removal and we are back to compiling a bunch of evidence. We have tons in the way of family pictures and communications, but we had made the personal decision to keep accounts separate until literally next month. We finally decided to open a joint account for household finances. Just so happens to coincide with our time period to fill the i-751. We want to get this going but wondering if they will think it looks suspicious to all of a sudden create a joint account during this process. If it would cause any issues, we'd rather wait til afterward.

 

Also, in general, has anyone here also chosen to keep finances largely separate (on paper)? Have you encountered issues in securing the 10 year green card? It's weird. We've invested so much in growing our very real relationship and family, but it's almost like you have to check certain boxes or live a certain lifestyle for the government to take you seriously. 

 

I don't know. Maybe I'm just panicking over nothing. But, as you all know very well, this whole process can drive a person absolutely bonkers.

[mindthegap 2,590]

In some respects you can't win. If you don't include it, they will probably RFE you for it - specifically asking for joint accounts. If you do include it, they may well question why it has only recently been opened.

I would enclose it, and put it in the cover letter or that section: 'we keep our finances largely separate for xxxx reason'. 

 

You can't provide what doesn't exist, and live your life for you and your husband - not to the whims of an entirely subjective checklist created by USCIS. 

[Sukie 1,463]

Having separate accounts will not be an issue, as long as you explain it.  There are MANY couples who keep their money separate.  Go ahead and add an explanation to your cover letter that sounds something like:  During the early years of our marriage, we kept our financial accounts separate for <reason>, but after x years, we finally decided to open a joint account to handle our household finances.  We have enclosed copies of statements from our new joint account.  <if this is the case--->...We will each contribute part of our salaries to this joint account and use it to pay our utilities, rent... <say how you will use it>

 

It is important to pre-empt any RFEs by explaining all of this up front.  Then save all your future statements (every page) from this joint account in case they want you to update your submitted data in the future.

 

It will also be important to mention your living situation and have backup for that.  If you rent, then include a copy of your lease(s).  If you have bought, and you are both on the paperwork, then enclose copies of the deed/mortgage. If you have bought, but only ONE of you is on the paperwork, then you will need to mention this and explain.   If you have been living with family, then get an affidavit from whoever is housing you explaining the hows, whens and whys. 

 

Best of luck to you, now, and in the future!

 

Sukie in NY

[mindthegap 2,590]

17 minutes ago, Sukie said:

If you have bought, but only ONE of you is on the paperwork, then you will need to mention this and explain.  

I can't emphasise this enough.... the complete f******** idiot that adjudicated my recently denied I-751 by giving seemingly just a cursory glance at the evidence, cited that it was just my name on the statements with no co-minigling. Given that you can't actually have joint names on many accounts / bills and there is a primary account holder, they didn't even think to flick to page 2, 3 or wherever to see spouses activity listed on the account in a separate section. 

 

Don't assume they will look, or care.

Just imagine you are writing it out for semi-literate idiots who barely graduated kindergarden by spelling out everything in simple plain, easy to understand English - I would like to do a pop-up book myself - and you should be ok. 

Edited April 15, 2021 by mindthegap

[WhJi 108]

19 minutes ago, mindthegap said:

I can't emphasise this enough.... the complete f******** idiot that adjudicated my recently denied I-751 by giving seemingly just a cursory glance at the evidence, cited that it was just my name on the statements with no co-minigling. Given that you can't actually have joint names on many accounts / bills and there is a primary account holder, they didn't even think to flick to page 2, 3 or wherever to see spouses activity listed on the account in a separate section. 

 

Don't assume they will look, or care.

Just imagine you are writing it out for semi-literate idiots who barely graduated kindergarden by spelling out everything in simple plain, easy to understand English - I would like to do a pop-up book myself - and you should be ok. 

If our experience with the initial visa process is any indication, I can 100% believe this. We used a lawyer initially, and she said just about the same exact thing. I'm sorry to hear about your denial. That's infuriating. Are you able to appeal?

[jackiegringa 419]

I have a recent joint account with not a lot of transactions on it because we keep almost everything separate. My case was for the initial green card and the complain about was the lack of transactions but not the timing of the account (opened the week after sending my package). It's always about the whole picture and the more the better. Include other financial mingling stuff you may have such as utilities bills on both names (it's easy to do and it helps!), each other's beneficiary on retirement accounts or life insurances, car/house titles and insurance. You are not required to have a joint account, it is just another piece of evidence to prove your relationship is bona fide, so don't worry too much!