Format of Additional Proof of Marriage - Filenames, Contents Page / Document Register, Commentary on / Explanations of files?

[OPMC 1]

We are close to submitting the I-130 online. Spouse (my wife) and I (beneficiary) both live abroad (London, UK).

 

For the additional proof of marriage, some files are self explanatory, like health insurance for spouse. For other evidence, it isn't as obvious why you are uploading it; for instance individual bank statements with the same address to showed you lived together (it could be to show money being sent to each other or another purpose). Or other proof of address such as utility bills. Is it normal to just upload all the files and let the immigration official work out why you have uploaded it? Would it be a good idea to make a document register and upload it first? i.e. a table with the filename and an explanation of why it has been included? Is there any reason not to do this?

 

Would love to hear any thoughts people have on the above.

[D-R-J 192]

Many/most couples will not have lived together before submitting the I-130, so you should be in good shape with what you have. I think it will be pretty self explanatory.

 

Depending on your circumstances, you might look at direct consular filing to see if you qualify. Definitely worth looking into.

[OPMC 1]

Thanks D_R_J, that's encouraging. 

 

In total we have :

 

Five years living together (two before marriage, three after), with tenancy contracts, joint utility bills, and individual bank account statements for proof. 

Sponsor (my wife) as a supplementary card holder on beneficiary's (me) Amex for four years with statements.

Sponsor receiving private health insurance through beneficiary's company as partner of beneficiary

Sponsor listed as work life insurance policy beneficiary for 6 years

Engagement ring invoice from 2020

Hundreds of pictures together in a 30 or 40 page pdf document

Boarding passes, hotel receipts etc. for joint travel over 8 years

Affidavit of support from our mutual very close friend who introduced us 

 

My original thought was just that the immigration official would open a document, for instance the life insurance nomination of beneficiary, and would have to work out what it was and why I'm including it. But I suppose it will be pretty obvious and I'm probably overthinking it. I'll just try and be descriptive with the filenames.

 

I guess I am just trying to guarantee we get it right first time as it would be so annoying to have the already long process delayed because we don't include something or there is a misunderstanding.

 

By the way, DCF isn't available to us as they stopped routinely doing through the London Embassy in 2019, and only do it for emergencies now.

[D-R-J 192]

You will have a chance to submit more documents at the NVC stage and bring others to the interview. You’re from a low fraud country and you have spent ages together in person, so I think your unlikely to get much scrutiny.
 

Yeah, I don’t know your circumstances re: DCF. The most common reason I’ve seen them excepted is for job offers with rapidly approaching start dates. I just thought if it was something that might apply to you, you should be aware of it.

 

Best of luck on your journey. Based on what I’ve seen so far you’re going to be in good shape.

[Crazy Cat 41,844]

4 hours ago, OPMC said:

By the way, DCF isn't available to us as they stopped routinely doing through the London Embassy in 2019, and only do it for emergencies now.

All consulates are authorized to consider exceptional circumstances such as @D-R-J mentioned.  

 

Immigrant Visa I-130 Petitions - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom (usembassy.gov)

If you are a U.S. citizen, the Department of State may accept a petition from you if you are filing for your immediate relative (spouse, unmarried child under the age of 21, or parent (if you are 21 years of age or older) at a U.S. embassy or consulate in certain limited circumstances, as described in the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part B, Chapter 3.

If you have reviewed the exceptional circumstances and believe you qualify, please complete and submit this contact form for consideration.

 

If you qualify for exceptional circumstances, make sure you don't file an I-130 with USCIS before allowing the consulate to evaluate the situation.

Edited August 11 by Crazy Cat

[top_secret 2,417]

For relationship evidence we did almost exactly what you said.  We had multi-page pdfs and used descriptive file names for strait forward evidence.  But if explanation was required we included a simple cover page in those pdfs with a short description of what we intended to show.  The gole was to make the case quick and easy to review. It is worked for us.