Proving Relationship vs. Bona Fide Marriage + Wedding Questions

[Cdn_to_CO 0]

Hello all! My fiance and I are just starting the beginning of our own Visa journey. I am coming from Canada. I am still sorting through all of the information out there, but these are my initial questions that I haven't been able to find a great answer to yet:

 

1. I believe we have enough evidence to prove our relationship, but how different is it to prove a "bona fide marriage" vs. a real relationship? I have seen the list of evidence for a marriage (i.e. joint bank account, mortgage/lease etc.) but since I am still living in Canada (and would be until the Visa is approved), I wouldn't have any financial evidence. Is evidence to prove a legit relationship enough to prove a legit marriage?

 

2. Regarding a wedding - is this necessary? In Colorado, you don't need an officiant. You can (basically) apply for your  marriage license, sign at the same time when you pick it up, and leave the office legally married. No pictures of a one knee proposal, no dress, no wedding, no tiny ceremony, no photos. If we go this route (which we would prefer tbh), would this cause issues with our application, especially when we won't have any of the financial evidence suggested to prove a "bona fide marriage"?

 

I very much appreciate any advice on these questions! Thank you so much in advance as I am sure I will have many more questions as we work our way through this process

[Melancholic Mage 107]

Hello, I can help give you input as a UK citizen who married a US Spouse and was recently visa approved this month.

 

1.) I saw others stating the same thing about including relationship evidence, but not once did I include anything on my I-130, DS-260, and not even at my embassy interview in London was I asked for any relationship evidence. I was simply asked basic questions such as how did we meet, where did we first meet, my partner's job, where we got married... I had an envelope of pictures of us together and not once was I asked for it. 

 

Myself and my partner actually lived together for 4.5 years in a flat/apartment, and I had evidence as such to this but other than verbally offering it, again, they didn't ask for any physical proof whatsoever. This includes financial where we didn't have shared accounts as my OH was temporarily over in the UK studying on a student visa, so we had no proof of shared income or anything. (I paid our rent and bills from my UK bank account only.) I was still approved. I hope this helps put you at ease, but also remember each case is different. 

 

2.) I can't answer this one in detail but I believe if you have a marriage certificate to include on the I-130, that's about as much proof as I needed and perhaps that will be the same for you. Still, better safe than sorry - some pictures can't hurt.

 

Be as prepared as possible. I wasn't asked for any physical evidence apart from uploading what the forms asked of me. My interview was all verbal affirmations. Nothing additional in terms of photos, shared financial records etc was asked. I hope this helps, and good luck! 

Edited September 27 by Melancholic Mage

[maryamnawaz 1]

Hello! Congratulations on starting your visa journey. I can definitely understand how the process can feel overwhelming at first, but it sounds like you’re off to a good start. Best of luck with the process! It sounds like you’ve already put a lot of thought into this, and that will serve you well as you move forward.

[powerpuff 6,697]

*** Thread moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures ***

[pushbrk 12,876]

There is no difference between evidence of relationship and evidence of bona fide relationship.  No "wedding" is required.