Received RFE in response to I-751 Petition

[kat loves matt 0]

My husband and I received an RFE in response to my I-751 petition to remove conditions on residence.

A number of documents that the USICS are requesting, we just don't have. We have been living with my husband's parents (he's the US citizen) since I came to the US, and as such don't have things like utility bills in our name or rental/lease agreements. I have a cell phone account and a few credit card accounts, but they're in my name only. We also have separate bank accounts. We have a joint savings account, but it is not our primary account and so there is not a lot of activity showing on it. We don't have a lot of the 'normal couple' documents/accounts because we're still living with his family, and that is super frustrating.

We do have health/dental insurance policy showing my husband as the main cardholder and myself as the sole beneficiary. Same goes for a life insurance policy. However, we have only recently gotten these accounts as my husband started a new job not long ago after a extended period of unemployment. (Neither he nor I collected any kind of benefits during that time, as we believed it would be a breach of my visa. As such, things have been very tough, financially.)

When we submit the evidence we do have, should we explain why we haven't send other types that were suggested/requested? Or just send what we have? Should I send copies of bills like cell phone, credit card, etc even if they only show my name and not my husband's?

Also, will a decision be made based on what we send them now, or will they interview us first before making a final decision?

Thanks.

[Inky 1,111]

Have the parents write a letter attesting to how long you have been living there what sort of rent / bills / grocerys etc you buy/pay for in return or whatever the arrangement is with them.

Including things with only one persons name on it does not help really unless you are including both persons drivers licenses showing living at the same address or both persons car insurance living at same address etc.

If you feel the need to include an extra letter about why you do not have certain items etc go ahead, it may not help but it also might help as well.

[wasabi 4]

I just got the same letter and replied. I included joint leases, bank accounts and joint tax filing information in our original submission so I was shocked I got an RFE. My response included travel receipts and 6 affidavits from friends, family and or landlord, plus a bit more banking information.

[kat loves matt 0]

In our original submission we included all sorts of information, as much as we had at the time, including 4 separate affidavits from friends/family. We don't have a lot of the information requested because we live with his family.

We're planning on sending copies of our driver's licenses as part of the evidence, along with utility bills/pay stubs in our names as proof of same address.

My husband has also written a separate cover letter indicating why we are unable to provide specific pieces of evidence requested. I'd love to be able to send in all the documents they're asking for, but due to our living/financial situation, it just hasn't happened the way we planned.

We're going to do our best to provide as much of the evidence as requested. Bottom line, we can only give them what we have and hope for the best.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

What does the RFE ask for? It will be easier to give advice if we know what they're asking.

[kat loves matt 0]

What does the RFE ask for? It will be easier to give advice if we know what they're asking.

Here's what they're looking for:

A) ID documents:

So, in our case driver's license & state ID card - done.

B) Evidence of good faith marriage:

Financial Documents:

1) copies of bank statements that reflect joint accounts - (We have a joint savings account, but it has very little activity on it.)

2) tax returns, insurance policies (We have both health insurance and my husband has a life insurance policy naming me as the sole beneficiary)

3) copies of credit card transactions after date of marriage up to the present - (Any credit cards are in my name.)

4) copies of loan documents - (We don't have any loans)

Residence

1) Copies of rental/lease agreements (we live with his parents, and don't have any such agreements)

2) Copies of mortgage contract (None)

3) Copies of utility bills ( they're all in my husband's parent's name)

C) Other Evidence of a Bona Fide Marriage

1) Documents that reflect both the name of the US citizen spouse and conditional permanent resident, such as vehicle title registration (all cars in his parent's name), memberships, etc. (We don't own a car, but we do use a 'family car' that is registered to his parents. We contribute to the cost of car insurance, etc. No other memberships I can think of. I don't think Netflix counts! Ha.)

2) Copies of photographs of both the US citizen spouse and conditional permanent resident on vacations, trips, family gatherings, etc after date of marriage - (One of the few easy pieces of evidence. We can readily provide this.)

[Barca 10]

Here's what they're looking for:

A) ID documents:

So, in our case driver's license & state ID card - done.

B) Evidence of good faith marriage:

Financial Documents:

1) copies of bank statements that reflect joint accounts - (We have a joint savings account, but it has very little activity on it.)

2) tax returns, insurance policies (We have both health insurance and my husband has a life insurance policy naming me as the sole beneficiary)

3) copies of credit card transactions after date of marriage up to the present - (Any credit cards are in my name.)

4) copies of loan documents - (We don't have any loans)

Residence

1) Copies of rental/lease agreements (we live with his parents, and don't have any such agreements)

2) Copies of mortgage contract (None)

3) Copies of utility bills ( they're all in my husband's parent's name)

C) Other Evidence of a Bona Fide Marriage

1) Documents that reflect both the name of the US citizen spouse and conditional permanent resident, such as vehicle title registration (all cars in his parent's name), memberships, etc. (We don't own a car, but we do use a 'family car' that is registered to his parents. We contribute to the cost of car insurance, etc. No other memberships I can think of. I don't think Netflix counts! Ha.)

2) Copies of photographs of both the US citizen spouse and conditional permanent resident on vacations, trips, family gatherings, etc after date of marriage - (One of the few easy pieces of evidence. We can readily provide this.)

1) copies of bank statements - it doesn't matter just submit as many statements as you can as long as both names are on the statements.

2) tax returns - that is important if you have any tax returns submit them. Any 401K plans showing the beneficiaires if either one of you has that.

3) Credit Cards- eventhough if the card is in your name you could always add your spouse to the same card, so if you did that submit the statements showing both names.

Residence: I agree with Inky have your parents in-law write a letter.

If you guys have AAA, Sams Club, Costoc membership do not hesitate to submit them as well, I did!

and submit as many pictures as you can, just make sure to write captions on them

Good luck!

[kat loves matt 0]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies!

I'm definitely going to get my parents-in-law to write a letter.

I've also had a search and found some memberships I'd forgotten about that I can include copies of membership cards, letters, etc in the application.

I've added my husband to one of my credit cards, that updated info will arrive in a few days and I'll include copies of statement showing both names.

I've got photos of a recent family reunion in europe and the credit card statement in my name showing hotel charges/airfares, etc.

I've also got a receipt for a gift I bought my husband on Amazon. The receipt shows his address as the delivery address and the same address as my billing address.

I'm also including a copy of the credit card statement with the charge for the gift listed on it.

I'm pretty much going to swamp them with every single piece of (relevant) information/evidence I can possibly think of.

Thanks again. It's really helpful to have someone else's perspective/suggestions when you feel overwhelmed.

[wasabi 4]

kat loves matt I think we are in somewhat similar situations even the dates of our RFE are the same. I really hope they are satisfied with the packet I just sent. I put it together very fast, maybe too fast because I want to get to the finish line. I'm disheartened to hear your affidavits didn't help you avoid an RFE but I have heard they are not too high on the proof of a bonafide relationship list so I guess it's no surprise. Regardless I did include 6 of them including perhaps the most important one which is from our landlord.

I have been playing over and over again in my mind if some detail of what I sent in was wrong or could have been presented better. I will be glad to have this headache over with.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Here's what they're looking for:

A) ID documents:

So, in our case driver's license & state ID card - done.

B) Evidence of good faith marriage:

Financial Documents:

1) copies of bank statements that reflect joint accounts - (We have a joint savings account, but it has very little activity on it.) That's fine. doesn't need to be the main account, just a joint account

2) tax returns, insurance policies (We have both health insurance and my husband has a life insurance policy naming me as the sole beneficiary) Great so this one is easy too

3) copies of credit card transactions after date of marriage up to the present - (Any credit cards are in my name.) That's fine too. As you said you have evidence of transactions where you got presents etc

4) copies of loan documents - (We don't have any loans) Just write a letter like you have here with dot points explaining what was requested and what is included to address each item. For this one you could write the "no loan documents. We are living with family members - affidavit enclosed"

Residence

1) Copies of rental/lease agreements (we live with his parents, and don't have any such agreements) For this one you could write the "We are living with family members and do not have a lease agreement - affidavit enclosed"

2) Copies of mortgage contract (None) Same as above

3) Copies of utility bills ( they're all in my husband's parent's name) Same as above

C) Other Evidence of a Bona Fide Marriage

1) Documents that reflect both the name of the US citizen spouse and conditional permanent resident, such as vehicle title registration (all cars in his parent's name), memberships, etc. (We don't own a car, but we do use a 'family car' that is registered to his parents. We contribute to the cost of car insurance, etc. No other memberships I can think of. I don't think Netflix counts! Ha.) check with his parents insurance to see whether you are listed as "nominated drivers" or something like that. Netflix DOES count as a membership!

2) Copies of photographs of both the US citizen spouse and conditional permanent resident on vacations, trips, family gatherings, etc after date of marriage - (One of the few easy pieces of evidence. We can readily provide this.) Great!

Responses in red above.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies!

I'm definitely going to get my parents-in-law to write a letter.

I've also had a search and found some memberships I'd forgotten about that I can include copies of membership cards, letters, etc in the application.

I've added my husband to one of my credit cards, that updated info will arrive in a few days and I'll include copies of statement showing both names.

I've got photos of a recent family reunion in europe and the credit card statement in my name showing hotel charges/airfares, etc.

I've also got a receipt for a gift I bought my husband on Amazon. The receipt shows his address as the delivery address and the same address as my billing address.

I'm also including a copy of the credit card statement with the charge for the gift listed on it.

I'm pretty much going to swamp them with every single piece of (relevant) information/evidence I can possibly think of.

Thanks again. It's really helpful to have someone else's perspective/suggestions when you feel overwhelmed.

have the parents-in-law write an Affidavit attesting to you living with them since X, that you contribute to bills but that your names are not on any utilities etc.

The changed credit card won't count because it was done after the RFE but it doesn't hurt to include it.

A few random things you might not have thought of:

- Facebook printouts of photos with peoples comments. It shows the date you uploaded the pics and some of the comments from friends/family are usually pretty good.

- Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary cards from friends/family. For instance my SIL did a bday card for my husband when I was back in Aus in 2010 (family emergency) and in it she mentions that she's sorry I can't be there for his birthday. My GMIL also sends us "Happy Anniversary" cards. I also still have the "thank you" card mum gave us for my trip back home in 2010.

- We got an invite to a family reunion last year so we still have that too.

- Emails. We bought a house in 2010 and all the email correspondence is addressed to me but the mortgage stuff is in Tony's name and I talk about both Tony and I. It's something you read and it's obvious that we're a couple. I also have an email I wrote to a dog trainer when we were having troubles with one of our dogs (while I was back in Aus for this too.. ugh it was a tough time) and again it mentions both of us. You might also have some where you're discussing sending presents for family/friends, or FB msgs about it.

- Random photos. Photos from friends/family's FB's with the both of you in them. Especially if you're in the background or a group shot or something

Hope that gives you some ideas

Edited April 3, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[Barca 10]

kat loves matt don't forget you have to prove stuff for the last 2 years since you have been married, so probably adding your husband to you credit card now might not help you a lot. Just focused on stuff that span for the entire time you were married. good luck.

[kat loves matt 0]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. Working like a busy beaver to get the application ready to mail by the weekend.

[Deb+Steve 13]

I'm glad I read this topic because our lease is an issue. It's leased to the US Govt and only has my husband's name on it as being the occupant. It's not military housing but private housing that they pay for.

I am going to ask the Landlord for an affadavit and hope that this will suffice because I doubt I will receive anything from Army housing in time to file.

[Alphonse 2]

Dear Kat loves matt,

Have you heard anything from USCIS yet? I replied to my RFE back in April 16 and I haven't head anything