I-751 Fairly weak evidence, need advice.

[bebekins 1]

I've been searching online for quite some time and noticed that me and my wife seem to have minimal evidence to present with the I-751. I am planning on sending her I-751 sometime during the first week of December 2017. We live with my mother currently and we all share the living costs (utilities, groceries, house).We also do not have a joint bank account. Needless to say at the moment we aren't very rich, but we are happy! 

My few questions are: 
Should me and my wife get a joint bank account now or would that actually hurt our case?

Should my mother write a statement saying that we share the living costs of the house?

What is some sound advice you could offer me before I send this package?


Evidence we have so far:
-Joint Federal and State Tax returns
-Numerous pictures of us together
-2 Affidavits from close friends.
-CRBA and Birth Certificate of daughter showing our names on them.

I have just had in my mind this whole time that our daughter would be the biggest form of evidence. Anyways, thanks for reading!

Edited November 9, 2017 by bebekins

[mindthegap 2,521]

You have the best piece of evidence possible - a legitimate marriage to a wife that will come to the interview if scheduled for one.

Edited November 9, 2017 by mindthegap

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

For starters, have a look at the first post in this link. 

 

It's never too late to begin co-mingling your assets, like opening an account or two with both names, a credit card or two with both names as authorized users, maybe one or two utilities (gas/electric etc) with both names, joint health/car insurance, etc. Make copies of any birthday/anniversary evidence. You may also send itineraries/hotel bills of any trips you have taken together.  Have your mother write an affidavit describing your living/financial arrangements alongwith a copy of her picture ID. 

[milimelo 4,167]

Yes, your mother should write a statement on living situation- can she do some sort of lease for you two if she's the house owner? 

 

If you both work, you should probably have  info on beneficiaries of different insurances- medical, life, accidental - include those. 

 

If you're listed as POC in emergency at work, or with the doctor's office get those statements included. 

 

You'll definitely want to include a statement on why you don't have a joint account (checking or savings). 

 

Any club memberships (Costco, Sams club)? Who has medical insurance - provide those cards and EOBs. Same for car insurance- cards and coverage statements. 

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

23 minutes ago, bebekins said:

I have just had in my mind this whole time that our daughter would be the biggest form of evidence. Anyways, thanks for reading!

 

Unfortunately that is only evidence that you've had sex.  You are going to need some financial/residential co-mingling evidence as well.

 

Are both of you listed on her medical/school/other records?  That might be some additional evidence.

[ColoradoBeauty 79]

48 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Yes, your mother should write a statement on living situation- can she do some sort of lease for you two if she's the house owner? 

 

If you both work, you should probably have  info on beneficiaries of different insurances- medical, life, accidental - include those. 

 

If you're listed as POC in emergency at work, or with the doctor's office get those statements included. 

 

You'll definitely want to include a statement on why you don't have a joint account (checking or savings). 

 

Any club memberships (Costco, Sams club)? Who has medical insurance - provide those cards and EOBs. Same for car insurance- cards and coverage statements. 

I thought about including Costco membership for my evidence, but our cards have different numbers. Have they always have different numbers?

[dcam14 1]

Mailed off my packet today! Est date of arrival at CSC is Nov 13th.  Will keep you guys updated. 

 

[bebekins 1]

Thank you for all the responses I greatly appreciate it! My wife does not work, I am currently employed at the moment though. She has been at home taking care of our daughter and the house.

-We plan to get a joint checking account before the package is sent, would that help or hurt at this current time since there is no real history of an account other than forming it?

 

Edited November 10, 2017 by bebekins

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

36 minutes ago, bebekins said:

Thank you for all the responses I greatly appreciate it! My wife does not work, I am currently employed at the moment though. She has been at home taking care of our daughter and the house.

-We plan to get a joint checking account before the package is sent, would that help or hurt at this current time since there is no real history of an account other than forming it?

 

 

It won't hurt and if you get a RFE after the many months it will take to process your application, you'll have months of statements.  Make sure you both actively use the account, via debit cards or whatever.  If just you are using it, it won't be much help.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Also consider opening a joint savings account at the same time and deposit at least a little a month into it, even if it is $5.  Then, you have two joint accounts, which is always better than one.

[bebekins 1]

16 minutes ago, N-o-l-a said:

 

It won't hurt and if you get a RFE after the many months it will take to process your application, you'll have months of statements.  Make sure you both actively use the account, via debit cards or whatever.  If just you are using it, it won't be much help.

I was just pondering that in my head, thank you for the response and that's what we plan to do from this point on.

If there is any other information you could give me that would be very very helpful as I still have roughly 1 month until I have to send the package. I feel I have the bare minimum, and don't mind if I get an RFE.. just want to do things right!

Thanks again!

[AlluringSoul 185]

I agree on the above tips. It is never too late to open up a joint bank account, however, don't just open it -- make sure you use it for buying things and paying bills etc. Do you have your wife on your medical insurance/life insurance/car insurance? Thats a huge help. 

 

Any phone bills, cable bills that you can add both of your names to?

 

I also have my in-law living with us and we don't pay bills because everything is included in the rent. Our landlord wrote a letter that we live there and the bills are included in the rent. + we got 2 affidavits from family & friend.

 

Include anything that you have! Even make copies of mail to show your wife and you are getting things delivered at the same address. Cards, invitations, online orders etc.

 

Copies of your State IDs, membership cards etc that show same residency, names will also add to the package. It is ok if the cards have different numbers (as long as the names are consistent). 

[Stevephoto 224]

Wills and medical power of attorney/HIPPA releases are excellent (and not expensive or difficult to get..download the form for a will for your state online, fill it out, take it and two friends to act as witnesses to your bank and have it notarized). As TBoneX always says, this is great ROC evidence, but even better for real life. Good luck.

[Kitti 65]

On 11/9/2017 at 12:56 PM, mindthegap said:

You have the best piece of evidence possible - a legitimate marriage to a wife that will come to the interview if scheduled for one.

Exactly!