The thought of dealing with Immigration yet again creates an instant panic in me... I have to lift conditions in October this year, and I have the terrible feeling that they're going to deny me because we don't have enough 'proof' of our marriage... I don't drive so I'm not listed on the car insurance, I don't work or have any income so all the bills are in DH's name, the 'joint' health insurance policy we have just issues two cards with DH's name on them instead of one for each of us, and even though we asked our landlord to put my name on the lease he forgot so that's in DH's name too... I can only think of two things to give them - our bank accounts (we have five to save money for different things, but I'm pretty sure they'll only count one), and our joint tax return. The only vacation we've been on in the last two years was driving to Tampa so we don't even have plane tickets or anything...
We've got six months to come up with stuff that shows we're really married, and no money. What can we do/get to help make us look better... (panicking)

Marriage license? photos from ceremony? Invitations? Letters from friends? Holiday cards sent? Cards addressed to you both?

Joint tax return is probably good too.

Couple of other ideas...

- Joint credit cards - even if you don't need one, just occasional small purchases on it will serve the purpose of having two names on an account.

- Life insurance with each other as the beneficiary.

- Joint content insurance for your personal property.

- Cell phone bill (maybe a family plan) that show the two lines and you calling each other all the time.

- Also photos/receipts from celebrating each other's birthdays, wedding anniversary, and any other gifts

Even though you do not drive you can still get listed on the title to the car and he registration. All the bank accounts will help nd then start taking photos together. Letters from friends, relatives etc saying you are happily married etc.
I assume you get an electric or other bills such as phone, heat, electric, gas, cable. Put both names on the accounts.

You have five months in which to change a few things.... start by getting some of the bill put into your name, Keep letter that arrive addressed to you both, has you husband made you beneficiary to he 401k, life insurance if so get letter from these companies stating that you are the beneficiary... if not then get him to do this.... do you have life insurance if so get him named as beneficiary.. renters insurance get in joint names... get affidavits from your landlord stating that he knows you live at the same address... get affidavits from friends confirming that they know you are married and live together... Join video rental club in joint names.... Get a statement from your medical insurance showing that they have you listed as spouse and that you are covered under his insurance...

Hope this helps

Kez

1. Membership cards like, Blockbuster cards or Sam's cards..etc with both of your names on them.

2. I don't think you have to have a job to have your name put onto the utility bills...you just have to call them/go to their local office to have your name put on it.

3. Your husband must have had to fill out the forms for the health insurance where he put your name under his policy, did he? He can ask his company for a copy of that.

4. Ask your landlord to write a notice stating that both of you are the residents with his signature and contact informtion on it...or did your landlord have both of you sign some kind of inspection sheet when you move in? That can help too.

5. Have your name added onto the title of your hubby's car.

Family plan on a cell phone listing both yours and your husband's names and numbers;
Wills naming each other as spouse and main beneficiary;
copies of cheques you might have written to pay for household expenses (ie. lawn care, deliveries, etc.);
copies of retirement/pension contributions listing you as spouse/beneficiary;
envelopes mailed to you and the two of you together at your address (Christmas cards, birthday cards, etc.);

The bank accounts and credit cards will be most convincing though, so that is definitely in your favour. As well, with the health benefits, is there a copy of the enrollment form your husband can get from the Personnel Dept. at work? Copies of correspondence requesting your name being addedd, along with the letter approving or denying the request from the various agencies, utilities or departments would also help.

Thanks for the suggestions... DH doesn't think any of it matters because he 'knows' we won't have a problem... maybe if I show him these lists he'll decide to do something about it!