Hi everyone,

I am in the progress of submitting my I-130 for the very first time. Visajourney.com recommends us to include the below. But my wife and I actually got married in July 2007. So we do not have number 1, 2, 3, 4. For number 5, It's hard for me to get. What about number 6? What kind of document are they? Please give me some examples with your experience.

Thanks very much. Appreciate the help.


Note: Evidence of a Bonfide Marriage
The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. They list examples of acceptable evidence as:
1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or
2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or
3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or
4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or
5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or
6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

Hmmm, evidence of bona fide marriage. Most that have posted here that just got married and actually submitted evidence submitted affidavits. They can be from anybody that knows of your marriage, your family, her family, friends, co-workers, etc., they are simple letters (people have posted sample affidavits you could use). But if you can't get anyone willing to sign, then you can't use #5.

As for other evidence, USCIS understands that for newly weds they won't have #1-4. Those are more for people who have been married awhile and lived together abroad. They also understand that almost any other evidence of bona fides will be hard to come by for newly weds. pushbrk had a thread in the K3 and IR1/CR1 forum asking people how many people provided evidence or skipped it altogether. Most posting their used the affidavits, or nothing.

I used nothing, and got approval.

I opened a ITF [In Trust For] savings account in my wifes name at my bank. No need wifes signature or a SSN to do so.

Hi there,

I was a newlywed when I petitioned for my husband. We did not have all the documentation that USCIS suggests. All I sent was a copy of our honeymoon itinerary that had both of our names on it, as well as the hotel and airline reservation. I only sent one page...and we were approved.