Letter from third party confirming relationship

[ashenflowers 5]

Hi all,

We're getting ready to file the I-129F package, and want to include statements from a third party (i.e. his parents and one of my roommates) confirming that my fiancee and I have met in the last two years. I know this is not really 'necessary', but we want to add it to be safe. I'm just not entirely clear on what wording we should use, or what information needs to be included, and how elaborate to make it.

What do you think of this?

Dear Sir or Madam:

I, [roommate], do hereby confirm that [petitioner] is in a relationship with [beneficiary]. I know [beneficiary] personally, as we are currently residing in the same house, and met [petitioner] in October of 2008 when he came to Canada to visit her. I confirm my knowledge that they are in a serious, ongoing relationship with each other.

Sincerely,

[Roommate]

[James and Megan 0]

It wouldnt hurt to, but its not solid proof. You're better of just sending in a photocopy of your passport stamps or boarding passes with departure number.

Do both of those and you will be fine.

Edited April 16, 2009 by James and Megan

[Dakine 26]

Hi all,

We're getting ready to file the I-129F package, and want to include statements from a third party (i.e. his parents and one of my roommates) confirming that my fiancee and I have met in the last two years. I know this is not really 'necessary', but we want to add it to be safe. I'm just not entirely clear on what wording we should use, or what information needs to be included, and how elaborate to make it.

What do you think of this?

Dear Sir or Madam:

I, [roommate], do hereby confirm that [petitioner] is in a relationship with [beneficiary]. I know [beneficiary] personally, as we are currently residing in the same house, and met [petitioner] in October of 2008 when he came to Canada to visit her. I confirm my knowledge that they are in a serious, ongoing relationship with each other.

Sincerely,

[Roommate]

To me it's a red flag. Especially from relatives.

You should have enough "solid" evidence without such. A couple pictures are worth a thousand words!!

Save the proof of a ongoing bonafide relationship for the interview!

Edited April 16, 2009 by Haole

[ashenflowers 5]

Oh we have TONS of solid proof... lol I just didn't know if something additional like this would be in our favour or not. Sounds like not.

Thanks for the feedback!

I just wonder, Haole why you think this would be a red flag? I've heard conflicting suggestions on that. I guess it all depends on the situation though.

[baron555 934]

why you think this would be a red flag?

I would venture a couple of theories:

1. Are the relatives "arranging" the marriage?

2. Is the relationship legit such that you need these third party statements? Don't you have enough proof on your own?

Again, just theories and not necessarily your situation. I would keep them out at this time and bring those to the interview if you like.

There is a theory that making the petition too large might just hold up the works as the adjucator rifles through all the paperwork or just raise a red flag because it was too thick.

[Anh map 2,098]

Initial submission needs proof that you have met within the last two years. Proof of the relationship is at the interview stage. That letter would have more weight at the interview stage.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi all,

We're getting ready to file the I-129F package, and want to include statements from a third party (i.e. his parents and one of my roommates) confirming that my fiancee and I have met in the last two years. I know this is not really 'necessary', but we want to add it to be safe. I'm just not entirely clear on what wording we should use, or what information needs to be included, and how elaborate to make it.

What do you think of this?

Dear Sir or Madam:

I, [roommate], do hereby confirm that [petitioner] is in a relationship with [beneficiary]. I know [beneficiary] personally, as we are currently residing in the same house, and met [petitioner] in October of 2008 when he came to Canada to visit her. I confirm my knowledge that they are in a serious, ongoing relationship with each other.

Sincerely,

[Roommate]

This type of letter is not needed or asked for. If you want to include it, why not? It will not be regarded as "evidence" without other substantial documentation of the primary type, communications, travel documents, photos, etc. But I am never against providing more than needed.

EDIT...For the I-129f it would be of no value. Evidence of ongoing relationship is presented at the interview, not with the initial filing.

Edited April 16, 2009 by Gary and Alla

[TBoneTX 45,469]

There is a theory that making the petition too large might just hold up the works as the adjucator rifles through all the paperwork or just raise a red flag because it was too thick.

USCIS is obliged to process whatever it receives. Consulates can refuse (and have refused) to accept evidence brought to interviews, and then have issued a 221(g) on the basis of "not enough evidence." If I-129F filings are front-loaded with some extra evidence, the consulate cannot deny the existence of what was included in that filing.

For the I-129f it would be of no value.

This cannot be claimed with 100% certainty!

[TBoneTX 45,469]

We're getting ready to file the I-129F package, and want to include statements from a third party (i.e. his parents and one of my roommates) confirming that my fiancee and I have met in the last two years. I know this is not really 'necessary', but we want to add it to be safe.

The wording is excellent. (If you include such a letter, be sure that the writer includes his or her COMPLETE contact information.) Because you will ultimately be dealing with a consulate in a low-fraud country, the letter may not be necessary in your I-129F filing. For others who face interviews in tougher consulates, minimize the number of letters from the foreign partner's people. The foregoing is advice from experienced immigration attorneys.

[pushbrk 12,968]

Hi all,

We're getting ready to file the I-129F package, and want to include statements from a third party (i.e. his parents and one of my roommates) confirming that my fiancee and I have met in the last two years. I know this is not really 'necessary', but we want to add it to be safe. I'm just not entirely clear on what wording we should use, or what information needs to be included, and how elaborate to make it.

What do you think of this?

Dear Sir or Madam:

I, [roommate], do hereby confirm that [petitioner] is in a relationship with [beneficiary]. I know [beneficiary] personally, as we are currently residing in the same house, and met [petitioner] in October of 2008 when he came to Canada to visit her. I confirm my knowledge that they are in a serious, ongoing relationship with each other.

Sincerely,

[Roommate]

Don't confuse evidence of meeting with evidence of an ongoing bona fide relationship. The above letter serves no evidential purpose in support of having met in person. It attests to a bona fide relationship. I'm in the camp that would avoid sending such letters as they are not needed and CAN hurt your case. Consular officers want to see hard evidence like visits and communication, not letters from friends they know would lie for you. More can be better or worse depending on the "more".

Edited April 16, 2009 by pushbrk

[TBoneTX 45,469]

Don't confuse evidence of meeting with evidence of an ongoing bona fide relationship. The above letter serves no evidential purpose in support of having met in person. It attests to a bona fide relationship. I'm in the camp that would avoid sending such letters as they are not needed and CAN hurt your case. Consular officers want to see hard evidence like visits and communication, not letters from friends they know would lie for you. More can be better or worse depending on the "more".

Although I believe that such letters CAN prove valuable in establishing a bona fide relationship (and, the writers/signers should understand that lying to a Federal official at any level has very serious potential consequences), the quoted opinion here is reasonable to consider. Because the poster is dealing with a consulate in a typically low-fraud country, such letters can probably be left out and reserved (if desired) for the consular interview. Edited April 16, 2009 by TBoneTX

[ashenflowers 5]

Wow, thanks for the great feedback everyone, both for and against the sending of the letter.

We do have quite sufficient hard evidence on our own, including hotel receipts, boarding passes, as well as photos and emails/phone records, etc. so the letter would really just be 'extra'... as an update, I think at this point, I've decided to save it for the interview, and perhaps just include one letter from someone on his side (he's the USC) who met me when i was in the US visiting him.

you guys are very helpful