Verifying bank records

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Okay, I went to my bank and they didn't know about these kinds of letters that are required for the affidavit of support. This is a nationally recognized chain, just fyi. Anyway, the bank officer told me to print out my statements, highlight all of my deposits and bring them back. She would then type up the letter on business letterhead and notarize it for me. Is that going to be acceptable (it will have the other required information too) for the filing process? Not sure if it matters, but our consulate is New Delhi, our service center is VSC. Thanks in advance! Any input is appreciated.

[Faith in destiny 0]

The type of the letter is called differently between banks. I know Citibank calls it a consular letter, but some other banks call it an immigration letter. Maybe you can call your bank and request for an immigration letter. I am sure they should recognize it once you mention it. Good luck.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Keep in mind that if your income is comfortably over the minimum (125% of federal poverty guidelines for your household size) you generally don't need to submit info on bank accounts or other assets.

[thongd4me 69]

Okay, I went to my bank and they didn't know about these kinds of letters that are required for the affidavit of support. This is a nationally recognized chain, just fyi. Anyway, the bank officer told me to print out my statements, highlight all of my deposits and bring them back. She would then type up the letter on business letterhead and notarize it for me. Is that going to be acceptable (it will have the other required information too) for the filing process? Not sure if it matters, but our consulate is New Delhi, our service center is VSC. Thanks in advance! Any input is appreciated.

I would change banks; a bank could typically print out your statement much quicker than you can.

I would be insulted if they treated me that way.

Maybe you slightly took the wrong approach because you may have tried to explain how you needed

it for the visa process. The visa process is totally unknown to the bank and totally irrelevant.

What is relevant is the statement by the bank that you have an account, created on X date,

containing X funds. That kind of statement is typically asked for by landlords & others.

The bank doesn't have to know what it's for, just has to know what to put in the letter within

their ability. Affidavit of support means nothing to the bank, but the requirements in the

affidavit of support that have to be documented have to be known by you. You just tell them

what you need; the purpose is unimportant to them.

[TruLuv 0]

I am comfortably over the poverty line, but I just brought my most recent statement with me and I had no problems

[thongd4me 69]

Keep in mind that if your income is comfortably over the minimum (125% of federal poverty guidelines for your household size) you generally don't need to submit info on bank accounts or other assets.

This also is true. If your income is over that percentage, having as much money as

Ben Bernanke isn't going to speed up your visa journey. They're looking for a

minimum and if you satisfy that you're good to go. You don't have to spill your

guts or your bank account.

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Thank you for your responses. The reason I am bringing in statements is so I don't have to pay them $5 each to print them. The instructions on the AOS said total of all deposits. She is going to add them up. I feel like I do need this because a significant portion of my income comes from child support. I make almost double what I need to make for the AOS after including child support but without child support I make about $200 less a year than I need to make to satisfy the minimum. I do have assets worth over $30K however I am a chronic worrier and I am going to err on the side of caution. I am claiming assets and income. I know I don't need to be rich, but I don't want there to be any chance they think I don't have enough income. I know I'm a little crazy, but I always aim for success and I don't see any reason to leave out something as significant as my child support income.

[mari joe 1]

bring the statements for the previous 12 months and highlight as nessesary as they explained. they will give you what you need. I would also bring a copy of the form instructions and highlight the section on what is required to give the bank officials a better idea of exactly what is required, Good luck

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

Keep in mind that if your income is comfortably over the minimum (125% of federal poverty guidelines for your household size) you generally don't need to submit info on bank accounts or other assets.

So, does this mean I would only need to show my recent pay stubs and tax returns? I am well above the required minimum.

My bank is several states away, not a national chain, and I know they will require me to come into a branch to request and obtain the letter. I tried to get something from them once before and they told me they couldn't verify who I was over the phone so I would have to come in.

My company relocated me last year and I did not switch banks, as I had been with this particular bank a long time and I know that my company will be moving me back in the next few years.

I suppose I could switch banks now, if it will save me an 8 hour drive to the closest branch.. but wouldn't it look better having an account for 10+ years instead of having an account that would be less than a year old?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Okay, I went to my bank and they didn't know about these kinds of letters that are required for the affidavit of support. This is a nationally recognized chain, just fyi. Anyway, the bank officer told me to print out my statements, highlight all of my deposits and bring them back. She would then type up the letter on business letterhead and notarize it for me. Is that going to be acceptable (it will have the other required information too) for the filing process? Not sure if it matters, but our consulate is New Delhi, our service center is VSC. Thanks in advance! Any input is appreciated.

Better yet...YOU type the letter. Get 12 months statements, as she said, highlight all the deposits and then type the letter yourself. That is what I did, they put the letter on bank letterhead and signed it while I waited. They have done this for the initial visa, a K-2 to follow and AOS for everyone. Of course this is NOT a nationally know "chain" but a locally known bank, Diane is the bank President and I poured myself a cup of coffee while I waited in her office for her to type the letter.

[k.loveh 0]

Okay, I went to my bank and they didn't know about these kinds of letters that are required for the affidavit of support. This is a nationally recognized chain, just fyi. Anyway, the bank officer told me to print out my statements, highlight all of my deposits and bring them back. She would then type up the letter on business letterhead and notarize it for me. Is that going to be acceptable (it will have the other required information too) for the filing process? Not sure if it matters, but our consulate is New Delhi, our service center is VSC. Thanks in advance! Any input is appreciated.

This way is alright.

My bank made a printout of my deposits only for the past one year, totaled them up and then a bank officer (branch Manager) stamped it with their 'bank stamp' and signed it. That was it and it seems it sufficed.

Edited September 27, 2009 by k.loveh