Proof of Bonafide marriage

[Gail Owino 0]

I had to get calling cards to be able to call my husband over the years while we dated. My current place of residence is at a university apartment. Long distance calls are not allowed. Will emails, yahoo chats, pictures of us while together in Kenya be acceptable? I have also sent him money through westernunion. Plus, the affidavits needed, could they be from his parents though they were not at the wedding? Or could we get the affidavits from the witnesses?

[Scott and Mhay 57]

All those are good evidence of a bonified relationship. you will just have to get some of it printed out. do you use a cellphone? You might want to look into Rebtel for calls...they are most of the time cheaper than using calling cards. Have you filed the I-130 yet for your husband? If not, you dont need to show the "bonified" portion until the interview...just a few pictures, marriage certificate, affidavits, and some chat records. you dont have to go crazy with the evidence now...that comes later. Just keep up with it. Also, do you use skype? If you video chat, there will be a call record you can print up for the interview too.

[4theloveofhenry 8]

Id say make sure you have alot of other evidence becuase in Africa it is major for the family of the African spouse to be at the wedding unless the parents are dead, infirmed, or live faw away and have no means to make it. I say that becuase marriage is a big deal in most African societies and most parents would not miss that day unless they just could not make it due to circumstance. While there are good reasons that they did not attend the embsassy will look for anything to disprove the relationship so make sure to have a good explination. Did you at least meet the parents? If so that will be a positive.

Id say provide photos of you with more than just your spouse ( spouses friends, other relatives). Also like previous posted use a long distance phone call service that will allow you to print off evidence of calls. I use tel3advantage. It gives you a local number to call from so you do not have to dial a long distance or 800 number and you can print off the phone records. All you have to do is charge your account either by cc or paypal.

Most important though is not the overwhelming evidence (becuase sometimes the CO's dont even look at it) is to make sure your spouse is WELL prepared to answer any and every question they may ask. Wich could be about anything that has to do with YOU. Some CO's just want to SEE that you have evidence but even with 30 tons of evidence if your spouse even misses one question they will pounce on it.

Yes, have evidence, but rely most on having your spouse be well prepared to answer those questions!

[Darnell 8,478]

Hi Gail.

The instructions for the I-130 list 6 different types of evidence to submit with the petition, when you actually file the I-130.

Sometimes, this evidence is difficult to get because of either being newly married OR the two spouses live apart in different countries.

Here's what I did, ages past - have a read? (ya, click the link)

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry3324240

It's hard to determine 'where' you are in this process, as you've not filled out yer timeline over at http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=50110 - maybe take some time this weekend, start yer timeline? please?

Good Luck !

[Darnell 8,478]

OK -

I've read all of yer prior posts.

Near as I can tell - you have NOT filed the I-130 petition yet.

and that's cool.

You have a big opportunity to make new evidence, specifically with utility bills.

I know you are living in university housing, so the 'spin' will be a bit skewed, but still focused on 'joint names'.

1. assume you have internet access in yer apartment - get a VOIP account from Vonage, put it in BOTH of yer NAMES.

2. get PO BOX somewhere, have receipt in BOTH of your names.

3. redo your cell phone billing statements - to be in BOTH NAMES. You are not 'adding a line' for him, you are adding his name on the billing statement.

4. get paypal account, flip to 'personal premiere' account, get debit card in his name, get debit card in your name. include copies of the cards (front and back).

remember to read my prior link, as well - you have opportunity to get 'POD' instructions set up on all of yer accounts (bank, insurance, financial instruments)

for all 'joint' things - have billing address to go to the new po box that you've purchased.

Going forward - keep in mind - there are two 'time ticks' for submitting evidence -

1. initial I-130 submittal. This evidence 'travels' from USCIS to the Embassy. It is not looked at , carefully, by USCIS personnel in the USA. It is scrutinized by Embassy Personnel PRIOR to interview date (emphasis on PRIOR, here).

2. interview day. Most Embassy Personnel do not have the time to carefully scrutinize the pile of evidence that you'll bring in, most will not ask to see it. IF THERE is something 'strange' or 'untoward' or if you have 'red flags' - they MIGHT ask to see it. Is good to bring all of it in, to be prepared for the worst, just in case.

Good Luck !

**moving to CR-1/IR-1 Process and Procedures forum **

Edited February 27, 2010 by Darnell

[Gail Owino 0]

I had to get calling cards to be able to call my husband over the years while we dated. My current place of residence is at a university apartment. Long distance calls are not allowed. Will emails, yahoo chats, pictures of us while together in Kenya be acceptable? I have also sent him money through westernunion. Plus, the affidavits needed, could they be from his parents though they were not at the wedding? Or could we get the affidavits from the witnesses?

Mom was seriuosly ill in the hospital at the time I was there, and I could not afford to go with him. We stayed at a hostel in Nairobi and his parents were in Kendu Bay. This is so hopeless!!!!!!!!

The parents do know about the marriage ceremony. I have no pics of the wedding because my husband accidentally destroyed all the pics even from my university and the wedding pics. He hit the format button on the camera and fully destroyed the pics.