Evidence of relationship for possible AOS interview

[h1a1 5]

I filed for AOS earlier this month. I entered on a K-1 visa and I'm aware that there is a possibility my husband and I will have an interview before I'm issued with a GC. I'm worried because we are having such a hard time gathering paper evidence of our ongoing relationship, mingling of assets and that we live together. I was unable to get a SSN because the social security office I went to was unable to find me in the SAVE system and absolutely misinformed me and tried to give me the run around. I could go on and on about them but what's done is done.

What we have is:

I'm listed as his beneficiary on his life insurance

A couple of non-utility bills in my name at our address (vonage and my cell phone) all utility bills are addressed to him at same address

Letters from family and friends addressed to the both of us

Birthday cards to each other (mine was March, his was July ) I even have the receipt from the day I bought his card lol

Ticket stubs from when he took me to see a musical on my birthday (which of course don't show our names)

Tickets from movies and places we've been together over the past few months

Photos

It's not a lot and mostly circumstantial stuff.

Without a social security number I've been unable to get on his bank account as they insist I need to have a SSN. Can't get on utility bills without SSN. I couldn't even get listed on the apartment rental lease without a SSN! His landlord said I couldn't go on it as they take the SSN for background checks.

It's stressing me out as I'm a born worrier. But what can I do? If we explain my whole SSN situation do you think that the interviewing officer would consider our circumstantial evidence like letters, cards, tickets etc?

Edited July 24, 2010 by h1a1

[PeterandRobin 3]

I filed for AOS earlier this month. I entered on a K-1 visa and I'm aware that there is a possibility my husband and I will have an interview before I'm issued with a GC. I'm worried because we are having such a hard time gathering paper evidence of our ongoing relationship, mingling of assets and that we live together. I was unable to get a SSN because the social security office I went to was unable to find me in the SAVE system and absolutely misinformed me and tried to give me the run around. I could go on and on about them but what's done is done.

What we have is:

I'm listed as his beneficiary on his life insurance

A couple of non-utility bills in my name at our address (vonage and my cell phone) all utility bills are addressed to him at same address

Letters from family and friends addressed to the both of us

Birthday cards to each other (mine was March, his was July ) I even have the receipt from the day I bought his card lol

Ticket stubs from when he took me to see a musical on my birthday (which of course don't show our names)

Tickets from movies and places we've been together over the past few months

Photos

It's not a lot and mostly circumstantial stuff.

Without a social security number I've been unable to get on his bank account as they insist I need to have a SSN. Can't get on utility bills without SSN. I couldn't even get listed on the apartment rental lease without a SSN! His landlord said I couldn't go on it as they take the SSN for background checks.

It's stressing me out as I'm a born worrier. But what can I do? If we explain my whole SSN situation do you think that the interviewing officer would consider our circumstantial evidence like letters, cards, tickets etc?

Hi, we had similar worries but when we went to the bank they started off telling us that I needed an SSN to be put on the account but we asked him to speak to a manager and with my passport, copies of the NOA's and another ID (UK Drivers license) and a utility bill we were able to add me to my wifes account. The utility bill was just a case of adding my name, they didnt ask for the SSN as she was already the primary account holder, and the lease on the apartment I just had to fill out the forms and although it will come back as bad credit (no SSN) it will be ok as she has already been paying the rent prior to adding my name.

Sometimes it is worth just not taking no as the answer and asking to speak to the manager, particularly in the bank, I did have to fill out a form that stated I was not yet a resident of the US but I think that was for tax purposes.

[h1a1 5]

We spoke to a manager. No luck. I definitely cannot get added as a joint account holder, or be on utility bills (they will only send correspondence in name of primary account holder) or be on the lease without a SSN. We've tried a few times.

Edited July 24, 2010 by h1a1

[h1a1 5]

The landlord was really weird with us. I showed him my visa to show I am here legally (the K-1 visa shows that it expires in August) and he was like "This expires in August and then you will be illegal". Tried to explain the whole process but he said "I can turn a blind eye to you living here as you are married but I cannot put you on the lease as it would show paper evidence I have permitted you to be here. I don't want problems if you are here illegally".

Maybe we'll try again to have me be put on the electricity bill.

Edited July 24, 2010 by h1a1

[PeterandRobin 3]

It sounds like you have a private landlord, we are living in an Apartment complex and they were fine with adding me, didn't ask to see any paperwork apart from a picture ID. There is a thing called the Patriot Act that restricts banks from allowing non citizens/residents to open accounts but as I said, they were happy (after the initial "no") to add me, the only thing is that as it is a credit union then only my wifes name is on the statements but we have a letter from the bank stating that it is a joint account and I have a check card etc in my name.

Utility companies might be the best way to go, certainly our bills have both names on them.

I am guessing that your landlord won't be happy writing a letter stating that you live together there if he is that nervous (or misinformed) about possible problems.

Health insurance is one possible option, again we have a joint policy, car insurance although they might want a US DL, joint cell phone account, is he a church goer as perhaps a letter from a vicar (or whatever they are called here) would hold some substance, being listed as a beneficiary for his 401k.

Not saying these are definitive answers by any means but just the thought processes we have been through....

[h1a1 5]

401k! We totally forgot about that. We'll have to look into that one. Thanks! And yes, the landlord isn't likely to be much help during this process.