About the CR1

[GandA5510 4]

Hello everyone!

I have a question about the Bonifide marriage section of this.

My fiance lives in Dominican Republic, and i live in the United states. We dont have any bonifide anything together, if that makes sense. We do want a child, and im currently in Dominican Republic, Could we get a something here to prove we own something together? Im not sure how to ask this sorry for the lame and long question.

Also, what other types of (Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.) could we use?

What would happen if we dont have anything with our names both on? (because he isnt in the united states)

(Heres what it says on the forum for this part if you need to read it )

Note: Evidence of a Bonifide 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.

Edited August 8, 2011 by GandA5510

[GandA5510 4]

Hello everyone!

I have a question about the Bonifide marriage section of this.

My fiance lives in Dominican Republic, and i live in the United states. We dont have any bonifide anything together, if that makes sense. We do want a child, and im currently in Dominican Republic, Could we get a something here to prove we own something together? Im not sure how to ask this sorry for the lame and long question.

Also, what other types of (Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.) could we use?

What would happen if we dont have anything with our names both on? (because he isnt in the united states)

(Heres what it says on the forum for this part if you need to read it )

Note: Evidence of a Bonifide 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.

UPDATE I JUST FOUND OUT THAT WE CAN USE OUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE THANKS ANYWAYS!!

[theharbor 1]

Along with your marriage certificate, you should submit other things like Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties. I included a few pictures of my husband and I throughout our relationship as well as a years worth of phone records. Some people send LOADS of evidence like plane tickets, emails, wedding invitations, etc. It doesn't hurt to send as much information as possible, even if it's not included on the instruction sheet.

Just to add, my husband and I don't have anything in our names (ie bank accounts, leases, bills), so that's why we sent the other evidence. Not everyone has had the privilege of living with their significant other. You're not the first case they'll see like this :-)

[Aztec&Taino 144]

You can submit sworn and notarized affidavits from friends and family members who could speak about your relationship and commitment. Also, you should consider opening a joint bank account in the DR (maybe one that you could send some money to directly) and any other types of financial co-mingling of resources that would show that you have a legit marriage.

[Navyk 78]

You can submit sworn and notarized affidavits from friends and family members who could speak about your relationship and commitment. Also, you should consider opening a joint bank account in the DR (maybe one that you could send some money to directly) and any other types of financial co-mingling of resources that would show that you have a legit marriage.

While marraige certficate is a must, it will alone be sufficient to convince continuing relationship.

I strongly suggest that you keep a log of you email / telephone/ online chat ready to be provided periodically such records at petition (I-130) time and then at DS-230 time and finally at Interview time. It is extremely helpful to provide sworn notarized affidavits from 2 - 4 relatives/ friends that attended your marraige.

[StephanieM 60]

Definetely try to open a joint back account in DR. You don't want to send too much with your I-130. Save all the emails, loads of pictures, etc for the interview where more evidence is observed. The marriage certificate, a couple photos, joint account and maybe just one affidavit is more than enough. Some people send less and are approved without any problem.

[Navyk 78]

Definetely try to open a joint back account in DR. You don't want to send too much with your I-130. Save all the emails, loads of pictures, etc for the interview where more evidence is observed. The marriage certificate, a couple photos, joint account and maybe just one affidavit is more than enough. Some people send less and are approved without any problem.

There are people who front loaded with lot of evidence (I added 5 affidavits from relatives, copies of itinerary, 10 photos and an explanation letter of the relationship). It makes sense in that USCIS/ NVC and US Consulate gets to see those details before actual interview. There are additional evidences that can be aquired during the course (like logs of emails/ telephone calls/ regular mail/ ..) that keep getting aquired, which can be added at DS-230 time (I loaded additional evidence at DS-230 level (like copy of 401K beneficiary, lease with wife for the new apartment,....) and ( also taken for the interview (all the subsequent logs, copies of facebook pictures with comments of friends and relatives.....).

Sometimes the CO doesn't have time to check all your additional evidences during interview time. So be deligent but add sufficient evidence at each stage, which shows progress of relationship rather than adding all at one time.

[Ribs & Beans 19]

We opened a bank account at BanReservas--it was very easy, no problems. We also submitted two affidavits from friends/family, as well as evidence that he is the beneficiary on my life insurance policy. Plus pictures and photocopies of every page of my passport with stamps to the DR highlighted. There might have been a LITTLE more, but that was the gist of it.

[StephanieM 60]

There are people who front loaded with lot of evidence (I added 5 affidavits from relatives, copies of itinerary, 10 photos and an explanation letter of the relationship). It makes sense in that USCIS/ NVC and US Consulate gets to see those details before actual interview. There are additional evidences that can be aquired during the course (like logs of emails/ telephone calls/ regular mail/ ..) that keep getting aquired, which can be added at DS-230 time (I loaded additional evidence at DS-230 level (like copy of 401K beneficiary, lease with wife for the new apartment,....) and ( also taken for the interview (all the subsequent logs, copies of facebook pictures with comments of friends and relatives.....).

Sometimes the CO doesn't have time to check all your additional evidences during interview time. So be deligent but add sufficient evidence at each stage, which shows progress of relationship rather than adding all at one time.

Yes, but I think the ultimate goal is to be approved. So why send excessive information if not totally necessary to be approved. As if this process is not stressful enough don't burden yourself with making more work for yourself.

[Navyk 78]

Yes, but I think the ultimate goal is to be approved. So why send excessive information if not totally necessary to be approved. As if this process is not stressful enough don't burden yourself with making more work for yourself.

That depends on the Country and the Consulate in each country. The countries with high fraud rate needs to provide additional evidences of continuing relationship as the CO starts with the premise that every case is a fraud case - the onous is the applicants to proove otherwise. India is much better but the consulate I am going to (I understand) had one or two very recent questionable issues, so I am preparing well.

There is big difference between additional evidence and unnecessary details - one has to use common sense and also take advise based on past experience (else I wouldn't have been on this forum). The bottom line is to to take preventive steps than to repent later and loose precious time and sleep.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Yes, but I think the ultimate goal is to be approved. So why send excessive information if not totally necessary to be approved. As if this process is not stressful enough don't burden yourself with making more work for yourself.

Good point but that extra stress in the begining pays for itself later.. I sent in fairly minimal evidence.. A few printed pages of wedding photos, a timeline of the relationship with pictures, and logs of SMS/Email/Chat/Phone conversations. At the time I was only thinking of what i needed to get through USCIS and figured I would build a nicer porfolio for the interview.. Now I am seeing that they probably make a base decision off of the original USCIS package... So if they have a gut feeling your secondary evidence that you bring in has an uphill battle because they already have an opinion.. Having to do it over I think I would have been a bit more diligent in front loading..

Edited August 9, 2011 by OnMyWayID

[Ryan H 3,790]

Yes, but I think the ultimate goal is to be approved. So why send excessive information if not totally necessary to be approved. As if this process is not stressful enough don't burden yourself with making more work for yourself.

Anything submitted with the initial filing of the I-130 becomes part of the file that will be seen prior to the interview by a CO.

IMO, the interview is not the time to submit evidence that could have been submitted with the I-130 simply because it may never be viewed by a CO; it either will not be asked for by a CO or passed back without so much as a fleeting glance by a CO if an interviewee passes it to a CO unsolicited.

No one should be dissuaded from frontloading if they wish to do so, regardless if they are interviewing in London or Lagos.

[GandA5510 4]

what type of information needs to be in the oath that the Affidavits must right? just how they knew about my relationship?

[StephanieM 60]

My point was not to be discouraging. He/she can send as much evidence as they want. My point is being efficient. If people are approved all the time by sending 5 papers instead of sending 25+ then why go all crazy. For DR petitioners, from the tons of info I've read, the interview is the most feared part of the process. This is where you really get roughed up since DR is a high fraud country. Ultimately, the CO at that interview has the decision to your case. It's all up to that one person to decide whether or not your SO will come to the USA. Good luck. There is nothing to lose when you send a ton of evidence for the inital part. My point is people are approved everyday without overloading the I-130.

[Navyk 78]

My point was not to be discouraging. He/she can send as much evidence as they want. My point is being efficient. If people are approved all the time by sending 5 papers instead of sending 25+ then why go all crazy. For DR petitioners, from the tons of info I've read, the interview is the most feared part of the process. This is where you really get roughed up since DR is a high fraud country. Ultimately, the CO at that interview has the decision to your case. It's all up to that one person to decide whether or not your SO will come to the USA. Good luck. There is nothing to lose when you send a ton of evidence for the inital part. My point is people are approved everyday without overloading the I-130.

Agreed, we are saying the same thing - it is only the style that is different. Let's leave this as it is, so that others are not confused in the process.