How much evidence is too much?

[Caladan 19]

By 'CYA' I meant nothing more than the lawyer trying to 'cover [his] a$s' by asking you to send as much as possible (so you can't complain if you get an RFE).

Probably wouldn't hurt, but it doesn't prove you met.

[CancelAccount 0]

By 'CYA' I meant nothing more than the lawyer trying to 'cover [his] a$s' by asking you to send as much as possible (so you can't complain if you get an RFE).

Probably wouldn't hurt, but it doesn't prove you met.

Well, I didn't base my decision soley on what my lawyer said, I based my decision on my fellow Viet Nam filers as well. As for my lawyer, he is also my best friend. So no, he wasn't covering his A$$, he was looking out for his friend.

As for the posters original question, my advice to him was to send everything he has, to both USCIS and the consulate. Why you ask? So he can avoid RFE's from both USCIS, consulate and not have to think about "What should I send?". If he sends everything to both...then he won't be sitting around worrying to himself later on...."Should I have sent more?" Nothing like not providing enough of something and then consequently going through the AR process. That means, not only can the consulate put things on AR, but the USCIS does the same thing as well. Is that a risk that people are willing to take? Why gamble or play with fire?

Edited September 26, 2006 by CharlieBox

[Cassie 8]

It's not a matter of throwing a ton of evidence at the adjudicators, it's a matter of being smart about what you submit. As Yodrak said previously, if you send in evidence that brings up more questions than answers, why send it in?

It's a balance between sending in not enough evidence (or evidence that does nothing to bolster your argument that you have a legitimate relationship) and sending way too much. I use this analogy every time this topic comes up: think of your relationship as a big puzzle, and all the forms and evidence as the pieces. If the evidence you submit, in conjunction with the documents you have to fill out, does nothing to fill in the big picture (yes, you have met in the last two years, and yes, you have a legitimate relationship), then it doesn't fit and don't include it.

[Caladan 19]

Analogy: I ask two people for their phone number.

One person hands me their business card, with their phone number printed on it.

The other hands me the telephone book, his birth certificate, drivers' license showing his name, his business card, his second grade spelling bee certificate (because it has his name on it), and a copy of his telecom contract proving beyond all doubt that's his number, and some e-mails where he talks about buying a telephone.

Which has given me more useful information?

More isn't always better.

CharlieBox, didn't mean to come across harshly. You'll be fine and there's nothing really wrong with having a lot of evidence, assuming it doesn't bring up questions like Yodrak mentions. But it's not good to give people the idea that they need to send in a ream and a half of paper (literally) to have a chance at approval. No one is gambling with their future because they don't have IRC logs, y'know?

(Of course, if I get an RFE, I'm sending them the shoebox full of used phone cards, but that's more to be brat than anything else.)

[no name 1]

More isn't always better.

If someone thinks submitting 500 pages of anything is useful, they need a serious head check.

[mozplay 28]

Just to add one more point - if you send too much information, then it is very likely that the information that you really want them to see will simply be lost in the piles and piles and PILES of paper. I'm sure they go through each case thoroughly, but anything past the first few pages (just like a resume) is probably not going to be read with as much interest as the first two.

How are they going to see your little passport stamp (I take it we all agree that this is crucial primary evidence?) if it has been buried under emails, skype logs, movie tickets, pressed flowers, the kitchen sink and whatever elss you have tossed in the poor envelope?

(ok .. so I got a LITTLE carried away with the flowers and sink).

Read the guides, take the advice of HUNDREDS of others that have gone before you. (That's why we are on VJ, not so?) Send what is needed and asked for - put it together it in a clear, concise, organized way that will not have the adjudicator flipping back and forth. Try not to overwhelm anybody - NOBODY likes that. Mail it off - have a glass of wine and then wait. That's all we can do.

Mo

Edited September 26, 2006 by mozplay

[Caladan 19]

Plus, the shipping costs on the standard stainless steel kitchen sink? Will eat you alive.

[Chemist_Geek 0]

If your petition packet is over an inch thick, you have too much. The visa interview is when you throw everything at them

Okay, so the 400 pages of e-mail hard copies don't have to go... Whew... That would have really made shipping the 129F a pain.

As it was, I sent copies of my passport visa page, copies of boarding passes and train tickets, copies of our handwritten "let's get married" letters, and five or six photos.

However, that leads me to a question... When I visited Bobbie in Qingdao, I took my digital camera...so all of our photos together are electronic. I pasted them into a Word document and printed it out for the 129F. Ought I to get photo prints made, and send them to her for the interview?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I agree with everyone who said it would be wise to send documentation for each visit. Pair it down to the important evidence such as plane tickets, passport stamps etc. But include information on all of the trips.

Good luck on your journey!