Evidence of Bonifide Marriage?

[Luckyrice 0]

Hello, I am getting marriage next week in the Philippines to my loving Fiance! Now...

I read about the bonafide evidence of marriage thing for the I-130.

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

We don't own any property

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

We have a place, but don't currently have a lease in writing. We do have pay receipt though with both our names.

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

I guess we can open a joint bank account in the philippines after getting married?

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

We have none

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

Do family members count? What does that mean Sworn or affirmed by third parties?

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

We're going to take pictures and a video of our civil ceremony. Do I put the video on a Flash Drive or something too?

Any advice from someone with experience here would be great!

Thanks!!

Edited March 15, 2012 by Luckyrice

[Divs 35]

Hello, I am getting marriage next week in the Philippines to my loving Fiance! Now...

I read about the bonafide evidence of marriage thing for the I-130.

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

We don't own any property

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

We have a place, but don't currently have a lease in writing. We do have pay receipt though with both our names.

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

I guess we can open a joint bank account in the philippines after getting married?

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

We have none

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

Do family members count? What does that mean Sworn or affirmed by third parties?

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

We're going to take pictures and a video of our civil ceremony. Do I put the video on a Flash Drive or something too?

Any advice from someone with experience here would be great!

Thanks!!

Hi, when my husband filed my I-130, all we sent as evidence was our marriage certificate as well as plenty of pictures before, during, and after the ceremony. Of course, at the time of my interview, I'll be carrying extensive evidence with me like logs of chats/emails/calls, credit card he's activated in my name, copy of the health insurance card to which he's added me, etc. For the moment, your marriage certificate and pictures should suffice if you're going the I-130 way.

[StephanieM 60]

Hello, I am getting marriage next week in the Philippines to my loving Fiance! Now...

I read about the bonafide evidence of marriage thing for the I-130.

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

We don't own any property

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

We have a place, but don't currently have a lease in writing. We do have pay receipt though with both our names.

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

I guess we can open a joint bank account in the philippines after getting married?

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

We have none

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

Do family members count? What does that mean Sworn or affirmed by third parties?

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

We're going to take pictures and a video of our civil ceremony. Do I put the video on a Flash Drive or something too?

Any advice from someone with experience here would be great!

Thanks!!

- You can send them the receipts with both names of the property.

- Sworn affidavits can be made by family members. I had my Godmother write me one since she was a witness at the wedding. It can be anyone aware of your relationship.

- Do not bother with the flash drive, they WILL NOT view it.

- If you can open a joint account, do so. It is good evidence, not only for I-130 but for the interview in the long run.

- Lastly, send a couple of photos. Do not go crazy with it, as it is not necessary.

I sent the following evidence with my I-130 and it was appproved without any RFE's: MC, 1 sworn affidavit, 5 photos, joint bank account evidence, copies of passport stamps indicating visits.

I hope this helps.

[DouglasFiel 53]

All you need for the I130 is to prove you ARE married...

So minimal.

Marriage Certificate (Copy is ok)

Picture of you two together (I sent in 6 Pics -- Signing the marriage certificate would be good)

Optional:

Affidavit by a friend or relative that is knowledgeable of the relationship and marriage(I sent in one affidavit)

They will be looking for bonifide evidence of an ONGOING relationship at the interview... There

it will be important to have the emails, chat, phone records etc,,,

Regards,

Edited March 15, 2012 by DouglasFiel

[easyriders2011 14]

REQUIRED PRIMARY BONE FIDES EVIDENCE: You must have 2 items

1. joint property

2. joint lease

3. birth cert. of a child between you both

4. co-mingling of finances

5. signed affidavits from people who have direct knowledge of your marriage.

You can get a joint bank account. I went to my bank, WF, and told them why i needed it, and they opened a new account and gave me the signatory form and I sent it to my wife. she signed it and then sent it back to me. Doesn't have to be a high balance, just an open account.

Then I had two American friends sign affidavits that they were present at our wedding.

[Luckyrice 0]

Thank you so much. Last question, What is a "Sworn Affidavit?" It has to be notarized in the philippines or something?

[Ryan H 3,893]

REQUIRED PRIMARY BONE FIDES EVIDENCE: You must have 2 items

The items you listed are not required, they are suggested. Nowhere in the instructions does it say a petitioner must have two of the items you list.

[Darnell 8,479]

re: 3:

you are forgetting utility bills.

[Divs 35]

REQUIRED PRIMARY BONE FIDES EVIDENCE: You must have 2 items

1. joint property

2. joint lease

3. birth cert. of a child between you both

4. co-mingling of finances

5. signed affidavits from people who have direct knowledge of your marriage.

You can get a joint bank account. I went to my bank, WF, and told them why i needed it, and they opened a new account and gave me the signatory form and I sent it to my wife. she signed it and then sent it back to me. Doesn't have to be a high balance, just an open account.

Then I had two American friends sign affidavits that they were present at our wedding.

These are not necessarily required. In our case, we're going with joint credit cards and medical insurances. Having a joint bank a/c wouldn't hurt either. That said, it's not necessary you need to have any of these, but having one of these probably could help.