Help with I-130

[paul2000 0]

Hey guys!

Here's my story:

My spouse and I started talking online about a year ago, and decided to meet up in person the following summer. We met in June 2012, and travelled through Europe for a couple of months, and then bought tickets to visit his house in California for two and a half months. After the trip I was meant to go to England for a few weeks to visit friends, and then go back to my home country. However, during my stay we got even closer, and we decided to get married a month before my visa expired. We've spent the last month filling out forms, and it is now two days until my visa (waiver) expires (December 20th). I have heard of something called the grace period, so I am not very bothered by my overstaying.

My questions are:

1. Is it necessary to explain our case; why we got married & why I overstayed? If yes - how long, and how formal should it be? Are there any samples for this?

2. The only evidence we have for our relationship is photos from our travels in Europe, a couple of plane tickets we've bought together, a few photos of me together with his parents, a letter form my mom, an affidavit from his best friend, and one photo from our marriage. We married alone, with only one witness, and didn't throw a party afterwards. Do we need to explain why? We just didn't have time or money for it, and most of our relatives aren't living close by.

3. We're thinking about opening up a joint bank account, is that a useful evidence of our ongoing relationship?

Thanks a lot!

Edited December 18, 2012 by paul2000