Utility bills needed for citizeship interview

[mingus_drake 0]

I have my test tomorrow in Chicago and I have just realized that our current utility bills are only in my husband's name. I can't remember why or if it's because they utilities would only allow one name. Anyway, I have our lease, proof of joint car ownership, old utility bills with both names, etc etc. Is this going to be a big red flag?

[SAT 9,609]

I don't ever recall presenting any utility bills at all....

In fact, I don't recall looking for a wife at all...when I met my wife...

[mingus_drake 0]

well, turned out even though the gas company would only put one name i did think ahead, years ago when we set it up and had them send it c/o the both of us, so that's something. and i just called the electric company, got my name added. won't get a bill in time but i'll at least have an email from them showing both names.

i had to print these myself because we do paperless billing. in the past, i have had statements rejected bc they were printouts, but it's not like i have any other choice...

wish me luck i guess.

Edited January 23, 2013 by mingus_drake

[SAT 9,609]

Oh yea...come to think of it, that's why I didn't show a utility bill, paperless billing...In fact, I had everything paperless, and all our supporting financial documents were computer printouts... I think we only submitted 2 or 3 things, it wasn't a lot (bank statement, pension statement, life insurance). I kept it as simple as possible, and waited for them to ask me for more. And at the interview, they did ask for more lol. But my wife didn't have more documents on her, but the interviewing officer passed her anyway...(nice guy)

We didn't submit any proof that we lived together. The house is in my name, it was bought prior to marriage. Cars are in my name, utilities are in my name, etc...Hey, my wife has nothing to her name

Oh and most importantly...Good Luck !

Edited January 23, 2013 by SteveAndTiff

[NickD 203]

Would ask where a joint ulitility bill is required evidence. It was the Chicago and St. Paul offices that I am aware of made a big deal out of this. Cable and cell phone bills are paid in advance, they don't give a damn what name you put on. Gas, electric, and water bills if not paid go against the owner of the property, also don't give a damn what name you put on the bill, if not paid, put a lien against the property. We were stuck with two years of bills because we were the landlord.

When they were making a big deal out of this worthless form of evidence, could only get a joint bill from our cities water department, but couldn't even get that from our previous address because my property was out in the sticks with my own well and sewer system. Gas and electric companies refused to issue a joint bill, only space for one name they claimed.

After my wife's interview, they even dropped her name from our water bill, but again if not paid, will put a lien on our property, but were kind enough to do it because the USCIS were acting like idiots at the time.

If you have an old joint bill, just bring that in, just in case, and explain your utility company doesn't like joint names. If denied anyway, contact your senators office, but good luck living in Illinois with that. Have to be nice, can't argue with an IO. Hopefully you will get a nice IO.

[mingus_drake 0]

thanks, at this point i'll just bring as much evidence as i can and hope for the best. we never had any problems before, just last step jitters maybe

[mingus_drake 0]

passed. oath is in a week. never asked me to show any utility bills, or anything else other than various ID of me and spouse.

[SAT 9,609]

passed. oath is in a week. never asked me to show any utility bills, or anything else other than various ID of me and spouse.

Hey congratulations!

[Gboree 70]

Congratulations on your approval

[NickD 203]

passed. oath is in a week. never asked me to show any utility bills, or anything else other than various ID of me and spouse.

Congratulations from me too. Sure sounds sufficient just showing your ID's after what we went through for the AOS and ROC stages. We didn't provide one new shed of evidence for citizenship. Had all that when we had to update our ROC stage due to long delays. With marriage, why don't they just let the US citizen spouse attend the interview?