I-751 Evidence

[MrsWill 0]

Hello everyone!

I came to the US on K-1 at the end of 2010, got married in Feb 2011 and my AOS was approved (without and interview) in June 2011.

I will be filling for ROC later this month and am currently gathering evidence.

My husband and I have a bona fide marriage, however, I am worried that we don't have enough evidence to prove it.

What we have:

- Apartment leases 2011-2013

- Joint tax returns for 2011 and 2012

- Car insurance with both our names on it

- Health insurance (he is the policy holder and I am a beneficiary on it)

Let me explain our financial/bank accounts situation:

He makes three times as much as I do.

He owns a checking and a savings account. We own a joint checking and savings account but I use it as my own bank account (he doesn't use it, even though his name is on it).

His paychecks get deposited into his bank account and my paychecks get deposited into our joint account.

He pays rent and all our bills directly from his bank account and I pay for groceries directly from my (our joint) bank account.

We each own credit cards but no joint credit cards.

I know this might look "suspicious" to USCIS (and maybe to those of you who have all your bank accounts and your money joint with your spouses), but it works PERFECTLY for us and we didn't see the need to join our money and accounts and make it less convenient for us, just to generate proof for USCIS. I can send USCIS statements of our joint account but it only has my transactions on them.

We haven't been able to go on many vacations, only weekend trips here and there so we don't have any flight itineraries to show. When we check into hotels, they only require the name of the person who's paying for the room (that would be him) so we don't have any hotel bills with both our names on it). We do have pictures of us from our trips.

We don't have any children.

We don't own any property.

As previously explained, he pays all the bills so all utility bills are in his name.

He owns both of our cars.

We don't have life insurance, 401k or any other retirement plans.

We are an average happy married couple, with not much proof of our marriage on paper, but it is a true marriage. I am worried that USCIS will not be satisfied with our evidence, though, especially since we don't handle our finances jointly like most couples who file for AOS and ROC.

What are your opinions of our situation? Any input will be much appreciated.

[eternal37 0]

I actually just received an Request for Evidence because like you, I am in the same situation. Meaning, I pay all the bills and we have separate bank accounts. However, we have an American Express in which she is an authorized user, and luckily, American Express includes both names in the bill. However, I did somehow forget to send W2s, which would show the same address. So I'm hoping that along with the American Express bill will satisfy their needs. I guess lease co-signing is not enough.

[VR3523 0]

Looks to me you have just what they request. The first 4 things you listed; joint rental, joint tax returns, and joint insurance which you have two of. As far as your finances, I personaly believe that is a great way to do it. I was married once before and even though the marriage didn't work, haveing seperate accounts did. There was never a mix-up of one taking out funds and the other not knowing until it was too late. I think your good but I'm new here also, so I'll be watching this thread to see how it develops as I plan on doing our finances almost the same.

[MrsWill 0]

I actually just received an Request for Evidence because like you, I am in the same situation. Meaning, I pay all the bills and we have separate bank accounts. However, we have an American Express in which she is an authorized user, and luckily, American Express includes both names in the bill. However, I did somehow forget to send W2s, which would show the same address. So I'm hoping that along with the American Express bill will satisfy their needs. I guess lease co-signing is not enough.

Thank you for your response and good luck with your case!

Looks to me you have just what they request. The first 4 things you listed; joint rental, joint tax returns, and joint insurance which you have two of. As far as your finances, I personaly believe that is a great way to do it. I was married once before and even though the marriage didn't work, haveing seperate accounts did. There was never a mix-up of one taking out funds and the other not knowing until it was too late. I think your good but I'm new here also, so I'll be watching this thread to see how it develops as I plan on doing our finances almost the same.

I personally believe that is a great way to do finances also, but I'm afraid USCIS doesn't believe that. It seems that joint finances are one of the main things they want to see.

Has anyone ever been denied because they didn't have joint bank accounts, credit cards etc.?

[Azure30 22]

I would still send the joint bank account statements. Like you, our joint account hardly had any activity. A single car payment coming out each month. The fact is, it has both names on the account.

If you have pets, have the vet put both names on the receipts.

What about sworn affidavits from family and friends stating marriage is bonafide?

Copies of both your driver license showing same address?

You should have called utility companies and inquire if both names can be printed on the bill. Ours are printed on our electricity and century link cable and Internet bill.

Hubby added me to his car title as well and we sent a copy of that.

Hope this helps.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Azure30

[Azure30 22]

Thank you for your response and good luck with your case!

I personally believe that is a great way to do finances also, but I'm afraid USCIS doesn't believe that. It seems that joint finances are one of the main things they want to see.

Has anyone ever been denied because they didn't have joint bank accounts, credit cards etc.?

USCIS firmly believes in co-mingling of finances, as it can show that a marriage is bonafide, that you trust each other with your hard-earned stash hidden away in the bank somewhere, or your most valued means of transport and having both names on car title, life insurances, etc...

We never had credit cards or life insurances but we had health insurance, car title, joint bank accounts, utility bills, leases, veterinarian bills, purchase receipt for our beloved poodle in both our names, sworn affidavits from family and friends, pictures from every holiday with both of us as well as his family.

[MrsWill 0]

I would still send the joint bank account statements. Like you, our joint account hardly had any activity. A single car payment coming out each month. The fact is, it has both names on the account.

If you have pets, have the vet put both names on the receipts.

What about sworn affidavits from family and friends stating marriage is bonafide?

Copies of both your driver license showing same address?

You should have called utility companies and inquire if both names can be printed on the bill. Ours are printed on our electricity and century link cable and Internet bill.

Hubby added me to his car title as well and we sent a copy of that.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your reply.

We have a pet but won't be taking in to a vet anytime soon (I am filing ROC this month).

I didn't think affidavits count as evidence as anyone can write them and write anything. I can get a few though.

Our driver licence's don't have the same address. He had moved to this apartment shortly before I moved over here and changed the address with DMV but they didn't issue him a new licence so it has his old address on it.

We never thought of adding my name to utility bills as like I said before, he pays all the bills so there was no point in doing that. I never thought of doing unnecessary stuff like that just to have proof for USCIS but I guess I should have.

USCIS firmly believes in co-mingling of finances, as it can show that a marriage is bonafide, that you trust each other with your hard-earned stash hidden away in the bank somewhere, or your most valued means of transport and having both names on car title, life insurances, etc...

Makes sense, but just because we don't have everything in both names, doesn't mean that marriage is not bonafide or that we don't trust each other. Marriage is so much more than trusting each other with money.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Include statements from both of your bank accounts. On his, highlight the bills paid for utilities, rent, etc. - anything on your joint living accommodations. Provide evidence that you both share that address. Your different bank statements should have the same address on them but with each of your names. You can write a cover letter explaining your financial arrangements so you address any questions that might come up straight on.

If you have correspondence sent to the two of you - envelopes for anniversaries or Christmas cards or anything like that - slip a few of those in as well, showing you are socially perceived as a married couple living at the same address. Do either of you have a magazine subscription sent to your address? Do you have your pet microchipped and the two of you listed as co-owners? You may also wish for the account that your husband does have on his own to have you listed as 'payable on death'. That means you are not a joint owner, but if anything happened to your husband, you would then become the owner of that account. It is a smart planning move, estate wise, plus the bank could then provide you with the statement that you are POD on that account. (You just need to go to the bank and request that they add your name this way). What about a safety deposit box? You could get one in both of your names. What about a joint or family phone plan? Have you any medical Benefit statements on his insurance showing you were covered for a doctor's visit or a prescription listing your name as the covered family member? Are either of you listed with the other's employer as the 'emergency contact'? If not, that should be easy to do and you might be able to get a statement for that from your respective employers. What about wills? You may wish to write your wills and list each other as beneficiary or as executor and beneficiary. If either of you use your credit cards to pay for things for the house or your life together (family gym membership, etc.) you could include a statement highlighting the expense. At the very least, a credit card statement from each of you showing the same address would be useful, especially as his driver's license address doesn't match yours.

You may want to try and find these types of 'other' evidence that shows you are both living together and recognized as a married couple since your finances are not as co-mingled as other couples may be. Just try to fill in the gaps, and that along with the evidence that you do have should be enough to put you over the top. Good luck.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Kathryn41

[markiweiss49 4]

first of all, me and my wife doesn't believed in credit cards. we don't have any credit cards and we will never have credit cards. we are not going to get credit cards to show uscis that we are happy marry. bank statements, electric, cable, phone, medical insurance in your names is a good thing. as long as you have the same address on both of your mail. i know some couples got credit cards so they can show uscis that they are still together and marry. if you don't have credit cards, don't worry about it. good luck to you.

[baron555 934]

Getting your name on the utility bills is easy. Just do it.

What about library cards?

What about your name on the car insurance?

Create a joint bank account just on purpose to have it. Don't need to use it much.

What about affidavits (notarized)?

What about photos.....with description?

What about birthday cards?

IRS tax transcripts showing that you two filed Jointly and Married.

[fabilious 0]

Hello everyone!

I came to the US on K-1 at the end of 2010, got married in Feb 2011 and my AOS was approved (without and interview) in June 2011.

I will be filling for ROC later this month and am currently gathering evidence.

My husband and I have a bona fide marriage, however, I am worried that we don't have enough evidence to prove it.

What we have:

- Apartment leases 2011-2013

- Joint tax returns for 2011 and 2012

- Car insurance with both our names on it

- Health insurance (he is the policy holder and I am a beneficiary on it)

Let me explain our financial/bank accounts situation:

He makes three times as much as I do.

He owns a checking and a savings account. We own a joint checking and savings account but I use it as my own bank account (he doesn't use it, even though his name is on it).

His paychecks get deposited into his bank account and my paychecks get deposited into our joint account.

He pays rent and all our bills directly from his bank account and I pay for groceries directly from my (our joint) bank account.

We each own credit cards but no joint credit cards.

I know this might look "suspicious" to USCIS (and maybe to those of you who have all your bank accounts and your money joint with your spouses), but it works PERFECTLY for us and we didn't see the need to join our money and accounts and make it less convenient for us, just to generate proof for USCIS. I can send USCIS statements of our joint account but it only has my transactions on them.

We haven't been able to go on many vacations, only weekend trips here and there so we don't have any flight itineraries to show. When we check into hotels, they only require the name of the person who's paying for the room (that would be him) so we don't have any hotel bills with both our names on it). We do have pictures of us from our trips.

We don't have any children.

We don't own any property.

As previously explained, he pays all the bills so all utility bills are in his name.

He owns both of our cars.

We don't have life insurance, 401k or any other retirement plans.

We are an average happy married couple, with not much proof of our marriage on paper, but it is a true marriage. I am worried that USCIS will not be satisfied with our evidence, though, especially since we don't handle our finances jointly like most couples who file for AOS and ROC.

What are your opinions of our situation? Any input will be much appreciated.

you don t have to worry about anything the most important is to have a joint tax return for 2011 and 2012 and your evidences are good to go . good luck to you.

Edited March 3, 2013 by fabilious

[KdRjN 2]

Hello everyone!

I came to the US on K-1 at the end of 2010, got married in Feb 2011 and my AOS was approved (without and interview) in June 2011.

I will be filling for ROC later this month and am currently gathering evidence.

My husband and I have a bona fide marriage, however, I am worried that we don't have enough evidence to prove it.

What we have:

- Apartment leases 2011-2013

- Joint tax returns for 2011 and 2012

- Car insurance with both our names on it

- Health insurance (he is the policy holder and I am a beneficiary on it)

Let me explain our financial/bank accounts situation:

He makes three times as much as I do.

He owns a checking and a savings account. We own a joint checking and savings account but I use it as my own bank account (he doesn't use it, even though his name is on it).

His paychecks get deposited into his bank account and my paychecks get deposited into our joint account.

He pays rent and all our bills directly from his bank account and I pay for groceries directly from my (our joint) bank account.

We each own credit cards but no joint credit cards.

I know this might look "suspicious" to USCIS (and maybe to those of you who have all your bank accounts and your money joint with your spouses), but it works PERFECTLY for us and we didn't see the need to join our money and accounts and make it less convenient for us, just to generate proof for USCIS. I can send USCIS statements of our joint account but it only has my transactions on them.

We haven't been able to go on many vacations, only weekend trips here and there so we don't have any flight itineraries to show. When we check into hotels, they only require the name of the person who's paying for the room (that would be him) so we don't have any hotel bills with both our names on it). We do have pictures of us from our trips.

We don't have any children.

We don't own any property.

As previously explained, he pays all the bills so all utility bills are in his name.

He owns both of our cars.

We don't have life insurance, 401k or any other retirement plans.

We are an average happy married couple, with not much proof of our marriage on paper, but it is a true marriage. I am worried that USCIS will not be satisfied with our evidence, though, especially since we don't handle our finances jointly like most couples who file for AOS and ROC.

What are your opinions of our situation? Any input will be much appreciated.

i have the same situation and also i have added her name in my account few weeks ago (joint) but it made me worry bec USCIS might think it is just like a red flag bec i did it almost time to fill up the ROC i m thinking not to send the paper that we just have joint account together if they need it i can send it later thats better than to make them think (uscis)

any advise?

Edited March 3, 2013 by KdRjN

[polarbear2010 0]

here's what I send in JUNE 2012

Joint tax returns 2011-2012

residential phone bill-only my name-feb.2012

phone bill-both names

joint bank account-May 2012-credit cards

I got FRE in January 2013 it says all of the evidence I submitted was dated recently and does not cover the entire 2 year marriage period with the exception of tax returns.We do have checking and savings account but not joint account and I did not care about since my husband is the one paying for all the expenses.He own a house,business but in trust deed (from previous marriage he is widow)that's why my name is not on it.

When I received the rfe,We right away call the Gas,electric,att,and car insurance to add my name on his account and also I add his name in my checking and savings account and he add my name on him too.So,i responded the rfe in feb.12 with all the joint bills,joint bank account,my 2012 W2,his 2012 W2,copy of lease of our tenants that I am the property manager of the building. yesterday I received a letter from USCIS that they approved and my 10 yr green card is on its way.

The evidence I submitted was all dated February but my husband made a letter explaining why he didn't add my name on his bank accts,house,business,bills etc.

[Done--Really 331]

"I got FRE in January 2013 it says all of the evidence I submitted was dated recently and does not cover the entire 2 year marriage period with the exception of tax returns."

That is the most important thing I have seen so far from the various RFE's, and it reemphasizes what so many have said about sending in lots of examples covering the entire period since the GC was issued !! Certainly not every page of every bank statement for two years, but definitely sample statements for example starting from when the GC was first issued thorugh today.

And it also suggests that adding our spouse's name to accounts, leases, bills, etc should be made as early as possible. I think we all suspected this, but to actually have it spelled out in an RFE adds weight to our beliefs.

Edited March 3, 2013 by magical

[markiweiss49 4]

i have sent in every joint savings and checking accounts statements since we were marry for the last two years. i have sent in all the transactions on our joint accounts and it covers for the last two years and part of year 2013. i also sent in every electric, cable, phone bills with both of our names which covers for two years and also part of year 2013. joint income tax returns for 2011, 2012 with tax transcripts. also copies of medical insurance with both of our names on it. i also sent in alot of evendice of our happy marriage.i have sent in really alot of evidence. but i am sure that uscis would come up with something to send me RFE. same thing with my wife's AOS. i have sent in alot of evendice and they still sent us a RFE.the funny thing about my wife's AOS[RFE], the evendice that they wanted from us was already sent in with the AOS application. so, we sent it in again and my wife's greencard was approved. like i have said early, we have sent in alot of evidence withe the 1-751 application. some members think that you should not send in alot of evidence becaused they feel that the uscis officer would be upset. however, on the 1-751 instructions, it states that you can send in as much evidence as you want to proof that you have a good faith marriage. so that's what we did with our ROC package, lots and lots of evidence. good luck to everyone that is waiting for their approval for their 10 year greencard.