Documents to Prove Family Relationship

[knateknapp 0]

Hi,

I'm filing the I-130 for my wife. We're both living here in Ukraine (I'm American. She's Ukrainian.).
I have a question about the documents that need to be submitted with the i-130 that prove that we're married.
Here's the list that's given in the i-130 instructions:

a. A copy of your marriage certificate. (We have this, translated into English, and both copies, Ukrainian and English translation, notarized and apostilled.)

b. If either you or your spouse were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated. (Not applicable to us.)

c. A passport-style color photo of yourself and a passport-style color photo of your spouse, taken within 30 days of the date of this petition. (No problem.)

d. A completed and signed Form G-325A for both of us. (No problem.)

NOTE: In addition to the required documentation listed above, you should submit one or more of the following types of documentation that may evidence the bona fides of your marriage;

WE HAVE NONE OF THE FOLLOWING

e. Documentation showing joint ownership or property.

f. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence.

g. Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources.

h. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together. (not applicable to us)

i. Affidavits sworn to by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship.

j. Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

So my question is, what can we do? Is it absolutely necessary to have one of these things? We have an apartment together, but it's only in her name, because they only allowed us to put one name on the lease.
Anyway, thanks in advance for your help/advice.

-Nate

[JnRMo 16]

Submit photos of you together, photos of you and her family if possible, her with your family if possible.

I also submitted copies of some skype transcripts (I like skype log view) and other communications.

Do you have a 401k? Investment of any kind? Life insurance through work? You could set her as a beneficiary on these and submit copies of documentation showing that.

Do you have any bills in your name sent to that address?

Edited April 26, 2014 by JnRMo

[Abby&Mario 100]

Don't stress. Most people get nervous at this stage thinking they don't have what USCIS wants to see. But most people whose marriages are new aren't going to have the things on the list. We did not have a joint bank account, a lease together or any proof that we actually lived in the same apartment, property owned together or kids. But we do live abroad together, like you and your wife. Here's what we included that lead to approval:

Copy of our new family health insurance plan plus the translation that I did, copy of my Colombian spouse visa, copy of boarding passes from flights taken together, copies of stamps in our passports evidencing visits to each other's countries, sales order for the wedding rings I bought, proof that he paid for a class I took (printout from his bank statement online, receipt and a copy of my student I.D. card), photos spanning 2010-2014 with friends and family including our wedding day, a printout of the history of our Gmail communication (I searched his e-mail in Gmail and printed one page from each year to give a sample--not actual e-mails/chats, just the list that shows up), and e-mails with a wedding planner for our future renewal of vows plus receipt of payment to them. We also had notarized affidavits from his parents and my parents. They don't have to be notarized, but we did it anyway.

Focus on proving time spent together physically. And if you've bought anything for her or she's bought anything for you and you can prove it, go ahead and include that too. Throw in some pictures and you're probably good to go. You can print them out several to a page on regular white printer paper if you want. We included everything we could to avoid RFEs, and it worked. Good luck!