I-751 evidence (or lack thereof)

[∞♥ 17]

Hi,

Getting ready to start putting our paperwork together (again.)

I noticed a lot of the evidence includes joint everything. Are joint accounts required?

I don't have my wife's name on the mortgage, car/insurance (she doesn't drive,) or bills. She's listed as my beneficiary for retirement, bank account/property and she is covered under my health insurance...and we have filed joint taxes even though she doesn't work.

Since she doesn't work and if something should happen to me, I really don't want her (potentialy) stuck with things she can't pay for.

Will I have any problems with this?

Also, since she doesn't work, should I keep her name off of the utilities as well?

Thanks in advance.

∞♥

[Caryh 5,206]

You don't need to put her on a bunch of utility bills, these rarely show both parties any way. You don't really need all those things either, they're just helpful in showing evidence.

The evidence you have is great evidence, and you can supplement it with a state ID showing the same address as your driver's license. Mail addressed to you or her to that address, and mail addressed to both of you. Dated pictures together, affidavits of friends and family, particularly your family. Basically anything that shows you're a married couple, heck I sent mailings from our church addressed to us both. My wife wasn't on the home loan, but I did get her added to the home deed. So she's not responsible for the loan, but she does have ownership in the home. If you haven't done that, its a bit late to start now, but you did mention she's listed on property.

I think you're going to be fine, just fill in some of those other areas that don't have to do with joint accounts. Some people get through the ROC with very little evidence, some it seems to take a bit more.

[∞♥ 17]

Thanks for the info Caryh!

[BBCC 16]

Hi,

Getting ready to start putting our paperwork together (again.)

I noticed a lot of the evidence includes joint everything. Are joint accounts required?

I don't have my wife's name on the mortgage, car/insurance (she doesn't drive,) or bills. She's listed as my beneficiary for retirement, bank account/property and she is covered under my health insurance...and we have filed joint taxes even though she doesn't work.

∞♥

You could add your spouse to the vehicle title. She doesn't need a driver license or insurance to legally own it. That would look good.

They will want to see a joint lease or mortgage. If that isn't an option, you may want to do a little research around the forum to see if/how folks have been approved without that. But it is high on their list of evidence of financial co-mingling.

Joint taxes work great. We just used copies of the returns but some here swear that you must have transcripts from the IRS.

The joint health insurance document is good.

If she doesn't have a driver license, you can get her a state ID card at the local motor vehicle department. Photocopy that and your driver license at the same address is good evidence.

We included the most recent bank statement with both names showing a joint account. It was enough for the approval of our petition.

We didn't use utility bills, photos, travel itineraries or sworn affidavits from neighbors as we had read an old post from someone who has processed applications and claimed that these are not relevant to them. If you have what they consider primary evidence, you'll be fine without these.

Edited June 25, 2014 by BBCC

[∞♥ 17]

Thanks BBCC!