NVC STAGE: PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP

[MR-RA 0]

Good day guys!

I just would like to ask what proof of relationship do we need to submit in NVC since we already sent proofs during the USCIS stage. Do we still need to send the photos and the documentation we once sent to USCIS?

Thank you!

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

You do not need to send anything, but if you have new evidence- say you visited again during the process- then you can send that, or bring it to the interview.

[B&Z 201]

"Proof of relationship" at the NVC stage mostly refers to family-based visas (like a parent filing for a child, sibling for sibling, etc). If you're filing for a spouse, that would mean sending in a marriage certificate.

[nycmycity 3]

B&Z answered it. However, just to be more elaborate, if you look at the Document cover sheet that is asking for proof of relationship, it is asking for proof of relationship under the "Financial documents." Therefore, it is not asking for the relationship between you and the spouse, but asking for the proof of relationship if you, say, have a joint sponsor who is an immediate relative and has filled the I-864A. In that case you would need to provide the proof of relationship between you and the joint sponsor (only if he is filling I-864A and not I-864).

Good luck!

Edited October 7, 2016 by nycmycity

[MR-RA 0]

B&Z answered it. However, just to be more elaborate, if you look at the Document cover sheet that is asking for proof of relationship, it is asking for proof of relationship under the "Financial documents." Therefore, it is not asking for the relationship between you and the spouse, but asking for the proof of relationship if you, say, have a joint sponsor who is an immediate relative and has filled the I-864A. In that case you would need to provide the proof of relationship between you and the joint sponsor (only if he is filling I-864A and not I-864).

Good luck!

Thank you so much! Now I clearly understand At first I thought we'll be sending again the same proof as with the uscis stage.

[JFH 12,189]

B&Z answered it. However, just to be more elaborate, if you look at the Document cover sheet that is asking for proof of relationship, it is asking for proof of relationship under the "Financial documents." Therefore, it is not asking for the relationship between you and the spouse, but asking for the proof of relationship if you, say, have a joint sponsor who is an immediate relative and has filled the I-864A. In that case you would need to provide the proof of relationship between you and the joint sponsor (only if he is filling I-864A and not I-864).

Good luck!

Thank you! This has to be the most commonly misunderstood part of the NVC process. People see "proof of relationship" and think they have to send 4 years of chat messages and a bundle of photos. But as you have pointed out (and I also regularly point out) it forms part of the AOS package and relates to household members of sponsors/joint sponsors.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Step_4_Collect_Financial_Documents.html

Proof of relationship If you completed Form I-864A, submit evidence that proves your relationship to the sponsor (the person who filed Form I-864). You can prove your relationship by submitting a photocopy of one of the documents below:

Birth certificate;

Marriage certificate;

Adoption certificate;

The petitioner or joint sponsors most recent Federal Income Tax Returns, if you are listed as a dependent; or

A signed, written statement describing the relationship.

Note that it says "proof of relationship". Chat logs, photos, tickets, receipts for restaurants, hotels and rings are not "proof" of relationship, they are evidence. Big difference. When USCIS and NVC talk about proof, they mean official documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates. When they talk about evidence they mean communication, photos, receipts, etc.

[MR-RA 0]

Thank you! This has to be the most commonly misunderstood part of the NVC process. People see "proof of relationship" and think they have to send 4 years of chat messages and a bundle of photos. But as you have pointed out (and I also regularly point out) it forms part of the AOS package and relates to household members of sponsors/joint sponsors.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Step_4_Collect_Financial_Documents.html

Proof of relationship If you completed Form I-864A, submit evidence that proves your relationship to the sponsor (the person who filed Form I-864). You can prove your relationship by submitting a photocopy of one of the documents below:

Birth certificate;

Marriage certificate;

Adoption certificate;

The petitioner or joint sponsors most recent Federal Income Tax Returns, if you are listed as a dependent; or

A signed, written statement describing the relationship.

Note that it says "proof of relationship". Chat logs, photos, tickets, receipts for restaurants, hotels and rings are not "proof" of relationship, they are evidence. Big difference. When USCIS and NVC talk about proof, they mean official documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates. When they talk about evidence they mean communication, photos, receipts, etc.

Thank you for the answer! Now I can start collecting documents