bona fides of marriage

[fulton80 0]

I'm kind of confused about the CR-1 visa process. Am I really supposed to send evidence of my relationship with my wife to the NVC, besides our marriage certificate? The cover sheet doesn't specifically ask for anything like that. From what I read "Proof of relationship" is under financial evidence, to show the relationship between the petitioner and any household co-sponsors.

[JFH 12,196]

There is a difference between 'proof' and 'evidence'. The I-130 asks for evidence of an ongoing, bona fide relationship to ensure that the immigrant isn't committing immigration fraud by marrying someone purely to get a green card. The onus is on you (and your wife) to demonstrate that the primary reason for filing is because you love each other so much you can't bear to be apart.

Some examples of things that are considered evidence of a bona fide relationship are mentioned on the I-130 instruction sheet but there is no limit to what paper evidence you send. Depending on where your wife is from, you may need dozens of things to demonstrate that this is a genuine marriage.

'Proof of relationship' applies at the NVC stage where household members must prove their legal family connection to the sponsor such as marriage or birth certificate. USCIS wants evidence, not proof. There is no proof that the marriage is bona fide since proof relates to official, government documents and there is no such document that guarantees you and your wife are genuinely in love. But there are evidence forms that you can send to demonstrate this.

Edited November 3, 2016 by JFH

[Michael and Ganna 105]

Is she on any bank accounts, car insurance, with her name, lease agreements, and ect? Got a couple new photos? They realize you are newly-weds...you may not have too much....

[JenniferNangel 137]

I front loaded my husband i130 with evidence but it's not required. We gave over 80 pics and 19 pages of screenshots from our whatsapp and imo. We didn't have anything for comingling of finances but I'm still in my husband country an we planned to start our life in USA not here. We both wrote a letter stating the evolution of our relationship and I had a affidavit from my mother of knowing about our plan to marry and our relationship. We didn't have any problems considering DR is a high fraud country, he has his visa and our plane tickets for next week

[Kastrs 723]

At the NVC stage some people (myself included) choose to add additional ongoing relationship evidence. This can be helpful if you are going through one of the more difficult embassies and have some new information such as visits to each other, but is in no way necessary.

[Mary Lou 682]

I just sent my husbands I-130 in on Oct 31 and i also front loaded it. Plane tickets, boarding passes, visa stamps, hotel receipts, 50+ pictures, western union receipts, phone records that span our entire relationship of 2 and a half years, emails, I was able to add him to my checking account, so proof of that too. We also wrote a letter of the progression of our relationship. Just waiting for the NOA1 now. My package i sent weighed over 2lbs, overkill? Maybe but it doesn't hurt to try.

Edited November 4, 2016 by Mary Lou