Proof of bona fide marriage

[wtrav 34]

I've seen posts where people were advised that it's okay to enter the US on a tourist visa and marry as long as they go back to their home country and apply for CR1. However, how can you show proof of bonafide marriage if you just married and left? I read the CR1 instructions and besides the affidavids by third parties I cannot really think of any other evidence. What else can be provided?

Edited January 23, 2018 by wtrav

[dwheels76 5,468]

Those of us who live apart show proof of ongoing relationship with our communication phone logs, IM's, Text, social media posting, pictures with family when we visited, wedding pics, affidavits from family and or friends who can attest to our relationship. You might have got a bank account together either their or here. Really there's alot.

[bakphx1 789]

You want to establish a timeline... showing communication from the time you met, visits, the wedding.  Pictures and travel documents are first.  Any communication, not the actual conversations going back to the beginning, but printouts of random communication showing a regular flow.  Putting the beneficiary on insurance plan, joint tax returns, etc.  Essentially try and get 1) proof of visits 2) pictures - showing a span of time and ideally with each other's family 3) financial - harder when you are newlyweds, but any shared expenses, insurance coverage, bank accounts 4) communications - something to show you talked to each other regularly.  Affidavits are the least impactful.  Throw a few in if you can get them. 

[wtrav 34]

Thanks! So basically we can provide the same evidence as if we do the K1?

 

I was concerned as all examples of bonafide marriage that I saw are something that we cannot provide at that point, such as:

1.	Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or
2.	A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or
3.	Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or
4.	Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together

 

Do you think it would be harder to have the CR1 petition approved over the K1? I will be visiting him in 3 weeks and we're just trying to figure out which route is safer to take. 

 

Background: We've seen each other 2 times in the past 6 months. Spent about 4 weeks in total together. Have sufficient evidence such as passport stamps, boarding passes, bank statements showing restaurant expenses and hotel invoices.

Edited January 23, 2018 by wtrav

[bakphx1 789]

3 hours ago, wtrav said:

Thanks! So basically we can provide the same evidence as if we do the K1?

 

I was concerned as all examples of bonafide marriage that I saw are something that we cannot provide at that point, such as:

1.	Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or
2.	A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or
3.	Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or
4.	Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together

 

Do you think it would be harder to have the CR1 petition approved over the K1? I will be visiting him in 3 weeks and we're just trying to figure out which route is safer to take. 

 

Background: We've seen each other 2 times in the past 6 months. Spent about 4 weeks in total together. Have sufficient evidence such as passport stamps, boarding passes, bank statements showing restaurant expenses and hotel invoices.

Make a few babies to show the CO and you'll be fine.  Just kidding here!!

 

Yes, I was worried about the things you listed the first time I saw them as well.  But if you are married less than two years, and not living in the same country, they know you won't have joint tenancy, etc.  It was more like K1 info, as you say.  We all second guess ourselves and I did as well, but it was fine. 

 

After I talked to a couple of attorneys about the K1 visa process before doing anything, after doing the CR1 and having read VJ over the past year or so, I will say it's a no-brainer.  CR1 is the way to go.  It used to be K1 got your fiancé here in a few months, but these days, the process is almost as long as the CR1.   Then, you have the issue of the fiancée/spouse here as a tourist, essentially, and most find themselves feeling lonely (spouse will work), isolated and depressed quickly.  It's very hard to tell that to a couple longing to be together, but sitting around the house for six moths is no fun, away from family and friends.  Especially for someone who was busy and felt they had purpose before.   Worse if you depend on the second income.

 

It seems like those few months will be an eternity, but they go by fast with deadlines things to do, and getting a Social Security card in 1 week and Green Card in 3 weeks was so nice.  I have a couple of friends who checked the mailbox for months after a K1 AOS.

 

 

[Ryan H 3,821]

4 hours ago, wtrav said:

I was concerned as all examples of bonafide marriage that I saw are something that we cannot provide at that point, such as:

1.	Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or
2.	A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or
3.	Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or
4.	Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together

 

 

Couples living apart in separate countries will not be expected or required to have any of the above.