Proof of Bonafide marriage - How many affidavits to include?

[ScottishTom 2]

Hey, 

 

USCIS doesn't seem to have any guidance on the amount of affidavits one should include as part of the proof of a bonafide marriage. Upon conversation, we have around 40 people we could ask who have known us both for almost the duration of our relationship, including parents, close family and close friends.  I feel like 40 affidavits might be overkill, but does anyone have any recommendations on roughly how many we should include, knowing we have a wealth of them to pull from?  I want to start gathering this documentation now, as getting other people to put together information always takes longer than you initially expect!

 

[bakphx1 789]

Affidavits are the least important piece of the package and some feel a total waste of time.  Focus on pictures, communication and if you have any financial minglings, that too.  Travel documents to see each other.  Maybe 3 affidavits to round it out, but they won’t be the focus of the package.

[PollyC 119]

3 minutes ago, ScottishTom said:

Hey, 

 

USCIS doesn't seem to have any guidance on the amount of affidavits one should include as part of the proof of a bonafide marriage. Upon conversation, we have around 40 people we could ask who have known us both for almost the duration of our relationship, including parents, close family and close friends.  I feel like 40 affidavits might be overkill, but does anyone have any recommendations on roughly how many we should include, knowing we have a wealth of them to pull from?  I want to start gathering this documentation now, as getting other people to put together information always takes longer than you initially expect!

 

 

When i filed my applications i just attached some photos.

During the interview I added the following:

1. joint bank account statement

2. phone bill 

3. healthcare

4. car insurance

5. flight ticket copy that we visited each other

6. gift receipt that i bought for my husband

7. copy of the letter's envelope that our friends and family mailed to us

 

 

[ScottishTom 2]

Oh ok, thats good to know. We have pretty much everything else imaginable and almost everything else I have seen recommended, but I wanted to add affidavits to just to make it as strong as possible, but maybe you're right, maybe nor more than 3 are needed.

[ScottishTom 2]

Just now, PollyC said:

 

When i filed my applications i just attached some photos.

During the interview I added the following:

1. joint bank account statement

2. phone bill 

3. healthcare

4. car insurance

5. flight ticket copy that we visited each other

6. gift receipt that i bought for my husband

7. copy of the letter's envelope that our friends and family mailed to us

 

 

Thats also good to know, we have everything on that list so far, as well as leases, other insurance policies, and probably around 500 pictures to chose from!

[amdublin14 51]

4 minutes ago, ScottishTom said:

Thats also good to know, we have everything on that list so far, as well as leases, other insurance policies, and probably around 500 pictures to chose from!

We only submitted 3 affidavits, and I wrote a letter detailing our relationship history. We sent maybe 15 photos, and copies of travel reservations, maybe 3 pages of chats (pulled over a number of years), and copies of handwritten letters (including the envelopes with dates), ring receipts, and the program from our wedding. I think a variety of quality documentation will be more helpful than a huge quantity one type. Best of luck!

[ScottishTom 2]

6 minutes ago, amdublin14 said:

We only submitted 3 affidavits, and I wrote a letter detailing our relationship history. We sent maybe 15 photos, and copies of travel reservations, maybe 3 pages of chats (pulled over a number of years), and copies of handwritten letters (including the envelopes with dates), ring receipts, and the program from our wedding. I think a variety of quality documentation will be more helpful than a huge quantity one type. Best of luck!

I was taking the approach of a huge quantity of everything lol, but maybe thats not the best approach!

[amdublin14 51]

1 minute ago, ScottishTom said:

I was taking the approach of a huge quantity of everything lol, but maybe thats not the best approach!

I'm sure everyone has done it a bit differently, but I remember being told not to bombard them with photos and chats... I think it honestly depends on your relationship and preference. Really the burden is on you to show evidence, so by all means provide a large quantity of documents. I just focused on making sure we had all of the types of evidence for each year we had been together, to show a continuous relationship timeline. So you have some discretion with what to provide, I just wouldn't suggest sending all 500, or even 100, of your photos  

[PollyC 119]

23 minutes ago, ScottishTom said:

Thats also good to know, we have everything on that list so far, as well as leases, other insurance policies, and probably around 500 pictures to chose from!

 

Oh wow then you’re good to go!  

[geowrian 22,337]

The key is quality evidence, not a quantity of it. Affidavits carry very little to no weight...if you were light on other evidence, then it's better to include it than nothing. But with the items you've noted, I don't think they would have an impact on the total case.

It won't hurt to include them, especially if you already have them, but otherwise I'd focus on presenting other quality evidence.

[cyclone27 710]

No one ever submits any less than stellar affidavits so not really much can be learned.

 

We never bothered with any.

[Kevin&Kanyanat 172]

We had approx 100 photos. 

Certified copy of marriage license

chat logs but just the previous month. 

I included copy of bank statement showing my wife is on my checking account, listed on my health insurance and bennificiary on my investments and tax transcripts that we filed jointly.  In addition to all the required documents