PROOF OF MARRIAGE

[us2go 0]

Hi guys, I have been reading the pinned post on applying for a CR1 visa bit have a couple of queries.

It is mentioned that evidence of a bona fide marriage is required, not just a marriage certificate.  My  wife and I decided when we got married that there would not be a name change.  We are a same sex couple and decided we would both maintain our 'maiden' names, so there is no documentation showing that process after our wedding.  
As I am living in London and my wife in the US, we have not amalgamated any financial arrangements, we were going to deal with all of that when I had a visa,   and have each maintained our own bank accounts in our own countries.  Tax forms etc have also been dealt with separately.   

The rent on the property my wife lives in and which I visit. is in her name as the renting process did not allow for my name to be attached to it as I was not resident.  I do send money to help with the cost but do this via online money transfer sites and there is no proof that the purpose of the money is not just a gift etc.  
 

There are several people, (relatives and friends) who have been aware of the relationship between my wife and I and who can state we are married but would their word, via a sworn affidavit, be sufficient?  Would a letter from the person who married us be useful? What other evidence could we provide to show this is genuine.  

The process for obtaining this visa takes up to 2yrs it seems so I dont want to add to the time by messing up the evidence and would appreciate whatever advice you can give.  Thanks a lot  

[JeanneAdil 6,540]

The USC would file tax returns as married leaving off the ss # to show married

 

UK is not high fraud so commingling of fiances is not as important as for other countries

affidavits hold little evidence

 

when the USC applies scan the boarding passes and some photos of the 2 of u include the marriage photos ,  a letter of how u met and the dates of trips to be together

you can add entry stamps on passports if u feel the need

 

read the guides above for CR1 visa 

 

[powerpuff 6,727]

24 minutes ago, us2go said:

There are several people, (relatives and friends) who have been aware of the relationship between my wife and I and who can state we are married but would their word, via a sworn affidavit, be sufficient?  Would a letter from the person who married us be useful? 

No, that is not enough. And that is not good evidence anyway. 

 

She can add you as an authorized user on her credit cards. AMEX shows each user's transactions so it's very useful to show you both use the credit card.

 

She can also open a joint bank account at a bank that would allow that (you not being present in the US). She's going to have to do some research on which banks would do that.

 

She must file taxes as married this year. You can obtain an ITIN since you do not have an SSN 

 

Trips taken together/visiting each other (boarding passes, passport stamps, hotel receipts showing both your names, pictures etc)

 

[pushbrk 12,969]

5 hours ago, powerpuff said:

No, that is not enough. And that is not good evidence anyway. 

 

She can add you as an authorized user on her credit cards. AMEX shows each user's transactions so it's very useful to show you both use the credit card.

 

She can also open a joint bank account at a bank that would allow that (you not being present in the US). She's going to have to do some research on which banks would do that.

 

She must file taxes as married this year. You can obtain an ITIN since you do not have an SSN 

 

Trips taken together/visiting each other (boarding passes, passport stamps, hotel receipts showing both your names, pictures etc)

 

Actually, for the UK and a couple that hasn't lived together in the same country yet, commingling of finances is not expected.  They need to concentrate on evidence of time spent together in person.  Passport stamps, boarding passes and photos together will do nicely.

 

To the OP, who said additional evidence is "required", please read that part of the I-130 instructions again and you'll find the list of possible evidence categories comes after the words "In addition to the required.....should...."

Edited January 25, 2022 by pushbrk