Evidence needed for ROC - confusing language on USCIS site

[DaisyJ 35]

Hi all, 

 

We're beginning the process to remove conditions from my CR1 GC (runs out this year in Oct). Our lawyer's office have said that we only need to provide evidence with our application from the past two years, i.e., since I entered the country as a permanent resident. However, the language on the USCIS website for form I-751 seems to suggest the opposite:

 

 

Do they really need all of our previous marriage-in-good-faith evidence we submitted for the original spousal visa, alongside the evidence of us living together here in the US? I feel we have the rest of our evidence down and sorted, so this is making me panic that we have to dig up reams and reams of our messages, photos, visits etc from when we were long distance, and re-provide our marriage certificate, etc 

Edited March 25, 2023 by DaisyJ

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

You need to provide evidence for financial commingling, cohabitation and shared life and plans. 

 

Theyre are plenty of very detailed lists in the forum, whether in the guides or shared by members.

 

Chats and pictures from back when you were in a long distance marriage are not necessary.

 

Do you have a particular reason for using a lawyer to file? Because unless you have a difficult case, lawyers are not necessary. 

[DaisyJ 35]

@Allaboutwaiting Thanks for your response! Yes we have everything we need for "financial comingling, cohabitation and shared life plans", that's why USCIS's info gave me pause for concern, as its suggestive that additional, previous stuff is needed. I was trying to find more detailed lists on here too but couldn't go back far enough on the topics to find them. 

 

We opted to use a lawyer because 1. We want to get it right and 2. Our work schedules are really prohibitive for us actually having time to fill out reams of paperwork and check & double check, order & sort the evidence needed. 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

1 minute ago, DaisyJ said:

@Allaboutwaiting Thanks for your response! Yes we have everything we need for "financial comingling, cohabitation and shared life plans", that's why USCIS's info gave me pause for concern, as its suggestive that additional, previous stuff is needed. I was trying to find more detailed lists on here too but couldn't go back far enough on the topics to find them. 

 

We opted to use a lawyer because 1. We want to get it right and 2. Our work schedules are really prohibitive for us actually having time to fill out reams of paperwork and check & double check, order & sort the evidence needed. 

😊

Then you're good to go. Good luck with ROC! 

[OldUser 6,890]

6 minutes ago, DaisyJ said:

Our work schedules are really prohibitive for us actually having time to fill out reams of paperwork and check & double check, order & sort the evidence needed. 

Good luck with the paperwork! Please DO ask the lawyer for the draft copy before they file I-751 and double check everything written there. You would be surprised, but lawyers are humans and make mistakes.

 

 

[OldUser 6,890]

42 minutes ago, DaisyJ said:

re-provide our marriage certificate, etc 

Yes, I would re-provide marriage certificate.

[Mike E 11,741]

43 minutes ago, DaisyJ said:

Do they really need all of our previous marriage-in-good-faith evidence we submitted for the original spousal visa,

We submitted only stuff since the I-485 interview.

[OldUser 6,890]

In terms of providing everything since date of marriage VS only new stuff since I-485, there's two schools of thought. 

 

This forum has people who got approved by submitting everything, and people who submitted only updated information.

 

It's up to you which path you choose. The only thing I can think of, if you're already paying lawyer to file, it's likely a fixed fee. You won't incur any extra charges for extra 100 pages printed, so might as well 😃

That's what I did - send lawyer all docs from start of marriage electronically and they took care of printing and assembling the packet. Was it an overkill? The time will tell, as my petition is still pending. But I feel better knowing I followed USCIS instructions to the T.

Edited March 25, 2023 by OldUser

[DaisyJ 35]

@OldUser @Mike E Thanks both! Yes absolutely we're going to make sure we get a draft copy & double check it - we had to do this more than once with our previous via application, too! And yes I figured we'd need our wedding cert - it was just an example. Thanks again!

[Sarge2155 4,590]

10 hours ago, DaisyJ said:

@Allaboutwaiting Thanks for your response! Yes we have everything we need for "financial comingling, cohabitation and shared life plans", that's why USCIS's info gave me pause for concern, as its suggestive that additional, previous stuff is needed. I was trying to find more detailed lists on here too but couldn't go back far enough on the topics to find them. 

 

We opted to use a lawyer because 1. We want to get it right and 2. Our work schedules are really prohibitive for us actually having time to fill out reams of paperwork and check & double check, order & sort the evidence needed. 

We hope you do not find this out but using a lawyer does not always guarantee it will be done right as you say! We hope your submission is smooth and like what was pointed out to you make sure you get a complete copy in your hands for your records BEFORE it is sent off!

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

We included evidence starting when wife entered the US via her CR-1.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

I adjusted status from an F1 student visa. We did not have much evidence when I applied, because we got married in May and applied in October of the same year. Therefore, we did not have many joint bank statements, for example. So when I applied for my ROC I did include those bank statements together with the new, most recent ones. I never included any text messages or social media posts in ANY of my applications and I got approved without an interview for my initial green card. You need to focus on evidence of financial comingling and cohabitation. Here is a copy of the contents of my ROC package with my cover letter. Feel free to use any ideas or even the cover letter itself! Just make sure to double check the address where you're sending your ROC package because it might be different than the one I used. Best of luck!

 

February 4th, 2022

 

USCIS 

Attn: I-751 (Box 21200)

1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S

Suite 100 

Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850

 

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

RE: I-751 JOINT PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS ON RESIDENCE

Conditional Resident (Petitioner) : (insert your name) - SSN:xxxxxxxxxx DOB: xxxxxxxxxxx

 

U.S. Citizen Spouse:

(insert spouse's name)  SSN: 1- 1656 DOB: xxxxxxxx

 

 

Dear Sir or Madam:

Please find enclosed  a joint Form I-751 and materials to support removal of conditions on residence for my wife, xxxx xxxxxxx. USCIS granted xxxx xxxxxxxx her conditional permanent residence on April 29, 2020.

The materials, which show a merging of our personal and financial lives since marriage (May 17, 2019), are organized in exhibits A- P and tab dividers for your convenience. 

 

Thank you for your prompt processing of this petition and for what we hope is your favorable response at your earliest opportunity.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

xxxx xxxxxxx (USC spouse signature)                                                                                                                      xxxx xxxxxxxxx (your- petitioner signature)

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Exhibit A: FORM I-751

• Original xxxxxxxx Bank Personal Check, in the amount of $680.00 for payment of the I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence + Biometric fee
• Enlarged copy of USCIS Form I-551 front and back (Permanent Resident Card)
• Original Form I-751 filled and signed by xxxx and xxxx 
• Copy of form G-1145.

 

Exhibit B: MARRIAGE

• Copy of certified marriage certificate between xxxx and xxxx, showing marriage on May 17, 2019 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

 

Exhibit C COHABITATION

• Copy of Owners Title Insurance Policy with original recorded warranty deed for the property located at xxxxxxxx
• Copy of American Land Title Association Settlement Statement showing xxxx and xxxx as buyers of the property situated at xxxxxxxx. 
• Copy of Veterans United pre- approval letter showing xxxx and xxxx as pre-approved for a home loan. Dated: Jun 18, 2021 Signed by Kris Ball (Loan Officer) 
• Copies of xxxx xxxxxxx and xxxx xxxxxx current drivers’ licenses showing joint residence at xxxxxxxx
• Copies of xxxx xxxxx and xxxxxxxxxx old drivers’ licenses showing joint residence at xxxxxxxxx
• Copy of (petitioner) updated Argentinian ID listing address at xxxxxxxxx
• Copies of Spectrum (Internet) monthly statements showing xxxx as responsible for paying gas and electricity in our joint residence at xxxxxxxxx
• Copies of Columbia Gas of Ohio monthly statements showing xxxx as responsible for paying gas in our joint residence atxxxxxxxx
• Copy of lease agreement listing us as joint tenants at previous address (xxxxxxxxxx), beginning May 28, 2019 and copies of lease renewals for the same address for subsequent terms until May 31, 2022. 
• Copy of xxxx xxxxx old argentinian ID listing address at xxxxxxxxxx
• Copy of Horace Mann Insurance Company new business declaration listing us as jointly covered under renters’ insurance policy number xxxxxxx  for our residence at xxxxxxxxxxxx. Effective date: 02/02/2021. Expiration date: 02/02/2022.
• Copy of appointment reminder from veterinary addressed to both of us.

 

Exhibit D TAX RETURNS- STATE TAXES- PROPERTY TAXES

• Copies of joint IRS tax returns for 2020 and 2021.
• Copy of 2021 and 2022  Monongalia County Personal Property Return filed jointly.
• 2020 and 2021 joint West Virginia Tax receipts.

 

Exhibit E: FINANCIAL COMMINGLING

• Copies of quarterly bank statements of our joint checking account (with United Bank) since inception of the accounts on 04/19/2019 to closing of the account on xx/xx/xxxx, showing various financial co-mingling such as Veteran United payments, rent payments, car loan payments, insurance payments, grocery shopping etc.
• Copy of Chase Deposit Account Balance summary showing us as joint owners of the Chase Premier Plus Checking Account ending in 6235. Dated 10/30/2021.

 

Exhibit F: JOINT MORTGAGE STATEMENTS, UTILITIES, AND VET BILLS.

• Veterans United joint mortgage statements from August 2021 to January /2022
• Copies of the city of Southwest Licking Community Water & Sewer District statements showing us as jointly responsible for paying water in our joint residence xxxxxxxxx 
• Copies of AEP (Electric Company) monthly statements showing us as jointly responsible for paying the electric bill in our joint residence at xxxxxxxxx
• Copies of Local Waste Services monthly statements showing us as jointly responsible for paying the trash pick up in our joint residence at xxxxxxxx
• Copies veterinary bills showing us as jointly responsible for paying the veterinary bill
• Copy of note from landlord in Morgantown stating he was responsible for paying the utilities on the property rented at xxxxxxxxx  for the time period we lived there.

 

Exhibit G:  JOINT HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE OVER THE YEARS.

• Copy of xxxx’s current life insurance underwritten by Principal Life Insurance company listing xxxx as beneficiary of this insurance. 
• Copy of current  dental/ vision insurance (with Principal), via xxxx’s current employer, showing us both covered under the same insurance plan. Effective date: 08/09/2021.
• Copy of current United Health Care insurance, via xxxx’s current employer, showing us both covered under the same insurance plan.
• Public Employees Insurance Agency certification letter showing xxxx as policy holder and xxxx as covered by this insurance. 
• Copy of xxxx’s life insurance underwritten by United Omaha Life Insurance Company designating spouse xxxx as beneficiary.
• Copy of previous health insurance cards (Independence), via xxxx former employer (xxxxx), showing us both covered under the same (former) insurance plan.

 

EXHIBIT H: Special Permissions

• One Point of Care (OPOC.US) authorization for use and disclosure of private health information, providing authorization on behalf of xxxx to disclose private health information and listing xxxx as spouse.

 

 Exhibit I:  JOINT RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

• Copy of xxxx  Individual Retirement Account from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIIA) beneficiary designation letter? listing xxxx as beneficiary of the account.
• Copy of West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board Pre- Retirement Beneficiary Designation showing xxxx as member, and xxxx as beneficiary of the account. 

 

Exhibit J:  JOINT VEHICLE AND HOME INSURANCE.

• Copy of xxxx ’s xxxxxxx Vehicle Insurance Card showing xxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxxxx . Effective date: 08/18/2021. Expiration date: 02/18/2022.
• Copy of xxxx’s Vehicle Insurance Card showing xxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxx . Effective date: 08/20/2021. Expiration date: 08/20/2022/ 
• Copy of Progressive Home Advantage Insurance policy statement listing our joint residence at xxxxxx . Policy number: xxxxx. Covered from July 23, 2021 to July 23, 2022. 
• Copy of AAA (American Automobile Association) joint statement with a payment date of 11/16/2021.
• Copy of xxxx xxxx Farm Vehicle Insurance Card and Renewal Policies showing xxxx xxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxxx. Covered from February 10, 2020  to July 9,2020.
• Copy of xxxx xxxx State Farm Vehicle Insurance Card and Renewal Policies showing xxxx xxxxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxxxx. Covered from July 09, 2020  to January 09,2021.
• Copy of xxxx xxxxxx State Farm Vehicle Insurance Card and Renewal Policies showing xxxx xxxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxxx. Covered from January 09, 2021  to July 9,2021.

 

Exhibit K: JOINT MEMBERSHIPS

• Copies of Sam’s membership listing xxxx xxxxx as a complimentary member of the account.

 

Exhibit L: TRIPS TAKEN TOGETHER

• Flight reservations for our (postponed due to COVID) trip to Argentina in July 2020.

 

EXHIBIT M: EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

• West Virginia University Outpatient Face Sheet for patient xxxx listing, xxxx, as emergency contact.
• Family Vision Clinic patient sheet  for patient xxxx listing, xxxx, as emergency contact.
• Paylocity profile for xxxx, listing husband xxxx as emergency contact.
• Orthopedic ONE Patient Information sheet  for patient xxxx listing, xxxx, as emergency contact.

 

Exhibit N: PICTURES

• Copies of photos of us together at various events with family and friends throughout the years