My first RFE for I-751 help needed

[ghostinthemachine 70]

7 hours ago, ACalmCountry said:

The original lease agreement is just her. Before we were married. Several years before.I’m not listed. But I may include it anyway with explanation. 

How was it determined that you also moved in and that you two are sharing the space now? Has there been no amended lease to include your name at all? 

 

If you really have none of the "typical" evidence re: leases, perhaps your landlord would be able to write up a statement for you guys that you can include?

 

Forgive me if this has already been discussed - I only skimmed through some of the previous 5 pages.

[ACalmCountry 17]

17 hours ago, OldUser said:

Outside of paperwork for immigration, here are the other important benefits of being on lease:

- If your spouse has an argument with you, she cannot kick you out of the place since you're listed as a tenant on lease. I know this doesn't happen in happy marriages and the chances are low.

- If your spouse dies or abandons you, the landlord can kick you out of the place since you're not a tenant on agreement

- You're not building history, and without it renting in your name would be harder in the future.

 

It's never late to include yourself on that lease, I highly recommend it. Saving a few hundred bucks is not worth it.

 

Also, there's always a chance USCIS can send agents to talk to property manager / receptionist / landlord. If they don't have a clue you live there or don't have any paperwork to support that, USCIS may be skeptical you actually live there.

 

Not having a joint lease / mortgage is one of the little red flags that weakens your case. It's possible to get approved without it, but why making it more difficult?

 

 

I am listed on every years certification that I have lived there. My daughter is listed on there too There is no lease agreement as such. The original lease agreement was her living in a completely different apartment ( same complex) so I’m not sure how I could be added to it. As I mentioned previously there are no lease agreements just yearly income certifications which do show us all as tenants and are signed. 

[ACalmCountry 17]

@OldUser I do understand 100 percent what you are saying. This lease stuff has been the source of the majority of my stress. So much so that the letter I asked my landlord to write I hadn’t even opened till just now. Your response actually prompted me to finally open it I’ve been too nervous to do so. Well I just read it and it’s not what I need at all. It appears he hasn’t understood. He has not explained why we don’t have a lease agreement and also he has mentioned me being a tenant there since 2020 when in fact I had moved in of December 2018. Perhaps I wasn’t added to the certification until then who knows I would have to check. We were married in Feb 2019 and I think by the time the next certification was done I was added and signed. So now I’m in a bind. The combination of your response and reading his has be extremely stressed again. I still have time. I will have to go back and see him again it appears. Thanks @OldUser it’s not as though I wasn’t aware of what you are saying I have been very aware of the lease issue. But your response today prompted me to read his letter which I had been avoiding. Whilst I am now freaking out at least I can try and get this resolved on Monday when he’s back in the office. 

[ACalmCountry 17]

The timeline went something like this ; arrived in December 2018 on k1 visa. Married in Feb 2019 . At the next certification was added I think will have to check the income certifications he gave me. So I will have to ask him if I can be added to the original lease. Or if not at the very least  I need an explanation written for uscis of why we don’t have lease agreements. He had offered to put his number in there too. This would be the second or third time I’ve been back to him. He’s very friendly and knows us fairly well but it’s 

stressful having to keep doing this. I thought I explained pretty clearly last time. I didn’t even ask him for an affidavit of support just an explanation of the non use of lease agreements. 

[ghostinthemachine 70]

3 hours ago, ACalmCountry said:

The timeline went something like this ; arrived in December 2018 on k1 visa. Married in Feb 2019 . At the next certification was added I think will have to check the income certifications he gave me. So I will have to ask him if I can be added to the original lease. Or if not at the very least  I need an explanation written for uscis of why we don’t have lease agreements. He had offered to put his number in there too. This would be the second or third time I’ve been back to him. He’s very friendly and knows us fairly well but it’s 

stressful having to keep doing this. I thought I explained pretty clearly last time. I didn’t even ask him for an affidavit of support just an explanation of the non use of lease agreements. 

Either way getting added to the lease now will not specifically help in showing that you were properly living together at the same address for all these months imho, although I'd probably still try to get this done if it were me. 

 

In terms of having your landlord write a letter explaining the living situation/leases/income verification thing... What I would suggest is researching and writing a sample for him. Then when you go speak to him again explain what exactly it is you need and why, offer to show him a sample letter of what's needed, tell him you'd be fine with him making use of said sample letter or use it as a guideline at least. This takes some of the ambiguity of it all out of the equation - landlord probably isn't as clued in this whole immigration stuff as we all are as we're literally living through it. Make it easy for him to give you what you need. 

[ACalmCountry 17]

4 minutes ago, ghostinthemachine said:

Either way getting added to the lease now will not specifically help in showing that you were properly living together at the same address for all these months imho, although I'd probably still try to get this done if it were me. 

 

In terms of having your landlord write a letter explaining the living situation/leases/income verification thing... What I would suggest is researching and writing a sample for him. Then when you go speak to him again explain what exactly it is you need and why, offer to show him a sample letter of what's needed, tell him you'd be fine with him making use of said sample letter or use it as a guideline at least. This takes some of the ambiguity of it all out of the equation - landlord probably isn't as clued in this whole immigration stuff as we all are as we're literally living through it. Make it easy for him to give you what you need. 

Thanks yes I agree with that advice. It’s what I was thinking myself. We do have an ace up our sleeve in that we have a former landlord who also knew us well. He was the landlord during part of the time in question. So my first port of call will be to call him and ask a few questions. But yes, formulating what I need in a statement is crucial. It will also be helpful for myself to write down exactly what I need to get this done before I talk to him. Thanks so much for your thoughtful advice I really appreciate it. 

[ACalmCountry 17]

On 1/20/2024 at 5:30 PM, ACalmCountry said:

Thanks yes I agree with that advice. It’s what I was thinking myself. We do have an ace up our sleeve in that we have a former landlord who also knew us well. He was the landlord during part of the time in question. So my first port of call will be to call him and ask a few questions. But yes, formulating what I need in a statement is crucial. It will also be helpful for myself to write down exactly what I need to get this done before I talk to him. Thanks so much for your thoughtful advice I really appreciate it. 

Ok so I’m having trouble reaching the old landlord. Panicking a little. Need to get things straight in my head. What would you guys do in my shoes? 
Assuming I can get myself added to the lease. Or even if I can’t  because let’s face it that doesn’t prove we were living together for the probation  period which is what they will be mostly focused on.

What kind of statement would I need from the landlord? 
In my mind the first statement would be to state that we have been living together with our daughter ( since the first date that they have on file for myself being added In the income certification?)

this is where I’m getting frazzled. The first landlord is the one who wrote a statement similar to my above example although he didn’t mention my wife and child. He could only really go on the date he has on file. Just said “has been living here as early as” and then the date. The date he mentioned is within the probationary period. But it’s after our marriage. But if that’s what he has on file that’s what he has. 

 

 

 

Or alternatively I write up a statement stating that I have been living with her from the moment I arrived  here , that we were married two months after arriving and continue to live together.

 

Both statements are true. Hence my dilemma. If I can’t get on to the old landlord I’ll have to go back to our new one and get him to write a new statement as the one he wrote doesn’t cover what I need. 
 

If the original lease with just her name on it and the income certifications each year with all our names on it is what we have. I guess I would have to explain why I didn’t add myself to the lease. There was no real reason just never worried about it. When the time came to do recertification I was called to the office with my wife and signed. Did that every year right up till now. But uscis wants a lease agreement so this is a huge concern. I will need to explain a few things but just getting down what I need to cover ( especially now in my heightened state of stress isn’t easy! )

[ACalmCountry 17]

Spoke to my older landlord today. It appears my wife did add me to the lease when I moved in. Thank god, Huge weight lifted off me!    Now I can focus on putting the package together this weekend. Thanks again to everyone here who’s been helping me I really appreciate it. 

[ACalmCountry 17]

Ok so I have the lease and a statement saying when I was added to it and that we have been exceptional tenants. It’s dated for 2021 which was when I was added. Not sure why we waited until two years into the marriage but that year falls within my probationary period so that’s fine.  I’m still a little stessed though. Will the statement dated 2024 from my landlord saying I was added in 2021 be enough. Looking at the lease it says term will end 2021. So it’s a lease for one year. If that’s the first year I was added that’s fine. But do I need other years? Or is that being the original lease that we signed together enough. 

[ACalmCountry 17]

27 minutes ago, ACalmCountry said:

Ok so I have the lease and a statement saying when I was added to it and that we have been exceptional tenants. It’s dated for 2021 which was when I was added. Not sure why we waited until two years into the marriage but that year falls within my probationary period so that’s fine.  I’m still a little stessed though. Will the statement dated 2024 from my landlord saying I was added in 2021 be enough. Looking at the lease it says term will end 2021. So it’s a lease for one year. If that’s the first year I was added that’s fine. But do I need other years? Or is that being the original lease that we signed together enough. 

Ignore this post. Problem sorted 

[ACalmCountry 17]

On 11/28/2023 at 2:46 PM, Rocio0010 said:

This was our package. We were approved without an interview. See if it helps.

 

 

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 xxxxxand xxxxxxxxxx old drivers’ licenses showing joint residence at xxxxxxxxx

Copy of xxxx Knotts’s 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 😧 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 H:  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 I:  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

Copy of wedding pics.

Include some of everyday pics already sent with AOS.

 

Exhibit O: 

Copies of greeting cards, letters and packages from family and friends addressed to us throughout the years

Hi if i may ask another quick question. I notice that you had bank statements from Chase for each year and month. But you also had a Chase Deposit Account Balance summary.  We have a Chase account and have already printed out all our statements but i can't seem to find much about that  Deposit Account Balance summary.  Any idea how i download that online from Chase? 

[ghostinthemachine 70]

1 hour ago, ACalmCountry said:

Hi if i may ask another quick question. I notice that you had bank statements from Chase for each year and month. But you also had a Chase Deposit Account Balance summary.  We have a Chase account and have already printed out all our statements but i can't seem to find much about that  Deposit Account Balance summary.  Any idea how i download that online from Chase? 

This is typically something a banker can print for you in branch. If you can't go in person perhaps sending a secure message asking for it might work too? We tried to get a similar statement from Chase before, but there's no branches in HI and as such so had no luck. If you have statements showing both your names from them I'd argue this isn't necessarily gonna add much though anyway in my opinion.

[ACalmCountry 17]

3 hours ago, ghostinthemachine said:

This is typically something a banker can print for you in branch. If you can't go in person perhaps sending a secure message asking for it might work too? We tried to get a similar statement from Chase before, but there's no branches in HI and as such so had no luck. If you have statements showing both your names from them I'd argue this isn't necessarily gonna add much though anyway in my opinion.

Thanks. Yeah it probably is overkill but i'll message them Monday see if i can get it won't hurt to try. Thanks so much for your help.

[ACalmCountry 17]

Just the photos to go now. I've been working on my cover letter all day. It's far too long currently. There is no real right or wrong with cover letters i know so i'm trying not to stress too much about it.  

 

Thanks again for everyone's help in this thread. 

[Rocio0010 5,573]

23 hours ago, ACalmCountry said:

Hi if i may ask another quick question. I notice that you had bank statements from Chase for each year and month. But you also had a Chase Deposit Account Balance summary.  We have a Chase account and have already printed out all our statements but i can't seem to find much about that  Deposit Account Balance summary.  Any idea how i download that online from Chase? 

I went to the branch and requested one. 

To be honest with you, it probably was an overkill.