Rittle Rabbit

Hi everyone, I have an awkward issue with my original important documents. My passport with F1-student visa and I-94 stamp got damaged real bad after I accidentally threw it in the washer . I know this is a big stupid mistake because I filed for AOS based on marriage to a US citizen in March 2011. I received text message/email and website update today that my EAD is in production. Hopefully, I will receive my interview letter in the next 3 or 4 months. I know it is required to bring all original documents with me on the interview date. For now I have uncertified copies of them all, and the original documents are still readable, just my pictures are messy, blurry and absolutely unrecognizable. What do you think I should do?

- Should I have them all replaced? i.e to get new documents before the interview? I can always apply for a new passport, file form I-102 and pay $380 to have my damaged I-94 replaced with a new one. But my (expired) student visa won't be replaced unless I go back to my home country and go through an application process for student visa at local embassy again. I really don't need nor want to do that.

- What may happen if I bring those damaged but readable documents to the AOS interview? Will this affect the interview at all? Will they ask me to go back home, have all those documents replaced and reschedule my interview? If this is the case, it would be bad. I heard rescheduling will take the case forever to be done. And well, if those documents MUST be replaced before the interview, I can start doing it now. Just thought if it is necessary to pay $380 for a new I-94 that will eventually be taken if I get approved at the interview.

Thank you, any advice would help a lot.

Hi Ben,

I don't have a letter of interview yet, but I believe they should have a list of suggested documents that can work as proof of a bona fide marriage. This is the list of documents STATED to prove a bona fide marriage in I-130 instructions:

- Documentation showing join ownership or property

- Document showing co-mingling of financial resource.

Most credit unions won't let you open an account with them since they want a SSN. Try Chase if they are available in your area. I was able to put my name to a joint bank account with my husband by opening a new bank account. Keep in mind that your wife HAS to be the primary account owner to share a bank account with you. They may need 2 pieces of your ID (passport, visa or birth certificate in your case should be fine), I-20 (if your here on a student visa). Do this as soon as possible because the interview officer would prefer bank statements to see normal transactions, rather than just an account summary with both of your names on it.

- A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residency.

If you're not moving from her mother's house, have letters/mails/bills with both of your names on it sent to the house. This works as proof of common residency.

- Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marriage.

I remember reading a post by JimandPhuong in this forum about this. Affidavits must be from a 3rd parties, not anyone from both families. People who higher rank and respect in society with make a more efficient affidavits because they won't risk their honor by lying.

- Any other relevant documents to show that there is an ongoing marial union.

If she's working and getting health insurance from work, you can try adding your name to her health insurance. Every time you use insurance card at a clinic office, they would send you a letter of benefit with your name as a dependent in her insurance plan. Buy a car insurance and put both of your names to the plan. The insurance card will have both names on it. Did you file tax this year? You can request a tax transcript from IRS showing that you are "married filling jointly". All of these worked for me and my husband.

- Pictures. That's fine if you don't have pictures of a nice gorgeous wedding. Just honestly tell them you are planning on a nice wedding in the future. My friend did the same thing in her interview and they passed without any stress. How about pictures of you both going out together? Ones that show the development of the relationship? Family pictures in special occasions like Christmas, birthday, family gatherings work too.

Hi Andy,

I wanna say hi first. I'm a Vietnamese, came here on F-1 student visa and married a US citizen. Sounds just exactly like your case, is that right? The difference is, I found this site VJ only AFTER I already filed all papers, by myself. Well, it was a little hard work reading through lots of details and instructions on USCIS website and putting it all together. I didn't regret or wish I could find VJ earlier tho. I learned a lot of things from the preparing process.

I have a list of organized documents that I sent. I believe you can find a similar list here on visajourney

visajourney step-by-step guide

and here on uscis website

uscis website