moosemunch

wow, yes! I think pictures inside our home would be great, thank you for that! We have so many photos on our walls, our wedding certificate is hanging up too, and we even have a Guinness record hanging with those also! We also have a tattoo on our wrist of each others nickname, I guess I could include that too!

As far as Advance directives go, we have drafted up a Last Will and Testament for each other and power of attorneys: one for healthcare and one for finance each. We are going to get them checked and notarized today.

As for the bank statements, we have 3 accounts (1 credit, 2 debit) where we are joint account holders. I submitted proof that we co-own them, however, they asked for statements spanning the length of the marriage in the RFE. I read that a lot of people do this (submit proof but not continuous statements) as in the original I-751, it asks for proof of co-mingling. So I think submitting statements every quarter for each account is a good idea, I think every month might be a bit overboard (save the rainforest and all that).

Thanks for the response, great help!

"The worst scenario is an interview, which is not that bad." - Is this a fact? I didn't know that. We did have an interview at the USCIS office after the initial application. We didn't receive any RFE's then, just asked to attend the interview, which actually went really well. We are actually hoping they will interview us, as it will give us a chance to explain and that they can see us in person, which would be great!

Maybe I need to expand on my letter a little more? We have a TON of document-able evidence to prove we have a genuine marriage. We have a travel video blog with 1000's of videos on it over the span of our entire marriage; Phones, flight and travel tickets for these trips etc. It seems like they just want the paperwork for the more serious stuff (House, possessions etc). Would drafting a Will be a worthwhile investment at this time? (I have no idea how to go about this and how much it would cost) especially as the worst thing that could happen is an interview? Of course we didn't sign any prenuptial agreements, should I mention this?

My wife has durable power of attorney (POA) (healthcare), I can include that! (With my name on of course! lol) - Great advice there!

In my original application, I submitted a letter explaining the housing situation and a signed statement from the friend. I was thinking of adding an additional statement from the friend again in this application(?) (Along with the letter in the OP)

Hi,

Thanks for your response. It's a life-long best friend.

I did include a letter from the life-long best friend in my original application explaining the living arrangement and situation.

I appreciate how it may look, but if they would just simply visit our house and see how we live they would know immediately that our marriage is genuine. It's really hard to get this across on paper with photos.

Hi,

My wife and I have prepared our/my papers to file I-751 a few months ago after 2 years of conditional residency, from which, we received a letter back in the mail titled: "Notice of Action" (I-797E)

Copy of the letter

http://i.imgur.com/2STD5v6.jpg

We submitted a LOT of information, as you can see in the first paragraph, however, I have a problem giving them all of the all information, as we simply do not have it. I didn't re-submit any of the other stuff from the original application (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/394825-aos-spouse-concurrent-filing-of-i-130-i-485-i-131-i-765/), as I assumed they would already have it on file.

Marital bona fides, the problems we have are:

- The bank statements do not cover the entire marriage as we didn't get around to this for a few months as we had to prepare to join our lives together

- We do not jointly own the property, as my spouse had the mortgage previously with a friend and we don't see any reason to change how that works.

- The bills are in my wife and friends name as they own the property.

We did submit 3 joint accounts, debit and credit, joint car insurance, joint tax returns as we operate a husband and wife business. I REALLY though this would be enough for the financial co-mingling part. We submitted a ton of travel documents and pictures also.

The Good Faith part, I included ALL of this with the original application (For which a two yea visa was granted), I have no idea why they want it all again, this is 2 years down the line, I assumed the martial bona fides are the main focus in I-751. We had pictures, multiple signed statements, round trip travel documents, the list goes on...

The only logical thing I can do is write a letter explaining that we do not have this stuff, and they are welcome to visit our home and meet us in person. Maybe include the evidence from our original application as they may have lost it(?). I did visit USCIS with this problem, but they were absolutely useless. The lady just stared at us as though we had snakes crawling out our eye balls; saying she had never heard about this problem before. Surely, We're not the only ones?!

Here is a letter I wrote (Is this a good idea???)

Dear USCIS examiner:

In response to the Notice of Action (I-797E) we received dated June 16^th 2015, I enclose the following documents to further support the application to Remove Conditional Residency (I-751).

The Request for Evidence indicated that we did not provide enough evidence to support the marriage was entered into in good faith. We originally sent this evidence with form I-130 during the initial application; therefore, we did not re-include this evidence with form I-751. We have re-attached this evidence for your consideration and included further evidence to support our marriage was entered into in good faith.

Further to the previously submitted documents: joint income tax returns (Including evidence supporting our Business Owned by Married Couple self-employment status), joint car insurance, joint bank accounts, joint credit card, drivers licence, Nevada State ID, signed statements, travel documents, photographs and joint auto insurance; please find attached additional evidence to support our marital bon fides. The attached bank statements (For 3 accounts: 2 debit and 1 credit) do not cover our entire marital period as it took a few months to comingle our financial situation. In the first few months, we invested a lot of time into moving [Applicant]’s life from the UK to the US, everything involved with that task took time and careful consideration. One of the many things included in this task was becoming joint account holders and comingling our financial assets. [Applicant] was required to obtain a Nevada State ID and social security number; these were used as required evidence (by Chase Bank) to become joint account holders. Respectfully, the bank statements do cover a good portion of our marriage considering the effort it took to not just comingle our financial situation, but comingle our lives as a married couple.

Referencing the final part of the request for evidence, we do not have documentation as evidence to support joint tenancy or ownership of property. I (Spouse) was in full ownership of the current residence with a friend prior to the marriage. The residence is very spacious with 4 bedrooms and allows us to live together as a home, within a home. Our living arrangement works really well for us as it allows our families to visit for extended periods of time and stay with us while on vacation. We welcome you or any USCIS representative to visit our home and see our marriage through our home, our friends and each other.

You may feel free to inquire at any of the sources of enclosed documentation for validity of their statements, and you are always welcome to visit our home should you ever desire to do so. Please advise me if you have any further questions or problems related to this petition.

Sincerely,

It's all I can think of... getting kinda worried about it all now! I dont want them to deny the application, does this happen or would they ask for an interview first? People keep saying that if your marriage is genuine, then you have no worries, but it's hard not to worry when you're dealing with all of this! Sorry for the long post, and I hope it makes sense! Any advice is appreciated, thank you so much!

iaia - My AOS was against my original intentions which I have explained in the "Statement by beneficiary" document. There seems to be a lot of heated debate in forums about AOS from Visitor status, so I wanted to make my case clear. It's not related to my OP though, so I don't want to make this thread go off topic.

Harpa - Thanks for that! Yes we are busy setting up a lot on joint responsibiliites with regards to finances, so we havent yet built up a lot of evidence. We decided to get the application out with the evidence stated in the original post rather than waiting to setup more joint finances and wait longer. If they request more information later, at least it will be available then!

DandT14 - Thanks, exactly that. I figured I would include it as I already typed it up, too much rather than just enough hopefully won't hurt!

takingcoasty - On it! Just putting everything together now and hopefully it'll be in the mail tomorrow, fingers crossed!

Thanks for the info on the most recent tax returns! I'm going to include the most recent years returns for sponsor and co-sponsor (I left all assets blank in the sponsors I-864, despite not meeting the threshold - I assumed they would notice the co-sponsors I-864)

I read someplace that one G-1145 for the whole application is okay, I can't recall where, but I suppose it doesnt hurt, thanks!

Harpa - Thanks for info on proof of US Citizenship for co-sponsor! Missed that one! We don't have a letter from the co-sponsors employer, he works as part of a union. We do however, have 6 months pay stubs. The form does say it 'may' be required, but I was hoping this was enough to prove employment.

AnotherLostSoul - Thanks, I've already included this within the list under the I-485.... Quote: "- I-693 Medical examination form + envelope". I guess it needs it's own section in my first post!

iaia - Indeed you are correct, but where did you get this from?

Thanks for the replies and help so far!

The fee for AOS is $1,070, and you don't need copies of passport or G325 for U S citizen. Also don't forget most recent taxes for I864.

Thanks for the reply.

- Are you sure you don't need G-325a for petitioner? The I-130 states that it is required.

- I included a copy of the passport just in case, I didnt know if the birth certificate was enough on its own. Thanks for that.

- The I-864 states that the previous 3 year tax figures are required, but the copies of the tax returns are optional??

Hi There,

I have prepared (hopefully!) everything I need to send my package away for AOS. I have not sent it yet, but need to very soon! I just wanted to double check I have everything I need. I have used a lot of tips and advice from these forums before registering, so I want to say thank you for that!

Here is what I have:

- Married for 6 months (Married in the US)

- UK Citizen (Me) currently in the US on VWP

------------------------------------------------

I-130 [signed in Black ink]

Prove US Citizen

- Copy of petitioners Birth Certificate

- Copy of petitioners US Passport Page

Prove Relationship

- Copy of marriage certificate

- Passport photo of US Citizen - Written name in felt pen on the back

- Passport photo of beneficiary - Written name in felt pen on the back

- G-325A by US Citizen (Biographic Info)

- G-325A by beneficiary (Biographic Info)

- Affidavits by three Third Party US Citizens (Affidavits - Condition I)

- Photos, tickets for plane trips, wedding invites (Prove on-going marital union - Condition J)

I-94/VWP (I don't have I-94 - I was going to include the entry stamp in passport when arriving)

- Copy of passport entry stamp for I-94 section. Attach continuation sheet, date, sign and add item number.

- ESTA info

Fee

- Check or Money order made out to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." for $420

------------------------------------------------

I-485 [signed in Black ink]

Initial Evidence

- Copy of birth certificate

- Copy of passport page and entry stamp page

- 2 x 2x2" passport photos of beneficiary with name on reverse

- I-693 Medical examination form + envelope

- G-325A by beneficiary (Biographic Info)

- I-864 Affidavit of support form by petitioner (US Citizen)

- I-864 Affidavit of support form by co-sponsor

- Copy of marriage certificate

Fee

- Check or Money order made out to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." for $1070

------------------------------------------------

I-131 [signed in Black ink][Advanced Parole Document]

Initial Evidence

- Copy of Passport bio page

- Evidence to warrant issuance (Include Marriage certificate?)

- 2 x 2x2" Passport photos of the beneficiary

- G-325A by beneficiary (Biographic Info)

Fee: No Fee with I-485

------------------------------------------------

I-765 [signed in Black ink][Employment Authorization Document]

Category: ( c )( 9 ) [i-94 not Required]

Initial Evidence

- Copy of passport bio page

- Copy of birth certificate

- 2 x 2x2" Passport photos of the beneficiary

Fee: No Fee with I-485

------------------------------------------------

Extra information

- Statement by the Beneficiary describing the current situation and having no intentions to remain within the US

- Statement by the petitioner describing the current situation.

- Photos and conversations between the petitioner and beneficiary throughout the relationship and marital period.

------------------------------------------------

G-1145 (Receive notification of progress)

- Clipped to the first page of the application

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Send EVERYTHING to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox

USCIS

PO BOX 805887

Chicago, IL

60680-4120