Merp

thanks everyone! It does feel good to be done with this, well done for 10 years

I had the same issue, my name is on our home and not my husbands. We didn't include anything about it in the first packet we sent off. We received and RFE requesting more info on communal living. So we sent them a letter that stated I had the home since 2002 (we were married in 2006) and adding his name would have caused rate changes and fees, also put a copy of the original loan note with it. It was just what they were looking for and we were approved. So I suggest that you add something to your packet of the like the first time. It's not a bad thing only your name is on the house, just be up front and explain it to them.

best of luck

Checked our mail today and there it was!!! My hubby's 10 year green card

Good luck to all

Thanks everyone! It does feel good, it will feel even better when we get the card in the mail

congrats

merp i have a little question why did you get an rfe???

what was your initial evidence?

thanks

We were asked for more evidence of communal living. In the original packet we sent in nothing about our home (which was only in my name since I had it before we met). We just included a letter with the RFE that stated I owned the home, also inc car titles since they also showed our home address.

The List of what we sent in with the RFE:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172359

Hubby checked his email this morning and there was notice that his 10 year Green Card had been ordered! and we were getting worried since we hadn't heard anything since we sent in more info for our RFE!!

Thanks to all who helped out.

MERP

Hello - We are also going through the CSC and it took a while for my husband to get his biometrics, we sent our package in Sept and didn't get the bio letter until Dec. I didn't know if we should do an info pass or just wait... but it finally came. In fact a few people that sent thier packets in around the same time had the same wait time... I was worried and posted about it back then too.

it couldn't hurt doing and infopass if you are really worried about it, or maybe call, since your office is so far away.

I would make an infopass appointment and check into it. California is moving quickly so perhaps the Infopass might just 'trigger' the biometrics, or you might find out a letter was sent and you didn't get it, in which case you might be able to get it done at the same time. If it were VSC I would say wait; since it is CSC I say make that appointment. Good luck.

humm, I'm not sure if there is a baest way. ours was 1 page of letter and 1 page that was a list of the evdence we put in the package. I would say you want to keep it as short as you can, but still give them important information - so I would say a good rule of thumb is just put in the facts and no filler.

They didn't ask for our marriage cert, but I had seen a few people put them in there, and I thought it can't hurt. I don't think there is any way to keep from getting a RFE, some people send in less information and never get one, some people send in tons of information and get one. We didn't include anything about our home in our first packet, because I own our home, so this time i included a note that said so, better to tell them than to leave them wondering. I would suggest for you to included that your husband had the home you live in before you were married in the cover letter.

Affidavits can help, we included them from family and friends - they are simple to write and if you are feeling like you need extra evidence see if you can have someone write one. It can be your neighbour, friends, even the baby sitter, just someone that can say they know you are married. In the form section of VJ they have some sample affidavits, they are a big help too.

All your evidence looks good.

Good Luck!

Hi merp,

I'm about to send my I-751 also and kinda worried because you got a lot of evidences and still got RFE? They asked you for your marriage certificate also?I don't have any affidavits.Our house mortgage is in my husband's name as he had purchased our house before we met/married. I'm a stay @home mom. Anyway these are my documents to send.

green card/passport

my state id/husband's DL

son's BC

tax transcripts 06/07 and federal tax retuns for 2008

state tax return 06/07/08

joint car insurance

joint health insurance cards

medical bills/statements shoing same home address

joint credit cards

401 k plan of husband stating I am his beneficiary

joint bank account statements

copy of a check showing a joint checking account

telephone invoices in joint names

christmas cards/personal greeting cards

stamped envelopes received by us shoing same address

flight itineraries

photos

utility bills in husband's name

mortgage statement in husband's name.

Hello all

First thanks to everyone that has helped us out since I freaked out when we got our RFE

We sent our packet in yesterday, I made sure to put everything in an ACCO folder this time (punched at the top) with tabs at the bottom, we hope this keeps any items from getting lost. I also highlighted our names, address, and any important information on each page. Here is a list of what we sent "new evidence" is marked with a *

*Copy of Request for Evidence

Copy of Green Card front and back

Copy of Drivers license for both Applicant and Wife front and back

Copy of Passports for both Applicant and Wife - matching stamps for trips highlighted as well as US and Aussie entry

*Marriage Certificate

Tax forms: 2006 - 2007

Joint Bank Account Information from 2006 – 2008 (2 statements for each year)

*Home Note and Original Home Loan Contract with letter explaing why I am the only name on the Loan

*Title and Vehicle Renewal Applications for our 4 cars, with note that says we own them and hold no loans

Joint ING Direct Statement 2007 - 2008

Joint Health Insurance and Life Insurance Beneficiary 2006 - 2009

Joint Car and Home Insurance 2006 – 2009

*Joint Membership Cards

Joint Travel Tickets and Itineraries

*Pet Travel and Vet Bills

Joint Personal and Professional Mail

4 Sworn Affidavits *1 affidavit is new

Photos

I hope this does the job, I was also smart and put all our copies in a binder and I'm keeping mail and items that come along in the new year in case we have to go in for an interview. So now we just wait and see...

Thanks again,

MERP

We are in the same situation. We indicated in the cover letter that I had a loan out on the home before we met (since 2002 and we were married in 2006), do you think we should include the home note and loan for further evidence of that fact?

That is a great list! My only question is do most people send in a copy of their marriage certificate for the I-751? Do you need too, even though they would have seen the certificate when they approved (in our case) the K3??

Good luck!

ahh I know what you mean now, sorry, on our affidavits, the notary simply wrote the state and county there, and like you said placed the seal at the bottom with the other information.

WOW 100 photos!! go you! I had about 8 per year and I printed them 4 to a page with captions below the photos, something like - birthday party 2006, so and so visit the family for the holidays... nothing super complicated, as I personally think the photos are just extra evidence and since photos can be changed I doubt they put a whole lot of stock in them, but it's nice to have in your packet as extra evidence.

I know what you mean, it's a lot of work - but it's worth it

no worries

MERP

Thanks Merp for your help. I know exactly the seal that you are talking about, it is a notary seal. On the Example affidavit form on VJ that is to be placed in the bottom left corner. THe location I am describing is a different location. I may have to just wait until one of our friends takes his to the bank to get notarized, and he can ask them.

Thanks again, and good luck to you also. I forgot how much work it was getting everything together.

Also I have 100 photos, how did you put these in the packet? Also did you write on the back of them as to the date, location and who is in the pic?

THanks,

Mike

As far as I know the notary should have a state seal, normally in the form of a stamp. The notary that works in my office has a seal that is an embosser (leaves a raised stamp of the seal on the paper) while another notary copied the seal onto the affidavit by rubbing over her raised seal with pencil. We had 3 affidavits notarized by 3 different notaries and they all were able to produce a seal. Check with your bank, most banks have a notary that may be able to help you out, however the person that has written the affidavit and will be swearing to it must be present. But I would not leave it blank, the government may not consider it really notarized without a state seal.

good luck!

Hello to my fellow Visa Journey friends. I am gathering a few Sworn Affidavits. I am using the example supplied on VJ as my template. A woman in my office is a notary, so I had her look over a draft of an affidavit. She said it all looked good except she had one question.

Directly under where the person signs their name, there is a section which has the following:

STATE OF ______________ )

) ss.:

COUTY OF ______________ )

She stated that this area is for a state seal, which she doesn't have. So could someone please tell me how to handle the affidavits. Should this be left blank, and she just fills out the notary area? Or do I have to go somewhere to get them both?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

As far as I know the notary should have a state seal, normally in the form of a stamp. The notary that works in my office has a seal that is an embosser (leaves a raised stamp of the seal on the paper) while another notary copied the seal onto the affidavit by rubbing over her raised seal with pencil. We had 3 affidavits notarized by 3 different notaries and they all were able to produce a seal. Check with your bank, most banks have a notary that may be able to help you out, however the person that has written the affidavit and will be swearing to it must be present. But I would not leave it blank, the government may not consider it really notarized without a state seal.

good luck!

Hello to my fellow Visa Journey friends. I am gathering a few Sworn Affidavits. I am using the example supplied on VJ as my template. A woman in my office is a notary, so I had her look over a draft of an affidavit. She said it all looked good except she had one question.

Directly under where the person signs their name, there is a section which has the following:

STATE OF ______________ )

) ss.:

COUTY OF ______________ )

She stated that this area is for a state seal, which she doesn't have. So could someone please tell me how to handle the affidavits. Should this be left blank, and she just fills out the notary area? Or do I have to go somewhere to get them both?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Thanks AntandD, I knew there was a folder I was supposed to use, I will pick one of them up tomorrow i don't want to all these pages lost again!!

When I sent in my original I-751 application (of 100+ pages, which costs $5.45 via USPS priority mail), I sent it in like they suggested, in an ACCO folder (a paper file folder with a two-hole metal fastener thingy on the top). You can get those at any office-supply store (staples, business depot, office depot, etc.). As well, they are lightweight, good at organizing paperwork, and inexpensive to buy too.

I know this has been covered before… but I can’t find it. When we sent in our original packet I just organized the papers with tabs but it was loose. We got an RFE and I was wondering if it would be better to send all the paperwork in a binder of some sort this time? We’re looking at about 100+ pages (all original info plus new info).

What do ya think?

Thanks!

most banks have a notary of the public (and most times the service if free if you have an account there – just ask them), have your family/friends take the letters to one - but don't sign the letter till they get there since that is what the notary is witnessing, the signature.

I agree it's a good idea to send everything you have, I wouldn't hold anything back - you never know you might not get a RFE if you send everything. And if you do get an RFE, like the othe person said, you just end up sending a copy of everything again plus a few other things that you can find, not a huge deal... if feels like a huge deal the day you get the letter... but once you calm down it's do-able.

Good luck!

thanks all - We are spending the weekend making copies and organizing papers and will send out the packet soon. I'll update when we send it and when we hear anything back...

Thanks AussieGal you made me feel better! We are filing for removing conditions in a few months and I was really worried reading this thread... we also don't plan to have kids and I didn't change my name. Merp, good luck! You guys sent in SO much info they had no right to ask for more. I agree with the others, send in all proof you sent before again, plus other stuff suggested. Hope you get the approval soon!

We too will be dealing with them again in 10 years... Lucky us!!

No need to apologize. Dealing with USCIS you never know what to expect. And I will have to deal with them again in 10 years because I am not going to apply for citizenship. Lucky me

Congrats! I am starting to think that stuff was lost along the way... they had no problems with my name not changing before, so I am sorry to cause a ruckaus by saying that before... I was frustrated.

Thanks all -

Ours was approved - we have no children together and I did not change my name. The RFE is probably as simple as somebody messed up the documents you submitted. OP: Good luck!

Thanks AussieGal - that makes me feel much better, we are planning to do the same, send in the prior info plus some other stuff we have come up with and hope for the best. We can only assume that they have lost some of the info...

I really don't think everyone will have this problem, I think it is just our luck of the drawl so don't be worried others, it's just another step in the visa journey I don't think the only reason this happened was because I haven't changed my name and we don't have children - I just don't like that it is their #1 wanted form of evidence, so please don't worry about your applications, it's just my personal opinon, I'm sure you will have pleanty of information to send in.

thanks all - cheers!

Kathryn41 - I was planning on resubmitting most of the original information, I think I will still do that and include with it a very detailed list of what I am giving them from the original packet, plus what the original I-175 contained. That way if they have lost some information they will have another copy of it and not have to wait on us to send anything out – again!

We do have AAA cards, but we are on my Mothers plan, so I am going to go talk to AAA and see if they can pull off a record of just our names with our address.

We also have some Aussie family coming to visit soon, so we are going to include their trip info and an affidavit from them.

Thanks for you help I will add some other things to the list and get to looking for paperwork.

Raj0000 – I don't think we will do that, but if it comes down to them really wanting to know why two 30-somethings aren't having a few babies we can explain to them that it's just not going to happen for medical reasons, I just don't think it is any of their business if we choose to have children or not... *looks around – and steps off soap box again* I just hope that this is not really the only other information that they want.

Thanks though

HAHAHA! ok Lindsay G that made my night... i'm going to go put on my pearls (er have to get some first) and apron, bake cookies, or even make a cocktail and set up a pure 50's style photo, have to get the hubby a cardigan and a pipe too that is just fantastic! laughing is good at a time like this... your post made me feel better and that was helpful. Thanks! Our first interview was stressfull to say the least but we had just as much evidence, it it was approved with out any problems. I'm sure your husbands interview will go just as well - good luck!

I'm going to add proof of him making the loan payment to the list - good thinking - here i come bank statements beware my highlighter!

We have also come up with Zoo membership and Sams membership - cards shows both our names

yep, husband had his biometrics on Dec 2nd and we just got a RFE today in the mail... so sadly they can come at any time.

haha! I'll take any ideas I can get

I did send copies of our Drivers IDs... but not credit cards, I will put that on the list. We had thought about Will when we sent in the packet, but didn't know if it would look bad that it was dated and done right before we sent in our packet... would it look even more rushed now? I'm going to spend tomorrow looking through all our paper work and see what I can find... at least my husband said tonight "good thing you're a pack rat and keep all that stuff" so if nothing else for once my pack rat personality might just be handy!

Jayde -

I will have to search and see if we still have the tickets, only my hubby has been back since he got here. But maybe I kept our tickets from when we came back to the USA to live. We don't have a lease from oz cause he owned his home there (silly independent people we are!!) Yep I sent both front and back of the green card...

Do you all think I should send in our marriage cert and things that were included with our I-130? I assumed that our file from that adventure followed us and they didn't need that information again?

I hope you have a better time with it all Jayde... they should realize that not all of us change our names, have babies, or combine everything but we are still a very valid couple... I'll step off my soap box now ah well thanks.

Hi Merp, sorry to hear this as it leaves me worried also. I havent changed my name and am too old to have babies, :-)

just wondering if you have your tickets, or a lease from oz... do you have phone calls to one another, or phone bills showing both your phones. Did you send the back and front of the green card?

I would send the papers from your pets, and if you have vets bills here, are they in your name?

Wills?

Hope you get approved soon, usually it seems a RFE means you are close once you respond

best wishes

Hello all

Today my husband and I received a request for more information to show communal living. We have received our NOA1 and my husband has had his biometrics appointment. We are racking our brains as to what else to send them. Hubby has been in the USA since 06' (we were married in April 06) – however I have owned the home we live in since 2002, and all bills were already in my name. We didn't add him to any of these things, which looking back at now obviously we should have. However, as you can see in the list of evidence that we sent in below we have joint bank, car insurance, health insurance etc.

It is just so frustrating, I guess they probably aren't to happy with the fact I didn't change my maiden name or that we don't have children!

Evidence we sent with our original packet:

I-751 application

Cover letter

Copy of green card

Joint Car Insurance 2006 – 2008

Joint Tax forms 2006 – 2008

Joint ING Statement (investments) 2006 – 2008

Joint Bank Accounts 2006 – 2008

Health Insurance 2006 – 2008 (also included enrollment and change of info after marriage)

Life Insurance showing hubby as beneficiary 2006 -2008 and hubby's showing me as beneficiary as for 2008 which was the first year he was offered life insurance

YMCA gym family membership (joint)

Evidence of 3 month RV trip (receipts, invoices etc with both our names)

Mail both personal and business in both our names and separately spanning 2006 to 2008 (post marks shown)

3 Sworn Affidavits

Photos

What else can we send them????

We did some home renovations right away and we are thinking of receipts that show he spent money on the home.

We shipped our pets from Australia to here in the USA maybe we could send those invoices?

A letter explaining in more detail that I owned our home prior to our marriage, I stated this in the cover letter with items we already sent.

Any other suggestions?? Thanks.