Sukie

It will take some time to build up your US Credit Score. 1. Get added as a secondary user on your spouse's card. 2. Get added on your spouse's bank account, or, if you can, open your own account. 3. Working with the bank where you are added or new, ask for the "pre-paid" credit card (as mentioned above). 4. Try to get added on utility bills. Even if you start with a very low credit amount ($1000), if you use it properly, you will build good credit. But it will take at least one year to truly build a score. Best of luck to you! Sukie in NY

Yep. Married a Gold Coast honey! Sukie in NY (in Oz)

Sorry, Captain Ewok - the "Block New Topics" was good for about 24 hours, but it's b-a-a-a-a-a-c-c-c-c-k-k-k.... 8:09 AM Brisbane Australia time on November 2...5:09 pm EDT on November 1 Sukie in NY

I used this outline for my data: 1. Required documents 2. Documents that proved we live together (lease, mortgage, utilities) 3. Documents that showed we combined our financial lives (not every couple does this) 4. Documents that show we do life together (joint gym memberships, for example) 5. Documents that show we have planned for the future together (wills, Powers-of-attorney) Sukie in NY

You may have ticked the box to have a Social Security Number assigned and sent to you, but historically, it only has worked about 50% of the time. If you do not have a SSN letter by October 15th, then head to your local Social Security Office to enquire. Don't go before the 14 days, as it does take some time to process the request, as the SS Administration is a separate entity from USCIS. If the officer who processed you through at your Point of Entry did not tick the box on his or her screen, then the request will not be generated. Happened to us, even though we specifically asked the officer about it. You were not nor will you be charged for a Social Security Number. Sukie in NY

The fact that you trust each other enough to have a joint account is a plus. Later, showing how you USE the joint account will be important. Go for it!!! Sukie in NY

Be sure to take your flight details/itinerary - especially your boarding pass if you still have it. Sukie in NY

The "not a citizen" was enough here in New York. Sukie in NY

90 minutes is probably not enough time. 3 hours or 200 minutes is much better. 11 hours is overkill. Best of luck on your journey! Sukie in NY

You need an affidavit from the family member(s) who are paying your utilities. They should explain exactly what they cover, and what monthly sum you pay them to help pay them back. It would also be good if they explain WHY they are doing this. Also make sure your evidence is from the beginning of your marriage. Sukie in NY

You are fine. The "90 days" date was March 10th, and your package was delivered on March 11th. Breathe! Sukie in NY

It's hard to predict what a Border Officer will do - and you might catch one on a good day, and one on a bad day. Prior to our marriage and subsequent immigration journey, my partner did get a warning when she came through one time. Scared her to death. And we were visiting for MUCH longer times than you were. And we got through ok. The suggestions above are good. Bring the letters, etc. with you, just in case. Best of luck! Sukie in NY

If you have a couple of utility bills with both your names on them, then just submit those. If you don't, then submit one with your name and one with your partner's name showing THE SAME ADDRESS. The reason for having these particular docs is yes, to prove financial togetherness, but even more important, to show you live together. Having an explanation of your maiden name in a cover letter will not hurt. Sukie in NY

Here's another vote for including the tax transcript only. The transcript proves that you filed. A signed 1040 package does not. Plus, they prefer the transcripts! Sukie in NY

Print all the pages, but just choose one statement per quarter instead of all monthly statements. We just did quarterly for our process, but we also had LOADS of other financial mingling data. The only thing we were asked for were updated taxes (we applied just before April 15th, so by the time the interview came along, we had another transcript to submit). Best of luck. Sukie in NY

New York takes voter registration from the Driver's License roll. Send the card back with "Not a Citizen" checked. Make a COPY of the card (filled out) before you send it back. My spouse got called for Jury Duty TWICE before she became a citizen. Cover your backside, and send it back in. Sukie in NY

I owned our home before we married. We merely added a note about this to our cover letter, showed that my spouse was listed on our Homeowners Insurance, and submitted our NY Driver's Licenses - both with our home address. We had no issues. Sukie in NY

Oh, Jeez. What a &*$%storm. So very sorry to hear this. You are one of the most organized people on this list. Surely there is a way through. Do you live in a state with a sympathetic senator? Sukie in NY

Keep the envelope, too! Sukie in NY

Shin, it is your documentation that will speak for you. Make it EASY to see that you "do life" together, even when you are apart. We were also a same-sex couple (one of the first to file when DOMA fell. You'll get through it! When you submit your documentation, write a cover letter explaning your live/work situation. Don't make USCIS "guess" at how the two of you do life. USCIS does understand job markets and new grads! Sukie in NY

There are often couples who have to be separated due to work - medical residents, academics, etc. Your job,, as OldUser says, is to document your trips to visit each other. Keep ALL airline tickets, bus tickets, receipts for gas, hotels, if applicable, plus records of how often you speak to each other online or on the phone. It is not insurmountable. It's just a little different. Also document your time with the relatives who are supportive of you. Best of luck on your journey!!! Sukie in NY

If you have sent evidence - like a bank statement or credit card statement or a copy of a lease - make sure you send ALL the pages! Don't just send the summary! Good luck! Sukie in NY

As two others have said, get in front of any questions with a letter of explanation of your lifestyle. Pictures of the van, documentation of where the van has been, and where you park it. Vive le difference! In Australia they have a name for retired people who sell up and travel in their camper vans - "Grey Nomads"!!! Sukie in NY

The most important thing about your evidence is that it should be self-explanatory - meaning an officer can infer what he or she needs to know from what is in front of them. Should there be gaps, or if things aren't clear, that can lead to suspicion and/or RFEs. The best thing to do is to simply explain how you do it in a cover letter - meaning you say something like xxx account was originally <owner> and in <month, year> we added <second owner> to the account. We each contribute $$$ to a joint account from which we cover <list expenses here> . We also each maintain separate accounts. Our relationship suffered a rough patch from <date> to <date>, where we did not agree on how our money was spent. We have since moved through that patch, and are back on track. Whatever YOU say needs to be the truth. Just state the facts - don't try to either hide anything or use pretty language. Just state the facts so that the officer can look at your evidence and see what is happening instead of trying to guess what goes on. Best of luck to you! Sukie in NY

I had to remember my high school Latin for that one, VinnyH. That was over 50 years ago..... Sukie in NY