In all cases, the burden is on the Petitioner to establish that they have a valid marriage with their U.S. citizen or LPR spouse/partner. In most cases, a marriage certificate is prima facie evidence that the marriage was properly and legally performed, but it is not the only evidence required for bona-fides of marriage or relationship between two people.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of evidence you can provide to the USCIS during the initial filing, request for evidence or interview stage:
- Birth certificates of children together
- Mortgage statement and deed together and any paperwork that shows joint ownership of property or asset, such as a car
- Apartment lease (current or past)
- Joint bank account statements
- Joint income tax returns
- Joint insurance documents (i.e. health, dental, life, car, renter’s)
- Credit cards, video club, health club and gym memberships, etc. held jointly by both parties
- Evidence of wills and life insurance policies or 401k/403b accounts where the spouse is named as beneficiary
- Photographs that show the couple together and with family and friends. These can be taken at the wedding, at other functions or events, and throughout the relationship. Photographs should be clear, captioned with date and occasion, as well as who is in the photographs
- Copies of gas, electric, telephone and other utility bills showing both names and marital
- residence.
- Document from an employer showing a change in records to reflect spouse’s new marital status
- Driver’s license or photo I.D. cards of both spouses showing a common marital residence address for both parties
- Document from an employer showing designation of the spouse as the person to be notified
- in event of accident, sickness, or other emergency.
- Evidence of correspondence between the parties, including letters, birthday and holiday cards, telephone calls, and other correspondence addressed to the parties together as a couple
- Evidence of vacations taken together, including airline tickets, itineraries, and hotel bills
- Social media profile print-outs showing the couple is in a relationship with one another
- Support letters signed by relatives and friends regarding marriage for love rather than merely for immigration benefits. Samples are provided to clients working with the firm.
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