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
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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