Preparing for Marriage Based Green Card Interview- What to bring?

[getaway18]

We have our interview coming up on May 13th and I just want some advice on if everything I've gathered is good or overkill or if I'm missing anything obvious. I feel like its a lot of paperwork, but I've also heard to gather as much as possible.

Items for Application:
-Notices from USCIS
-Passports for both of us
-EAD/AP Card
-Birth certificates for both of us
-Social Security cards
-Certified Marriage License
-Original J-1 Visa paperwork and DS-2019
-I-94 / Travel history
-2015 Tax Return
-3 months of paystubs
- 2015 W2

Items for Proof of Marriage:
Wedding Photos with Family/Friends
Photos from holidays/Birthdays
Photos from Trips we've taken with Hotel/Camping invoices attached
Receipts from caterer/photographer/venue for wedding
Copy of a few RSVPs
Copies of shared Medical/Dental/Vision cards
Copies of beneficiary on retirement/life insurance
Copy of mortgage deed
Joint bank account statements from since we were married
Joint credit card statements
Family cell phone bills
Joint car insurance
Household Costco Membership card copies
Dog adoption paperwork

[WhoDaDaddy]

We have our interview coming up on May 13th and I just want some advice on if everything I've gathered is good or overkill or if I'm missing anything obvious. I feel like its a lot of paperwork, but I've also heard to gather as much as possible.

Items for Application:
-Notices from USCIS
-Passports for both of us
-EAD/AP Card
-Birth certificates for both of us
-Social Security cards
-Certified Marriage License
-Original J-1 Visa paperwork and DS-2019
-I-94 / Travel history
-2015 Tax Return
-3 months of paystubs
- 2015 W2

Items for Proof of Marriage:
Wedding Photos with Family/Friends
Photos from holidays/Birthdays
Photos from Trips we've taken with Hotel/Camping invoices attached
Receipts from caterer/photographer/venue for wedding
Copy of a few RSVPs
Copies of shared Medical/Dental/Vision cards
Copies of beneficiary on retirement/life insurance
Copy of mortgage deed
Joint bank account statements from since we were married
Joint credit card statements
Family cell phone bills
Joint car insurance
Household Costco Membership card copies
Dog adoption paperwork

In my opinion you have plenty, This is a good marker for anyone else preparing for their interviews too. It's the intermingling of finances that seem to be the winner in convincing officers that you are genuine so bank accounts,life insurance mortgages etc all in joint names will suffice.
Bring all that you submitted in your original application abd make sure these are the originals as they may choose to review these.
It's not overkill, better to have it with you than kick yourself for leaving it at home. It's a serious interview so treat it that way which it looks like you are.
The worst that can happen is they choose not to look at the vast majority of what you bring but so what if you are approved!

[getaway18]

Thank you very much! That eases my worries a bit and I agree hopefully this can help others. I found it hard to find a solid list of real examples of what people are bringing.

[Jasn]

Sounds like you’re in good shape. My wife and I recently went to our interview 2 weeks ago. We had so many documents and photos prepared but we were only asked to provide the following:
Our state IDs (i.e. my driver license and her learner permit)
Our passports
Our birth certs
Our marriage cert
Our kids’ birth certs
Her I-94

That’s it. He then basically asked my wife a couple of simple questions.
- where did she work?
- where did I work?
- did she have any criminal history?
- does she intend to carry out criminal or terrorist activities?
- etc

Took less than 10min (after 2.5 hrs in the waiting area!). At the end, he said “I normally ask to see more documents but you guys have been married for 6 years and you have 2 kids. I’m going to approve this and you’ll receive your card in the mail in a few weeks.

Warning! I’m not saying you or anyone should just bring what I just listed! Obviously, bring everything that’s listed on your interview notice. It’s always better to be prepared. But if your marriage is genuine, there’s really little reason to stress out over the interview.

[aevi]

Provide all updated utility bills, all health insurance , if you have SOA from insurance bring it too as long as your names both together in SOA.

[TarCas]

Dog adoption paperwork...lol

Are you not subject to a 2 year home residency requirement since you are here on a J1?

[dst2015]

1.Wedding card or marriage certificate
2.Joint bank account
3.Joint credit card statement=
Copies of actual credit card,health insurance with same account.
4.Joint club membership
5.joint federal and state tax retrun
6.photogragh taken before and after marriage that include parents and relative from both families.
7..copies of letter or email bew teen you.
8.phone bills shoewing your conversation
9.auto registration showing joint ownership.
10 . rental agreement, lease agreement
11.receipt of gifts (such as flower,jewelry,art,candyetc)
12. Hotel and airlines receipts shoeing trips that you have taken together.
13.utility bills
14.evidence of life insurance with other spouse.
15.car,health or life insurance* policy both of your name. .
16.copies of Christmas cars or other holiday card addressed to you both
17. Other family pictures of you both.
17. Driving license same address toghther.