We didn?t FrontLoad evidence of Bonafide marriage

[MissTz1982]

I have a serious question.
My husband who is a US citizen and I didn?t frontload evidence of bonafide marriage because our attorney who prepared our file told us to wait until the interview. I have read some posts here that that decision could cost us.

We only sent the civil documents like our marriage certificate and his divorce decree from his previous marriage.
At the time of filing we only had a utility bill under both of our names. We tried to go to a bank to open a joint account but they kept asking for a state ID which I don?t currently have.

Our plan was to wait for EAD, get a proper State ID and start building more evidence.

I?m a little worried that we made a mistake by not submitting the evidence. I have read some didn?t do it and waited for the interview and were ok.

It?s been 78 days now since I sent the documents and I haven?t received an RFE. We filed concurrently.

[azblk]

I have a serious question.
My husband who is a US citizen and I didn?t frontload evidence of bonafide marriage because our attorney who prepared our file told us to wait until the interview. I have read some posts here that that decision could cost us.

We only sent the civil documents like our marriage certificate and his divorce decree from his previous marriage.
At the time of filing we only had a utility bill under both of our names. We tried to go to a bank to open a joint account but they kept asking for a state ID which I don?t currently have.

Our plan was to wait for EAD, get a proper State ID and start building more evidence.

I?m a little worried that we made a mistake by not submitting the evidence. I have read some didn?t do it and waited for the interview and were ok.

It?s been 78 days now since I sent the documents and I haven?t received an RFE. We filed concurrently.

You are not required to frontload evidence. It is just good practice to do it.

[kaylip]

I have a serious question.
My husband who is a US citizen and I didn?t frontload evidence of bonafide marriage because our attorney who prepared our file told us to wait until the interview. I have read some posts here that that decision could cost us.

We only sent the civil documents like our marriage certificate and his divorce decree from his previous marriage.
At the time of filing we only had a utility bill under both of our names. We tried to go to a bank to open a joint account but they kept asking for a state ID which I don?t currently have.

Our plan was to wait for EAD, get a proper State ID and start building more evidence.

I?m a little worried that we made a mistake by not submitting the evidence. I have read some didn?t do it and waited for the interview and were ok.

It?s been 78 days now since I sent the documents and I haven?t received an RFE. We filed concurrently.

Have u gotten a Courtesy Letter for i693? We sent the civil documents that were required along with affidavits of support from my side and his side of the family and Renter's insurance as evidence. I had wanted to frontload and send pictures, correspondance, etc but I decided save those and wait until the interview for new evidence for them to see because we didn't have much evidence at the time! I've noticed you're also a Georgia filer. IDK if the rules are different in other states because some people on here have been able to open bank accounts without SSN. I wasn't able to, not even some bills because of the SSN, my application information is on file for these companies but they havent put me on the bills. I've even read some persons with EAD's in Georgia were denied a driver's license. I guess it varies from state to state but anyway, don't be worried right now, even if it takes long for an interview it means your EAD will come. Persons who have quick cases aren't issued the EAD but have interviews. Also, some places were asking for another ID apart from my passport so I totatlly understand!

[MissTz1982]

Have u gotten a Courtesy Letter for i693? We sent the civil documents that were required along with affidavits of support from my side and his side of the family and Renter's insurance as evidence. I had wanted to frontload and send pictures, correspondance, etc but I decided save those and wait until the interview for new evidence for them to see because we didn't have much evidence at the time! I've noticed you're also a Georgia filer. IDK if the rules are different in other states because some people on here have been able to open bank accounts without SSN. I wasn't able to, not even some bills because of the SSN, my application information is on file for these companies but they havent put me on the bills. I've even read some persons with EAD's in Georgia were denied a driver's license. I guess it varies from state to state but anyway, don't be worried right now, even if it takes long for an interview it means your EAD will come. Persons who have quick cases aren't issued the EAD but have interviews. Also, some places were asking for another ID apart from my passport so I totatlly understand!

Thank you for your encouragement.

Yes I?m in Georgia and we filed from here. It?s good to have someone with a similar background.
I will give you my timeline so you can compare with yours

Sent document on 2/20/2018
PD date 2/22/18
Biometrics 3/26/18
Status change for i765 on 4/8/18 fingerprints received
Status change for i485 on 4/18/18 Case ready to be scheduled for interview.
I?m on day 78 now since Case received.

As for i693, I sent the sealed medical form with the package so there was no need for them to send me a courtesy letter. If my interview is delayed then I might have to take another test.

Why was the person denied driver?s license with EAD? That?s strange.

As for affidavit, I can get one from my side of family but my husband side of family is really weird. He is not that close with them and he normally prefers not to ask them for anything. So will might try to use friends instead if needed or if they are willing to give one.

[kaylip]

Thank you for your encouragement.

Yes I?m in Georgia and we filed from here. It?s good to have someone with a similar background.
I will give you my timeline so you can compare with yours

Sent document on 2/20/2018
PD date 2/22/18
Biometrics 3/26/18
Status change for i765 on 4/8/18 fingerprints received
Status change for i485 on 4/18/18 Case ready to be scheduled for interview.
I?m on day 78 now since Case received.

As for i693, I sent the sealed medical form with the package so there was no need for them to send me a courtesy letter. If my interview is delayed then I might have to take another test.

Why was the person denied driver?s license with EAD? That?s strange.

As for affidavit, I can get one from my side of family but my husband side of family is really weird. He is not that close with them and he normally prefers not to ask them for anything. So will might try to use friends instead if needed or if they are willing to give one.

Hey! If your case is ready to be scheduled for an interview you're on the right track! No worries!
They were saying that they only issue cards to green card holders and another user said that even though her husband went with the required documents his information had a red flag on their DMV system. She said they traveled to another DMV office and got through so I guess it's a run-around for the driver's license. That's why I was planing on just going into the DMV for a state ID instead of DL in case I was issued an EAD.
You can also get it from his friends, that can work too. I was able to get one from my mother-in-law and one from my husband's friend. So there were 2 from my side and 2 from his side.
BTW, how much did u pay for your medical? I'm possibly looking at $425 for mine.

[Herewecome]

I have a serious question.
My husband who is a US citizen and I didn?t frontload evidence of bonafide marriage because our attorney who prepared our file told us to wait until the interview. I have read some posts here that that decision could cost us.

We only sent the civil documents like our marriage certificate and his divorce decree from his previous marriage.
At the time of filing we only had a utility bill under both of our names. We tried to go to a bank to open a joint account but they kept asking for a state ID which I don?t currently have.

Our plan was to wait for EAD, get a proper State ID and start building more evidence.

I?m a little worried that we made a mistake by not submitting the evidence. I have read some didn?t do it and waited for the interview and were ok.

It?s been 78 days now since I sent the documents and I haven?t received an RFE. We filed concurrently.

You are on the right track! While front loading is a practice for some, i did not front load my application. I only gave my other supporting documents during the interview.

Goodluck on your interview! You can do it!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I have a serious question.
My husband who is a US citizen and I didn?t frontload evidence of bonafide marriage because our attorney who prepared our file told us to wait until the interview. I have read some posts here that that decision could cost us.

We only sent the civil documents like our marriage certificate and his divorce decree from his previous marriage.
At the time of filing we only had a utility bill under both of our names. We tried to go to a bank to open a joint account but they kept asking for a state ID which I don?t currently have.

Our plan was to wait for EAD, get a proper State ID and start building more evidence.

I?m a little worried that we made a mistake by not submitting the evidence. I have read some didn?t do it and waited for the interview and were ok.

It?s been 78 days now since I sent the documents and I haven?t received an RFE. We filed concurrently.

MissTz1982,

This is not my opinion. This is what the I-130 instructions state on page 3/12. *See screenshot below.

People interpret that paragraph in 100 different ways. But at the end of the day, it does say that you must submit ALL evidence (...). USCIS MAY issue (...).

You can call it front-loading, but really, it's just following the instructions. Will you be OK? Anyone with a bona fide marriage ultimately will. I had a terrible experience during my first AOS 22 years ago because I did not know what I was doing, and did not really have much evidence. Online accounts weren't a thing. Now you can get very creative.

What I am trying to say is, you did the right thing by reading those posts and asking yourself whether there might be an issue. People might tell you it's personal preference, a practice of some. It's not. I am not trying to argue with anyone here. If you are ever in doubt, go straight to the instructions and trust your instinct. It was your instinct that led you to post this thread, after all. You just read the paragraph.

Were most folks who brought their evidence to the interview ultimately OK? Yes, but they prepared. Every case is different. We can compare timelines all day, but ultimately, you have to do you. If it goes South, you can't tell the ISO you know of others who did not do X Y Z and got their green cards just fine. Leave nothing to chance, and you will be fine.

Looking at your timeline, I am thinking you're probably part of the "system glitch" and you'll get an update soonish. There are many ways of create evidence of bona fide marriage. Receipts are a rich source of evidence, which place you at a location and time. Find ways to tie receipts to text message conversations about dinner with friends, and pair up those with pictures of that occasion along with a check card from your joint account. Put all those elements on your scanner tray, and print.

Share more about the bank account. Did you attempt to do it online? That's usually a no-go at most banks if you do not have a social security number. If you walk into a branch, you will have better luck. If the first banker says no, then ask for a supervisor. Visitors open bank accounts with valid passports only all the time. Bank of America is a good one for this. Alternatively, you could be added as an authorized user. Your social security number is not required for that.

Your spouse could also get a Target debit card and link it to the checking account and of course, get a Target red debit card for each one of you.

If you click on my username, you will see several discussions about "table of contents" and "staging evidence". I think that once you go through those posts, you will feel relieved, because you will realize that you can generate that kind of evidence, as well.

All the best.

[MissTz1982]

You are on the right track! While front loading is a practice for some, i did not front load my application. I only gave my other supporting documents during the interview.

Goodluck on your interview! You can do it!

Thank you very much for your words of encouragement.

- - - Updated - - -

Hey! If your case is ready to be scheduled for an interview you're on the right track! No worries!
They were saying that they only issue cards to green card holders and another user said that even though her husband went with the required documents his information had a red flag on their DMV system. She said they traveled to another DMV office and got through so I guess it's a run-around for the driver's license. That's why I was planing on just going into the DMV for a state ID instead of DL in case I was issued an EAD.
You can also get it from his friends, that can work too. I was able to get one from my mother-in-law and one from my husband's friend. So there were 2 from my side and 2 from his side.
BTW, how much did u pay for your medical? I'm possibly looking at $425 for mine.

Oh ok. Thank you for that info.

I did go to a doctor that is not far from the USCIS offices where the interviews normally takes place here in Atlanta. His office is in Tucker, GA and he only charged me $330 for the test but I ended up paying $380 because I didn?t have my immunization records.

[pyx]

Hope

Thank you very much for your words of encouragement.

- - - Updated - - -



Oh ok. Thank you for that info.

I did go to a doctor that is not far from the USCIS offices where the interviews normally takes place here in Atlanta. His office is in Tucker, GA and he only charged me $330 for the test but I ended up paying $380 because I didn?t have my immunization records.

Thank you, hope rekindle,

[Cucu2102]

Medical exam

Hey! If your case is ready to be scheduled for an interview you're on the right track! No worries!
They were saying that they only issue cards to green card holders and another user said that even though her husband went with the required documents his information had a red flag on their DMV system. She said they traveled to another DMV office and got through so I guess it's a run-around for the driver's license. That's why I was planing on just going into the DMV for a state ID instead of DL in case I was issued an EAD.
You can also get it from his friends, that can work too. I was able to get one from my mother-in-law and one from my husband's friend. So there were 2 from my side and 2 from his side.
BTW, how much did u pay for your medical? I'm possibly looking at $425 for mine.

Hey kaylip, I?m from Georgia also and my medical cost me all together less than $300. I went to my county health department and paid $63 for the vaccines and paid the dr $235 gave her the vaccination record and it was done!!!

[Cucu2102]

Georgia too

Hey! If your case is ready to be scheduled for an interview you're on the right track! No worries!
They were saying that they only issue cards to green card holders and another user said that even though her husband went with the required documents his information had a red flag on their DMV system. She said they traveled to another DMV office and got through so I guess it's a run-around for the driver's license. That's why I was planing on just going into the DMV for a state ID instead of DL in case I was issued an EAD.
You can also get it from his friends, that can work too. I was able to get one from my mother-in-law and one from my husband's friend. So there were 2 from my side and 2 from his side.
BTW, how much did u pay for your medical? I'm possibly looking at $425 for mine.

It?s my first post

[MissTz1982]

Hey kaylip, I?m from Georgia also and my medical cost me all together less than $300. I went to my county health department and paid $63 for the vaccines and paid the dr $235 gave her the vaccination record and it was done!!!

Hey there.
Let?s keep each other updated since we all from Georgia.
When is your priority date? And isn?t the test supposed to be done by the Doctors on the USCIS list only?

[Tezza]

Hey there.
Let?s keep each other updated since we all from Georgia.
When is your priority date? And isn?t the test supposed to be done by the Doctors on the USCIS list only?

You can have the vaccinations done anywhere you like. It's the medical itself that you have to visit a USCIS specified doctor. If you have your vaccination record already, and you meet the mandatory ones, no need for vaccinations. If you haven't got your record but you have had them, try and locate your records. Otherwise you will need to get them done in order to pass the medical. Some people wait until the appointment with the USCIS authorized doctor and have them give you the necessary ones (the ones you get depends on age, time of year etc), but it's not a problem to go and get them done before, but make sure you find out which ones are mandatory for your age group etc, so as not to waste money.

[kaylip]

Thank you very much for your words of encouragement.

- - - Updated - - -



Oh ok. Thank you for that info.

I did go to a doctor that is not far from the USCIS offices where the interviews normally takes place here in Atlanta. His office is in Tucker, GA and he only charged me $330 for the test but I ended up paying $380 because I didn?t have my immunization records.

Really? Please message me privately on the info. I don't have my immunization records either and The cheapest place is $425

[kaylip]

Hey kaylip, I?m from Georgia also and my medical cost me all together less than $300. I went to my county health department and paid $63 for the vaccines and paid the dr $235 gave her the vaccination record and it was done!!!

Unfortunately, my records were destroyed in a flood and my mom is unable to go to the hospital where I was born to retrieve it.