BonaFide proofs (pix, gift receipts, etc):send w/ applilcation or bring to interview?

[zanaeurope]

hi there,

I'm originally from Europe, came to the US on a F1 to do my PhD and have been here for 4 years. just got married to a US citizen yesterday and I'm getting ready to send my I-485 application soon. I have a couple of questions I was hoping you might help me with:

- all those proofs that it's a bona fide marriage (family and vacation photos, receipts from gifts, email/phone correspondence, joint bank account statements etc) - do I need to send those in with the application or should I just bring them to the interview?

- can photos be in a digital format - given that all photos today are made with digital cameras, it's so much easier and cheaper to burn them a CD with all the photos (if sending them with the application) or bring a memory stick to the interview than it is to make paper prints...?

- how technologically advanced are they in general? for example, are they going to be checking our ******** profiles and such? we have tons of pix and communication, and friends and family commenting on our relationship on FB...

- given that I've been in the country for 4 years, I have a bank account, credit cards, I've been paying taxes etc. will the INS want to see my tax returns (and if so, for how many years) and my bank account statements? will they be looking into my bank accounts at all?

- given that I've been a phd student for the past 4 years, will it be helpful to send them my transcripts, or any letters from my department saying Im a student in good standing?

Thanks a lot!!

Zhana

[nichole]

Because you're already in the US and haven't done a "petition" like the K (spouse & fiance) visas or CR1/IR1, the you have to file the I-130 petition with your I-485. That petition requires relationship evidence. Read the instruction pages for it so you know all the forms and documents to send. Repeat anything the I-485 asks for Clip the applications as separate entities, not just one gob of papers.

Financial details are required for the I-864 Affidavit of support provided by the US spouse. One year of her tax returns is required. Two more are optional if they are going to help her finances look stronger. They won't look at any of your financials if you don't send them. If you mean will they "snoop" into your bank accounts--No. Your spouse must meet the required level of income and needs to show that, but not necessarily with bank accounts. A joint bank account with both your names could fall under evidence of a bonafide marriage however--or even the paperwork from opening it.

They are mostly looking to see if you meet the requirements of married, met in person, aren't a **** couple. You don't have to show them you are a good guy---the FBI checks will be done for that purpose.

No to digital photos or docs. They use paper files. Photocopies are acceptable (like birth certificate) but take the originals to the interview in case they want to examinine them.

[zanaeurope]

thanks Nichole,

I guess that answers all of my questions except one - do I need to send copies of family photographs with the application or can I just bring them to the interview?

thanks!
Zhana

[nichole]

thanks Nichole,

I guess that answers all of my questions except one - do I need to send copies of family photographs with the application or can I just bring them to the interview?

thanks!
Zhana

I sent 4 with my K1 (I-129f) How about a photo from your wedding and maybe a few more with family members or a holiday celebration. There is a list of suggested evidence to send with the I-130 here
http://immihelp.comhttps://www.immih...ationship.html

Take some more photos to the interview. Some people take albums.

In the end, these are only suggestions and how you want to convince the USCIS you have a real marriage and live as husband and wife is up to you.