I-751, The Effort Continues
It’s almost a year to the day we submitted the I-751 form and we finally received a letter pertaining to its status on April 18, 2009. Unfortunately, the letter is not good. The submitted proof that our relationship is ongoing was “insufficient” and now the USCIS wants more. I can’t say if these requests are routine, but the paperwork which accompanied the notice was not helpful.
Included in three blue pages was an extensive list of what could qualify as evidence. The letter asked us to provide new information not previously submitted. However, the letter gave no indication why or if the evidence we previously sent was invalid. We were given until the end of May to submit further paperwork.
We reviewed the original I-751 packet and decided we could provide much more evidence of our ongoing (and valid) marriage. Here’s what’s included in the new packet:
- 2008 tax return, jointly filed, married
- Updated bank statement showing the account is held in both of our names, itemized deposits which include our 2008 tax refund from the Treasury, and direct deposits from both of our employers
- Updated verification of car insurance; 1 car, 1 policy, two drivers
- A printout of my employer benefits which indicate Kristien is the 100% beneficiary of my life insurance policy, and the dependent on my health plans
- Several medical invoices showing the joint health benefits are active
- Printouts of both of our pay stubs, which indicate direct deposit to the above mentioned bank account, and deductions for health benefits
- Furniture invoice showing both our names and our address together
- Veterinary invoice showing both our names and our address together
- Signed wills for both of us, with two confirming witnesses, and a notarized affidavit, both which indicate we are the primary inheritors of the other’s possessions
- Sworn affidavits from two of our neighbors which state that our marriage is, in fact, a real relationship.
I hope this is sufficient proof. Either way, the government will provide a response within 60 days of receiving the evidence. We sent the notice on April 25, 2009, just a week after receiving the request. The wills were something we had already planned but just needed to have witnessed and notarized. It seemed like a good step towards proving our commitment to each other.
After one year of silence it’s good to know the wheels are still turning. Let’s hope they’re moving in our favor.
I-751, Removing Conditional Status
If you’ve been tracking our status, welcome back! I’ve had a long break but it’s time to revive those government form application skills. Almost two years after obtaining a green card, Kristien and I now must petition the Government to remove her conditional status. This means submitting a I-751 form.
The required form information is minimal: name, address, where we got married, a copy of her green card, and our signatures. There are other fields but the most important part is the evidence that proves your marriage is valid. We attached several pieces of information that would prove the marriage is not just for show.
- Bank statement showing the account is held in both of our names
- 2006 and 2007 tax returns, both filed jointly married
- Confirmation of our jointly-accessible safe deposit box
- Verification of car insurance; 1 car, 1 policy, two drivers
- Sworn affidavits from my parents that our marriage is, in fact, a real relationship.
We sent the forms, evidence, and $545 check via USPS certified mail. The check includes the cost of the form processing and a biometrics appointment, which is scheduled later.