My Peruvian Girlfriend

Evidence of Your Bona fide Marital Relationship

A crucial part of filing this form is that you present evidence of your bona fide marital relationship, as your removal of conditions is based upon your marriage. There are a variety of documentations that you may submit. While the USCIS instructions for the I-751 say that evidence should cover the entire period from your marriage up to the present date, there is no need to repeat evidence that you already submitted to them earlier. Many couples submit no evidence whatsoever covering the period before their first interview. In any case, it's helpful to concentrate on the evidence that has developed since they last interviewed you.

You do not have to have all of the types listed below as proof of the relationship; supply as many as you like. If you are short on the documents that have both of your names listed on them you MAY include affidavits from people who know you as a couple confirming your marital relationship -- note that they are not required. If you have very little documentary evidence, you may find affidavits helpful. Additionally, you will need to submit a copy of the green card of the person who is applying for removal of conditions. IF you have K-2 children who will also be filing for removal of conditions at the same time, you may include them and use only one form and only one fee for the form.

On the "don't panic" front -- ultimately the burden of proof is on the CIS to show a fraudulent marriage. Even if CIS denies, the application can be renewed in front of an Immigration Judge (IJ) in Removal Proceedings -- and the IJ's tend to APPROVE those cases.

ONLY SEND COPIES of evidence. The copies should be clear and all marks pertaining to filings, registration and/or government issuance should be clearly shown.

Examples of documents showing a bona fide relationship (Submit COPIES only. Do not send originals):
1. A deed, showing co-ownership of your property or a lease agreement with both of your names on the
lease.
2. Utility bills, credit card bills, and other types of bills which have both of your names on them. Since many utilities will only put a bill in one person's name, some bills in one name and other bills at the same address but in the other spouse's name serve the same purpose: showing your financial & social lives intermingled.
3. Copies of actual credit cards, health insurance cards, or other "joint" cards that you have together,
showing same account number.
4. Car, health, or life insurance that has both of your names on the policy or the other spouse listed as the
beneficiary.
5. 401K or other retirement plan with spouse listed as beneficiary (right to survivorship is the technical term)
6. Bank or stock accounts with both of your names on them.
7. A copy of your joint tax returns. Tax transcripts from the IRS are still the preferred method.
8. A car title or other titles to property showing joint ownership with your spouse.
9. Birth certificate of any children that have been born to your marriage.
10. Documentation of any vacations that you have taken, including flight itineraries, hotel bills, pictures of you
together on vacation.
11. Other family pictures of you together.
12. Documentary proof showing evidence of your children together (Copy of Birth Certificate, photos, etc)
13. Copies of Christmas cards and other holiday cards addressed to you both