Immigration Resources

Bona Fide Marriage Document Checklist

1. Birth certificates of children of the marriage, if any.
2. Copies of joint income tax returns or other tax documents filed with the federal, state, or local taxing authorities.
3. Evidence of joint checking or savings accounts.
4. Evidence of investment or other financial accounts jointly held by the couple – stocks, bonds, mutual funds, CD’s etc.
5. Evidence of retirement accounts or pensions showing the primary spouse as owner and the other spouse as beneficiary.
6. Photo ID cards of both spouses with a new card for the wife showing her married name.
7. Driver’s licenses, credit cards, check cashing cards, employment ID cards, video club memberships, etc. for both parties.
8. Real property deeds showing joint ownership.
9. Apartment lease or a letter from the landlord indicating that both spouses live at the apartment or copies of rent receipts showing both parties’ names.
10. Letter from an employer showing a change in records to reflect the spouses’ new marital status.
11. Letter from an employer showing designation of the spouse as the person to be notified in event of accident, sickness, or other emergency.
12. Evidence of insurances held by the parties, including, health insurance, life insurance (where the spouse is named as beneficiary), auto insurance, home owners insurance, or any other property insurance.
13. Evidence of correspondence between parties, including letters, birthday and holiday cards, telephone calls, and other correspondence addressed to the parties.
14. Religious marriage certificates if the couple had a church wedding.
15. Copies of gas, electric, telephone and other utility bills.
16. Evidence of joint ownership of an automobile or other vehicles, such as titles, registrations, or certificates.
17. Evidence of all major purchases made together, such as stereo, television, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.
18. Photographs that show both spouses together and with family and friends. These photographs can be taken at the wedding, at other functions or events, and throughout their relationship.
19. Letters between the couple before the marriage, with their postmarked envelope.
20. Evidence of trips the couple has taken together, including bills and receipts reflecting hotel stays, car rental, plane tickets, postcards sent to family members while on the trip.
21. Copies of mail (envelopes) addressed to both spouses, whether it be personal, business, or even junk mail.
22. Notarized letters from family, friends, co-workers, etc. attesting to the fact that the couple is married and living together, with specific references to the courtship, wedding ceremony, reception, events, parties, vacations, etc. of which the writer has personal and specific knowledge. These letters should be made under oath (ie. should contain the statement “Sworn to and subscribed under penalties of perjury” at the end, immediately before the signature of the writer.
23. Matching House Keys. Yes, its true. I have been to interviews where the officers asked to see the housekeys of the couple and then held them up to compare and make sure that they were the same.
24. ANY OTHER EVIDENCE OR DOCUMENTATION not listed above that would logically prove or establish that the couple is sharing a life together as h husband and wife.

If you need help preparing for your Interview or you would like representation at your Interview, call South Florida Immigration Lawyer Sean D. Hummel (954) 385-3111.