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The Importance of Documenting the Bona Fide Spousal Relationship

Chicago Immigration Law Office

Marriages come in all different shapes and sizes. Couples enter marriage for several reasons. As we know, in order to navigate through a marriage-based green card process, a couple must undergo the interview process with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A couple must be prepared and ready to prove to the USCIS that their marriage was for the purpose of the couple being together indefinitely. A USCIS officer will determine if the couple entered the marriage to be together for the foreseeable future or if the marriage was solely to bypass immigration law.

Couples bear the burden of proving that their marriage is not for immigration benefits. The first step in the immigration process is filing a USCIS Form I-130 and documenting bona fide spousal relationship. Simply put, documenting is critical in filing for a marriage-based petition. Providing your attorney with joint living documents, joint utility bills, joint bank accounts, trips and photos are only some of the documentation you will need when filing for a marriage-based petition. Documenting your petition is critical because it provides the USCIS Officer with a first impression of the couple’s relationship before the interview. The more documentation that the couple is engaged in a bona fide marriage, the better chance for the petition to be successful.

Gathering these documents is critical to any marriage-based green card case. While the task of finding, collecting and delivering these documents may seem daunting at first, it is absolutely necessary. In some cases, a marriage or relationship may possibly be very new. As a couple you may not have much of the documentation that is needed to file. Or you may have plenty of documents but are not sure what is needed for you to present the best case possible to the USCIS. In these cases, it is best to speak to a legal immigration professional in order to help you navigate the task of collecting, sorting and building up the necessary documentation needed for a solid case. Presenting a full and complete case when filling with the USCIS will assist your case in being approved as soon as possible. The more complete documentation, the less time the USCIS will take deciding your case.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.

This blog was written by Francis Law Center Staff Liridoni Ademi

Chicago Immigration Law Office
Francis Law Center - Immigration Law
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