Marriage Cases Check List

___ Petitioner’s financial information for Affidavit(s) of Support (See attached.)

___ Tax returns—last 3 years (individual and joint returns for both spouses)

___ Employment letter and Pay stubs for recent Year

___ Certified copy of birth certificate with translation of beneficiary

___ Certified copy of marriage certificate with translation

___ Certified copy of divorce orders or death certificates—re prior marriages of either spouse

___ Original petitioner’s naturalization certificate, U.S. passport or certified copy of birth certificate of petitioner if born in the U.S.A.

___ Wedding pictures, photos of the couple with family/friends, family photos (please label as to date, location and names of individuals in the photographs)

___ Bank accounts, property registered in both names

___ Insurance policies (medical, life, auto, etc.) with both names

___ Letters from family regarding knowledge of marriage (include envelopes)

___ Lease or mortgage showing joint signatures/tenants

___ Receipts for items purchased together (e.g., furniture)

___ Affidavits from friends, relatives, business people with knowledge of bona fides of marriage

___ Certified copies of children’s birth certificates if born in the U.S.; also required if a minor child will also be immigrating through the petitioner.

___ Cards (holiday, birthday, misc.)

___ Medical Examination*—applicant only (form and list of doctors attached)

___ Photographs—both spouses (instructions attached)

___ Applicant entry documents (passport, I-94, I-20s, IAP-66, etc.)

___ Miscellaneous: anything else regarding bona fide marriage

* You will be asked about your vaccination history.  If available, bring immunization records to your appointment.

The applicant for a visa based upon a marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has the burden of proving the bona fides (good faith) of the marriage.  Although not every item above is required, the more you have, the better, since the philosophy or practice of the INS is that couples are presumed to engage in marriage fraud until proven otherwise where the marriage is less than two years old.