How to Prove Our Marriage Is Real or "Bona Fide"

Question:

As a U.S. citizen's wife, how to prepare documents to prove our marriage is real, for an USCIS interview?

Answer:

To obtain a U.S. Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card) based on marriage, you will have to prove that the marriage is real or "bona fide". This means a marriage in which the two people intend, from the start, to establish a life together as husband and wife. An important step to prove the marriage is real or "bona fide" is joining your lives together.

You should not wait until the last minute to look for ways that you can prove that you are really married, or that you live together, or that you trust each other enough to share financial and other personal matters.

Also, you should take steps to prepare for a future together. For example, a U.S. citizen in a sham marriage might not remember to add his or her new spouse as a beneficiary to a company sponsored life insurance policy, while someone in a real marriage would or at least should. Thus, Some important steps to prove the marriage is real or "bona fide" might include:

• make your spouse a beneficiary on your retirement account or other accounts that require or allow a payout to a beneficiary upon the holder’s death;

• make sure that both spouses are covered under your health insurance policy, if the other spouse doesn't have his or her own insurance;

• if you live together, add your spouse to your house deed, mortgage, or apartment lease;

• if you live together, add your spouse’s name to your garbage, utility, cable, and other bills;

• take out a joint credit card;

• open a joint bank account;

• file joint tax returns;

• join a gym or club together;

• buy a car or other major asset together.