I-751 Good Faith Marriage Evidence in Highland: Removing Green Card Conditions
Proving your marriage is genuine when removing conditions on your green card
Quick Answer
For couples in Highland facing the I-751 conditional green card removal process, proving your marriage is genuine (entered in good faith) is essential. SoCal Immigration Services provides Arabic-speaking guidance on gathering convincing evidence.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
For couples in Highland facing the I-751 conditional green card removal process, proving your marriage is genuine (entered in good faith) is essential. SoCal Immigration Services provides Arabic-speaking guidance on gathering convincing evidence.
What is a Good Faith Marriage?
USCIS looks for evidence that:
• You intended to build a life together
• The marriage is real and ongoing (or was real when entered)
• Immigration benefits were not the primary reason for marriage
When Do You Need to Prove Good Faith?
- •Joint I-751 filing with spouse (standard removal of conditions)
- •I-751 waiver if divorced (marriage was bona fide when entered)
- •I-751 waiver if spouse is abusive (VAWA self-petition)
- •I-751 waiver if spouse died
- •USCIS interview for I-751 petition
- •Request for Evidence (RFE) on your I-751
Categories of Good Faith Evidence
- 1Financial Commingling
Joint bank accounts, shared credit cards, co-signed loans, joint tax returns, shared utility bills, mortgage or lease in both names.
- 2Shared Residence
Lease/mortgage with both names, bills to shared address, same address on IDs, photos of your home together, utility accounts.
- 3Relationship History
Photos from before marriage to present, communication records, travel together, social media history, calendar of events.
- 4Third-Party Affidavits
Sworn statements from family and friends who know your relationship, with their contact information and relationship to you.
- 5Children Together
Birth certificates, school records, medical records, photos of family together, custody arrangements.
- 6Insurance and Benefits
Health insurance covering spouse, life insurance beneficiary, retirement account beneficiaries, emergency contacts.
Financial Evidence in Detail
- •Joint bank account statements (at least 6 months)
- •Joint credit card statements and history
- •Mortgage or car loan in both names
- •Filed taxes as 'Married Filing Jointly' (IRS transcripts)
- •Both names on utility bills (gas, electric, water, internet)
- •Health, life, or auto insurance naming spouse as beneficiary
- •Shared investment or retirement accounts
- •Joint membership accounts (Costco, gym, etc.)
Photo Evidence Guidelines
Best Photo Evidence:
• Wedding and reception photos with family and friends
• Photos from multiple occasions over time (holidays, birthdays, vacations)
• Photos with both families together
• Travel photos showing you at various locations
• Everyday life photos (cooking, home activities, with pets)
Photo Organization:
• Include dates and descriptions
• Organize chronologically
• Include photos with extended family
• Show progression of relationship over time
• Avoid duplicates or too many similar photos
Affidavits from Family and Friends
- •Include affiant's full name, address, and contact info
- •State how they know you and your spouse
- •Describe their observations of your relationship
- •Mention specific events or interactions they witnessed
- •Have affidavit signed and notarized
- •Get affidavits from both U.S. citizen and immigrant's side
- •Include affidavits from people who knew you before marriage
Evidence If Divorced
Additional Evidence Needed:
• Final divorce decree
• Evidence of genuine relationship before divorce
• Reason for divorce (not that it was a sham)
• Photos and documents from during the marriage
• Affidavits stating marriage was real when entered
The marriage can end, but it must have been genuine when you married.
Common Weaknesses in Good Faith Evidence
| Weakness | How to Address |
|---|---|
| No joint accounts | Explain why (cultural, financial), show other commingling |
| Different addresses at times | Explain circumstances (work, family care, temporary) |
| Quick courtship | Show relationship developed genuinely despite speed |
| Large age gap | Provide context about how you met and connected |
| Cultural differences | Show how you bridge cultures together |
| Few photos together | Cultural reasons, not photo people, supplement with other evidence |
I-751 Timeline and Process
| Stage | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File I-751 | 90-day window before card expires | File early in window |
| Receipt Notice | 2-4 weeks | 18-month extension on card |
| Biometrics | 4-8 weeks after receipt | Fingerprints and photo |
| Interview (if required) | 12-24 months | Not all cases interviewed |
| Decision | 18-36 months total | Varies by case complexity |
Highland I-751 Document Services
- •Good faith evidence organization and review
- •Affidavit drafting for family and friends
- •I-751 petition preparation
- •Arabic and English document translation
- •Interview preparation if required
- •RFE response assistance
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:How much evidence do I need for I-751?
A: Quality matters more than quantity. Include evidence from multiple categories: financial, residential, photos, and third-party affidavits. A well-organized package with diverse evidence is stronger than volumes of the same type.
Q:What if we don't have joint bank accounts?
A: Explain why in your cover letter (cultural practice, financial independence). Provide other financial evidence like shared expenses, one spouse paying for the other, or transfers between individual accounts.
Q:Can we file I-751 if we're separated?
A: If legally separated but not divorced, you may still file jointly. If you intend to divorce, you may need to file with a waiver. The key is whether the marriage was entered in good faith.
Q:Do we need an interview for I-751?
A: Not always. Many I-751 cases are approved without interview. However, if USCIS has questions or your case has complexities, an interview may be scheduled.
Q:What if our photos are mostly digital?
A: Digital photos are acceptable. Print high-quality copies, include dates and descriptions, and if possible, show metadata or file dates that corroborate the timeline.
Q:How recent should our evidence be?
A: Include evidence spanning your entire marriage - from wedding to present. Recent evidence (last 6 months) shows the marriage is ongoing. Historical evidence shows it was genuine from the start.
Need Help with I-751 Good Faith Evidence in Highland?
Our Arabic-speaking team helps you organize compelling evidence to prove your genuine marriage and remove conditions on your green card.
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