It is not uncommon for the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to deny the petition for family sponsorship due to lack of proof of relationship. When you are applying to adjust your status in the US based on your marriage, you are required to prove that your marriage is ‘bona fide’, meaning that your marriage was for love and not solely to receive immigration benefits through marriage to a US citizen.
The burden of proof is on the applicant to provide enough evidence that supports the validity of their marriage. Lack of documentation can lead to denial and even USCIS officials suspecting the validity of your marriage which can lead to severe consequences. If you are suspected of fraud, then your case will be referred for an immigration hearing. They may also start removal proceedings against you.
Therefore, to avoid all of this, it is best to know what type of documents you can provide to prove that your marriage is bona fide.
What Type of Documents Must be Provided to Prove That the Marriage is Bona Fide?
Evidence of Cohabitation
As a married couple, you and your spouse are expected to be living together. Several documents can support your cohabitation, for example, joint lease agreements, property deeds, utility bills, etc. If you are living apart for a genuine reason like one of you is in school and therefore must live close to campus, then proof of the same can be provided.
In any case, if you are living separately, then concrete proof must be provided that it does not have anything to do with your marriage not being valid.
