Is a joint bank account good enough for "Proof of residency & relationship" for I-864

[teestuff]

My wife and I just got married a couple months ago, and so we still don't have any bills showing that she lives at the same address as me. Would opening a joint bank account and using the bank statement be sufficient for I-864?

How else can I proof that my wife is living with me? (other than updating the address with utility companies)

 

[randallemery]

I think it's a judgement call on behalf of the person interviewing you.

The more accounts you have in both of your names, the better, and a bank account is one thing that will help you.

Apart from utility bills and bank accounts, here are some other things that would help:

* adding her to your rental agreement
* signing her up on your credit card
* adding her to your investment account

They will question if you have significant assets (house, investments) in your name only.

 

[ari4u]

My wife and I just got married a couple months ago, and so we still don't have any bills showing that she lives at the same address as me. Would opening a joint bank account and using the bank statement be sufficient for I-864?

How else can I proof that my wife is living with me? (other than updating the address with utility companies)

also you could add her name to whichever applicable...
Health insurance
Auto insurance
Auto ownership
phone bills
utility bills
same address for both drivers licenses

 

[running_swede]

You should be able to get her name on the title without it having any impact on your mortgage. I just bought a house and the bank told me I could put my wife on the title although I was the sole applicant for the mortgage. Of course, I do not know if you can do that without an SSN for your wife, but you definitely should not have to refinance.

 

[babybunny]

how much is enough

i was just thinking. how much money do you think should one have on the joint account? i mean, does it even matter how much one has? or it's just to prove that you really are married?

 

[workhomes2003]

do you need bank statement for filing I864 ? I thought u need this only for interview. I am attaching whatever is in the cover letter which is:
copy of recent paystub
last 2 yeArs W2
TAX transcript from IRS for the last 3 years
Would this be enough ?

 

[ari4u]

do you need bank statement for filing I864 ? I thought u need this only for interview. I am attaching whatever is in the cover letter which is:
copy of recent paystub
last 2 yeArs W2
TAX transcript from IRS for the last 3 years
Would this be enough ?

You need to include bank statement when showing cash savings as assets. Otherwise what you have is good

 

[ari4u]

i was just thinking. how much money do you think should one have on the joint account? i mean, does it even matter how much one has? or it's just to prove that you really are married?

If you are using cash savings in your bank as assets, it matters how much money you have in your account. If not, then it doesnt matter as long as you are able to meet/exceed the minimum requirements.

 

[Suzy977]

My wife and I just got married a couple months ago, and so we still don't have any bills showing that she lives at the same address as me. Would opening a joint bank account and using the bank statement be sufficient for I-864?

How else can I proof that my wife is living with me? (other than updating the address with utility companies)

I don't think a joint account is enough to prove that you live together and that you're actually married.

Last time when my parents were in the US, in 1995 I've opened a joint checking account with my father.

He came back to the US in 2004 and all this time he was able to write checks from the account whenever he needed it, living back there in my old country.

 

[ari4u]

I don't think a joint account is enough to prove that you live together and that you're actually married.

Last time when my parents were in the US, in 1995 I've opened a joint checking account with my father.

He came back to the US in 2004 and all this time he was able to write checks from the account whenever he needed it, living back there in my old country.

It works both ways Suzy.