Just Filed Your Marriage-Based Adjustment of Status? Here’s How to Start Building Rock-Solid Evidence of Your Relationship
You’ve submitted your marriage-based adjustment of status (AOS) application—congratulations! That’s a major milestone. But before you put your feet up and wait for your interview notice, let’s have an honest chat: Now is the time to start intentionally building the kind of documentation that will convince a USCIS officer your marriage is the real deal.
Far too many couples wait until they receive their interview notice to scramble for evidence. Trust me—the best time to start building your case is now, while you’re living your daily life together. Think of this as your opportunity to not just say you’re a bona fide couple, but to prove it on paper.
Let’s walk through creative, powerful, and practical ways to generate the kind of hard evidence USCIS values most. Keep in mind these are ideas on how a couple in a genuine marriage can capture evidence of their marital relationship.
1. Open a Joint Bank Account—and Use It Regularly
A joint bank account is gold-standard evidence. But simply opening it isn't enough. Use it for paying rent, groceries, shared subscriptions, or even just your weekend coffee runs. Monthly statements that show regular, meaningful activity by both spouses carry tremendous weight. If you have the account but no activity, then it won't be that useful at all.
2. Credit Cards: Joint Account Holders or Authorized Users
If a joint credit card account isn’t feasible (some banks only allow one primary), then add your spouse as an authorized user. Many credit card companies can generate a letter confirming when your spouse was added. Similarly, if you have the account but no activity, then it won't be that useful at all.
Visual Proof: Take a photo of both credit cards side by side, front and back, with matching account numbers. It makes your case file that much more convincing.
3. Get Joint Insurance Policies
You might already have car insurance, renters/homeowners insurance, or health insurance. Now’s the time to consolidate these under both your names.
Add your spouse to your auto policy.
List both of you on renters’ or homeowner’s policies.
Enroll in a shared health insurance plan (if eligible).
Purchase joint dental or vision coverage if available.
Even a small insurance card with both names goes a long way.
4. Add Each Other to Employer Retirement Accounts
Many people don’t realize you can list your spouse as the primary beneficiary on a 401(k) or IRA.
Take 15 minutes to log into your retirement account and make this update. Screenshot the confirmation page and save it. This is especially valuable evidence that demonstrates long-term commitment.
5. Consider Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Advance Directives
Legal documents like wills, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney all provide strong evidence of your intertwined lives. They don’t just show planning for the future, they reflect a deep, intentional bond.
6. Joint Utility Bills and Lease Agreements
If you're living together, make sure the lease or mortgage is in both names. Also, add the other spouse to utility bills—gas, electric, internet, or water. Most providers allow this with a quick phone call or online request.
7. Joint Life Insurance Policies
If you don’t already have life insurance, now might be a good time to get it. Whether it’s term or whole life, name each other as the beneficiary. This shows you’re planning for one another’s future security.
8. IVF, Fertility Treatments, or Family Planning Expenses
If applicable, any shared medical journey toward starting a family is compelling evidence of a real marriage. Save:
IVF treatment receipts
Clinic appointment confirmations
Medical bills with both spouses listed
Documentation of co-signing or co-financing procedures
This kind of medical record is powerful proof that your marriage is not just romantic—it's practical, planned, and deeply committed.
9. Start Fresh: Open New Accounts in Both Names
Sometimes, couples feel discouraged if they didn’t start with joint finances. The good news? USCIS doesn’t care when you started, only that you did.
If your original lease, insurance, or phone plan is only in one name, consider starting fresh:
Sign a new lease together when it’s time to renew
Open a new checking or savings account
10. Open a Joint Safe Deposit Box or Storage Unit
Banks and storage companies issue contracts with both names. This reflects shared trust, planning, and access to jointly held valuables or records, especially helpful if used to store tax returns, jewelry, or key documents.
11. Buy Property or Co-Sign a Car Loan
Purchasing property together, adding your spouse to an existing mortgage or deed, or co-signing a car loan demonstrates serious financial entwinement. Even refinancing a loan to include both names is solid evidence.
12. File Joint Taxes (When Eligible)
Once you're eligible, file as "Married Filing Jointly." This is a USCIS favorite. Tax transcripts directly from the IRS show both names, addresses, and marital status; it's one of the strongest types of evidence.
13. Pet Ownership and Veterinary Records
Adopted a pet? Great! Vet bills, microchip registrations, and pet insurance documents with both names signal shared daily responsibility and emotional investment, especially if you both signed adoption paperwork or share costs.
14. Religious Membership or Community Records
If you attend a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, request a letter confirming your joint membership or participation in classes, events, or donations. These organizations often keep helpful records that support your relationship narrative.
“I highly recommend working with Sharon and her team at Khunkhun Law. When my husband needed to file for adjustment of status for our marriage-based green card, they guided us through every step with care and empathy. Their expert help made the entire process smooth and reassuring, and we truly felt cared for during a difficult time. If you’re looking for a top New York immigration lawyer who offers personalized service and genuine commitment, Khunkhun Law is the team to trust.”
Document Everything—Starting Now
From this point forward, save everything with both your names on it. Bank statements, insurance letters, mail, invoices. Organize these in a digital folder or Dropbox and update it monthly.
You’ll thank yourself when your interview comes around and you’re sitting there with a folder full of clear, well-organized evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
1. Why is it important to start gathering evidence right after filing the marriage-based AOS application?
Starting early lets you collect natural, ongoing proof of your bona fide marriage rather than scrambling to gather last-minute documents. USCIS values evidence that shows consistent, shared life activities over time, which appear before the interview notice. Early preparation strengthens your case and reduces stress.
2. What types of joint financial accounts are most helpful as evidence?
Joint bank accounts with regular transactions, joint or authorized user credit cards with documented use, and joint insurance policies (car, health, renters/homeowners) are all strong financial evidence. They demonstrate shared financial responsibility and daily interconnection.
3. Can legal documents like wills or powers of attorney help prove the legitimacy of my marriage?
Yes, legal documents naming each other (wills, healthcare proxies, powers of attorney) show intentional long-term commitment and trust. USCIS views these as strong indicators that your marriage is genuine and planned beyond just paperwork.
4. How should couples handle joint leases and utility bills as evidence?
Make sure your lease or mortgage is in both names, and add both spouses to utility accounts like gas, electric, internet, or water. These shared housing expenses reflect a shared household and interwoven lives, which USCIS finds credible.
5. What if we didn’t start with joint accounts or shared policies—can we still build evidence later?
Absolutely. USCIS cares about current and ongoing evidence, not just when you began joint activities. Opening new joint accounts, updating policies, or co-signing loans after filing your application still demonstrates your bona fide marriage effectively. You can read additional FAQ’s related to the marriage-based adjustment of status process here.
Final Thoughts
USCIS isn’t in the business of guessing. They look for patterns of shared life and responsibility. That means documentation, not just love letters, selfies, or screenshots of texts (those are nice, but not enough).
By building your paper trail now, you avoid the anxiety of scrambling later. Even better, you’ll feel confident walking into your interview knowing that your relationship isn’t just real, it’s documented. Let us help put together your relationship evidence right from the start. Schedule your consultation now to ensure your love story continues without legal roadblocks. Should you or your loved one have any questions or need representation, please do not hesitate to contact us. Although we are located in New York City, we represent clients all over the 50 states of the US. Call us, email us at info@khunkhunlaw.com, or review other options to get in touch with us for an immigration consultation. We have represented many clients with successful results, even with the most difficult set of facts.