Love Is Real Even When Paperwork Isn’t

For many same-sex couples in the United States, proving a bona fide marriage for a Green Card can be tricky not because the relationship isn’t genuine, but because discrimination or privacy concerns make it hard to share a lease, bank account, or employer records.

At Okanlaw, we understand that love and partnership take many forms. The good news is: U.S. immigration law doesn’t require specific documents to prove your marriage is real just credible evidence that you share a genuine life together.
Here’s how to build a strong case even if you don’t have traditional joint paperwork.

What USCIS Looks For

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers don’t judge your marriage by its formality they assess whether it’s authentic.

They want to see consistent, verifiable proof that you and your spouse:

Live together (or have a valid reason for not doing so)

Share financial responsibilities or future plans

Know each other’s families, habits, and daily lives

Present yourselves publicly as a couple

You can meet these expectations through many types of evidence not only leases or bank accounts.

Alternative Evidence for Same-Sex Couples

When joint documents aren’t available, consider the following categories of evidence. Okanlaw often combines several of these to create a well-rounded submission:

1️⃣ Shared Residence Proof

Even without a joint lease, you can provide:

Utility bills showing the same address

Driver’s licenses or state IDs listing the same home

Mail addressed to both spouses at one residence

Letters from neighbors or landlords confirming cohabitation

2️⃣ Shared Finances and Responsibilities

If you keep separate accounts, show other financial connections:

Credit card statements showing shared expenses

Venmo/Zelle transfer history (used for rent or groceries)

Joint tax filings (if applicable)

Life insurance or health insurance listing your spouse as beneficiary

3️⃣ Communication and Travel

Your relationship timeline tells its own story:

Screenshots of chats or call logs over time

Plane tickets or hotel reservations from trips together

Photos spanning several years and milestones

4️⃣ Social and Community Ties

Community proof can be powerful:

Letters from friends, coworkers, or community members

Invitations or photos from holidays, Pride events, or weddings

Memberships in shared organizations

Each piece by itself may seem small but together, they paint a consistent picture of a genuine relationship.

If Discrimination Prevented Joint Documents

Sadly, not all workplaces or landlords treat LGBTQ+ couples fairly.

If fear of discrimination stopped you from listing your spouse on official forms, you’re not alone and U.S. law protects you.

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Employers cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. If revealing your relationship felt unsafe, explain that context briefly in your case cover letter.

Under the Fair Housing Act

Landlords also cannot legally refuse to add your spouse to a lease because of your sexual orientation. If that happened, include a note explaining the situation this helps USCIS understand why you lack a joint lease.

Tip: Okanlaw often attaches a short written declaration from the couple explaining the barriers they faced, supported by evidence of shared living or finances. Officers value transparency and context.

Honesty and Consistency Matter Most

USCIS officers are trained to evaluate the totality of evidence, not just the quantity of documents.

If something is missing, it’s better to explain it clearly than to leave a gap unexplained.

Be consistent across all forms and interviews.

Keep your story authentic even minor differences can raise questions.

Supplement with affidavits from people who know your relationship well.

From Okanlaw’s Experience

We’ve represented numerous same-sex couples who had:

No joint lease due to discriminatory landlords

No shared bank account for privacy reasons

No family photos because one partner’s relatives didn’t accept the marriage

Every one of these cases still led to approval — because the couples were honest, consistent, and well-prepared.

That’s what USCIS values most.

Final Thoughts

Love is valid, even when paperwork is limited.

If you and your spouse share a real life together, you already have what matters most the rest is about presenting it clearly.

+At Okanlaw, we help LGBTQ+ couples gather, explain, and present their evidence with care, ensuring your story is understood and respected under U.S. law.