Co-sponsor problems...advice needed!

We are applying for the spousal settlement visa and decided that based on my fiance's employment, we should have a co-sponsor just to cover ourselves, and decided to use my fiance's father.  We asked him and his wife about it told them what it all entailed, and reassured them that it doesn't mean they will have to give us any money, it's just something on paper to say should we need their help, they are willing to give it.  They were really great about it and even had me type up the letter for them both to sign, but then when we asked for the 3 months of bank statements and wage slips, they basically are refusing to go and pay for a bank statement from their bank, even though its somehting like £5.  We told them we'd pay but they acted really funny about it.  They gave us a statement that starts at the end of July to the end of August and then one wage slip from each of them and that was it, that's all they are willing to provide.

I don't think this is enough, and I'm stressing out about it because our wedding is in a month and we're applying for the visa right after.  So, I'm wondering if we could use my mother as a co-sponsor as well...the only problem is, she's unemployed but recently got her inheritance from my grandfather who passed away in December.  Half of it is wrapped up in a retirement plan, and the other half she is living off of now.  It was a very large chunk of money, but I'm afraid they won't see her as a valid sponsor because she won't be able to provide wage slips.  She also gained my grandparents house and had no mortgage payments as it is all paid off.

So can I use her?  Or should we gamble with the info his dad provided us?  Please help!

I think your co-sponsor should be someone in the UK.  Does your mom live over here?

Any chance of your fiance sitting down and showing them what's needed for the application.  If they see that more evidence is needed, maybe they'll provide it.

Like Lola said, I think your co-sponser is supposed to be someone in the UK.

Someone will disagree with me if they think I'm wrong, but I think you'll be okay with what you have. I went through the process in the end of May. My husband and I were BROKE... absolutely no money left in my bank accounts and his was overdrawn! So, we asked his father for a letter of support and bank statements. He was a little hesitant at first too, thinking he'd somehow be legally obligated to support us. He did write the letter, but like your fiance's parents, he was still hesitant about the bank statements. I can understand that... it's pretty personal stuff! I'd prefer no one looked at my statements, including my family as well. He eventually provided us with a statement from the company he owns instead of from his personal account. We had no problems at all with getting the visa.

Oh, the other thing we did include though was something proving that my father-in-law owned his home and he said in the letter that if we ever needed a place to stay that we could stay with him.

Do you have any education or work experience? Are you employable? You don't have to answer this question here... but it would also help if you included your resume and maybe a letter of reference to show that you are employable and would be able to get a job once you're in the UK.

As a general rule, co-sponsors wishing to keep their financial affairs private can put all of their documents into a big brown envelope marked "CONFIDENTIAL:  TO BE OPENED BY ECO ONLY".

The applicant will never see it.

Include the applicant's name, birthdate, and nationality on the outside of the envelope so that it doesn't get lost...

Remember to enclose a self-addressed envelop inside requesting return via post.  You don't need to put postage on it, cuz it will come back via the pouch.

I forgot to add something.  There's confusion about whether or not co-sponsors need to be in the UK or not.  Co-sponsors need to be in the UK if the consulate requires an undertaking in order to issue the visa, otherwise not.  That's because undertakings are enforceable only in the UK and the policy makes sense.    And further, they don't require undertakings in fast-track countries like the USA, they are reserved for more awkward locales, like Tanzania for example.   Naturally, if the co-sponsor is offering accommodation, they would be in the UK because the co-sponsor needs to show the authority to provide accommodation. 

Interestingly enough, there's a documented procedure to follow if the co-sponsor is not in the UK and somehow becomes temporarily unable to continue sponsorship.  I have never seen it used, but it's interesting to know that they have got that angle covered...

My cosponsor was my sister in the US. She provided bank statements, not wage slips.

My mom is in the US, but she would still be able to say she would be willing to financially help us out. 

My fiance's father and mother rent their home, but my fiance has a flat and we have a letter from his landlord granting my permission to live with him.  Do we still need to include his father's lease as well, even though we are not staying there?

I think I am just going to use both.  If they don't like one, they can use the other, or perhaps they will see that we have plenty of family willing to help us if we need it.  Does that sound ok?