We are gradually putting together documentation for a spousal visa and have a couple of questions.
First some background: we have been together for 36 years, having met in London when I was on holiday. We are a same sex couple, so marriage was not possible. My partner moved to the USA in 1985, and we have lived together since then -- with occasional times when we were apart because of jobs, sabbaticals etc.
We became civil partners in California in 2002 when that became possible, and then were legally married in California in July 2008, as soon as that was legally possible. The state of California recognized that marriage even when the laws changed for a time there, and then the USA Supreme Court recognized same sex marriage in 2015.
For lots of reasons, we have few documents before our 2008 legal marriage, although we have some jointly-addressed correspondence, etc -- and photos.
My question is: do I need to document our relationship BEFORE 2008, when we were legally married, and if so, much much and what kind of documentation would be needed? OR, do we just need to document since our legal marriage, since I will be applying for a spousal visa?
Since 2008, we can provide annual tax forms and other documents (as well as certified marriage license, photos, etc) How much do we need from 2008 to the present?
As always, I am grateful to this forum. I really don't know what we would do without it, and especially the leaders/experts. Thank you!
