Proof of relationship

Situation: married 15 years, me UK dual as are the kids with passports. Wife US and applied for spousal.  Question:  through the application process it did not ask her for proof of relationship beyond marriage certificate and when she printed document checklist still no requests for proof of length of relationship. Anyone else experience this ? We have been told by other folks to prepare 2 documents for each year of marriage.

Situation: married 15 years, me UK dual as are the kids with passports. Wife US and applied for spousal.  Question:  through the application process it did not ask her for proof of relationship beyond marriage certificate and when she printed document checklist still no requests for proof of length of relationship. Anyone else experience this ? We have been told by other folks to prepare 2 documents for each year of marriage.

Two pieces of evidence for each year would be very good, you will probably be fine with one for each year if you can't manage two but yes, you do need it. Plus photos of the two of you together, just a few, and any previous divorce certificates.

You can't rely on those check lists unfortunately.

we haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else in the process outside of facebook forums and here. Have you come across the requirement somewhere ?

we haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else in the process outside of facebook forums and here. Have you come across the requirement somewhere ?

It's the relationship requirement. You need to prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting. I'm sure ksand will beat me to it but I will try to find a link.
We had a couple married 20 years refused on the relationship requirement a few years ago for not providing enough evidence.

we haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else in the process outside of facebook forums and here. Have you come across the requirement somewhere ?

From the UKVI website (https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/provide-information):

Proof of relationship
If you’re applying as a spouse or partner, you’ll be asked about:

- your relationship with your partner, for example how you met and how often you see each other
- how long you’ve lived together - you’ll need to provide proof like council tax bills
- things you pay for together
- whether you’re your partner’s carer

I've been on this forum for almost 15 years and it has been a requirement for ALL of that time.

We have seen people's visas refused because, even though they had been married 20 years and had children, they did not provide proof of relationship for the entire 20 years. They reapplied, and provided the same evidence we have recommended to you (1-2 items per year) and their visa was granted.

Also, see this official UKVI immigration guidance document: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/835362/Partner_divorce_and_dissolution_guidance_v.1.0ext.pdf

From that document (page 17):

Factors which may be considered with a genuine and subsisting relationship:

• the couple are in a current, long-term relationship and provide satisfactory evidence of this
• the couple have been or are co-habiting and provide satisfactory evidence of this
•  the couple have children together (biological, adopted or step-children) and shared responsibility for them
• the couple share financial responsibilities, for example a joint mortgage or tenancy agreement, a joint bank account, savings, utility bills in both their names
• the partner, applicant or both have visited the other’s home country and family and are able to provide evidence of this (the fact than an applicant has never visited the UK must not be regarded as a negative factor, but it is a requirement of the Immigration Rules that the couple have met in person)

Also this.

.This guidance is for decision-makers handling cases that involve a partner, to recognise a genuine and subsisting relationship, and identify a valid divorce from marriage or dissolution of a civil partnership.

This guidance sets out the evidential requirements and factors that decision-makers should consider when assessing whether a relationship between an applicant and their partner is genuine and subsisting, and whether the requirements of the Immigration Rules are met.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/partners-divorce-and-dissolution