Almost there.... few more questions about docs for Spouse Visa

We almost have it all together!! I just got the marriage certificate in the mail today! We got lucky because we only had to wait one week.  I am just checking, double checking, and triple checking (!) that my husband and I have everything we need to submit our application for our spousal visa. The last few question are:
1. Do I as the applicant (USC) need my own personal letter or is that optional?
2. Does his (UKC) passport photo i.d. page copy I am sending have to be a color copy?
3. I had my passport photos taken at CVS Pharmacy. I'm a little nervous about the photos just because they simply printed 6 off and they look a little close up/bigger than the example I have printed out from the UKBA website. I don't have a ruler at home so I haven't measured them yet but they would have to be cut since there are 6 anyways. Is this going to be ok? I am worried the ECO's will think I printed them myself but maybe I am worrying too much. Does anyone else have a successful experience of using passport photos from a place like CVS?

As always, thank you all for your help! We couldn't have done this without you!

1.) for the most part I believe an applicant letter is optional, unless you have things you need to clarify/explain. I wrote a quick one explaining my relationship with my husband, a few corrections/missing things on my online form, and when I was thinking of traveling.

2.) like I said in the other thread, I'm not 100% sure about any rule of color vs black and white photocopies, so maybe someone can explain that if there's a rule that exists but I don't know about.

3.) I wouldn't sweat the photos that much if it was done at a store like CVS--mine were done at Walgreens, and I only got one, and it was a US sized photo. They should of printed it to conform with US passport specifications as long as that's what you asked for, and the UKBA will tinker with it in order to get it down to what they need. It doesn't matter if you printed them off yourself anyway, as long as it conforms to certain standards and clearly shows your face, and resembles the photo in your passport so that everything matches up.

I haven't read anything stating that the copy of the UKC id has to be color, and I've done a couple of searches. I hope not, because the certified copy I've got is b&w.

Ok, I will stick with the black and white.  I haven't read anything about that anywhere either. Thanks Kittenfish, for your feedback about the passport. I am just being extremely cautious with everything!  I will keep what I have then but only send in one photo.

1. Everything I have read is that you do need to include a cover letter/letter of intent.  This is the applicants letter.  I also included a letter in front of my financial section to explain anything that may not have been 100% transparent or obvious.  It cant hurt.

2. I used a colour copy, but cannot find it writing anywhere that it must be colour.

3. A US sized passport photo is absolutely acceptable for applications originating in the US.  Just make sure you arent smiling, wearing sunglasses, have shadows on your face, or wearing anything on your head.

3. CVS is fine, I got my bunac and student visa passport photos there, was nervous but they worked fine as long as you aren't doing the silly things that others have mentioned "no sunglasses" 

1. I included a letter of intent in my spouse application. This is especially a good idea if there is anything you feel you should clarify in your application. I can't honestly say if it is required since I have heard yes and no from various sources, but it can't hurt.


I was overly cautious on my application as well. After hearing a friend's application was denied, I became obsessed with double-checking that everything was in order. It must have paid off because my visa was approved on the same day as it was submitted!

I hope it goes well for you!

Thank you all! So, what should I say in my letter of intent besides anything I would like to clarify? Does anyone have the basics of what I should include? Should I also included a contents section with a list of all the documents? 

Its just a simple "this is why I am applying, this is how I know my husband, we were married on date xyz, this is why we are settling in the UK rather than in the US, attached please find our supporting documents, I'd like to travel on date abc, if you have any questions let me know".  I reiterated a few things that my husband said in his letter, but my letter of intent was only three paragraphs.

Sounds good, will do.

In regards to the passport photo, do I just sign the back of the photo and place in plastic zip lock bag?

In regards to the passport photo, do I just sign the back of the photo and place in plastic zip lock bag?

Not necessary to do that, just put it in the bag (or secure it in some way where it can't get lost while they're processing it). They can see that it matches the picture in your passport, so you don't need to sign the back of it.

Um.... I just paperclipped my unsigned photo to the front of my application.

Thank you!