UK Settlement Visa (married > 4yrs) Supporting Documents Checklist

Background: I am USC; husband is UKC. We are returning to the UK together to live permanently after living here in the States for 6 years.

My plan is to submit a thin binder with the following sections/supporting documents.

1. APPLICATION

• Signed paper copy of VAF4A w/required photographs (original VAF4A submitted online and paid online)
• Brief letter from me emphasizing that I need the KOL Required stamp on the Visa

2. IDENTIFICATION/RESIDENCY

• My original US passport and previously expired US passport
• Copy of my husband's current UK passport
• Copy of my husband's UK birth certificate

3. MARRIAGE(S)

• Certified copy of our marriage certificate
• Copies of divorce decrees from our previous marriages

4. EMPLOYMENT

• Copy of husband's NI number
• Evidence/info re husband's current employment
• Copies of husband's payslips
• Copy of husband's CV (web programmer)
• Copies of husband's UK job search efforts thus far
• Copy of my NI number (I previously - briefly - lived in UK)
• Evidence/info re my current employment
• Copies of my payslips
• Copy of my CV (Legal Secretary)
• Copies of my UK job search efforts thus far

5. FINANCIAL

• Support letter from husband - Sample wording anyone?
• Letter from mother-in-law (with documentation) stating that she owns her own home and that we can live there rent-free until we find accommodation - Sample wording anyone?
• Copies of joint bank statements
• Copies of our individual bank statements
• Copies of joint tax returns
• Copy showing monthly receipt of alimony from my previous husband (court-ordered)

Is there anything else that I might need to include?

Thank you! 

You need to submit your husbands actual passport OR a certified copy of his passport details page OR a copy of his passport details page AND his original Long Form Birth Certificate.

Your divorce decrees need to be certified copies or original documents.

You also need to submit your completed biometrics appointment sheet.

You can find an example of a sponsor letter here: http://www.londonelegance.com/transpondia/usuk/spousal.pdf

You need to submit your husbands actual passport OR a certified copy of his passport details page OR a copy of his passport details page AND his original Long Form Birth Certificate. Right, got that. Thanks.

Your divorce decrees need to be certified copies or original documents. Thanks for reminder. I knew that but had forgotten!

You also need to submit your completed biometrics appointment sheet. Thank you. I had also forgotten about the biometrics appointment sheet.

You can find an example of a sponsor letter here: http://www.londonelegance.com/transpondia/usuk/spousal.pdf Cheers!

I'm sorry to jump into your thread with my own questions but your lists has given me a few, I hope you don't mind!

From what I understood you only have to send a letter of support from your spouse if they are not accompanying you to the UK, is that right? If so do most people include one anyway?

And is it really necessary to add both my old passport (maiden name) and my new one? I have two due to changing my name when I got married but technically it's not expired just no longer valid.

Thanks!  

To the OP , your list is really helpful, no matter how many I see it's always comforting to see lists of the exact documents people are sending because I find some of it to be a bit unclear on the official site.

A sponsor letter is required from the British Citizen spouse since it is ultimately their  financial responsibility that you do not access public funds.

Guidance on Maintenance & Accommodation: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/maintenanceaccommodation

Spousal visa guidance:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/settlement/spouses

As far as passports you need to submit all passports held in the last 10 years, the application asks for the passport numbers and where those passports are. So if you have them, you must submit them.

ETA: if you happen to actually look at the paper VAF4A application it lists on page 13 what the supporting documents are: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/vaf4a.