### 1) **Submitting Evidence Photos from 10 Years Ago**
- **Yes, you can submit photos from 10 years ago** taken at the Hindu temple as evidence of your relationship. USCIS understands that couples may not have a legal marriage certificate if they were married in a religious or cultural ceremony. Photos from your wedding and other significant events (e.g., family gatherings, trips, etc.) are strong evidence of a bona fide marriage.
- **Additional Evidence:** Include affidavits from family members or friends who attended the wedding or can attest to your relationship. You can also provide other documentation, such as:
- Correspondence (letters, emails, texts) over the years.
- Social media posts or other public evidence of your relationship.
- Any joint responsibilities (e.g., raising children, shared bills, etc.).
2) **Lack of Joint Financial Accounts or Lease**
- While joint financial accounts and leases are common evidence, they are not the only way to prove a bona fide marriage. USCIS looks at the totality of the evidence. Here’s what you can emphasize:
- **Same Mailing Address:** The fact that you’ve used the same mailing address for USCIS for both of you is a strong point. Make sure to highlight this in your application.
- **Other Evidence:** If you don’t have joint accounts or leases, provide alternative evidence, such as:
- Utility bills or other mail showing both names at the same address.
- Evidence of shared responsibilities (e.g., insurance policies, medical records, etc.).
- Testimonials from friends or family about your relationship.
- Photos of you together over the years, especially with family or at events.
3) **Hiring an Attorney vs. Filing Yourself**
- **Filing Yourself:** If you’ve successfully handled USCIS applications in the past and feel confident navigating the process, you can file on your own. USCIS provides clear instructions for forms like the I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and I-485 (Adjustment of Status). However, your case has some complexities (e.g., lack of legal marriage certificate and limited joint financial evidence), so you’ll need to be thorough in preparing your application.
- **Hiring an Attorney:** An immigration attorney can help you:
- Organize and present your evidence in the most compelling way.
- Address any potential red flags (e.g., filing taxes as single despite being married).
- Ensure all forms are completed correctly and submitted on time.
- Represent you if USCIS requests additional evidence or schedules an interview.
- **Recommendation:** Given the complexities of your case (e.g., lack of legal marriage certificate and limited joint evidence), it may be worth consulting an attorney, even if just for a review of your application before submission.
Additional Notes:
- **Filing Taxes as Single:** This could raise questions during the USCIS process. Be prepared to explain why you filed taxes as single (e.g., lack of legal marriage certificate). You may want to consult a tax professional to amend your tax filings if possible, but this is not strictly required for USCIS purposes.
- **Religious Marriage vs. Legal Marriage:** USCIS recognizes religious marriages as valid for immigration purposes, as long as they are considered valid in the country where the marriage took place. Make sure to include affidavits or other documentation from the temple or religious authority that performed the ceremony.
Next Steps:
1. Gather all evidence of your relationship (photos, affidavits, correspondence, etc.).
2. Decide whether to consult an attorney or proceed on your own.
3. Complete the necessary forms (e.g., I-130, I-485) and compile your evidence package.
4. Submit your application to USCIS and prepare for the next steps (e.g., biometrics, interview).
