According to the Field Adjudicator's manual, which is available online at www.uscis.gov., the following are factors that adjudicators look at in evaluating the validity of a marriage:

-Large disparity in age;

-No common language;

-Vast difference in cultural and ethnic background;

-Family and friends don't know about the marriage;

-Marriage arranged by third party;

-Marriage took place immediately before beneficiary's status in the U.S. (or in the CNMI) terminated;

-Not living together since marriage;

-Alien spouse is friend of family of U.S. citizen spouse (i.e. marriage may have been done as a “favor”);

-U.S. citizen spouse has had prior alien spouses for whom he/she filed petitions for green cards.

Not any one of these factors is likely to result in a denial, but the more of these factors that are present, the more evidence will be required to avoid a denial.

As for the questions you might be asked, the following are some general subject areas about which you should be able to give answers: how and where did you first meet; who introduced you; where did you go on your first date; if you don't speak the same language, how did you communicate; how often did you see each other during your courtship; where did you go; did you meet each other's family members; who asked whom to marry; where did you get married; who attended your wedding and your relationship to each person; where do you live and who do you live with; be ready to describe your residence in detail, both inside and out; be ready to describe your neighborhood including who your neighbors are.

Source: Saipan Tribune