How To Apply for a Marriage Green Card Inside the U.S.

When you are inside the United States, you can apply for a marriage green card through an adjustment of status. Because you are in the country and are married to a U.S. citizen or an LPR (a green card holder), you will not need to apply for an immigrant visa nor be required to leave the country during the application process. If you want to travel during your application process, you will need to apply for advanced parole. To learn more visit USCIS.

Who Is Eligible To Apply for a Marriage Green Card Inside the U.S.

You are eligible to apply for a marriage green card through an adjustment of status if you can prove to USCIS that you: 

• Are married to a U.S citizen or lawful permanent resident (a green card holder)(if married to green card holder, your priority date must be current to adjust your status)
• Were inspected and admitted or paroled into the U.S.
• Currently reside in the United States
• You are in a genuine (bona fide) marriage and did not marry for fraudulent immigration purposes
• Neither one of you is married to someone else

If you were previously married, you will need to provide evidence of a divorce decree, a death certificate, or any document that proves that the marriage ended and that you are now free to marry.

To apply for a marriage green card through an adjustment of status you need to complete the following steps.  

Step 1: File the following forms

• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative 
• I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, 
• I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
• I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• I-131 Application for Travel Document
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
• I-693 Medical Report and Vaccinations
• I-864 Affidavit of support

Read out dedicated blog post about all the forms needed for your marriage green card.

Step 2: Biometric and Medical Examination

Step 3: Attend your green card interview at a USCIS location

Step 1: Required Forms To Apply for a Marriage Green Card Inside the U.S.

In general, all applicants will file an immigrant petition and a Green Card application. Once you have determined your eligibility, your petitioner will be responsible to file form  I-130 and you can also file form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status at the same time. Form 1-130 will prove that you are legally married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder. You will be required to provide supporting documents such as: 

• Proof your marriage is legitimate 
• Civil and financial Documents (can include bank statements, photos, messages, wedding invitations, or anything that shows that you and your spouse have a life together, etc.)   

Form I-485 requires supporting evidence and forms such as: 

• Two passport-style photographs
• A government-issued identity document with a photograph
• A copy of your birth certificate. 
• Inspection and admission, or inspection and parole documentation
• Documentation of immigrant categories, such as a copy of Form I-797 Approval or Receipt Notice, Form I-20, etc.
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support 
• Certified police and court records of all criminal charges, arrests, or convictions regardless of final disposition 
• Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility (if applicable).

Other forms may also be required in addition to your application. Ensure to read the instructions carefully and to the best of your ability. You want to avoid missing any areas of the application. Once you have completed the application, add a cover letter along with your supporting documentation and submit it in an orderly fashion. You can submit your application and pay the filing fees by mail (Form I-130 has the option for online filing).

Step 2: Biometric and Medical Examination Is Required To Apply for a Marriage Green Card Inside the U.S.

Once your application is filed and received, USCIS will send a mail notification with information concerning your biometric appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC); they will send a date, time, and location for this appointment. At the appointment, they will take your photograph, your fingerprints, and your signature. This is to confirm your identity and do a background check. 

You will sign an acknowledgment form certifying that you have reviewed all your information on the application and that the information is true and correct at the time of your filing.

Note: if you refuse to sign the acknowledgment form or miss your appointment without notifying USCIS to reschedule, your Form I-485 application form may be denied. 

For more information visit Preparing for Your Biometrics Services Appointment.

The USCIS will also require you to undergo a medical examination with an approved physician, who will give you a sealed envelope containing your medical results. In most cases, only a few conditions will affect your admission or require a waiver.

Step 3: Interview With The USCIS Is Required To Apply for a Marriage Green Card Inside the U.S.

A USCIS officer will review your application and determine whether an interview is required, which is often the case. USCIS will contact you and your spouse and set up a time, date, and location for your interview. 

Both you and your spouse will be required to attend this interview and bring all original and copies of supporting documents related to your application (i.e. passports, travel documents, bank statements, photographs, mortgages, Form I-94, etc.). Generally, you will want to bring documents that prove that your marriage is legitimate (bona fide). To build a compelling case, bring and gather as much evidence as you can. Both of you will be under oath and asked questions relating to Forms I-130 and I-485, your relationship, your marriage, and your immigration history. You may hire an immigration attorney to represent you during your interview, but this will be an out-of-pocket expense.  

Plan accordingly and be ready to answer questions the USCIS officer will ask. Remember to be honest and do not answer questions that you do not understand or for which you do not know the answer. Read here for more tips on preparing for your interview. 

What Is The Marriage-Based Green Card Timeline and Cost 

The estimated cost for a marriage green card through adjustment of status is around $1,760.00 in filing fees, not including the fees for the required medical exam. 

Here is the breakdown of the fees and costs.

• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative USCIS Filing Fee: $675.00 ($625.00 online)
• I-485 Application to Adjust Status (Green Card)-USCIS Filing Fee: $1,440.00 (no online filing option available)
• I-131 Application for Travel Document USCIS Filing Fee: $630.00 (no online filing option available)
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization USCIS Filing Fee: $260.00 (no online fling option available)
• I-693 Medical Report and Vaccinations by Approved Doctor- $100.00-$500.00 (estimate only)

Other forms included such as I-864 Affidavit of support and form I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary do not have filing fees.  

U.S. government fees are subject to change prior to case filing. To learn more see up-to-date USCIS fees. 

What Is The Adjustment of Status Green Card Timeline 

Your marriage green card application generally takes 12-18 months, however, delays may occur if your application is incomplete or other supporting evidence is required. In addition, the USCIS field office may be backlogged, and the processing times can impact this timeline.

For best results, submit your applications and documents in their entirety and double-check them before submitting. Also, consider hiring an immigration attorney to file your forms and documents, they will be able to give you clear guidelines and timelines during the entire process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying For a Marriage Green Card Inside The United States

Wrapping Up

Every marriage-based green card is valid for a specific amount of time. You will be required to renew it based on the amount of time it was given to you.  

If you have been married for more than two years before applying, you will be given the IR1 green card, which is valid for 10 years. 

If you have been married for less than two years at the time of application, you will receive a CR1, this is also known as a conditional green card and is valid for up to two years. You can apply to remove the conditions and receive a 10-year green card as early as 90 days prior to the second anniversary of receiving your CR1 status. The petition to remove conditions must be filed no later than the second anniversary of receiving your CR-1 status. To learn more about how to get a marriage green card in 2024 read our blog.