Marriage Green Card Interview in 2025: Questions, Documents & Tips

Reviewed and Updated On July 5, 2025, Author: Katharine Gordon

How To Prepare For the Marriage Green Card Interview?

The final step in the U.S. Marriage Green Card application process is the official interview. For couples already residing in the U.S., this interview is handled by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It determines whether or not they are approved for an Adjustment of Status.

The primary purpose of the interview is to ensure the marriage is authentic and not just a means of obtaining U.S. citizenship. Interviewing officers will typically ask personal questions about the couple’s past, daily life, and relationship until they are convinced the marriage is not fraudulent and is a genuine partnership.

The interview occurs after USCIS has reviewed the green card application materials. For adjustment of status cases, interviews are at USCIS field offices. For consular processing, interviews occur at U.S. embassies or consulates abroad. That local office will contact the applicant and their spouse with a time, date, and location to attend the interview.

Prepare for the Marriage Green Card Interview

The interview can be daunting as it is one of the most critical steps in the marriage green card application process. However, with the proper preparation and forethought, couples can pass their interview and obtain a green card without any issues.

Read our comprehensive guide to marriage green card interview questions with 55+ sample questions and answers.

Steps to Prepare For The Marriage Green Card Interview

Plan together: Couples can sit together in the weeks leading up to the interview and take inventory of important dates or events in their relationship. This will help refresh memories that might be discussed in the interview.
Gather the required documents: All interviewees must attend the interview with the necessary documents. Important: As of December 2, 2024, Form I-693 medical examination must be submitted WITH your Form I-485 application, not brought to the interview. Applications without the medical exam will be rejected. It’s best to organize these in advance to avoid any stress on the day of the interview. This will include official documents like passport copies, birth certificates, and the couple’s marriage certificate.
Organize your proof of marriage file: All applicants must submit additional documentation to authenticate their relationship. This might include photos taken together, joint bank statements, joint property documents, copies of flight tickets from holidays taken together, or their children’s birth certificates.

It is best to organize documents in chronological order and by the event. This will give the interviewing officer a clear picture of the marriage over time and won’t be overwhelming. At the same time, there should be enough information that they won’t question whether the marriage is fraudulent.

It can take a long time to get a marriage green card, Processing times vary: 9-12 months for spouse of U.S. citizen, 12-30 months for spouse of green card holder. Take your time when gathering your documents and preparing for the marriage green card interview.

If anything has changed since the marriage green card application was first submitted, including a change of employer, address, or childbirth, it’s best to inform the interviewer and provide substantiating evidence.

If you are starting to prepare for the marriage green card interview and would like to speak to a lawyer, you can schedule a consultation with a lawyer on our booking page.

Marriage Green Card Interview Documents Checklist (Updated 2025)

COVID-19 Update: As of January 20, 2025, COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for immigration medical examinations. Civil surgeons can cross out the COVID-19 section on Form I-693 or write ‘N/A.’

Documents are very important and will help you prepare for the marriage green card interview.

Applicants should organize and bring some documents to help the interview process go smoothly. Note: Form I-693 is NO LONGER brought to the interview – it must be filed with your initial application. For applicants applying from inside the country through the Adjustment of Status pipeline, the following documents are required:

Appointment Notice issued by USCIS for the interview
State-issued Driver’s License(s) of both Petitioner and Beneficiary
Marriage and Divorce Certificates (or Death Certificate if widowed) – Originals
Birth certificates of both Petitioner and Beneficiary – Originals
Children’s Birth Certificates – Originals
Passport and U.S. Visa(s), both current and expired – Originals
Spouse’s Income tax returns and W2s for the most recent three years
Three most recent pay statements of sponsor or joint sponsor (to show continued availability of income)
Criminal Record(s) – both arrest and court records – Originals certified by the court or arresting agency (if applicable)
Any additional bonafide marriage documentation that you may have received after the filing of the initial petition, also known as ‘gap evidence’ – documents dated AFTER your Form I-485 filing:
Birth certificates of any children born of the marriage
Joint accounts
Jointly filed Income Tax Returns
Proof of shared residence like joint lease agreement/extension, joint water, electric, internet/cable bills, etc.
Photos
Statements from friends/family members
Screenshots of messages showing frequent communication over time
Social media posts about your relationship
Phone records showing frequent communication over time
Receipts for gifts
Any other evidence that demonstrates an ongoing marital relationship

*Please note, if a document is not applicable, i.e., you have never been divorced, please disregard that item. You should consult with the attorney if some of the original documents listed above are unavailable due to theft or loss. If you have a criminal record, additional evidence may be required, you should consult with the attorney

Current USCIS Fees (2025)

Visit the USCIS Fee Calculator for exact amounts.

As of 2025: Form I-130 is $675 (paper) or $625 (online), Form I-485 is $1,440, Form I-765 is $260, and Form I-131 is $630. Total fees typically range from $2,115 to $3,005 depending on forms filed.

Green Card Marriage Interview Location

After the USCIS has reviewed the application and supporting documents, they will inform the applicant of their interview date, time, and location. The interview location for Adjustment of Status applicants will be at the USCIS office nearest the applicant.

Who Can Attend the Marriage Green Card Interview?

Some circumstances in which the interview attendees might include more than just the applicant and their spouse. These are all questions you should ask yourself when starting to prepare for the marriage green card interview.

Interpreters:

Applicants who are not fluent in English may opt to bring an interpreter for the interview to ensure they answer the questions as thoroughly as possible. Interpreters must be fluent in both English and the applicant’s language and ready to present their valid government-issued ID, undertake an interpreter’s oath, and sign a privacy release statement. They must be prepared to carefully and truthfully translate the applicant’s words without interjecting their opinions or commentary.

The USCIS can disqualify an interpreter if they believe they might compromise the authenticity of the interview or if they are deemed unqualified. Applicants should opt for a professional, unbiased interpreter with a good track record and understanding of the process.

Lawyers:

Some applicants might choose to bring a lawyer to the interview, especially those with minor criminal or immigration infractions on their permanent record. A lawyer can assist in explaining those events to the interviewing officer.

Friends and family:

Usually, friends and family are not permitted to attend the interview, apart from the applicant’s spouse. Extenuating circumstances might allow for a family member to attend, but this must be disclosed on the interview form in advance.

The Marriage Green Card Interview Process

Marriage green card interviews through Adjustment of Status are conducted by a USCIS officer inside the U.S. These specially trained officers looking to detect any signs that the marriage is fraudulent. USCIS interviewers will ask personal questions about the applicant’s relationship with their spouse to understand all the details, the circumstances surrounding the applicant’s arrival to the U.S., any issues on their criminal record, and their immigration history. Applicants must be honest and straightforward.

The interview will cover topics related to the history of the marriage, the couple’s daily life together, their future goals, their hobbies, and any shared aspects of their lives. The interviewer will ask about basic information concerning both spouses’ employment, the status of their finances, and what kind of property they own. Interviewers will also consider all the proof of marriage documentation, including children’s birth certificates, joint property ownership documents, joint bank statements or tax returns, photos from significant events in their marriage, and more.

Some sample questions might include anything from ‘what color are your sheets’ to ‘where did you last go on vacation’? If the applicant or their spouse does not know an answer, it’s best to admit they don’t remember rather than be dishonest. Honesty is the most important thing when it comes to answering interview questions. Couples can prepare by reviewing aspects of their relationship together.

Stokes Interview: What Happens During Marriage Fraud Investigations

In some cases, the USCIS officer may separate the two spouses, interview them with the same questions, and compare the answers afterward. This is known as a ‘Stokes’ interview and is usually done when the interviewer suspects the marriage may be fraudulent. These interviews may be conducted by specially trained USCIS officers or members of the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit. A Stokes interview could be conducted as the initial interview or as a follow-up procedure.

There are three potential reasons a Stokes interview might be conducted:

The USCIS has noted some aspects of the couple’s answers or behavior that could indicate a fraudulent marriage. These “red flags” might include a short marriage, the spouses coming from very different cultural backgrounds, a significant age difference, or having different addresses publicly listed.
The USCIS has conducted an investigation through the FDNS and uncovered evidence that the marriage is a sham.
The USCIS officer determined during the interview that they want to explore some answers in more depth by separating the couple.

After Your Marriage Green Card Interview: 5 Possible Outcomes

After the marriage green card interview is conducted, there are typically five possible outcomes:

Approval: The marriage green card is approved by the interviewing officer, and the couple is informed.
Request for Evidence: The officer will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) to get more documentation and proof of authenticity from the couple.
Additional review: The officer will decide the case needs additional review and will inform the couple that information about the next steps will arrive in the mail.
Second interview: The officer will invite the couple back for a second interview to go deeper into aspects of their marriage. A notice for this second interview will arrive by mail from the USCIS.
Denial: The officer denies the marriage green card on the spot if they determine the marriage as fraudulent. Most couples will be given a chance to explain their situation before making a final decision to prove their marriage is real.

Common Marriage Green Card Interview Questions 2025

Here are 15+ questions frequently asked during interviews:

How did you meet your spouse?
What is your spouse’s birthday?
Where does your spouse work?
What did you do for your last anniversary?
Who cooks dinner most often?
What side of the bed does your spouse sleep on?
What is your spouse’s favorite food?
How many siblings does your spouse have?
What did you do last weekend together?
Who handles the finances in your household?

Prepare For The Marriage Green Card Interview FAQs

How will I know where to go for my marriage green card interview?

Applicants for a U.S. marriage green card from inside the U.S. will receive all the information for their interview by mail after processing their application. As they apply through Adjustment of Status, they will receive this information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What is the marriage green card interview process?

For applicants inside the U.S. applying for a marriage green card through Adjustment of Status, the interview process is conducted at the nearest USCIS office. Applicants will attend the interview with their spouse and bring all required supporting documents for their application. The interviewer will ask many detailed questions about the marriage to determine if it is authentic or fraudulent. The interviewer will then decide the status of the application or request more information or a second interview. Couples might be separated to conduct a Stokes interview. They will be asked the same questions, and the USCIS officer will review their answers afterward. This is only done in specific cases.

Who can I bring to the marriage green card interview?

Typically applicants should attend the interview with their spouse. Interpreters and lawyers may also attend depending on the applicant’s specific needs.

What happens after the marriage green card interview?

After the green card interview, the interviewer will make their final decision or request further steps be taken. This could include another interview or a Request for Evidence (RFE) that helps them better understand the nature of the marriage and its authenticity.

Can a J-1 Visa Holder Get A Marriage Green Card?

Yes. You must check the exchange program requirements to see if you are eligible. Important 2024 Update: The State Department removed 37 countries from the J-1 Skills List on December 9, 2024, including China, India, Brazil, and South Korea. Citizens of removed countries are no longer subject to the two-year home requirement based on Skills List designation. This applies retroactively to current and former J-1 holders.

Conclusion For How To Prepare For The Marriage Green Card Interview

The marriage green card interview is the final step in your application process. With proper preparation, genuine couples pass their interviews without issues.

Key Takeaways:

Start preparing early – organize documents weeks in advance
Remember the 2025 update: Form I-693 must be filed WITH your I-485, not brought to interview
Honesty is critical – if you don’t remember something, say so
Bring all required original documents plus gap evidence
Review important dates and memories with your spouse beforehand

The interview exists to verify authentic marriages, not to trick genuine couples. USCIS officers understand applicants are nervous. Focus on being truthful and presenting your relationship naturally.

Most legitimate marriages are approved. If you’ve followed the preparation steps in this guide and organized your documentation properly, you’re ready for success. For complex cases involving criminal records or immigration violations, consult with an immigration attorney before your interview.

Next Steps:

Use our documents checklist to gather everything needed
Create a chronological file of your relationship evidence
Practice discussing your daily life and relationship history
Schedule a legal consultation if you have concerns

Remember: Processing times vary (9-12 months for spouse of U.S. citizen, 12-30 months for spouse of green card holder). Take your time preparing. Your genuine relationship and thorough preparation will guide you to a successful outcome.

If you’re ready to begin preparing for your marriage green card interview and need legal guidance, schedule a consultation with our immigration attorneys.