Required Marriage Green Card Documents

Applicants inside the U.S. looking to apply for a marriage green card through Adjustment of Status can apply through a straightforward process. For a successful application, they must submit some required documentation, including supporting evidence that the marriage is authentic. 

In this post, we lay out our marriage green card documents checklist to help you prepare to file for your marriage-based green card.

There are quite a few documents to compile, so applicants should think about starting the adjustment of status process early to get their application submitted on time. The following checklist offers a comprehensive idea of the required supporting documents that all marriage green card applicants applying from inside the U.S. will need to submit.

If you have any questions about filing for a marriage green card, book a consultation today to speak with an attorney.

Marriage Green Card Documents Checklist - List of Forms

To apply for adjustment of status inside the U.S., you will need to file several forms with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including:

  • I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
  • I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
  • I-864 Affidavit of Support
  • I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
  • I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
  • I-131 Application for Travel Document
  • I-693 Medical Report and Vaccinations
  • Supporting documents such as proof of your relationship and marriage as well as civil and financial Documents, etc.

Below you will find each form explained, with the supporting documents that should be submitted alongside them. 

Marriage Green Card Document Checklist For Adjustment of Status

  • Petitioner and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate
  • Petitioner’s U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport Bio Page, or Certificate of Naturalization (if U.S. Citizen)
  • Petitioner’s Green card (if Legal Permanent Resident) 
  • Beneficiary Spouse’s Birth Certificate
  • Beneficiary Spouse’s Passport Bio Page for current and expired passports, U.S. Visa, and nonimmigrant approvals (H-1B, TPS, DACA, etc.)
  • Petitioner and Beneficiary Spouse’s Divorce Certificates for previous Husband or Wife (if any)
  • Beneficiary’s Criminal Records (if any)

Petitioner’s Documentation of Income

  • Tax Returns (last three years)
  • W-2s / 1099s for last year
  • Professional licenses and/or proof of business ownership may be required if petitioner is self-employed.

Joint Sponsor

If a joint sponsor is required (in addition to the Petitioner), the joint sponsor must provide the following:

  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship/Permanent Resident Status, U.S. passport, birth certificate, or certificate of citizenship or naturalization
  • Income tax returns (last three years)
  • W-2s / 1099s for last year
  • Professional licenses and/or proof of business ownership may be required if joint sponsor is self-employed.

Evidence of Bona-Fide Marriage

It is important to have a variety of document to help prove your marriage is real. Some of the documents include:

  • Birth certificates of any children born of the marriage
  • Joint accounts
  • Proof of shared residence
  • Photos
  • Statement from petitioner or beneficiary describing how the relationship started, why you decided to get married, etc.
  • 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
  • Wedding invitations, receipts for wedding expenses
  • Any other evidence that demonstrates an ongoing marital relationship

NOTE:  All foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. An attorney may determine that additional documents are required after a full review of the items submitted.

If you are interest in learning more, please see our blog about how long it takes to get a marriage green card.

FAQs For Marriage Green Card Documents Checklist

What documents are required to apply for a Marriage Green Card through Adjustment of Status?

To apply for a marriage green card through Adjustment of Status inside the U.S., you will need to file several forms with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including:

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

You will also be required to submit supporting documents such as proof of your relationship and marriage and civil and financial documents.

Can I submit photocopies of my documents with my Adjustment of Status application?

Yes, you can submit photocopies of your documents with your Adjustment of Status application. If any of your documents are not in English, you must also provide a certified translation.

How do I know if I am eligible to apply for Adjustment of Status based on marriage to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident?

You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for Adjustment of Status based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). This includes being lawfully admitted to the U.S., having an immigrant visa immediately available, being physically present in the U.S., and being in a bona fide marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Conclusion

If you are working on your marriage green card application through Adjustment of Status, there are many forms and documents you need to gather up. You must submit many of the documents on our checklist, including supporting evidence that the marriage is authentic. 

There are many different documents to assemble, so applicants should consider starting the adjustment of status process early to get their application submitted on time.

An experienced immigration attorney can help answer your questions regarding the different forms and documents you may need to submit your application.

Please reach out to one of our lawyers if you have any questions.