What Documents Do We Need for a Marriage Green Card?
The documents needed to apply for a green card through marriage
The documents required for a marriage green card vary by situation but generally include the following:
In the tables below, we’ll discuss which documents are required for each of the most common marriage-based green card forms and who must submit them to the U.S. government. The good news is you can get started on your marriage-based green card application now, while you gather the required documents. You don’t need each one now to make progress! If you can’t locate certain records as you go, make sure to check out our detailed guide to obtaining hard-to-find immigration documents.
Family Sponsorship Form (I-130)
To complete the family sponsorship form, or Form I-130 (officially called the “Petition for Alien Relative”), you must provide the following documents.
I-130 Document Checklist
| Document Type | Examples of Acceptable Documents | Who Needs It? |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of U.S. citizenship | Sponsoring spouse who is a U.S. citizen | |
| Proof of green card holder (permanent resident) status |
| Sponsoring spouse who is a green card holder (permanent resident) |
| Proof of valid marriage |
Also provide as many of the following as possible:
| Both spouses |
| Proof of termination of prior marriage(s), if any | Both spouses | |
| Proof of official name change, if any |
| Both spouses |
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Green Card Application Form (I-485)
To complete the green card application form, or Form I-485 (officially called the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status”), the spouse seeking a green card from within the United States must provide the following documents.
I-485 Checklist
| Document Type | Examples of Acceptable Documents |
|---|---|
| Proof of nationality |
|
| Proof of lawful U.S. entry and status | Both of the following are required:
|
| Records of previous interactions with law enforcement, if any | |
| Records of previous immigration violations, if any |
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Online Green Card Application Form (DS-260)
To complete the online green card application, or Form DS-260 (officially called the “Immigrant Visa Electronic Application”), the spouse seeking a green card from abroad must provide the following documents.
DS-260 Checklist
| Document Type | Examples of Acceptable Documents |
|---|---|
| Proof of nationality |
|
| Proof of valid marriage | |
| Proof of termination of prior marriage(s), if any | |
| Records of military service, if applicable |
|
| Records of previous interactions with law enforcement, if any, or lack thereof | |
| Records of previous immigration violations, if any |
U.S. immigration can be complex and confusing. Boundless is here to help. Learn more.
Financial Support Form (I-864)
To complete the financial support form, or Form I-864 (officially called the “Affidavit of Support”), the sponsoring spouse (and any co-sponsors) must provide the following documents.
I-864 Checklist
| Document Type | Examples of Acceptable Documents | Who Needs It? |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of ability to financially support the spouse seeking a green card |
| Sponsoring spouse and financial co-sponsor (if any) |
| Proof of asset value (if you’re counting your assets to meet the income requirements for a marriage-based green card) | If using bank/investment accounts:
| Sponsoring spouse, financial co-sponsor (if any), and spouse seeking a green card |
Not sure if you meet the income requirements for a marriage green card? With Boundless, you get an experienced, independent attorney to answer your questions and review your application materials, including the Affidavit of Support. Learn more today!
Work Permit Application Form (I-765)
To complete the work permit application, or Form I-765 (officially called the “Application for Employment Authorization Document,” or EAD), the spouse seeking a green card from within the United States must provide the following documents.
I-765 Checklist
| Document Type | Examples of Acceptable Documents | Who Needs It? |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of lawful U.S. entry and status |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States |
| Proof of pending marriage-based green card application |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States and married to a green card holder (Spouses of U.S. citizens typically file their work permit and green card applications at the same time.) |
| Proof of previous authorization to work in the United States |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States who has been issued a previous work permit |
| Proof of nationality |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States who has not been issued a previous work permit |
| Proof of identity |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States |
*If you are submitting (or have already submitted) a set of two passport-style photos for your green card application and an additional set for your travel permit application, you do not need to submit a third set for your work permit application. You will need to provide only two total sets. If, however, you’re married to a green card holder or if you’re married to a U.S. citizen and file your work permit application after submitting your green card application (which would be unusual), then you will need to provide a new set with your work permit application.
Travel Permit Application Form (I-131)
To complete the travel permit application, or Form I-131 (officially called the “Application for Travel Document”), the spouse seeking a green card from within the United States must provide the following documents.
I-131 Checklist
| Document Type | Examples of Acceptable Documents | Who Needs It? |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of identity (must show your name, date of birth, and photo) |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States and married to a green card holder (Spouses of U.S. citizens typically file their work permit and green card applications at the same time.) |
| Proof of present immigration status |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States |
| Proof of pending marriage-based green card application |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States and married to a green card holder (Spouses of U.S. citizens typically file their work permit and green card applications at the same time.) |
| Additional proof of identity |
| Spouse seeking a green card from within the United States |
*If you are submitting (or have already submitted) a set of two passport-style photos for your green card application and an additional set for your travel permit application, you do not need to submit a third set for your work permit application. You will need to provide only two total sets. If, however, you’re married to a green card holder or if you’re married to a U.S. citizen and file your work permit application after submitting your green card application (which would be unusual), then you will need to provide a new set with your work permit application.
Boundless offers unlimited support from our team of immigration experts, so you can apply with confidence and focus on what’s important, your life in the U.S. Learn more.
Special Considerations
Unavailable documents
If you have trouble locating certain documents, you may be able to obtain official copies. If you cannot access copies, you will need to provide notarized statements from yourself and one or two other people. Boundless has a guide on providing secondary evidence when primary evidence (the documents listed above) is not available.
Documents in a foreign language
If some of your documents are written in a language other than English, you will need to obtain certified English translations and attach these to your documents.
Here’s a checklist of hard-to-find marriage green card documents:
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If any of the documents you submit with your marriage green card application are not in English, they must be accompanied by a certified translation. The translation should accurately reflect the contents of the original document. It’s important to ensure that the translation is done by a qualified translator or translation service.
When submitting copies of documents with your marriage-based green card application, it is generally recommended to provide clear, legible photocopies of the original documents. Avoid submitting original documents unless specifically requested by the USCIS.
The documents for a marriage green card application typically need to cover the entire period of the relationship, from the date of the marriage to the present. This is to establish the continuity and bona fide nature of the marriage. It is important to provide a range of documents that span the entire period, including initial dating or courtship evidence, evidence of joint financial responsibilities, and documents that demonstrate ongoing joint activities and commitments.