The documents required for a marriage green card vary by situation but generally include the following:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Financial documents
- Proof of sponsor’s U.S. citizenship or permanent residence
- Proof of lawful U.S. entry and status, if applicable
- Police clearance certificate, if applicable
- Prior-marriage termination papers, if applicable
- Court, police, and prison records, if applicable
- Military records, if applicable
- Immigration violation records, if applicable
- Current/expired U.S. visa(s)
- Medical examination document
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. If you can’t locate certain records, make sure to check out our detailed guide to obtaining hard-to-find immigration documents.
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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 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 |
Do you have confidential questions about your eligibility for a marriage green card? Boundless can guide you through the entire green card process and answer any questions you may have. Get started now!
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 |
With Boundless, you get the confidence of an independent immigration attorney who will review all of your materials and answer any questions you have — for no additional fee. Learn more today!
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 |
Boundless makes it easy to complete your green card application. We turn all the required forms for your situation into simple questions you can answer in a short amount of time — typically under two hours. Get started now!
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 |
In addition, these documents may strengthen your application:
| 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:
If using your home:
If using your second vehicle:
| 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.
Boundless takes all the required government forms, including the work permit application, and turns them into simple questions you can answer online — typically in under two hours. Ready to start?
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.
With Boundless, you get a professionally assembled green card application package — including the travel permit application — arranged in the precise format the government prefers. Get started now!
Public Charge Test (I-944)
To complete the public charge test, or Form I-944 (officially called the “Declaration of Self-Sufficiency”), the spouse seeking a green card from within the United States must provide the following documents.
Note: It’s worth going through the I-944 instructions line by line to make sure you’ve included all the documents you need. In many cases, the instructions simply request “evidence” or “documentation,” rather than specific documents, so applicants have to figure out exactly what’s needed on a case-by-case basis. Remember that if you are already submitting documentation required for the I-944, such as tax return transcripts or birth certificates, in support of other forms such as the I-485, you don’t generally need to submit multiple copies.
| Document type | Required Documents | Who needs it? |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of income | IRS tax-return transcripts for the most recent tax year | Applicant and any other household members whose income is being considered. If you were included on someone else’s tax return as a dependent, include their tax transcript with your application, too. |
| Foreign tax transcripts for the most recent tax year | Applicant and household members who resided outside the US during the past tax year, and didn’t file a US tax return | |
| Form W-2 or a Social Security Statement | Applicants who weren’t required to file a federal tax return during the prior three years. | |
Evidence of non-taxable income, such as:
| Applicants who received U.S. or non-U.S. income not included in their tax transcripts | |
| Proof of assets | Evidence of home ownership:
| Applicant or household members |
Evidence of other assets:
| Applicants and household members | |
| Proof of liabilities and debts | Evidence for each debt or liability, such as mortgages, car loans, unpaid taxes or child support, or credit cards. Documentation could include:
| Applicants and household members |
| Evidence of bankruptcy resolution, court papers or other documentation showing that any prior bankruptcies have been fully resolved | Applicant | |
| Proof of good credit | A free credit report from one of the three nationwide reporting agencies | Applicants who already have a U.S. credit score or credit history |
Evidence relating to any errors in your credit report:
| Applicants who have errors in their U.S. credit record | |
Other evidence of good credit:
| Applicants who don’t yet have a U.S. credit score or credit history | |
| Proof of ability to pay for medical treatment | Evidence of coverage, including at least one of the following:
| Applicants who have health insurance coverage |
Additional details of health insurance coverage:
| Applicants who have health insurance coverage | |
Details of insurance tax credits:
| Applicants who used Affordable Care Act tax credits for health insurance coverage | |
Details of pending coverage:
| Applicants whose healthcare coverage has not yet started | |
Evidence regarding medical conditions, which could include:
| Applicants with medical conditions that could affect their ability to work, attend school, or care for themselves, or that might require costly treatment | |
| Evidence regarding use of public benefits | A letter or agency document from the benefit-granting agency containing the applicant’s name, the agency’s name, the type of benefit, and the start and end date of the benefit. | Applicants who have sought or received any public benefits |
| Evidence (such as official correspondence) documenting the dis-enrollment or withdrawal from benefits, or the agency’s receipt of the applicant’s request to dis-enroll or withdraw. | Applicants who have disenrolled from benefits, or withdrawn an application for a public benefit | |
| Evidence of military service from the authorizing official of the service member’s executive department. | Service members who are exempt from public benefit receipt consideration | |
| Form DD-1173 (U.S. Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card – Dependent). | Spouses and dependents of service members who are exempt from public benefit receipt consideration | |
If applicable, either:
| Recipients of federally funded Medicaid benefits who are exempt from public benefit receipt consideration | |
| Evidence that the recipient is the child of U.S. citizens and eligible for citizenship. (See Form N-600 for details.) | Children of U.S. citizens who are exempt from public benefit receipt consideration | |
Other evidence that the benefit recipient was exempt, such as:
| Applicants otherwise exempt from public benefit receipt consideration | |
| If applicable, official notification from government bodies showing that the applicant does not qualify for public benefits due to their income levels, immigration status, or other grounds. | Any applicant | |
| Evidence regarding fee waivers | Any documents or evidence showing that the applicant’s circumstances have changed since requesting a fee waiver. This could include:
| Applicants who have formerly received or sought waivers of immigration fees |
| Evidence of caretaking duties |
| Applicants who are unable to work because they are the primary caretaker of a child or an elderly or disabled person |
| Evidence regarding education | Evidence of degrees or certifications, such as:
| All applicants with educational degrees |
Evidence of occupational skills, such as:
| All applicants with occupational skills or training | |
| A formal evaluation of equivalency comparing foreign educational achievements to a U.S. education or degree | All applicants with foreign education or training | |
Evidence of language training or proficiency, in both English and native languages, such as:
| All applicants |
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.
With Boundless, you get the confidence of an independent immigration attorney who will review all of your materials and answer any questions you have — for no additional fee. Learn more about how we can help you.
Related Information
Understanding the Reciprocity Schedule for Non-U.S.-Issued Documents
Common Green Card Forms and What They’re Used for
Marriage Green Cards, Explained
How Is a Fiancé Visa Different from a Marriage-Based Green Card?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage Green Card in the U.S.?
What Are The Costs of a Marriage-Based Green Card?
What Is Required to be Eligible for a Marriage Green Card?
What’s an Affidavit of Support?