What Documents Do I Need for a Marriage Green Card?

I. List of documents for Green Card through marriage.

Although each application may require varying documentation, please see the following general documents that will be needed to complete the application for marriage green cards:

1. Birth certificate
2. Document showing proof of sponsor’s status: U.S. citizenship or permanent residence status
3. Document showing proof of current status
4. Document showing current or prior expired U.S. visa(s)
5. Financial documents
6. Marriage certificate
7. Document from medical examination
8. Document showing proof of lawful entry into the United States*
9. Document showing termination of any prior-marriage*
10. Document showing any prior immigration violation*

*Documentation that may not be applicable to your application

II. What documents are needed for Form I-130 (the Petition for Alien Relative)?

Form I-130 is an application document for the U.S. Marriage Green Card. The following documents will be needed to complete your Form I-130 filing:

1. Evidence of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or U.S. national status:
   • Birth Certificate copy showing sponsor was born in the United States
   • Naturalization or citizenship certificate copy issued by USCIS
   • Copy of unexpired U.S. passport
   • U.S. consular officer’s original statement verifying status as a U.S. citizen with a valid passport
   • Copy of the front and back of permanent resident card or green card
   • Copy of foreign passport with Form I-551
2. Evidence of family relationship with spouse:
   • Proof of marriage document
     • Copy of marriage certificate
   • Proof of termination of any prior marriages (if applicable)
     • Court documents certifying divorce
     • Death certificates of former spouse from former marriage
     • Documents certifying annulment of prior marriage
3. Evidence of marriage (bona fide marriage)
   • Documents showing joint ownership or property
   • Lease document showing both sponsor and spouse live at the same address
   • Documents that show acts of combining financial resources together
   • Birth certificates of children born from the marriage between sponsor and spouse (if applicable)
   • Affidavits made by third party individuals having personal knowledge of the bona fide nature of the marital relationship
   • Photographs documenting the marital relationship
   • Any other relevant documents Form I-130 that show evidence of continuing marital relationship.

III. What documents are needed for the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485)?

1. Evidence of nationality status
   • Copy of birth certificate from foreign nation
   • Copy of foreign passport
2. Proof of lawful entry into the United States
   • Current U.S. visa
   • Copy of Arrival/Departure Record (I-94)
3. Certified police and court records showing all criminal charges, arrests, or convictions regardless of final disposition (if applicable)
4. Certified documents showing any immigration status issues or prior violations

IV. What documents are needed for the Immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-260)?

1. Evidence of nationality status
   • Copy of birth certificate from foreign nation
   • Copy of foreign passport
2. Certified police and court records showing all criminal charges, arrests, or convictions regardless of final disposition (if applicable)
3. Proof of marriage green card documents
   • Original marriage certificates; or
   • Certified copies as evidence for marriage
4. Documentation showing marriage termination
   • Original documents as evidence of marriage termination; or
     • Court documents certifying divorce
     • Death certificates of former spouse from former marriage
     • Documents certifying annulment of prior marriage
   • Certified copies as evidence of marriage termination as listed above
5. Military Records (if applicable)
   • Records of military service in the military or any country
   • DD Form 214 – Complete document verifying service member’s proof of military service (United States Military)
6. Police Certificates
   • Applies to anyone who was arrested for any reason; or
   • Applies to individuals 16 years of age or older
     • Must obtain for country of nationality if residence for more than 6 months at any time of life; or
     • Must obtain for country or current residence (if not country of nationality) if residence for more than 6 months; or
     • Must obtain for any country if residence for 12 months or more

V. What documents are needed for the Affidavit of Support (I-864)?

I-864 is an affidavit between a sponsor and the U.S. Government. By signing Form I-864, the sponsor is responsible to financially support the intending immigrants named in the document.

1. For Sponsors:
   • Copy of most recent Federal income tax return
     • W-2s for most recent tax year;
     • Copy of each Form 1099
     • Copy of each Schedule
     • Copy of any other evidence of reported income
     • Statement and evidence showing now need to file (if no tax return filed)
   • Additional supplemental documents for I-864
     • Copies of past three (3) years’ Federal income tax return
     • Copies of pay stubs from most recent six (6) months
     • Letter from employer as proof of employment
   • Additional documentation may be submitted for specific and varying cases that can further assist in the application process.
   • If assets are using to qualify the income requirement (e.g. bank accounts, investment portfolios, home residence, second vehicle, etc.):
     • Documents of asset establishing location
     • Document showing ownership of asset
     • Document showing date of acquisition
     • Document showing value
     • Evidence of any liens or liabilities placed against exhibited assets

VI. What documents are needed for the Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)?

1. Copy of Form I-94, (front and back) copy of nonimmigrant arrival-departure record, printout copy of electronic Form I-94, copy of passport or other applicable travel document
2. Copy of last valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or, alternatively a government-issued identity document
3. Proof of nationality
   • Birth Certificate
   • Government-issued identity document (Photo ID or fingerprinted ID)
   • Foreign nation issued visa
4. Two (2) identical passport sized photographs

*Green card applicants who are applying within the United States and married to a U.S. green card holder may also submit a copy of Notice of Action (Form I-797C) along with Form I-765 for current proof of pending marriage based green card application

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