Marriage-Based Green Card
You built a life together. Now build your future here.
- Form I-130
- Form I-485
Married to a U.S. citizen? You may be able to apply for your green card together, in one package.
We help you tell your story with the right evidence and keep both applications moving in step.
What we take care of
- Your petition and green card application prepared together
- Relationship evidence organized
- Ready for your interview
Overview
A marriage green card gives the foreign-born spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder lawful permanent residence in the United States. The process starts with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, which proves the family relationship, together with evidence that the marriage is real.
For the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is already in the U.S. and was inspected and admitted or paroled, Form I-130 and Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, can generally be filed together. This I-130 I-485 concurrent filing usually includes Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, and Form I-693, the medical exam, and you can add Form I-765 for a work permit and Form I-131 for a travel document while the case is pending. Most couples attend an interview with USCIS.
If your marriage is less than two years old on the day the green card is approved, you receive a two-year conditional green card and later file Form I-751 to remove the conditions. Spouses of green card holders are in a preference category and may have to wait for a visa number, shown in the Visa Bulletin, before they can apply for the green card. Approval is never guaranteed.
Who this is for
- You are married to a U.S. citizen and living in the U.S. after a lawful entry
- You are married to a U.S. citizen and your spouse lives abroad
- You are married to a green card holder and want to start the process
- You need a work permit or travel document while your green card is pending
- You were recently married and want to understand conditional residence
How it works
Review your situation
We look at how you entered the U.S., your spouse's status and your history to see which path fits, such as concurrent filing or consular processing.
Gather relationship and financial evidence
We give you a checklist for marriage evidence, identity documents and the sponsor's financial documents, and help you organize them.
Prepare the forms
We prepare Forms I-130 and I-130A, and when eligible I-485, I-864, I-765 and I-131, and coordinate with your civil surgeon's I-693.
Review together and file
You review the full package with us before it is filed with USCIS, so names, dates and addresses are consistent everywhere.
Biometrics, interview and updates
We keep you updated on notices and biometrics and help you prepare for the interview by reviewing your file with you.
Documents you'll usually need
- Marriage certificate and proof any prior marriages ended
- Spouse's proof of U.S. citizenship or green card
- Passport, visa and I-94 of the foreign spouse
- Birth certificate of the foreign spouse
- Evidence of a genuine marriage: joint lease, bank accounts, photos, insurance
- Sponsor's tax returns and proof of income for Form I-864
- Medical exam on Form I-693 from a USCIS civil surgeon
- Passport-style photos
Timing
Timing depends on whether you are married to a citizen or a green card holder, where you live and USCIS workload. Spouses of green card holders may also wait for their priority date to become current in the Visa Bulletin. Processing times and fees change often, so check the current figures USCIS publishes on uscis.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a green card through marriage?
The citizen or green card holder spouse files Form I-130 to prove the relationship. Then the foreign spouse applies for the green card, either with Form I-485 inside the U.S. if eligible or through a U.S. consulate abroad.
Can I file I-130 and I-485 together?
Yes, if you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen and were inspected and admitted or paroled into the U.S., you can generally file both forms together. Spouses of green card holders can file I-485 only when a visa number is available.
Can I work while my marriage green card is pending?
You can file Form I-765 with your I-485 to request a work permit. You should wait until the work permit is approved before starting work, unless your current status already allows you to work.
What is a conditional green card?
If your marriage is less than two years old when your green card is approved, you receive a two-year conditional green card. You then file Form I-751 before it expires to remove the conditions and receive a ten-year green card.
What happens at the marriage green card interview?
A USCIS officer reviews your forms and asks both spouses questions about your relationship and life together. Bringing updated evidence of your shared life is helpful.
Can I travel abroad while my green card is pending?
Leaving the U.S. while Form I-485 is pending without an approved travel document (Form I-131) can cause the application to be treated as abandoned. Get advance parole before you travel.
This page is general information about how these applications usually work, not advice for your specific case. USCIS rules, forms and fees change; check uscis.gov for the latest.