Documents Needed to Apply for Green Card Through Marriage

To apply for a green card through marriage, applicants must submit several key documents to USCIS as part of the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative process. These documents include the following.

• Completed I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, filed by the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse.
• Marriage certificate proving the legal validity of the marriage.
• Proof of bona fide marriage, such as joint bank statements, lease agreements, utility bills, or photos together.
• Copies of both spouses’ passports or government-issued IDs.
• Foreign spouse’s birth certificate and any prior marriage records (divorce decrees or death certificates, if applicable).
• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse’s proof of status, such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or green card.
• Completed I-864 Affidavit of Support, showing the sponsoring spouse meets financial requirements.
• Medical examination records and the I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed by a USCIS-approved doctor.
• Police clearance certificates or other records to confirm the foreign spouse has no disqualifying criminal history.
• Visa-style photograph of each spouse, meeting USCIS photo requirements.

Marriage Visa Costs

Largely, the costs for CR1 and IR1 marriage visas are the same. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may have slightly different costs. We outline the general costs you can expect below.

CR1 Costs:

• I-130 Filing Fee: $625 online filing fee or $675 paper filing fee
• Visa Processing Fee: $325
• Medical Exam Fee: About $100-$500, depending on the facility
• If filing outside the U.S.: $220
• If filing inside the U.S.: $1,440

IR1 Costs:

• I-130 Filing Fee: $625 online filing fee or $675 paper filing fee
• Visa Processing Fee: $325
• Medical Exam Fee: About $100-$500, depending on the facility
• If filing outside the U.S.: $220
• If filing inside the U.S.: $1,440

F2A Costs:

• I-130 Filing Fee: $625 online filing fee or $675 paper filing fee
• Visa Processing Fee: $325
• Medical Exam Fee: About $100-$500, depending on the facility
• Affidavit of Support Fee: $120

Other Potential Costs:

Depending on the specifics of your immigration case, you may also encounter the following additional costs during the filing process.

• Biometrics Fee (if required): $85
• Document Translation Costs: This cost can vary widely, but most translators charge between $0.10 to $0.50 per word.
• Travel Expenses: The beneficiary will generally cover travel costs for the visa application. This amount varies depending on many factors.

How to Get a Marriage Green Card

Obtaining a marriage-based green card involves several key steps, depending on whether the foreign spouse is applying from inside or outside the United States. The process typically begins with the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. This petition establishes the validity of the marriage and initiates the immigration process.

If the foreign spouse is applying from outside the U.S., the approved petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), which processes the case and requests additional documents. Once all requirements are met, the immigrant visa number is assigned, and the foreign spouse attends a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If approved, they receive a CR1 or IR1 visa to enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.

For spouses already in the U.S. on a valid visa, the next step is filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with USCIS. This allows the foreign spouse to remain in the country while their green card application is processed. They may also need to complete a biometrics appointment and attend an interview before approval.

Once the application is approved, the spouse will receive either a conditional green card (if the marriage is less than two years old) or a permanent green card (if the marriage is over two years old). If conditional residency is granted, the couple must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, before the two-year expiration to obtain a 10-year green card.

Marriage-Based Green Card Processing Times