The Ultimate Marriage-Based Green Card Checklist (2025 Edition)
Missing items can significantly delay the approval of a sound application. Here is a complete checklist to ensure completeness of the application prior to submission.
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- 1. Core USCIS Forms
- 2. Civil Status Documents
- 3. Evidence Your Marriage Is Bona Fide
- 4. Financial Proof for the Affidavit of Support
- 5. The Medical Exam (Form I‑693)
- 6. Ancillaries That Still Trip People Up
- 7. Filing‑Fee Snapshot
- 8. Pro‑Tips to Keep the Process Moving
📣 Heads‑Up
Applying for a marriage‑based green card is a milestone—one part bureaucracy, one part love story, and a whole lot of paperwork. Submitting every required piece the first time is the single best way to avoid Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and months‑long delays. Below is an up‑to‑date, plain‑English rundown of what you need, why USCIS asks for it, and the 2025 filing fees. Bookmark it, share it with your spouse, and keep it open while you gather documents.
1. Core USCIS Forms
| Form | Who files it | Why it matters | 2025 Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| I‑130 – Petition for Alien Relative | U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse | Establishes your qualifying relationship. Without this, USCIS will not review the case. | $675 paper ($625 online) |
| I‑130A – Supplemental Information | Immigrant spouse | Provides biographic and address history for background checks. | No fee |
| I‑485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence/Adjust Status | Immigrant spouse (only if filing inside the U.S.) | Turns the approved relationship into permanent‑resident status. | $1,440 |
| I‑864 – Affidavit of Support | Petitioning spouse (and any joint sponsor) | A legally binding promise to support the immigrant so that they do not become a “public charge”. | No fee (included in I‑485 package) |
| I‑864EZ – Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA | Petitioning spouse who meets the EZ criteria (only one immigrant, income only from wages, meets 125 % poverty guideline) | Streamlined, two‑page version of the I‑864 that saves paperwork when the sponsor’s situation is simple. | No USCIS fee; $120 National Visa Center review fee for consular cases |
| I‑693 – Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | Civil surgeon completes, applicant submits sealed envelope | Confirms you are admissible on public‑health grounds. | Fee set by doctor (typically $300–$600) |
| I‑765 – Application for Employment Authorization | Immigrant spouse | Lets the immigrant work while the green card is pending. | $260 (can be waived if filed with I‑485 only in special cases) |
| I‑131 – Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole) | Immigrant spouse | Allows re‑entry if you must travel before the green card is issued. | $630 |
2. Civil Status Documents
- Certified marriage certificate (front and back if information is printed on both sides).
- Birth certificates for both spouses.
- Proof of the petitioning spouse’s U.S. citizenship or green‑card status (passport, naturalization certificate, or green card).
- Divorce decrees, annulments, or death certificates terminating any prior marriages.
- Government‑issued photo ID for both spouses.
- Most recent I‑94 travel record and visa/ESTA stamps for the immigrant spouse.
Tip: Scan everything at 300 dpi and keep file names short but descriptive.
3. Evidence Your Marriage Is Bona Fide
USCIS officers look for a shared life, not just a wedding certificate. Provide a balanced mix of hard and soft evidence:
- Joint lease, mortgage, or property deed.
- Joint bank statements and credit‑card statements (last 12 months).
- Joint tax returns or IRS transcripts (last 2 years).
- Utility bills showing both names at the same address.
- Health, life, or auto insurance listing both spouses.
- Photos together over time with friends and family (caption each photo).
- 2–4 sworn affidavits from loved ones describing how they know your relationship.
Quality beats quantity—ten well‑captioned photos tell a stronger story than forty random duplicates.
4. Financial Proof for the Affidavit of Support
- Latest federal tax return (Form 1040 plus W‑2/1099).
- Pay stubs covering the past 6 months.
- Employment‑verification letter stating salary, start date, and position.
- Proof of assets (bank statements, property deeds, retirement accounts) if income alone does not reach the required threshold.
Sponsors must show household income of at least 125 % of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (100 % for active‑duty military sponsors).
5. The Medical Exam (Form I‑693)
Schedule with a USCIS‑designated civil surgeon. Bring your vaccination records, a government photo ID, and the clinic’s fee. Keep the sealed envelope unopened for USCIS. Note: As of 2025, the COVID‑19 vaccination is no longer mandatory, but routine immunizations still are.
6. Ancillaries That Still Trip People Up
- Six passport‑style photos (2 × 2 in., white background).
- Certified English translations for any foreign‑language documents, including a signed translator’s statement.
- A cover letter or table of contents to guide the USCIS officer through your packet.
7. Filing‑Fee Snapshot
| Form | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I‑130 | $675 paper / $625 online | Paid to USCIS |
| I‑485 | $1,440 | Paid to USCIS |
| I‑765 | $260 (waived if filed with I‑485) | Paid to USCIS |
| I‑131 | $630 | Paid to USCIS |
| I‑864 / I‑864EZ | $0 to USCIS (included with I‑485) / $120 NVC fee for consular processing | |
| Biometrics | $0 | fee eliminated in 2023 |
Always verify fees with the USCIS fee calculator or Form G‑1055 before mailing your packet.
8. Pro‑Tips to Keep the Process Moving
- Bundle smartly: When eligible, file the I‑130, I‑130A, I‑485, I‑765, I‑131, I‑693, and I‑864 (or I‑864EZ) together to lock in your priority date and shorten the overall timeline.
- Tab & label: Color‑coded tabs (blue for forms, yellow for evidence) save officers time—and RFEs often result from disorganized packets.
- Send copies, not originals: Unless USCIS requests originals, send legible copies; bring originals to your interview.
- Keep digital backups: Save a complete PDF of your submission and the mailing receipt for peace of mind.
GreenGuard Team
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. GreenGuard is not affiliated with or endorsed by USCIS or any government agency. Consult official USCIS instructions or a qualified immigration attorney for your specific situation.
