Document Checklist · Updated May 2026
Marriage Green Card Document Checklist (2026)
Every document both spouses need, organized by who provides what and why. Covers both pathways: Adjustment of Status (applying from inside the U.S.) and Consular Processing (applying from abroad).
Summary
A marriage-based green card application has five document categories: proof of the sponsoring spouse’s U.S. status, the marriage certificate and related records, evidence that the marriage is genuine (USCIS calls this “bona fide”), the immigrant spouse’s identity and immigration papers, and financial documents for Form I-864 (the Affidavit of Support). For applicants inside the U.S., the list also includes Form I-693 (the medical exam), which must be filed with the application packet since December 2, 2024. As of May 2026, total USCIS fees for one applicant run roughly $2,955 to $3,005.
At a glance
| Who files Form I-130 | The U.S. citizen or green card holder doing the sponsoring (USCIS calls this person the "petitioner") |
| Who files Form I-485 | The immigrant spouse applying for the green card (USCIS calls this person the "beneficiary"). Adjustment of Status (AOS) only. CP applicants file Form DS-260 online with the National Visa Center instead. |
| Medical exam (Form I-693) | For AOS: completed by a USCIS-approved doctor (a "civil surgeon"), filed in the original sealed envelope with the I-485 packet at initial filing. Required at filing since December 2, 2024. As of June 11, 2025, the I-693 is valid only while the I-485 it was filed with is pending. For Consular Processing (CP): the medical happens at the panel physician in the country of the embassy interview. |
| Form I-94 | AOS only: download a printout from i94.cbp.dhs.gov. This is the immigrant spouse's arrival/departure record and proves lawful entry. CP applicants are abroad so no I-94 is needed. |
| Biometrics appointment | USCIS schedules this automatically 4 to 8 weeks after filing. Only the immigrant spouse (the applicant) attends. Bring the appointment notice and a valid photo ID. The petitioner does not attend. |
| Interview | Mandatory in-person for both spouses in 2026. Bring originals of all documents submitted as copies. |
| Translations | Required for every non-English document. The translator certifies competence and accuracy. No license required. Cannot be the petitioner or beneficiary. |
| USCIS fees (one AOS applicant, all forms filed together) | I-130: $625 online / $675 paper. I-485: $1,440 (fingerprinting included). I-765 work permit: $260. I-131 travel permit: $630. Total: roughly $2,955 to $3,005 as of May 2026. Source: USCIS G-1055 fee schedule, edition 05/06/26. |
Fees are current as of May 2026 per the USCIS G-1055 fee schedule, edition 05/06/26. Verify before filing.
Two I-693 rule changes you need to know
The medical exam goes in the I-485 packet at filing. And it's tied to that one application.
Since December 2, 2024, USCIS requires the original sealed envelope from the civil surgeon to be included in the I-485 packet when it is first submitted. Packets missing the I-693 at filing may be rejected outright. A second change took effect June 11, 2025: a Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023 is valid only while the specific application it was filed with is still pending. If USCIS denies or you withdraw the I-485, that medical exam is no longer usable for a future filing. Get the exam done right before you file and keep your application on track.
Category 1
The petitioner’s status documents
The U.S. citizen or green card holder who is sponsoring the immigrant spouse (USCIS calls this person the “petitioner”) must prove their own status before USCIS will accept the family petition (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative). Without this, the I-130 is rejected before it is reviewed.
If the petitioner is a U.S. citizen
Any one of these works:
- U.S. birth certificate (long form, issued by the civil registration authority)
- Data page of a valid U.S. passport
- Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
- Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)
A current U.S. passport data page is the easiest option if the petitioner has one.
If the petitioner is a green card holder (lawful permanent resident)
- Photocopy of the green card (Form I-551), front and back
Green card holders can file as petitioners, but the case moves through a different category: spouses of green card holders have an annual cap on green cards issued each year, which can create a wait. See the timeline guide for details on how this affects processing time.
Category 2
Marriage and relationship documents
These prove the marriage exists, is valid under the law, and that any prior marriages ended properly. USCIS checks prior marriages carefully because a still-open prior marriage makes the current marriage legally invalid.
Both spouses
- Marriage certificate: official copy from the government authority that performed or registered the marriage (county clerk, civil registry, town hall). If issued by a foreign authority and not in English, include a certified English translation.
- Prior marriage termination documents: divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate for every prior marriage by either spouse. Include all of them, not only the most recent.
Immigrant spouse (beneficiary)
- Form I-130A (Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary): a short questionnaire about the immigrant spouse's address history, employment, and parents. Filed alongside Form I-130. No filing fee.
Translation rule
Any document not originally in English needs a certified English translation. The translator must sign a certification stating they are competent in both languages and that the translation is accurate and complete. The translator cannot be the petitioner or beneficiary. No professional license is required. Submit the original document alongside the translation, not instead of it. Every stamp, seal, and handwritten note must be translated, not just the main text.
Category 3
Bona fide marriage evidence
“Bona fide” is the official USCIS term for a real marriage entered in good faith, not only to get a green card. USCIS expects evidence across multiple categories. The more categories covered with specific, third-party-verifiable documents, the stronger the file.
For a deep dive into what each category includes and how officers weigh it, see the bona fide marriage evidence guide. The five categories below are listed roughly from strongest to least strong in USCIS officers’ eyes.
Joint finances (strongest category)
Bank-issued records come with open dates and account histories. Hard to fake quickly.
- Joint bank account statements (checking and savings) with both names on the account
- Joint credit card statements
- Joint federal tax return (Married Filing Jointly) with IRS transcript
- Life insurance policies naming the other spouse as beneficiary
- Health insurance enrollment listing the other spouse as a dependent
- Joint investment or brokerage account statements
- Retirement account beneficiary designations (401k, IRA) naming the spouse
Joint living arrangements
A shared address creates a paper trail across many independent companies, which is hard to stage all at once.
- Joint lease or mortgage with both names
- Renter's or homeowner's insurance policy listing both names
- Utility bills (electric, gas, internet, phone) at the shared address
- Driver's licenses or state IDs showing the same address for both spouses
- Mail received at the address by each spouse (bank statements, USCIS notices, IRS letters)
Joint life events
Insurance beneficiaries, estate documents, and children together signal long-term planning.
- Birth certificates of children born to the couple, naming both as parents
- Auto insurance policy listing both spouses as drivers on the same policy
- Joint phone plan
- Estate planning documents (wills, trusts, healthcare proxies) naming the spouse
- Adoption records showing the spouse as the second parent
Photos and travel records
Real, but easier to manufacture than financial records. Support the stronger categories; do not replace them.
- 10 to 20 photos spanning the relationship, including time before the wedding and family events. Label each with a date, location, and who is in the photo. Candid shots carry more weight than formal portraits alone.
- Travel records taken together: boarding passes, hotel bookings, trip itineraries, or passport stamps from trips taken as a couple
Affidavits and communications
Useful context; rarely carries a case on its own without stronger evidence in categories above.
- 2 to 4 sworn letters from family members or close friends who know the couple over time. Each letter must include the writer's full name, address, date and place of birth, and relationship to the couple. Specific observations about the couple's life together carry far more weight than generic statements.
- Communication records: a representative selection of text message threads, WhatsApp exchanges, or email correspondence, especially from before the wedding. Not every message, just enough to show the relationship developed over time.
How much evidence is enough?
USCIS does not set a page count. Officers look at the whole picture. Strong files cover all five categories with multiple items in each. USCIS requests for more documents (the official term is a “Request for Evidence,” or RFE) most often happen when evidence is thin in one or more categories, or when all the joint accounts were opened in the weeks before filing. If accounts are new, include them and mention the open date honestly in a cover letter.
Category 4
The immigrant spouse’s identity and immigration documents
The immigrant spouse (the person becoming the green card holder, called the “beneficiary”) needs to prove identity and provide immigration history. For applicants inside the U.S., this category also includes the medical exam, which must be completed before the I-485 is filed.
For all applicants (AOS and CP)
- Passport: the data page (name, photo, number, expiration date) plus every page that has a visa stamp, entry stamp, exit stamp, or any official marking from any country’s border authority. This includes prior passports if they have relevant stamps. Blank pages do not need to be included.
- Birth certificate, with a certified English translation if not originally in English.
- Two passport-style photos: 2x2 inches, white background, taken within 30 days of filing. Both spouses need passport photos (for the I-130 and I-485 packages separately).
AOS only (immigrant spouse is inside the U.S.)
- Form I-94 arrival/departure record: download a printout from i94.cbp.dhs.gov using the immigrant spouse’s passport information. A printout from the CBP website is what USCIS accepts; no physical paper I-94 is needed. This record proves lawful entry into the U.S., one of the basic requirements for Adjustment of Status.
- Form I-693 (medical exam) in the original sealed envelope: completed by a USCIS-approved doctor (called a “civil surgeon”). Since December 2, 2024, the I-693 must be included in the I-485 packet at the time of initial filing. The civil surgeon hands the sealed envelope to the patient. Do not open it. USCIS needs the original sealed envelope exactly as the civil surgeon provided it. As of June 11, 2025, a Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023 is valid only while the I-485 application it was submitted with is pending. If that application is denied or withdrawn, the exam is no longer valid and the applicant would need a new one for any future filing.
CP only (immigrant spouse is outside the U.S.)
- Police certificates from every country the immigrant spouse has lived in since age 16 (typically at least 6 months in a country). The State Department publishes a country-by-country guide at travel.state.gov on how to obtain them.
- Medical exam from a panel physician in the country where the embassy interview is scheduled. This is done abroad, not in the U.S., typically just before the embassy interview.
- Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application): the CP equivalent of the I-485. Completed online through the National Visa Center (NVC) portal.
Category 5
Financial documents for Form I-864
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) is a financial contract the petitioner signs, promising the U.S. government that the immigrant spouse will not rely on public benefits. According to USCIS Form I-864P, the petitioner must show household income at or above 125% of the HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines: for a household of two in 2026, that is $27,050 per year (effective March 1, 2026).
Petitioner (required)
- Most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040) with all schedules, or an IRS Tax Return Transcript. Most couples include the last three years, though USCIS requires only the most recent. If prior years show higher income, including them helps.
- W-2 forms and 1099 forms for the most recent tax year
- Recent pay stubs (last 2 to 6 months)
- A letter from the employer confirming current position, salary, and length of employment
- Bank statements (last 12 months) if relying on savings or assets to supplement income
If the petitioner is self-employed
- IRS tax transcripts showing business income
- Most recent year's business tax return (Schedule C or equivalent)
- Bank statements showing consistent business revenue
If a joint sponsor is needed
A joint sponsor is a U.S. citizen or green card holder (other than the petitioner) who meets the income threshold and agrees to sign a separate I-864. One is needed when the petitioner’s income falls below $27,050 for a household of two. The joint sponsor submits the same financial document set:
- Tax returns (last 1 to 3 years), W-2s, and 1099s
- Recent pay stubs and employer letter
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or green card status
For a full breakdown of joint sponsor rules, see What if the petitioner’s income is too low?
AOS vs CP: where the document lists differ
Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the path for the immigrant spouse already inside the U.S. Consular Processing (CP) is the path for the immigrant spouse who is abroad. The core document list is the same for both; these are the places where it differs.
| Document or step | AOS (inside U.S.) | CP (outside U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Main application form | Form I-485 (filed with USCIS) | Form DS-260 (filed online with NVC) |
| Medical exam | Form I-693 from a U.S. civil surgeon, filed in the sealed envelope with the I-485 at initial filing (required since Dec 2, 2024) | Panel physician exam in the embassy country, done before the embassy interview |
| Form I-94 | Yes: download from i94.cbp.dhs.gov | No (applicant is abroad) |
| Police certificates | Generally not required | Required from every country lived in since age 16 |
| Work and travel permits | Form I-765 (work permit, $260) and Form I-131 (travel permit, $630) filed optionally with the I-485 packet | Work authorization is automatic upon arrival with the immigrant visa. No I-765 or I-131 needed. |
| Where the interview happens | Local USCIS field office inside the U.S. | U.S. embassy or consulate in the immigrant spouse's country |
For a full side-by-side on which path to choose, see AOS vs Consular Processing.
What to bring to the biometrics appointment
After USCIS receives the I-485 packet, they schedule a biometrics appointment automatically at an Application Support Center (ASC) near the applicant. Expect the appointment letter 4 to 8 weeks after filing. Only the immigrant spouse (the applicant) attends. The sponsoring spouse does not need to come.
Bring to the biometrics appointment
- The ASC appointment notice (Form I-797C), which is the letter USCIS mailed
- A valid, unexpired photo ID: passport, green card (if you have one), or state driver's license
- Arrive a few minutes early. The appointment typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
What happens there: A USCIS technician takes digital fingerprints, a photo, and a digital signature. These are used to run background checks with the FBI and DHS. Per USCIS guidance, the biometrics fee is bundled into the $1,440 I-485 filing fee since April 1, 2024. There is no separate biometrics fee. Missing the appointment without rescheduling ahead of time can cause USCIS to consider the application abandoned.
What to bring to the interview
The 2026 mandatory in-person interview requires both spouses to attend together at the USCIS field office (for AOS). USCIS will check originals against the copies in the file, then return them. For sample interview questions and prep tips, see Marriage Green Card Interview Prep.
Original documents to bring to the AOS interview
- Marriage certificate (original or certified copy from the issuing authority)
- Both passports (every page with any official marking)
- Birth certificates for both spouses
- Any divorce decrees or death certificates for prior marriages
- Form I-94 printout
- Financial documents: tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs, employer letter
- Bona fide marriage evidence originals: joint bank statements, lease or mortgage, utility bills, insurance policies
- Photo set (printed, labeled with dates and names)
- Sworn affidavit letters from family and friends
For Form I-693: since the December 2024 rule, the I-693 is already in the USCIS file. You do not bring a new one to the interview unless USCIS specifically requests it in writing before the appointment.
Copies vs originals: what USCIS wants
At filing (by mail or online)
Submit good-quality photocopies for most documents. USCIS does not need original birth certificates or marriage certificates mailed in. Keep originals at home.
The one exception: Form I-693
The I-693 must be the original sealed envelope from the civil surgeon. Do not photocopy it. The sealed original goes in the I-485 packet.
At the interview
Bring originals. The officer reviews them, compares them to the copies in the file, and returns them to you at the end of the appointment.
What if a document is unavailable?
USCIS does not require every document to be in hand before filing. When a primary document is genuinely unavailable, there are accepted alternatives.
Birth certificate you cannot obtain
USCIS accepts secondary evidence: a baptismal record, a school enrollment record, hospital records from the time of birth, or census records. If secondary evidence is also unavailable, submit at least two sworn affidavits from people with personal knowledge (not the petitioner or beneficiary), plus a personal affidavit explaining specifically why the document cannot be obtained.
Prior marriage termination document that is lost
Contact the court or civil registry that issued the original. Courts typically keep records for decades and can issue certified copies. If the issuing country is inaccessible, explain the situation in a cover letter and provide whatever secondary evidence exists.
Foreign police certificate that is hard to get
If a country cannot produce police records, include a statement from an authoritative source (an embassy or the State Department's reciprocity note for that country) confirming the records are unavailable. Check travel.state.gov for country-specific reciprocity information.
Thin bona fide evidence (recently married, long-distance, or separate finances)
Open joint accounts and add the immigrant spouse to insurance policies now, even if they are new. Explain the situation honestly in a cover letter. A new joint account with a clear explanation is stronger than no joint accounts at all. See the bona fide marriage evidence guide for category-specific alternatives.
Common mistakes worth knowing
Most RFEs and rejected packets come from a short list of avoidable problems.
Not including the I-693 in the I-485 packet
Since December 2, 2024, USCIS can reject packets that arrive without the I-693. Schedule the medical exam before filing, not after.
Bringing the I-693 to the interview instead of filing it
Many articles published before December 2024 say to bring the medical exam to the interview. That advice is now outdated. The I-693 goes in the initial I-485 filing packet, not in your interview folder.
Copying only the data page of the passport
USCIS wants every page with any official marking. Entry stamps, visa stamps, and border annotations are part of the immigration history. A packet with only the photo page raises questions.
Opening the I-693 sealed envelope
The envelope the civil surgeon provides is not yours to open. If it gets opened by accident, call the civil surgeon immediately. Do not try to re-seal it with tape.
Loading all evidence into one category
Twelve months of statements from one joint account is weaker than one bank statement, one utility bill, one insurance policy, and one joint tax return. Variety across categories matters more than volume within a single one.
Using an outdated form edition
USCIS rejects packets that use an old form edition. Check the edition date (bottom-left corner of the form) against the current edition on uscis.gov on the day of filing.
Assuming I-765 and I-131 are free
As of April 1, 2024, Form I-765 costs $260 and Form I-131 costs $630 when filed with the I-485. Many older articles still say both are free. They are not.
How Green Card Genius helps with the document list
Green Card Genius is self-help immigration software built for marriage-based green card cases. The software walks both spouses through plain-English questions, fills in the USCIS forms based on those answers, and produces a personalized document checklist organized by the same five categories USCIS expects. The checklist tracks which documents are gathered and which still need attention, and notes the alternatives USCIS accepts for common gaps.
The one-time fee is $99, a fraction of typical attorney fees of $2,000 to $5,000. The Denial Protection Guarantee returns the $99 service fee if USCIS denies the application. Government filing fees paid directly to USCIS are separate and non-refundable; those fees go to the government, not to us.
Green Card Genius is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AOS and CP document requirements?
The core list is the same for both: petitioner status proof, marriage certificate, bona fide marriage evidence, financial documents, and the immigrant spouse's identity papers. The key differences: AOS uses Form I-485 and requires an I-94 printout and Form I-693 filed at submission. Consular Processing uses Form DS-260 and the medical exam happens at the panel physician in the embassy country. CP applicants also need police certificates from every country lived in since age 16.
When did the I-693 medical exam rules change?
There have been two separate changes. December 2, 2024: USCIS began requiring Form I-693 to be in the I-485 packet at initial filing. Cases missing the I-693 at filing can be rejected outright. June 11, 2025: USCIS updated its policy so that a Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023 is now valid only while the specific application it was filed with is pending. If the I-485 is denied or withdrawn, the exam cannot be used for a future filing.
Do I-765 and I-131 cost extra when filed with the I-485?
Yes, since April 1, 2024. Form I-765 (the work permit, also called an Employment Authorization Document or EAD) costs $260 when filed with the I-485. Form I-131 (the travel permit, also called Advance Parole) costs $630. Before April 1, 2024, both were $0 when filed at the same time as the I-485. Many older articles still say they are free, which is incorrect.
What passport pages does USCIS need?
The data page (photo, name, passport number, expiration date) plus every page that has any official marking from any government: visa stamps, entry stamps, exit stamps, annotations. Blank pages do not need to be included. This applies to current and prior passports if the prior ones have relevant stamps.
What if my documents are in a language other than English?
USCIS requires a certified English translation for any document not originally in English. The translator must sign a certification stating they are competent in both languages and that the translation is accurate and complete. The translator cannot be the petitioner or beneficiary. No license is required. Submit the translation alongside the original document.
What if I accidentally open the I-693 sealed envelope?
Contact the civil surgeon who performed the exam immediately. USCIS will not accept a tampered or re-sealed envelope. The civil surgeon will need to re-seal it properly or you may need a follow-up appointment. Do not try to re-seal it with tape.
What income does the I-864 Affidavit of Support require in 2026?
For a household of two (sponsor plus immigrant spouse), the minimum is $27,050 per year in 2026, which is 125% of the HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines effective March 1, 2026. If the petitioner's income falls short, a joint sponsor who meets the threshold can sign a separate I-864, or the petitioner can document assets worth at least three times the income gap.
What if a required document is unavailable?
USCIS accepts secondary evidence when primary documents are genuinely unavailable. For a missing birth certificate, alternatives include a baptismal record, school enrollment record, or hospital record. If secondary evidence is also unavailable, submit at least two sworn affidavits from people with personal knowledge of the event plus a personal affidavit explaining why the document cannot be obtained.
Do both spouses attend the biometrics appointment?
No. The biometrics appointment is for the immigrant spouse (the green card applicant) only. The sponsoring spouse does not attend. USCIS collects fingerprints, a photo, and a signature from the applicant. Bring the ASC notice (the appointment letter USCIS mails) and a valid photo ID. The biometrics fee is bundled into the $1,440 I-485 filing fee; there is no separate charge.
Key takeaways
- ✓
Every marriage-based green card application needs five document categories: proof of the petitioner's U.S. status, marriage proof, bona fide marriage evidence, the immigrant spouse's identity papers, and financial support documents.
- ✓
Since December 2, 2024, Form I-693 (the medical exam) must be filed in its original sealed envelope with the I-485 at initial filing. And since June 11, 2025, the I-693 is tied to the specific application it was filed with: if the I-485 is denied or withdrawn, the exam is no longer valid for a new filing.
- ✓
As of May 2026, USCIS fees for one AOS applicant filing all forms total roughly $2,955 to $3,005: I-130 ($625 online / $675 paper), I-485 ($1,440), I-765 work permit ($260), I-131 travel permit ($630). I-765 and I-131 are no longer free.
- ✓
Both spouses attend the mandatory in-person interview in 2026. The biometrics appointment earlier in the process is for the immigrant spouse only.
- ✓
Bona fide marriage evidence across multiple categories beats a large stack from one category. Joint finances carry the most weight.
- ✓
If a document is genuinely unavailable, USCIS accepts secondary evidence and sworn affidavits with a clear explanation.
- ✓
The AOS and CP document lists are nearly identical; the main differences are the I-693 timing, the I-94 requirement, and the police certificate requirement.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Green Card Genius is self-help immigration software, not a law firm, and does not provide legal representation. Immigration law and USCIS policy change frequently. For advice on a specific case, consult a licensed immigration attorney. Information is current as of May 2026; verify any fee, processing time, or policy against the relevant USCIS page before relying on it.
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