Marriage Green Card Checklist – Both Spouses in the U.S.

Last updated: August 12, 2025.

The forms and documents you need to apply for a green card through marriage, if foreign spouse is in the U.S.

If you are a spouse of a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident and you are physically in the U.S. you will need to file the following USCIS forms and supporting documents:

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (mandatory)
• Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary (mandatory)
• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (mandatory)
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA (mandatory)
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (mandatory)
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (optional but recommended)
• Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (optional but recommended)

The documents required for a marriage green card application include the following:

• Marriage certificate
• Proof of sponsor’s US citizenship or lawful permanent residence
• Evidence of termination of any prior marriage(s)
• Proof of income
• Proof of assets
• Official IRS transcripts
• Birth certificate
• Foreign passport
• Foreign photo ID
• Two identical color passport-style photographs (both spouses)
• Copy of visa(s)
• I-94 record(s)
• Evidence of marriage
• Criminal records (if any)
• Military records (if any)

Detailed description of each immigration form and supporting documents is provided in the tables below.

1. Form I-130, “Petition for Alien Relative” (mandatory)

The form’s purpose:

• To establish a valid relationship between a U.S. citizen, or permanent resident and a foreign family member, to help them gain a green card.
• It is the 1st step towards reserving your relative’s immigrant visa.
• Regarding marriage visas, this petition serves as a proof that your marriage is legally valid.

Who Needs to Sign it:

• Only a U.S. citizen, or a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) can file an I-130 petition.
• U.S. citizens can file this petition for their spouses, children, parents and siblings.
• A green card holder can file the same for their spouses and unmarried children.

Form I-130 filing fee:

Form I-130 documents checklist:

Provide photocopies only

2. Form I-130A, “Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary” (mandatory)

The form’s purpose:

• An extension of I-130 form, used for filing marriage-based green card applications
• Supplementary document used by the USCIS to gather additional information about the spouse beneficiary.

Who Needs to Sign it?

• Must be completed by the spouse seeking the green card, if he/she is in the U.S.
• If spouse is abroad, form must still be complete but foreign spouse does not have to sign it

Form I-130A documents checklist:

Same as Form I-130.  You do not need to provide any additional supporting documents with Form I-130A.

 Make sure you submit all required documents with Form I-130.

3. Form I-485, “Adjustment of Status” (mandatory)

The form’s purpose:

• Apply for lawful permanent resident status if foreign spouse is in the United States

Who Needs to Sign it?

• Only a foreign spouse who is physically present in the U.S. can fill this form, to apply for permanent residence.

Form I-485 filing fee is $1,440 (biometrics included).

Form I-485 documents checklist: 

Provide photocopies only

4. Form I-864, “Affidavit of Support” (mandatory)

The form’s purpose:

• To show that the intending immigrant (foreign spouse) has proper financial support and will not rely on the U.S. government for receiving public benefits (“public charge”).

Who Needs to Sign it?

• It must be signed by sponsor(s), who meet the following requirements:
  • U.S. citizen(s), or green card holder(s), and
  • should have an income of 125% over the poverty guidelines.

  Form I-864 documents checklist: 

  Provide photocopies only

  Document type	Examples of supporting documents	Who needs to provide it?
  Tax records	Provide records for the most recent tax year. However, it’s recommended to provide records for the last 3 tax years: A copy of sponsor’s individual Federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year Copy of Form 1099 (if applicable)	Petitioner
  Evidence of Joint Asset Value	Existing bank account statement details (all) If you’re using a home: Ownership document, like title or deed  A recent appraisal, or a recent tax assessment  Loan or mortgages details about home Using a second vehicle Ownership document A statement depicting the vehicle’s current value	Petitioner and spouse seeking green card.

  5. Form I-693, “Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record” (mandatory)

  The form’s purpose:

  • This form reports the results of all medical examinations required by the USCIS to allow an immigrant into the United States.
  • Through this, the USCIS ensures that the spouse seeking green card does not possess any “health conditions” that might pose a risk to the U.S. citizens.

  Who Needs to Sign it:

  • Applicants filing for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident must submit this form, completed by a designated civil surgeon.

  Form I-693 fee: $200-$600.

  Form I-693 documents checklist: 

  Provide photocopies only

  Document type	Examples of supporting documents	Who needs to provide it?
  Documents while going to the medical exam	Latest version of Form I-693 Medical history Records of vaccinations (if any) A letter from your regular doctor discussing any health problems, or treatment for an ongoing problem	Immigrant applying for green card

  6. Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization” (optional but recommended)

  The form’s purpose:

  U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can work in the U.S. without special permissions. However, nonimmigrants need to take permission from the USCIS. So, certain foreign nationals are granted work authorization by the USCIS, using this Form I-765.

  • It allows an immigrant in the U.S. to request for an employment authorization and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
  • It also lets green card applicants legally work before becoming lawful permanent residents.

  Who Needs to Sign it?

  • Marriage and family-based green card applicants can apply for work permits while waiting for their adjustment of status applications.

  Form I-765 filing fee: $0 if you have paid Form I-485 filing fee.

  Form I-765 documents checklist: 

  Provide photocopies only

  Document type	Examples of supporting documents	Who needs to provide it?
  Proof that you are lawfully allowed in the U.S.	I-94 form Passport or other travel document Initial work permits, if any A copy of your last EAD (if applicable)	Spouse seeking green card
  Identification	Two identical passport-style photographs   Birth certificate If you were not previously issued an EAD, you must submit a copy of a government-issued identity document	Spouse seeking green card

  7. Form I-131, “Application for Travel Document” (optional but recommended)

  The form’s purpose:

  • This travel document allows non-U.S. citizens to travel abroad, without letting their green card applications cease.
  • This means it allows the individual’s ability to re-enter the U.S..
  • In a nutshell, this form can be used to apply for a Reentry Permit, Refugee Travel Document or Advance Parole.

  Who Needs to Sign it?

  • Anyone applying for a Reentry Permit, Refugee Travel Document or Advance Parole.

  Reentry Permit:

  Green card holders are not restricted to travel abroad. However, spending more than a year’s time outside of the U.S. may lead to problems with their green card status. 

  Hence, by requesting a ‘Reentry Permit’, the permanent resident is allowed to maintain their U.S. residence when traveling abroad for periods of up to 2 years. 

  Refugee Travel Document:

  A person with refugee or asylum status who wishes to travel outside the United States needs this document to return to the U.S.

  Form I-131 filing fee: $630

  Advance Parole Document:

  ‘Parole’ allows an alien to physically enter into the United States for a specific purpose. Certain people in other immigration statuses can use Advance Parole as permission to reenter the United States after traveling abroad.

  Form I-131 documents checklist: 

  Provide photocopies only

  Document type	Examples of supporting documents	Who needs to provide it?
  Identity proof	An official photo identity document showing your photo, name, and date of birth. Current EAD ( if available) Valid driver’s license Passport identity page Green card (Form I-551)	Immigrant applying for green card visa
  Reentry Permit	Form I-551 (front and back side), or Biographical pages of your passport, or evidence that you are a lawful permanent resident, or  Form I-797, Notice of Action, approval notice of an application for replacement of your Form I-551 or temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status	Green card holder
  Refugee Travel Document	Proof of refugee or asylee status, issued by the USCIS (Form I-94)	Refugee
  Advance Parole Document	A copy of any document showing your current status in the United States. An explanation or other evidence showing circumstances the warrant issuance of an advance parole document.	Green card applicant

  Related links:

  Marriage Green Card – Checklist, Forms and Processing Time

  Married to a U.S. Citizen and Living in the U.S.

  Married to a Green Card Holder and Living in the United States

  Marriage Green Card Income Requirements – Complete Guide

  The 90 Day Rule and Adjustment of Status