Green Card Through Marriage to a U.S. Citizen

Who this applies to

USCIS lists the spouse of a U.S. citizen among the immediate relatives, together with an unmarried child under 21 and the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21. This guide covers the spouse of a U.S. citizen.^[1]

It does not apply in the same way to the spouse of a lawful permanent resident. USCIS places spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents in family preference category F2A, where visa availability depends on a priority date. See the Visa Bulletin guide for how that comparison works.^[9]

The process, step by step

1. 1

   The U.S. citizen files Form I-130

   The petitioner files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to establish the qualifying relationship. USCIS states that filing or approval of the petition does not itself give the spouse any immigration status or benefit.

2. 2

   The spouse applies for the green card

   A spouse who is inside the United States may file Form I-485 to adjust status. USCIS says the petition and the application may be filed concurrently or sequentially. A spouse who is outside the United States goes through consular processing instead.

3. 3

   Supporting documents and medical exam

   USCIS lists passport photos, identity documents, birth and marriage certificates, a medical examination on Form I-693, police records and the Affidavit of Support on Form I-864 among the supporting documents.

4. 4

   Decision

   USCIS decides an adjustment application. For consular processing, USCIS sends an approved petition to the National Visa Center, which collects fees and documents before a consulate schedules an interview.

Sources:^{[1], [2], [4], [7]}

Inside the United States or abroad

The route can depend on more than location. The I-485 evidence checklist asks for documentation of inspection and admission or parole, so how a person entered the United States can matter. If that is unclear in your situation, consider speaking with an immigration attorney.^[5]

Documents and evidence of a genuine marriage

The I-130 instructions require an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate, evidence that any prior marriages ended, evidence of the petitioner's citizenship, and passport-style photographs. For a spouse, USCIS also expects evidence that the marriage is genuine. The instructions give examples:^{[3], [2]}

• Joint bank accounts and other shared financial records
• A lease or mortgage in both names
• Birth certificates of children that name both spouses
• Utility bills and insurance policies
• Affidavits from people who know the couple

Sources:^[3]

Documents in a foreign language must come with a certified English translation. USCIS also says not to send original documents unless it specifically requests them.^{[3], [5]}

Marriages of under two years: conditional residence

USCIS states that a green card based on a marriage of under two years is conditional and valid for two years. To remove the conditions, the person must file Form I-751 within the 90-day period before the card expires. A conditional green card cannot be renewed, and if the conditions are not removed the person loses permanent resident status and becomes removable from the United States.^[8]

Fees and timing

USCIS notes that certain forms, including Form I-485, have a filing fee, and that you must pay the correct fee for each form unless you are exempt or eligible for a fee waiver. Fees change, so use the USCIS fee schedule for the current amount.^{[1], [10]}

Because immigrant visas for immediate relatives are always available, no priority-date wait applies to the spouse of a citizen. That says nothing about how long USCIS or a consulate takes to decide a case. This guide gives no processing times, because they change and the USCIS pages it draws on do not state a fixed figure.^[1]

Common mistakes

• Treating an approved Form I-130 as if it conferred status or work permission. USCIS states that it does not.
• Sending original documents when copies are requested, or non-English documents without a certified translation.
• Using an out-of-date fee for a form. Check the fee schedule at the time of filing.
• For consular processing, failing to tell the National Visa Center about an address change, the child turning 21 or a change in marital status.

Sources:^{[2], [3], [5], [10], [7]}

Special cases

The I-130 instructions describe circumstances in which a relative cannot be petitioned for, including restrictions tied to the timing of a marriage in some situations. If prior removal proceedings, an earlier marriage or an immigration violation is part of your history, read the instructions closely and consider legal advice before filing.^[3]

What happens next

After filing, USCIS sends a receipt notice. A spouse who filed Form I-485 may also file Form I-765 for employment authorization and Form I-131 for a travel document at the same time; USCIS lists these as forms that can be filed together with the I-485.^{[2], [4]}

Forms mentioned

• I-130
• I-485
• I-693
• I-864
• I-751
• I-765
• I-131

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative — Form I-130
• Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status — Form I-485
• How to Read the Visa Bulletin — How to read the Visa Bulletin
• Family-Based Immigration to the United States — Family

Sources checked

Official sources this page was written from, in order of authority. See our sources policy.

1. [1] Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated January 30, 2026

   Supports: spouses are immediate relatives; unlimited visas; supporting documents; I-485 fee; concurrent or sequential filing

2. [2] I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated July 24, 2026

   Supports: purpose of Form I-130; filing does not give status; evidence expected; receipt notice; forms that can be filed with the I-485

3. [3] Form I-130/I-130A, Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated May 19, 2026

   Supports: required evidence; examples of evidence of a genuine marriage; certified translations; concurrent filing; limits on who can be petitioned for

4. [4] I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated September 18, 2026

   Supports: Form I-485 for people inside the United States; concurrent I-765 and I-131

5. [5] Checklist of Required Initial Evidence for Form I-485 (for informational purposes only)

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated July 8, 2025

   Supports: initial evidence including documentation of inspection and admission or parole; do not send originals

6. [6] Adjustment of Status

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated July 24, 2026

   Supports: adjustment of status for people inside the United States

7. [7] Consular Processing

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated July 20, 2023

   Supports: consular processing sequence; National Visa Center; admission by CBP; notifying NVC of changes

8. [8] Conditional Permanent Residence

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated April 24, 2025

   Supports: conditional residence for marriages under two years; Form I-751; 90-day window; consequences

9. [9] Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants

   USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated July 8, 2025

   Supports: category F2A for spouses of permanent residents

10. [10] G-1055, Fee Schedule

    USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated October 1, 2026

    Supports: fees can change; use the current fee schedule