Common evidence required for Immigration Forms

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FORM I-130 (PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE) □ Completed and signed Form I-130 □ Completed and signed Form I-130A □ Two (2) passport-style photos of beneficiary □ Two (2) passport-style 

photos of petitioner □ Petitioner’s U.S. birth certificate (copy) Use cover letter example for information purposes only. 

 Evidence of a bona fide marital relationship ● Marriage certificate (copy) ● Receipts from wedding reception ● Joint bank account statements (copies) ● Joint income tax returns (copies) ● Beneficiary named on petitioner’s life insurance (copy) ● Joint lease agreement (copy) ● Driver’s licenses with matching addresses (copy) ● Photographs and social media posts of our relationship ● Affidavits from family and friends 

FORM I-485 (APPLICATION TO ADJUST STATUS) □ Completed and signed Form I-485 □ Beneficiary’s passport biographic page (copy) □ Beneficiary’s birth certificate with translation (copy) □ Two (2) passport-style photos of beneficiary □ Beneficiary’s I-94 record with valid F-1 status (copy) □

 Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Exam and Vaccination Record (sealed) 

FORM I-864 (AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT) □ Completed and signed Form I-864 from petitioning sponsor □ Petitioning sponsor’s U.S. birth certificate (copy) □ Petitioning sponsor’s 2023 IRS tax transcript □ Petitioning sponsor’s pay stubs for the current year □ Employment verification letter □ Completed and signed Form I-864 from joint sponsor with supporting documents 

FORM I-765 (APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION) □ Completed and signed Form I-765 □ Beneficiary’s passport biographic page (copy) □ Beneficiary’s I-94 record (copy) □ Two (2) passport-style photos of beneficiary Use cover letter example for information purposes only. Provided courtesy of CitizenPath.com.

 FORM I-131 (APPLICATION FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENT) □ Completed and signed form I-131 □ Beneficiary’s passport biographic page (copy) □ Two (2) passport-style photos of beneficiary

FEES AND E-NOTIFICATION (subject to change)

I-130 filing fee (Check in the amount of $675) 

I-485 filing fee (Check in the amount of $1,440) 

I-765 filing fee (Check in the amount of $260) 

I-131 filing fee (Check in the amount of $630) 

Form G-1145, e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

For many visa categories, including F-1, B-1/B-2, and J-1, the foreign national must maintain a residence abroad, with no intention of abandoning it, in order to demonstrate nonimmigrant intent. In addition to providing evidence of the dwelling (e.g., house, apartment) in which the applicant actually resides, it is necessary to also detail other ties to the country of origin. Evidence of permanent employment abroad, strong financial or business ties, or close family ties (assuming the family is not also traveling to the United States) can all be used to show a lack of immigrant intent. Documentation showing that the applicant has previously engaged in international travel, whether to the United States or elsewhere, can help to show stronger ties to one’s residence abroad. 

Before starting the marriage green card application, gather these essential documents. The USCIS marriage green card process requires thorough documentation to prove your relationship is genuine:

• Legal marriage certificate – The official document from the jurisdiction where you were married
• Proof of divorce from previous marriages (when applicable) – Court-issued divorce decrees or death certificates
• Proof of foreign spouse’s legal entry into the U.S. (if applying from within the U.S.) – I-94 record, visa stamps, or entry records
• Foreign spouse’s birth certificate – Original with certified translation if not in English
• Proof of sponsoring spouse’s status – U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or green card

USCIS will scrutinize your relationship, so provide substantial evidence showing you share a life together:

• Financial documents: Joint bank accounts, insurance policies, tax returns, loan documents
• Property records: Joint lease/mortgage agreements, property titles, utility bills in both names
• Photos together: Vacation pictures, family gatherings, wedding photos (with dates and descriptions)
• Communication history: Text messages, emails, phone logs, social media interactions
• Travel records: Flight itineraries, hotel bookings showing joint travel
• Sworn affidavits: Statements from friends and family who can attest to your genuine relationship
• Children’s documents: Birth certificates, adoption records, school records (if applicable)