What Documents Do You Need for a Marriage-Based Green Card?

You’re ready to apply for a marriage-based green card. You’ve researched the process, maybe even looked at the forms. But now comes the question that overwhelms most couples: what documents do you actually need to prove your case? 

The exact documents depend on your situation. But here’s the good news: while the list looks long, many of these documents you already have or can get quickly.

This guide covers the common documents needed to apply for a green card through marriage, whether you’re filing through adjustment of status (AOS) or consular processing. We’ll break down what’s usually required for each pathway, explain what USCIS and the State Department look for when reviewing evidence of a bona fide marriage, and share common mistakes.

Incomplete document packages are one of the top reasons for Requests for Evidence (RFEs), which can add 3-6 months to your timeline. Getting your documents right the first time keeps your case moving forward.

Two Pathways: Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing

Before diving into the document checklist, you need to know which pathway applies to you.

Adjustment of Status (AOS) is for couples where the foreign spouse is already in the United States with valid immigration status. You file everything with USCIS, attend an interview at a local USCIS field office, and stay in the U.S. while your case is processed.

Consular Processing is for couples where the foreign spouse is outside the United States. The U.S. spouse files Form I-130 with USCIS, then the case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC) and finally to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for the interview.

Here’s a quick table comparing Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing pathways:

Factor	Adjustment of Status	Consular Processing
Where is foreign spouse?	In the U.S.	Outside the U.S.
Where do you file?	USCIS	USCIS → NVC → Embassy
Key forms	I-130, I-485,  I-864	I-130, DS-260, I-864
Interview location	Local USCIS field office	U.S. Embassy abroad

Documents Needed to Apply for a Green Card Through Marriage: Complete Checklist 

This master checklist covers the documents couples usually need for their marriage-based green card applications. Use this as your adjustment of status checklist, or consular processing checklist depending on your pathway – the columns show which documents apply to each. 

The sections below explain the categories that cause the most confusion: bona fide evidence, financial sponsorship, and pathway-specific requirements.

Evidence of a Bona Fide Marriage: Proving Your Relationship is Real

This is the part that makes most couples nervous, including us when we applied. USCIS and consular officers review evidence of a bona fide marriage to confirm your relationship is genuine—that you’re actually building a life together. The more evidence you provide across different categories, the stronger your case.

You don’t need to have everything on this list. The goal is to show a pattern of shared life across multiple types of evidence.

• Joint Finances:Evidence that you share financial responsibilities carries significant weight
  • Joint bank account statements (showing regular activity)
  • Joint credit card accounts
  • Joint tax returns (filed as “married filing jointly”)
  • Shared lease or mortgage documents with both names
  • Utility bills showing both names at the same address
• Shared Life Evidence: Documents and materials that show you’re building a life together
  • Photos together from different occasions, time periods and with family (dating, wedding, holidays, vacations, everyday life)
  • Travel records showing trips taken together (boarding passes, hotel receipts, itineraries)
  • Cards, letters, emails, or chat logs showing ongoing communication and relationship
  • Affidavits from friends and family who know you as a couple (sworn statements describing your relationship)
• Legal and Insurance Documents: Official documents that name each other
  • Health, auto, or life insurance policies listing spouse as beneficiary
  • Retirement account or investment beneficiary designations
  • Joint car registration or title
  • Wills, trusts, or estate documents naming each other
  • Emergency contact forms (employer, medical)
• Children (if Applicable):
  • Birth certificates of children born to the marriage
  • School records listing both parents
  • Medical records showing both parents

Quick Tip: Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to bona fide marriage evidence. A few strong pieces of evidence from different categories—say, a joint lease, six months of joint bank statements, photos spanning your relationship, and two affidavits—is usually more persuasive than a massive stack of weak evidence. Focus on documents that clearly show both names and demonstrate your life together over time.

Financial Sponsorship Documents (Form I-864)

The U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse must prove they can financially support the immigrant spouse. This is done through Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support, which requires meeting 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size. IRS tax transcripts are the primary evidence — other documents below can further support your case. 

• Tax Records:
  • IRS tax transcripts for the most recent tax year (you can request these at IRS.gov)
  • Three years of transcripts is better if available
  • W-2s or 1099s for the most recent year
• Proof of Employment Income:
  • Six months of recent pay stubs 
  • Employment verification letter stating job title, salary, and start date
• Proof of Self-Employed Income:
  • Form 1040 schedules filed with your federal tax return
  • Business tax returns
  • Profit/loss statements
  • 1099 forms received

Quick Tip: IRS tax records are the preferred form of evidence. If your income falls below the threshold, you can apply using a joint-sponsor, or with assets to meet the financial requirements. 

For current poverty guidelines, check USCIS Form I-864P (updated annually).

Documents Specific to Adjustment of Status (AOS)

If you’re filing from inside the United States, you’ll need these additional documents for adjustment of status specific to the I-485 application.

Proof of Lawful U.S. Entry

This is critical—as the foreign spouse, you must show you entered the country lawfully.

• Form I-94 arrival/departure record — Print yours from the CBP website
• Passport page showing U.S. entry stamp
• Passport page showing U.S. visa (if you entered on a visa)

Medical Examination (Form I-693)

You, the foreign spouse, must complete a medical exam from a USCIS-authorized Civil Surgeon. The doctor completes Form I-693 and seals it in an envelope. This envelope is submitted with your application. 

For detailed guidance on all AOS forms, see our Adjustment of Status Forms Checklist. To see a single complete Adjustment of Status checklist for documents, see our I-485 supporting documents checklist.

Documents Specific to Consular Processing

If you’re filing from outside the United States, you’ll complete Form DS-260 online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) portal. Certain documents are specific to this consular processing pathway: 

• Marriage certificates from any prior marriages
• Military service records if you’ve served in the military of any country
• Police certificates

Police Certificates

This is the requirement most consular processing applicants underestimate. Police certificates can take weeks or even months to obtain from some countries. Start this process immediately. You must submit police certificates from:

• Your current country of residence (if lived in for 6 or more months)
• Your country of nationality (if lived for 6 or more months in lifetime)
• Every country where you lived for 12 or more months after age 16
• Any country where you were arrested (regardless of how long you lived there)

Important: Police certificates typically expire after two years. Check the State Department’s Reciprocity and Civil Documents page for country-specific requirements—some countries have different procedures or may not issue police certificates at all.

Medical Examination (Panel Physician)

The medical exam for consular processing is different from AOS. It’s completed by an embassy-approved panel physician and is typically valid for 6 months for entry to the U.S.. 

Embassy-Specific Requirements

Requirements can vary by embassy. Ciudad Juárez, Manila, and other high-volume posts may have specific instructions. Always check the specific embassy’s website for your interview location.

Common Document Mistakes to Avoid

These mistakes cause delays, RFEs, and rejected applications. Avoid them:

Putting It All Together

The documents needed to apply for a green card through marriage vary by pathway, but the core requirements overlap significantly. Start gathering early, especially police certificates, foreign birth certificates, and certified translations. These can take weeks or months to get.

This list might feel overwhelming right now, but thousands of couples navigate this process every year – and you can too. Take it one category at a time, and you’ll be ready.

Following the AOS process?See our complete adjustment of status checklist for AOS Forms for form-by-form guidance, or documents for adjustment of status.