How to Get a Green Card in the USA Through Marriage

A marriage-based green card gives the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident the legal right to live, work, and build a life in the United States. It is one of the most common pathways to permanent residency and provides a direct path to citizenship for eligible applicants.

This comprehensive guide explains the entire marriage green card process in 2025, including requirements, costs, documents, forms, timeline, interview questions, common mistakes, and approval rates. It combines the updated USCIS regulations with deeply structured semantic coverage, ideal for readers who want clarity and confidence.

What Is a Marriage Green Card?

A marriage green card—officially USCIS Form I-551 is a U.S. permanent residence card issued to a foreign spouse of a:

• U.S. citizen, or
  
• lawful permanent resident (LPR)
  

It allows the holder to legally live, work, and study in the United States, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

Key Immigration Entities Involved:

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
  
• NVC (National Visa Center)
  
• Department of State (for consular processing)
  
• U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad (for interviews outside U.S.)
  
• ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement—fraud scrutiny division)
  

Important Updates for 2025

USCIS introduced several regulatory and procedural updates affecting marriage-based green card applications:

Form Changes

• Form I-485 edition 01/20/25 mandatory from April 3, 2025
  
• Form I-129F updated—new edition required from May 1, 2025
  
• COVID-19 vaccination documentation no longer required for Form I-693 as of January 22, 2025
  

Stricter Filing Requirements

• All form pages must be from the same version
  
• Separate payment required for each form (no combined checks)
  
• Form I-693 must be submitted with I-485 (not later)
  

Marriage Fraud Monitoring

USCIS website now explicitly encourages reporting suspected marriage fraud. ICE’s previous public campaign is archived but still visible online.

Who Can Get a Marriage-Based Green Card?

To qualify, the couple must meet all of these requirements:

Marriage Validity Requirements

• Marriage must be legally recognized in the place it occurred
  
• Must be a good-faith marriage, not for immigration benefit
  
• Previous marriages must be legally terminated
  

Sponsor (Petitioner) Requirements

The U.S. citizen or LPR must have:

• Proof of citizenship or permanent residency
  
• Ability to financially support the immigrant spouse (Form I-864)
  

Beneficiary (Foreign Spouse) Requirements

The foreign spouse must:

• Have valid ID and proof of nationality
  
• Pass medical and background checks
  
• Not be barred by prior immigration violations or criminal history (some waivers available)
  

What are the Types of Marriage-Based Green Card Pathways

There are two main U.S. marriage-immigration routes:

Adjustment of Status (AOS) – spouse lives inside the U.S.

• Uses Form I-485
  
• Can file concurrently with I-130 if married to a U.S. citizen
  
• Work & travel permits available during processing
  

Consular Processing – spouse lives outside the U.S.

• Uses Form DS-260 through NVC
  
• Interview takes place at U.S. Embassy/Consulate
  
• Visa issued for entry to U.S.
  

What are the Requirements of a Marriage Green Card

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Marriage Requirements:

• Legal marriage certificate
  
• Proof of bona fide relationship
  
• Termination documents of previous marriages
  

Immigration Requirements:

• Valid entry record (I-94) for AOS
  
• Police certificates for consular applicants
  

Financial Requirements:

• Meet minimum income threshold (125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines)
  
• Submit Form I-864 + supporting evidence
  

What are the Required Documents for Marriage Green Card

Here is the complete 2025 document list:

Required Documents for Form I-130 (Petition)

• Completed & signed Form I-130
  
• Filing fee: $675
  
• Proof of petitioner’s U.S. citizenship/LPR status
  
• Marriage certificate
  
• Passport-style photos of both spouses
  
• Proof your marriage is real (see below)
  
• Divorce records, annulments, or death certificates (if applicable)
  

Evidence Your Marriage Is Real

USCIS examines the totality of evidence. Strong categories include:

Financial Evidence

• Joint bank account statements
  
• Joint tax returns
  
• Joint insurance policies
  
• Mortgage/lease agreements in both names
  
• Shared utilities or bills
  

Personal Relationship Evidence

• Photos together with captions, dates
  
• Travel itineraries, hotel bookings
  
• Chat logs, emails, call history
  
• Social media interactions
  

Household & Family Evidence

• Children’s birth certificates
  
• Adoption records
  
• School or medical records
  
• Affidavits from friends/family (signed & notarized)
  

How to Get a Marriage Green Card: Step-by-Step (2025)

The marriage green card application consists of three major steps.

Step 1: File Form I-130 — Establish Your Marriage Relationship

The I-130 petition proves that your marriage is genuine.

What You Submit:

• Form I-130
  
• Form I-130A (for beneficiary)
  
• Filing fee: $675
  
• Evidence of legal marriage
  
• Proof of legitimate relationship
  

Timeline (2025):

• USCIS receipt notice: ~2 weeks
  
• Request for Evidence (if needed): 2–3 months
  
• Approval: 8.2–14.5 months depending on service center
  

Step 2: Apply for the Marriage Green Card

If Spouse Lives in the U.S. – Adjustment of Status

File Form I-485 with supporting forms:

• Filing fee: $1,440 for I-485
  
• Form I-693 (medical exam – mandatory submission)
  
• Form I-864 (financial support)
  
• Form I-765 (optional – work permit)
  
• Form I-131 (optional – travel permit)
  
• Birth certificate + passport
  
• Entry record (I-94)
  

Processing time (2025): 8.2 months on average

If Spouse Lives Abroad – Consular Processing

NVC filings include:

• Form DS-260
  
• Filing fees:
  
  • $325 State Department processing
    
  • $120 I-864 fee
    
• Birth certificate
  
• Marriage certificate
  
• Police clearance certificates
  
• Medical exam
  
• Passport photos
  

Processing time at NVC: 1–2 months
Embassy interview scheduled afterward.

Read more : Family-Based Green Card for Pakistani Citizens

Step 3: Attend the Marriage Green Card Interview

The interview is the final stage to confirm legitimacy of the marriage.

Interview Location:

• USCIS field office (if inside the U.S.)
  
• U.S. embassy/consulate (if abroad)
  

Common Interview Questions:

• How and where did you meet?
  
• When did you decide to get married?
  
• What do you like most about your spouse?
  
• Who pays the bills?
  
• How do you spend weekends together?
  
• Describe your wedding day.
  

After the interview:

• Approval results usually within 2–3 weeks
  

Marriage Green Card Costs 

If spouse is living INSIDE the U.S.:

If spouse is living OUTSIDE the U.S.:

How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage Green Card?

• Inside U.S. (AOS): ~8.2 months
  
• Outside U.S. (Consular): ~12–18 months
  

Timelines may vary based on:

• USCIS workload
  
• Service center
  
• Country of residence
  
• Background/security checks
  

Reasons for Marriage Green Card Denial

Common denial reasons include:

• Insufficient proof of genuine marriage
  
• Inconsistent interview answers
  
• Missing or outdated documents
  
• Income below required level
  
• Previous immigration violations
  
• Providing false information
  
• Criminal history
  
• Unpaid fees
  
• Submitting mixed versions of forms (2025 rule)
  

After Approval: What Happens Next?

If married less than 2 years:

You receive a 2-year Conditional Green Card.

Must file:

• Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions)
  
• Cost: $750
  
• Must be filed within 90 days before expiration
  

If married more than 2 years:

You receive a 10-year Green Card.

Path to U.S. Citizenship Through Marriage

A spouse of a U.S. citizen can apply for naturalization in 3 years, if they meet:

• Continuous residence
  
• Good moral character
  
• English + civics tests
  

FAQs: 

Can I Work While Waiting for My Marriage Green Card?

Yes—by applying for:

• Form I-765 (EAD – Employment Authorization Document)
  

Can I Travel While My Application Is Pending?

You need:

• Form I-131 (Advance Parole)
  

How to Track Your Marriage Green Card Application

• Use the USCIS Online Case Status tool
  
• For NVC cases: CEAC tracking portal
  
• For consular processing: Embassy scheduling system