Getting a green card through marriage: steps, forms and costs
If you are married to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, your spouse can sponsor you for permanent residence. How the process works depends on two things: where you are now, and whether your spouse is a citizen or a permanent resident.
Two ways to get there
From inside the United States (adjustment of status)
If you entered the U.S. lawfully, for example with a visa or with parole, you can usually apply without leaving. Spouses of U.S. citizens are "immediate relatives," so they can often file the petition and the green card application together, even if their visa has expired. Spouses of green card holders generally must wait until a visa number is available and must keep a lawful status while they wait.
From abroad (consular processing)
If you live outside the U.S., your spouse files the petition here. After approval, the case moves to the National Visa Center, and you finish the process with an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
The forms
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed by your spouse, with Form I-130A about you.
- Form I-485, the green card application, if you are applying from inside the U.S.
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, showing your spouse can support you. If their income is too low, a joint sponsor can help.
- Form I-693, the medical exam, done by a USCIS-approved doctor.
- Optional: Form I-765 for a work permit and Form I-131 for a travel document while your case is pending.
Government fees
| Form | Paper | Online |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 petition | $675 | $625 |
| I-485 green card application | $1,440 | |
| I-765 work permit, filed with a pending I-485 | $260 | |
| I-131 travel document | $630 |
Government fees as of October 2026. USCIS changes fees from time to time; confirm the current amount on Form G-1055 before you file. Consular cases also pay Department of State fees and a $235 USCIS immigrant fee. Try our fee estimator for your situation.
Proving your marriage is real
The interview focuses on whether you built a life together. Useful evidence includes:
- A joint lease or mortgage, and mail sent to both of you at the same address
- Joint bank accounts, credit cards, insurance policies and tax returns
- Birth certificates of children you have together
- Photos together over time, with family and friends
- Letters from people who know you as a couple
The two-year conditional green card
If you had been married for less than two years when your green card was approved, you receive a conditional card that lasts two years. You and your spouse must file Form I-751 during the 90 days before it expires. Use our I-751 filing window calculator to find your dates.
Common mistakes that cause problems
- Traveling outside the U.S. while the I-485 is pending without an approved travel document
- Leaving out past arrests, prior visa denials or immigration violations
- Sponsor income below the required level with no joint sponsor
- Missing a request for evidence (RFE) deadline
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and fees change, and every case is different. Talk to a lawyer about your situation.
Related service: Family-based immigration