Fact sheet · USCIS sources
Marriage green card checklist: U.S. citizen spouse, adjusting status inside the U.S.
Forms, USCIS fees and documents for a U.S. citizen’s spouse adjusting status inside the United States.
Not a law firm; not legal advice. ·
This checklist is for a U.S. citizen petitioning for a spouse who is physically present in the United States and was inspected and admitted or paroled. USCIS allows the I-130 petition and the I-485 adjustment application to be filed together, because a visa is always available to immediate relatives. The usual package contains I-130, I-130A and I-485, with I-864 unless exempt. I-765 (work permit) and I-131 (advance parole for travel) are optional and have separate fees. If required, submit I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, with I-485. For paper filing, keep the envelope sealed. For online filing, open the envelope and upload I-693 as instructed by USCIS; keep the original form and envelope for possible USCIS requests. Unless an exemption applies, the U.S. citizen petitioner signs I-864 and submits it with I-485. The sponsor must be at least 18 and meet USCIS U.S. domicile requirements, including any permitted exceptions, as well as income or asset requirements. Last fact review: 10/17/2026
Green Card Helper is a self-service preparation and checking tool, not a law firm. This page is general information, not legal advice. It does not decide eligibility or predict approval or timing. If you have removal proceedings, an entry without inspection, a criminal record, a prior immigration violation or any doubt about eligibility, talk to an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.
Forms, purpose and official USCIS fees
Fees from the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055, edition 10/16/2026). An incorrect fee causes rejection, and fees change; confirm on uscis.gov/g-1055 before you pay.
I-130
Petition for Alien Relative: proves the qualifying marriage.
- Paper filing
- $675
- Online filing
- $625
Paper $675 · online $625
Filed by the U.S. citizen spouse. Always required.
uscis.gov/i-130
Edition 04/01/2024
I-130A
Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.
- Paper filing
- No separate fee
- Online filing
- No separate fee
No separate fee (filed with the I-130)
Completed and signed by the spouse; submitted with the I-130.
uscis.gov/i-130
Edition 04/01/2024
I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
- Paper filing
- $1,440
- Online filing
- $1,390
Paper $1,440 · online $1,390 (under 14 filing with a parent: $950 / $900)
Filed by the spouse in the U.S.; can be filed together with the I-130.
uscis.gov/i-485
Edition 09/18/2026
I-864
Affidavit of Support: the sponsor shows enough income or assets.
- Paper filing
- $0
- Online filing
- $0
$0 USCIS fee
Unless an exemption applies, the U.S. citizen petitioner signs I-864 and submits it with I-485. The sponsor must be at least 18 and meet USCIS U.S. domicile requirements, including any permitted exceptions, as well as income or asset requirements. Some applicants may be exempt from I-864, for example those credited with 40 qualifying Social Security work quarters, certain children acquiring citizenship under INA 320, or eligible I-360 self-petitioning widow(er)s or abused spouses/children. Follow current I-485 instructions to claim an applicable exemption.
uscis.gov/i-864
Edition 08/24/2026
I-693
Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
- Paper filing
- $0
- Online filing
- $0
$0 USCIS fee (the civil surgeon sets the exam price)
If required, submit I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, with I-485. For paper filing, keep the envelope sealed. For online filing, open the envelope and upload I-693 as instructed by USCIS; keep the original form and envelope for possible USCIS requests.
uscis.gov/i-693
Edition 01/20/2025
I-765
Application for Employment Authorization (work permit).
- Paper filing
- $260
- Online filing
- $260
$260 paper or online while an I-485 filed with a fee on or after April 1, 2024 is pending
Optional; can be filed with the I-485 or while it is pending.
uscis.gov/i-765
Edition 08/21/2025
I-131
Advance parole document for travel abroad while the I-485 is pending.
- Paper filing
- $630
- Online filing
- $580
Paper $630 · online $580 with a pending I-485. After Advance Parole is approved, an additional Pub. L. 119-21 Immigration Parole Fee may apply when seeking parole at a port of entry; see the original G-1055 text, with the amount and applicability determined by USCIS.
Optional; can be filed with the I-485.
uscis.gov/i-131
Edition 01/20/2025
| Form | What it is for | Who files / when needed | Official USCIS fee | Official page (edition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative: proves the qualifying marriage. | Filed by the U.S. citizen spouse. Always required. | Paper $675 · online $625 | uscis.gov/i-130 Edition 04/01/2024 |
| I-130A | Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary. | Completed and signed by the spouse; submitted with the I-130. | No separate fee (filed with the I-130) | uscis.gov/i-130 Edition 04/01/2024 |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. | Filed by the spouse in the U.S.; can be filed together with the I-130. | Paper $1,440 · online $1,390 (under 14 filing with a parent: $950 / $900) | uscis.gov/i-485 Edition 09/18/2026 |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support: the sponsor shows enough income or assets. | Unless an exemption applies, the U.S. citizen petitioner signs I-864 and submits it with I-485. The sponsor must be at least 18 and meet USCIS U.S. domicile requirements, including any permitted exceptions, as well as income or asset requirements. Some applicants may be exempt from I-864, for example those credited with 40 qualifying Social Security work quarters, certain children acquiring citizenship under INA 320, or eligible I-360 self-petitioning widow(er)s or abused spouses/children. Follow current I-485 instructions to claim an applicable exemption. | $0 USCIS fee | uscis.gov/i-864 Edition 08/24/2026 |
| I-693 | Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. | If required, submit I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, with I-485. For paper filing, keep the envelope sealed. For online filing, open the envelope and upload I-693 as instructed by USCIS; keep the original form and envelope for possible USCIS requests. | $0 USCIS fee (the civil surgeon sets the exam price) | uscis.gov/i-693 Edition 01/20/2025 |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization (work permit). | Optional; can be filed with the I-485 or while it is pending. | $260 paper or online while an I-485 filed with a fee on or after April 1, 2024 is pending | uscis.gov/i-765 Edition 08/21/2025 |
| I-131 | Advance parole document for travel abroad while the I-485 is pending. | Optional; can be filed with the I-485. | Paper $630 · online $580 with a pending I-485. After Advance Parole is approved, an additional Pub. L. 119-21 Immigration Parole Fee may apply when seeking parole at a port of entry; see the original G-1055 text, with the amount and applicability determined by USCIS. | uscis.gov/i-131 Edition 01/20/2025 |
Step-by-step document checklist
Confirm this is your situation
- The petitioner is a U.S. citizen and you are legally married
- The spouse is physically in the U.S. and was inspected and admitted or paroled
- If anything above is unclear, get professional advice before filing
U.S. citizen petitioner: I-130 package
- Form I-130, signed
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: birth certificate, naturalization or citizenship certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or unexpired U.S. passport
- Copy of the marriage certificate
- Proof that every prior marriage of either spouse legally ended (divorce, annulment or death records)
- Two identical color passport-style photos of the petitioner and two of the spouse, taken within 30 days
- Evidence the marriage is genuine, such as a joint lease or property, combined finances, children's birth certificates, or sworn affidavits from people who know you
Spouse: I-130A and I-485 package
- Form I-130A, completed and signed
- Form I-485 on the current edition, signed
- Two passport-style photos
- Copy of a government-issued photo ID
- Copy of the birth certificate
- Passport pages with the visa and admission or parole stamp, and the I-94 record if applicable
- If required, submit I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, with I-485. For paper filing, keep the envelope sealed. For online filing, open the envelope and upload I-693 as instructed by USCIS; keep the original form and envelope for possible USCIS requests.
- Certified police and court records for any arrest, charge or conviction, if applicable
- Waivers or supplements such as Form I-601 or I-485 Supplement A, only if they apply
Financial sponsor: I-864
- Check whether an I-864 exemption applies and provide the required evidence
- If not exempt, I-864 signed by the U.S. citizen petitioner, age 18 or older, meeting USCIS U.S. domicile requirements or a permitted exception
- Financial and domicile evidence required by the I-864 instructions
- If needed, a qualifying joint sponsor’s I-864 or household member’s I-864A; the petitioner still files I-864 unless exempt
Optional: work and travel
- Form I-765 if the spouse wants a work permit while the I-485 is pending
- Form I-131 if the spouse needs advance parole to travel abroad while the I-485 is pending
Before you file
- Check every edition date against the form's USCIS page
- Recalculate every fee on the USCIS Fee Schedule (G-1055)
- Check the current Where to File address on the I-130 and I-485 pages
- Attach a full, certified English translation for every foreign-language document
- Send copies unless USCIS asks for originals, and keep a complete copy of the package
Common mistakes that cause rejections or evidence requests
- Using an old form edition. Since Sept. 18, 2026 USCIS accepts only the 09/18/2026 edition of Form I-485, and since Oct. 1, 2026 only the 08/24/2026 edition of Form I-864.
- Paying the wrong amount. USCIS rejects a request with an incorrect fee, and some fees changed on Oct. 16, 2026.
- If required, submit I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, with I-485. For paper filing, keep the envelope sealed. For online filing, open the envelope and upload I-693 as instructed by USCIS; keep the original form and envelope for possible USCIS requests.
- Missing signatures. USCIS may reject unsigned forms; an unsigned I-130A from a spouse living in the U.S. leads to a request for evidence.
- Foreign-language documents without a full English translation and a translator's certification of completeness, accuracy and competence.
- Mailing original documents that were not requested. USCIS asks for copies and may destroy unrequested originals.
- Mailing to an old address. USCIS changed the I-130 filing location on Oct. 7, 2026; check the current Where to File instructions. Filings sent to the previous address and postmarked before Nov. 9, 2026 will still be accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Can we file the I-130 and I-485 at the same time?
Yes. USCIS lets the spouse of a U.S. citizen file Form I-485 together with the I-130, while the I-130 is pending, or after it is approved, because a visa is always available to immediate relatives.
Does the I-693 medical exam have to be included with the I-485?
If required, submit I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, with I-485. For paper filing, keep the envelope sealed. For online filing, open the envelope and upload I-693 as instructed by USCIS; keep the original form and envelope for possible USCIS requests.
Who can sponsor with I-864, and can I be exempt?
Unless an exemption applies, the U.S. citizen petitioner signs I-864 and submits it with I-485. The sponsor must be at least 18 and meet USCIS U.S. domicile requirements, including any permitted exceptions, as well as income or asset requirements. Some applicants may be exempt from I-864, for example those credited with 40 qualifying Social Security work quarters, certain children acquiring citizenship under INA 320, or eligible I-360 self-petitioning widow(er)s or abused spouses/children. Follow current I-485 instructions to claim an applicable exemption.
Are the I-765 work permit and I-131 advance parole required?
No, they are optional. When the I-485 was filed with a fee on or after April 1, 2024, each has its own fee: I-765 is $260 and I-131 advance parole is $630 on paper or $580 online (USCIS Fee Schedule, verified 10/17/2026). After Advance Parole is approved, an additional Pub. L. 119-21 Immigration Parole Fee may apply when seeking parole at a port of entry; see the original G-1055 text, with the amount and applicability determined by USCIS.
Is there a separate biometrics fee for the I-485?
The current USCIS Fee Schedule (G-1055, edition 10/16/2026) does not list a separate biometric services fee for Form I-485. The I-485 fee is $1,440 on paper or $1,390 online.
What if we have been married for less than two years?
If the marriage is less than two years old when the spouse becomes a permanent resident, residence is conditional for two years. For the usual joint I-751 petition, both spouses file during the 90 days before conditional residence expires. Individual filings or waivers of joint filing may be available, such as after a spouse’s death, divorce, or abuse, or for extreme hardship; eligibility and filing times differ. Check the USCIS I-751 instructions for your category.
Is Green Card Helper a lawyer or does it file for me?
No. Green Card Helper is a self-service tool that helps you organize answers, check documents and prepare drafts. It is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, does not file with USCIS and does not guarantee any result.
Sources
Verified on 10/17/2026 against USCIS G-1055 (Edition 10/16/2026) and the official form pages (in English). USCIS changes fees, editions and filing instructions; check the official sources before filing.
- Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/16/2026) — Verified on 10/17/2026
- Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen — Verified on 10/17/2026
- Checklist of Required Initial Evidence for Form I-485 — Verified on 10/17/2026
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative — Verified on 10/17/2026
- Form I-130/I-130A Instructions (edition 04/01/2024) — Verified on 10/17/2026
- I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status — Verified on 10/17/2026
- I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA — Verified on 10/17/2026
- Form I-864 Instructions: sponsor age, domicile and exemptions — Verified on 10/17/2026
- Public Charge Applicability to Family-Based Adjustment of Status: affidavit exemptions — Verified on 10/17/2026
- I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence — Verified on 10/17/2026
- Family-Based Conditional Permanent Residents: Individual and Waiver Filing Requests — Verified on 10/17/2026
- I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record — Verified on 10/17/2026
- I-765, Application for Employment Authorization — Verified on 10/17/2026
- I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records — Verified on 10/17/2026