Free tool

Green card checklist

For adjustment of status (Form I-485) through marriage to a US citizen, filed from inside the US. Checked against uscis.gov on October 21, 2026. Your ticks are saved in this browser only.

How did you come to the US? K-1 fiancé(e) visa, then married Other visa, married to a US citizen

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Forms

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, filed by your US citizen spouse
I-130A Supplemental information for spouse beneficiary
I-485 Application to adjust status, edition 09/18/26 only. Older editions are rejected. Part 9 now asks about every means-tested public benefit you ever received
I-864 Affidavit of Support, edition 08/24/26 only, signed by your spouse. It now lets USCIS check the sponsor's credit report. Use the full form, not I-864EZ, unless all income is on W-2s
I-765 Work permit (optional, $260 when filed with I-485). Use edition 08/21/25: a court order stopped the 09/15/26 edition for now
I-131 Advance parole travel permit (optional, but leaving the US without it usually abandons your I-485)
Vaccination record from your K-1 visa medical exam. Filing within 1 year of that exam, you need no full new I-693, but if the record was incomplete you must add a partial I-693 (Parts 1-5, 7 and 10)
I-693 Medical exam from a USCIS civil surgeon, in the sealed envelope. It must go in with the I-485, or the whole package can be rejected
G-1450 Credit card authorization, one per form, if you pay by card

Your documents

Two 2x2 passport photos for each of I-485, I-765 and I-131, name written lightly on the back
Copy of passport photo page and US visa page
I-94 arrival record (print it from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
Birth certificate with a certified English translation
Marriage certificate
Divorce or death certificates for any earlier marriages, for both of you
I-129F approval notice (I-797)
Proof your marriage is real: photos over time, joint lease or bills, bank account, messages, with an index page

Your spouse's documents

Proof of US citizenship: passport copy, birth certificate or naturalization certificate
Most recent federal tax return or IRS tax transcript, with W-2s
Recent pay stubs or a letter from the employer
If income is below the requirement: a joint sponsor with their own I-864

Before you mail it

Sign every form by hand, in black ink
Check the edition date at the bottom of every form page against uscis.gov
Check the current fee and the mailing address on uscis.gov. The I-485 address changed on Oct 7, 2026
Call your bank so several large charges are not blocked as fraud
Copy the whole package and keep it
Mail it with tracking

After you mail it

Receipt notices (I-797C) arrive, usually within 2 to 3 weeks. Keep them safe
Create a USCIS online account and add your receipt numbers
Go to your biometrics appointment (fingerprints and photo)
Answer any request for evidence (RFE) before its deadline
Prepare for the interview: bring originals of everything you sent

My story

This is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. If you have ever overstayed, been arrested or been refused entry, talk to an immigration attorney.