Proof matters. Applying for a green card through marriage is not a simple process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) doesn’t take your word for it; they require concrete evidence that your marriage is real, not just a workaround to get immigration benefits. This is where the concept of a bona fide marriage becomes essential to understand. Proving a bona fide marriage for a green card is one of the most crucial — and scrutinized — parts of the process. Let’s discuss what you need to know.
What Is a Bona Fide Marriage?
A bona fide marriage is a genuine, good-faith union entered into because of love and shared life plans. USCIS looks for sham marriages by conducting interviews, collecting documents, and requiring evidence to determine a marriage’s authenticity.
The U.S. government uses a totality-of-the-circumstances test. This means they will review all submitted documentation, your interview responses, and anything else in your file to determine if your marriage is legitimate.
Green Card Through Marriage: Key Application Steps
To get a green card through marriage, you will typically file one of three forms:
- Form I-30 (Petition for Alien Relative)
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
- Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
These mandatory forms establish the structure of your application, so your success depends on proving the substance. Need more information or help filing bona fide marriage forms? Contact Lamb & Turner today.
How to Prove a Bona Fide Marriage for a Green Card
Applicants need documentary evidence and testimony to demonstrate that their marriage is genuine. Here’s what together and why it matters:
Joint Documents
Paperwork that shows you function as a real couple holds significant weight. USCIS prefers documents that naturally result from a shared life, including:
- Lease and mortgage statements in both names
- Joint bank accounts with regular activity
- Utility bills listing both names
- Health or car insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries
- Tax returns filed as “Married filing jointly”
- Credit card or loan accounts in both names
Photos Together
USCIS expects meaningful photos, not staged. Options can include wedding photos, travel or holiday pictures with family and friends, photos with each other’s parents or children, and even images from events with timestamps.
Affidavits from Friends and Family
Affidavits are sworn letters from people who know you both and can provide powerful third-party validation. These affidavits should be written by U.S. citizens or permanent residents and describe how the person knows you. They should also include specific examples of your relationship, such as trips taken together, daily routines, or family interactions.
Children Together
Having children together is strong proof of a bona fide marriage, so submit birth certificates showing both parents’ names, the school or medical documents listing both parents, or family health insurance showing dependents.
Correspondence and Communication
For couples in long-distance relationships or who met online, showing communication is critical. Examples include screenshots of video calls, texts, or emails, flight itineraries and boarding passes for visits, and copies of greeting cards, love letters, or messages. USCIS wants to see how you built and maintained your relationship over time.
Shared Responsibilities
Evidence that shows you share your day-to-day lives can be compelling. Consider including a calendar or planner that outlines mutual commitments, shared subscriptions, and receipts or registrations that demonstrate joint responsibilities.
Should You Hire an Immigration Lawyer to Get a Green Card Through Marriage?
An immigration lawyer can help reduce stress and prevent mistakes that can lead to delays or denials. They can also help you gather strong evidence, prepare you for your USCIS interview, help submit proper translations and affidavits, and respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs).
A bona fide marriage for a green card is about proving that your relationship is real and that your life is shared. Your future depends on accuracy and timeliness, so contact Lamb and Turner immigration lawyers today for the help you deserve.
