GREEN CARD THROUGH MARRIAGE APPLICATION
Application Package $335 + USCIS filing fees.
Disclaimer: FileRight.com is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. We are not a law firm, do not provide legal advice, and are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. We are a private company providing self-help services at your direction. If you are looking for blank forms, you can get them for free at USCIS.gov. Select filing packages include an Immigration Lawyer Review conducted by an independent, licensed immigration attorney.
As Featured On
Check if you Qualify?
Learn if you are eligible to renew your green card
Eligibility Requirements:
1) Legal Status
The individual must be a lawful permanent resident of the United States, also known as a green card holder.
2) Validity
Your green card must either be expired or about to expire
3) Physical Presence
You must be physically present in the United States when you file Form I-90
4) Continuous Residence
You must not have abandoned your U.S. residence, meaning you must have lived in the U.S. continuously and not spent extended period of time outside the country
Still Confused? Don’t worry, take our Free Eligibility Quiz
What’s Included in Your Application Package Service
- Complete your I-130 petition for alien relative application online using our easy to use immigration software.
- Securely check your application using our Immigration Error Report technology.
- Review of the entire application for omissions of key information.
- Examine for typographical errors that might delay processing.
- Confirm consistent spellings of names and places throughout the application.
- Check for inconsistent, illogical or conflicting dates.
- Review for obviously illogical entries.
- Search for entries that conflict with each other.
- Our software checks the information you provide against the eligibility requirements for the immigration benefit you’re seeking, and notifies you if those requirements are not met.
- Once you complete your application, we print, assemble and mail out your application package to you.
- We include sticky notes on where you need to sign and date your application.
- Service includes a pre-paid envelope for you to mail your completed package directly to the USCIS for processing.
- We mail your application package via USPS
FileRight Application Preparation Service Includes
Professional Document Templates Available
Communicate efficiently with USCIS with our professionally written cover letter and document templates.
Personalized Application Filing Instructions
Based on your answers, our system will generate personalized filing instructions to guide you through the filing process.
Supporting Documents Step by Step Instructions
Our easy to understand instructions will guide you through preparing your supporting documents to file your paperwork accurately with the USCIS.
Customer Support Agents Available
Our agents are here to help you if you have any questions with our product or service.
Professional Document Templates Available
Communicate efficiently with USCIS with our professionally written cover letter and document templates.
Personalized Application Filing Instructions
Based off of your answers, our system will generate personalized filing instructions to guide you through the filing process.
Supporting Documents Step by Step Instructions
Our easy to understand instructions will guide you through preparing your supporting documents to file your paperwork accurately with the USCIS.
Customer Support Agents Available
Our agents are here to help you if you have any questions with our product or service.
Over 50,000 customers served by FileRight.com
See how customers rated their experience with FileRight.com
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.”
“The instruction is so detailed... works on my busy schedule…”
“The support person I talked to for help was very patient with me and satisfied every question...”
“...It was quick to fill in and had very clearly written instructions”
“Quick and easy”
“There was nothing I didn't like!”
“Very easy to navigate”
“Very clear and complete instructions, help was always available”
Rated 5 stars! - Rated 5 stars! - “Because it made the process of filling out the forms that much easier. It was explained out very clearly.”
“You are very pleasant and helpful. Make me feel helped and you are very thorough and really listen to what I needed. I felt so comfortable. Thank you.”
Rated 5 stars! - “Your people were very polite, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly...”
“It is friendly and easy for using, FileRight.com service is very nice”
“For me, you're the best service”
“You provided a more updated form, walked us through it; provided more information and follow-up. Then, you called to see if you could help us any further. Very nice service.”
“Quick response... follow up call from your representatives”
“Great service!”
“I had to call, because I made an error and the person who helped me, had EXCELLENT customer service skills!! :)”
“The steps were very simple to follow and follow up assistance was available...”
“I just started the application. I think FileRight will be very helpful”
“It's very easy and the fastest way I filled my immigration papers. Thank you for helping me out. I definitely recommend to my friends and my immediate family”
“Very quick and everything is well explained”
“You made it easy!”
“I found FileRight to be very helpful and informative even when I was just unsure about the applications. Thank you”
“I think that the service you have is great and makes it easy for people. I want to thank you very much”
“The service I received was professional & expedient”
“They were very helpful and made the whole situation easy and much more accommodating. I will recommend and use this process to file for my citizenship papers as well...”
“Rated 5 stars! - Because everybody I talked to were very nice people, extremely patient”
Green Card Through Marriage Application
A marriage green card allows you to work and live in the United States if you are married to a citizen or green card holder. The first step in obtaining a green card through marriage is to submit Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) review.
Once your Form I-130 is completed and processed, you can apply for your green card, where you will have permanent resident status. Then, after three years, you will be permitted to apply for U.S. citizenship.
You can submit your green card application after you show proof of marriage.
Can I Apply for a Green Card Right After Marriage?
Prior to applying for a green card, you’ll need your U.S. citizen, or green card holder, spouse to file Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative.
Because orchestrating a fake marriage to obtain a green card is fraudulent, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) scrutinizes marriage-based green card applications more closely. They need to ensure neither you nor your spouse has tried to evade immigration laws.
Therefore, you will need to submit Form I-130 to the USCIS and additional supporting documentation to establish marriage legitimacy. This petition will outline life details related to your marriage.
What Happens After My Spouse Submits My I-130 Petition?
Once USCIS receives your Form I-130, the agency processes the application. USCIS will then send you:
- A confirmation receipt notice of your petition.
- A notice of a biometrics appointment date.
- An interview appointment date.
- A written notice of their decision.
Processing Approval if You Live Abroad
Usually, when the USCIS approves the petition, the agency sends it to the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC).
When a visa is available, the NVC notifies both you and your spouse of the invitation to apply for an immigrant visa. The invitation extends to qualifying dependents as well.
When the time comes for you to immigrate, your spouse must agree to be your financial sponsor by filing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. The form states their commitment of financial support.
Your Green Card Application
On its own, the approval of a family-based petition on Form I-130 does not provide you with lawful status within the U.S.
Once you’ve completed your I-130 petition, you will still need to complete your green card Application or obtain a visa from the U.S. Department of State. This is where it makes a difference if you live in the U.S. or abroad.
Your Green Card Application if You Live in the U.S.
If you live in America, you will use USCIS Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This document and accompanying paperwork are intended to change your visa-holder or documented immigrant status to lawful permanent resident.
Your Green Card Application if You Live Abroad
If you reside outside the United States, you must follow family immigration rules and file it using the consular process. Once your spouse files your Form I-130 on your behalf, the remaining processing steps, including applying for your green card, will be finished at the consulate in your home country or the U.S. embassy.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage-Based Green Card?
First, the Form I-130 processing time takes anywhere from three to 33 months for a spouse.
Next, the waiting time to get a marriage-based green card currently ranges between nine to 36 months. It will vary depending on whether it was an adjustment of status or consular processing, the USCIS caseload, visa availability, and the accuracy and completion of your application package. For example:
- If your husband or wife is a United States citizen and lives in the U.S., you will likely wait about 14 to 28 months.
- If your husband or wife is a United States citizen and you live abroad, you will likely wait about 17-24 months.
- If your husband or wife holds a green card and you live in the U.S., you will likely wait about 22-36 months.
- If your husband or wife holds a green card and you live abroad, you will likely wait about 15-23 months.
It’s a good idea to file your application for a green card through marriage as soon as your Petition for Alien Relative is approved to ensure you receive your permanent resident card promptly.
However, you are already living in the United States on a visa; you may be able to file your Form I-130 and I-485 simultaneously.
USCIS Form I-130 Filing Fees
Because immigration application costs can fluctuate year to year, you should consult the USCIS site to ensure your information regarding their fees is accurate. For example, the charges for filing Form I-130 include:
- USCIS filing fees to file Form I-130 are $535
Because USCIS won’t refund your money even if your application is denied, consider using FileRight to Prepare your application package. The cost for this service is $335.
Our lawyer review services and instant error reporting software will ensure you submit the most accurate application package possible.
Things to Remember When Completing Form I-130
When completing your Form I-130 to show the validity of your marriage, make sure you:
- Answer every question thoroughly and honestly
- Provide corroborating evidence for your claims regarding yourself and your spouse
- Include your form of payment with your application
- Sign your petition
When you’ve completed your petition, we will print your completed forms, assemble them in the correct order, and mail the completed application package to you. We also indicate where to sign and provide a pre-addressed envelope for you to send to the USCIS. Contact FileRight.com today to get started on your application.
Popular Form Packages
How FileRight makes it easier!
Check Your Eligibility
Simple Step by Step Process
Answer a Few Simple Questions
Immigration Lawyers Review Your Application
Print out Your Custom Filing Instructions
Mail Your Completed USCIS Form
FileRight is the easy way to complete your application
Complete your application online and file with confidence.
Simple & Fast
We ask simple questions in English or Spanish and you answer with a simple click.
No Costly Mistakes
Our software checks your forms for errors and makes sure you have not missed anything.
No Confusing Forms
Print & File Right
Simple & Fast
We ask simple questions in English or Spanish and you answer with a simple click.
No Costly Mistakes
Our software checks your forms for errors and makes sure you have not missed anything.
No Confusing Forms
Our online service completes your forms for you. No more confusing forms or instructions.
Print & File Right
We provide personalized filing instructions for your completed form. You simply print and file with confidence.
