Building Strong Evidence for Your Marriage-Based Green Card
Updated: Feb 28
When applying for a marriage-based green card, you must prove to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that your marriage is real. This means showing that you and your spouse have a genuine relationship and did not marry just for immigration purposes.
To do this, you need to provide strong evidence of your life together. Below, we’ll break down the types of documents that help prove your marriage is bona fide (real), how to organize your evidence, and best practices to improve your case.
1. Key Documents to Prove a Bona Fide Marriage
USCIS suggests providing as much joint documentation as possible. Here are some of the best types of evidence:
Type of Evidence | Examples | Why It’s Important |
Joint Property or Lease | Mortgage documents, property deeds, lease agreements with both names | Shows you live together as a couple |
Shared Finances | Joint bank account statements, credit cards, insurance policies | Proves financial trust and co-dependency |
Utility Bills | Electricity, water, internet, or phone bills with both names | Confirms you share a residence |
Driver’s Licenses/IDs | Both spouses' IDs showing the same address | Provides government-recognized proof of cohabitation |
Children’s Birth Certificates | Listing both parents | Strong proof of a genuine relationship |
Joint Tax Returns | Filed as "Married" | Demonstrates a legally recognized marriage |
Travel History | Flight tickets, hotel bookings, visa stamps for trips taken together | Shows shared experiences and commitment |
Memberships & Subscriptions | Gym memberships, club affiliations, family phone plans | Further proof of shared life decisions |
2. Personal Proof of Relationship
Besides official documents, personal evidence can also help prove your marriage is real.
Personal Evidence | Examples | Why It’s Important |
Photographs Together | Wedding photos, vacation pictures, celebrations with family and friends | Visually shows your relationship over time |
Messages & Emails | Screenshots of text conversations, love letters, emails | Proves consistent communication |
Affidavits from Friends & Family | Written statements from people who know you both | Provides third-party confirmation of your relationship |
💡 Tip: Photos should include timestamps and a variety of settings (holidays, family gatherings, vacations). The more diverse, the better!
3. Affidavits – Written Statements from Others
Affidavits are signed statements from friends, family, or coworkers who know about your relationship.
What to Include in an Affidavit:
Full name and address of the person writing it
How they know you and your spouse
Examples of times they’ve seen you together
A clear statement that they believe your marriage is real
Affidavits are not required, but they can be helpful if you don’t have strong joint financial or property documents.
4. Best Practices for Submitting Your Evidence
To make sure your application is strong, follow these guidelines:
Best Practice | Why It Matters |
Organize your documents by category | Makes it easier for USCIS to review |
Provide clear, high-quality copies | Blurry or incomplete documents may cause delays |
Include documents covering multiple years | Proves your relationship is ongoing |
Label everything clearly | Helps immigration officers understand your evidence quickly |
Translate all non-English documents | USCIS requires certified translations |
5. What If You Don’t Have Joint Documents?
If you don’t share financial accounts or property, don’t worry. USCIS understands that not all couples manage their finances the same way.
Here’s what you can do:
Provide more personal evidence (messages, photos, affidavits)
Explain why you don’t share certain documents in a written letter
Show alternative proof (example: one spouse pays rent, but the other pays for groceries and utilities)
Final Thoughts
Proving a bona fide marriage is one of the most important parts of your green card application. By providing a mix of official documents, personal evidence, and affidavits, you increase your chances of approval.
Before submitting, double-check your paperwork and make sure everything is clear, well-organized, and labeled. The goal is to paint a full picture of your life together so USCIS can confidently approve your application.
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