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I-130 Spouse Checklist: Evidence and Documents to Submit

What to send with Form I-130 for your spouse, plus Form I-485 if your spouse is in the U.S.: civil documents, photos, Form I-130A and proof of a real marriage.

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Which forms do you need?

Form I-130 shows USCIS that your marriage is real. Every spouse case starts with it. If you are a U.S. citizen and your spouse is in the United States and eligible to adjust status, you can usually file Form I-485 at the same time. If your spouse lives abroad, the case goes to a U.S. embassy after approval.

Your official instructions come first. Use the current form editions and the instructions linked at the end of this page.

Form I-130: what to send

Forms and fee

  • Form I-130, signed by the petitioner (the U.S. citizen or green card holder)
  • Form I-130A, completed for your spouse
  • The filing fee shown on the USCIS form page

Proof of the petitioner's status

  • U.S. citizen: birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, Form FS-240 or unexpired U.S. passport
  • Green card holder: copy of the front and back of the green card

Proof of the marriage

  • Your marriage certificate
  • Divorce decrees, annulment orders or death certificates that ended every earlier marriage, for both of you
  • Proof of any legal name change

Photos

  • Passport-style photos of you and your spouse, if the instructions ask for them

Proof your marriage is real (send several kinds)

  • Lease or mortgage in both names, or proof you live at the same address
  • Joint bank accounts, credit cards or loans
  • Insurance that lists your spouse: health, car or life insurance beneficiary
  • Joint tax returns
  • Utility, phone or internet bills in both names
  • Birth certificates of children you have together
  • Sworn statements from people who know your marriage, each with their full name, address, date and place of birth and how they know you
  • Dated photos of you together over time, with a caption under each Make this part now
  • Wedding records, trips together and other proof of your life together

Form I-485: add these if your spouse is in the U.S.

Check the I-485 instructions for the edition you file. The current edition is dated 09/18/26.

Forms

  • Form I-485, signed by your spouse
  • Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, from the petitioner, with the latest federal tax return or transcript and proof of current income
  • Form I-693 medical exam from a USCIS civil surgeon, in its sealed envelope, if your spouse needs one. USCIS says it must be filed with the I-485.
  • Optional: Form I-765 for a work permit and Form I-131 for a travel document

Your spouse's documents

  • Birth certificate
  • Passport pages with the U.S. visa and entry stamps
  • Form I-94 arrival record
  • Two passport-style photos
  • Government photo ID
  • Court records for any arrest or charge, if it applies

Before you file

  • Use the newest form editions and sign every form.
  • Add a certified English translation for every document in another language.
  • Send copies, not originals, unless USCIS asks for an original.
  • Keep a full copy of everything you send.
  • Put your photos in date order with a short caption under each.

Make your marriage easy to see

Officers review a lot of paper. A clear PDF in date order, with the date, place and names under every photo, lets them see your story in a few minutes instead of digging through loose files.

Case Album builds that PDF from your photos and documents, in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to us. You see every page free and pay only to save the file.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current USCIS instructions for your form, or ask an immigration attorney about your own case.

Frequently asked questions

What evidence do I submit with Form I-130 for my spouse?

Proof of your own status, your marriage certificate, proof that earlier marriages ended, Form I-130A for your spouse, photos if the instructions ask, and several kinds of proof that the marriage is real, like a joint lease, joint bank accounts, insurance, tax returns, sworn statements and dated photos together.

Can I file Form I-485 with Form I-130?

If you are a U.S. citizen and your spouse is in the United States and eligible to adjust status, you can usually file both together. Green card holders can do so only when a visa is available in their category.

Do I need the medical exam when I file Form I-485?

USCIS says that if Form I-693 is required, it must be submitted with the I-485, in the civil surgeon's sealed envelope, or the I-485 may be rejected.

How many photos should we send?

USCIS does not set a number. Choose photos from different times in your relationship, put them in date order and caption each one.

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Official references

Case Album is independent software, not affiliated with USCIS. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Read our editorial standards.

Marriage Green Card Interview: What to Bring (Full List)The full list of what couples bring to a marriage green card interview: 128 documents, from IDs and civil records to joint bank, lease, insurance and Costco cards.Bona Fide Marriage Evidence ChecklistA simple checklist of the proof USCIS lists for a real (“bona fide”) marriage on Form I-130, and how to organize what you have.How Many Photos for a Marriage Green Card?USCIS sets no number. How to choose photos that show your life together over time, caption them and put them in one PDF.How to Organize I-130 Photo EvidenceA simple way to organize your marriage photos for Form I-130: pick good photos, put them in date order and add a short caption to each one.How to Write a Relationship Timeline for USCISA relationship timeline is optional. Here is a simple one-page format with examples, if you want to add one to your marriage or fiancé(e) case.Marriage Green Card RFE After the Interview: What Documents to SubmitGot a marriage RFE after your green card interview, or before it? Why it happens, what to send for each request, what to leave out and how to organize it.