Once you’ve submitted your marriage-based green card application, the final step before approval is the USCIS interview. It is a crucial meeting designed to verify that your marriage is genuine and your case is complete.
Whether you’re attending the interview inside the U.S. or abroad, being well-prepared can make the difference between a smooth approval and a stressful delay.
What Is the Marriage Green Card Interview?
The marriage-based green card interview is conducted by a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer if inside the U.S. or a consular officer if abroad.
Its purpose is to confirm:
- That your marriage is bona fide (authentic)
- That you meet all eligibility requirements for permanent residence
- That all documents and forms are accurate and complete
During the interview, the officer will review your application, ask about your relationship history, and verify personal details that only genuine couples would know.
What to Expect at the Interview
Where it is Held
- In the U.S.: The interview will take place at a local USCIS field office. Both spouses must attend.
- Outside the U.S.: The foreign spouse will attend a consular interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. spouse is usually not required to attend.
How Long it Takes
Most interviews last 30 minutes to an hour, though they can run longer if the officer needs clarification or suspects inconsistencies.
Who Conducts It
A USCIS immigration officer or consular officer trained in fraud prevention and relationship verification.
Documents to Bring to Your Marriage Green Card Interview
You’ll need to bring original versions of all the documents you submitted, plus any new evidence showing your life together since you applied.
Here’s a checklist by category:
Identification and Immigration Documents
- Passports (for both spouses)
- Green card or naturalization certificate (for the U.S. spouse)
- Interview appointment notice
- Government-issued photo IDs
- I-94 arrival/departure record (for applicants in the U.S.)
- Birth certificates for both spouses
- Any prior marriage termination documents (divorce decrees or death certificates)
Relationship Evidence
Bring updated proof of your genuine marriage, especially recent evidence showing you continue to share a life together:
- Joint lease, mortgage, or home deed
- Joint bank accounts, credit cards, or loans
- Utility bills in both names
- Health, life, or auto insurance showing each other as beneficiaries
- Joint tax returns or W-2s
- Photos together from trips, holidays, or family events
- Birth certificates of children (if any)
- Social media posts, travel confirmations, or letters/cards addressed to both spouses
Financial Documents
- Latest tax returns (Form 1040) and W-2s
- Recent pay stubs or employment letters
- Updated Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, if requested
Additional Supporting Forms as applicable
- Form I-693: Medical exam results, if not already submitted
- Form I-797: USCIS approval or receipt notices
- Form I-765: Work permit (EAD)
- Form I-131: Travel document (Advance Parole)
This list isn’t the full list of what you need when applying for the marriage-based green card. Read our page on documents needed to apply for the marriage green card for more information.
Common Marriage Green Card Interview Questions
The officer may ask questions about your relationship history, day-to-day life, and future plans. They want to ensure you truly share a life together and not just paperwork.
Relationship Questions
- How and when did you meet?
- When did you decide to get married?
- Who proposed?
- Where was your wedding?
- Did you go on a honeymoon?
- What do you and your spouse like to do together?
- How do you split household chores or finances?
- Who wakes up first in the morning?
- What side of the bed does your spouse sleep on?
- What’s your spouse’s favorite food or TV show?
Personal and Household Questions
- Where do you live?
- Who else lives in the household?
- What color is your bedroom or couch?
- What kind of car do you drive?
- Do you have any pets?
Future Plans Questions
- Do you plan to have children?
- Have you discussed long-term career or housing goals?
- Do you plan to travel soon?
The Stokes Interview
If USCIS suspects your marriage might not be genuine, you may be called in for a Stokes interview, where you and your spouse are interviewed separately.
Your answers are compared for consistency. If significant discrepancies arise, USCIS may request more evidence or issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).
Tip: Honesty matters more than perfection. Minor differences are normal while rehearsed, identical answers can appear rehearsed or suspicious.
How to Prepare for the Interview
- Review Your Application Together. Go over every form and supporting document you submitted. Know the dates, addresses, and timeline of your relationship.
- Bring Updated Evidence. Relationships evolve. Show recent documents that demonstrate continued cohabitation and shared finances.
- Be Honest and Calm. If you don’t remember a detail, it’s fine to say so. Avoid guessing.
- Dress Neatly but Comfortably. Treat it like a professional appointment, not overly formal, but respectful.
- Arrive Early. USCIS advises arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled interview. Bring your appointment notice and photo ID.
- Don’t Joke or Argue. Keep your answers concise and serious. Humor or frustration can be misinterpreted.
- Hire a Professional. If you’re unsure about your case, consider hiring our experienced immigration attorney to file your marriage green card paperwork and help you prepare for the interview.
After the Interview
Most couples receive a decision within a few weeks. You may get:
- Approval Notice: Your green card will arrive by mail.
- Request for Evidence (RFE): USCIS needs more documentation.
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): If inconsistencies arise, you’ll have a chance to respond.
If your marriage is less than two years old at approval, you’ll receive a conditional green card valid for two years. You must later file Form I-751 to remove conditions and make it permanent.
Need Help with Your Marriage Green Card Application?
The marriage green card process can be intimidating, but with the right representation, it doesn’t have to be.
ILOLA has successfully guided hundreds of couples through the process, from filing the first petition to final approval. Let our attorney handle the paperwork while you focus on building your life together.
Call us today at (213) 375-4084 to discuss your marriage green card case.
