When you apply for a marriage green card, one of the most important requirements is proving that your marriage is bona fide: real and based on genuine love and commitment, not just for immigration purposes.
USCIS takes marriage fraud seriously, so the evidence you provide to prove the authenticity of your relationship is critical to your approval.
What Is a Bona Fide Marriage?
A bona fide marriage is a legitimate, good-faith marriage where both spouses intend to build a life together. It’s not about the size of your wedding or how long you’ve been married, it’s about showing USCIS that you share a real, ongoing partnership involving emotional, financial, and social connection.
To establish this, USCIS reviews your relationship history, shared life, and documentation that reflects your commitment.
The USCIS Standard for Proof
USCIS officers are trained to look for consistent, credible evidence of a life shared together. They expect to see documents that show:
- Shared finances or assets
- Joint living arrangements
- Communication and interaction with each other’s families
- A pattern of shared responsibilities over time
There’s no single document that proves a bona fide marriage. Instead, USCIS looks at the total picture of your life together.
Categories of Evidence to Prove a Bona Fide Marriage
When filing your Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), include a well-organized packet of evidence. Here’s how to structure it:
1. Proof of Joint Residence
Show that you live together as a married couple:
- Lease or mortgage with both names
- Utility bills addressed to both spouses
- Homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies
- Driver’s licenses or state IDs showing the same address
- Mail addressed to both spouses at the same residence
Tip: Include several months of documentation to show consistency over time.
2. Proof of Shared Finances
Financial connection is one of the strongest signs of a real marriage. Provide:
- Joint bank account statements
- Joint credit card or loan statements
- Joint tax returns (most recent year preferred)
- Life, health, or auto insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries
- Joint ownership of property, vehicles, or investments
Tip: If you don’t share finances yet, include proof of financial planning together such as applications for joint accounts or shared budget records.
3. Proof of Shared Responsibilities and Daily Life
Show evidence that you manage daily life as a team:
- Joint car titles or registrations
- Shared household purchases (furniture, appliances, major bills)
- Receipts for trips or activities together
- Screenshots of shared calendars, memberships, or streaming accounts
- Evidence of each spouse supporting the other. For example, medical paperwork, emergency contact listings, or care documentation
4. Photos & Social Proof
Photos are an easy but effective way to show that your relationship is real, but they must look natural and tell a story.
Include photos from:
- The wedding ceremony and reception
- Family gatherings or holidays
- Travel together
- Daily life moments, not just formal events
Add short captions explaining where and when the photos were taken and who’s pictured, especially family or friends.
5. Communication Records
If you’ve spent time apart before marriage or during consular processing, provide evidence of your ongoing communication:
- Screenshots of call logs, text messages, or emails over time
- Social media messages or posts showing your relationship publicly
- Travel receipts or flight confirmations for visits
- Mail, letters, or cards exchanged between you
6. Family and Community Evidence
Demonstrate that others recognize your marriage:
- Affidavits, which are sworn statements, from family and friends describing your relationship
- Invitations, event RSVPs, or joint memberships to gym, social events, etc.
- Photos or letters showing family integration from holidays, birthdays, or reunions
Tip: Affidavits should be signed and notarized when possible. They should describe how the writer knows you, how they’ve observed your relationship, and why they believe it’s genuine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting only wedding photos and no evidence of daily life
- Including documents that don’t show both names
- Ignoring older or ongoing records as the USCIS values long-term consistency
- Overloading with redundant evidence because quality and variety matter more than quantity
- Forgetting to translate non-English documents or missing certification statements
What Happens if USCIS Needs More Proof?
If USCIS finds your initial evidence insufficient, they may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or schedule a Stokes interview which is a more detailed marriage interview.
In those cases, you’ll need to provide additional or newer documentation, or clarify inconsistencies. It’s crucial to respond carefully and on time.
How ILOLA Can Strengthen Your Case
Building a strong bona fide marriage packet is the foundation of your green card approval. The attorneys at ILOLA help couples gather, organize, and present the right evidence so USCIS clearly sees the authenticity of your relationship.
Our Process Includes:
- Reviewing your current documents to identify gaps
- Advising on what additional proof to gather
- Organizing evidence into labeled, USCIS-ready sections
- Preparing affidavits that strengthen your narrative
- Guiding you through marriage green card interview preparation if your case is flagged for review
Let our experienced lawyer help you with your marriage green card and secure your future together in the U.S. Call us today at (213) 375-4084 to discuss your marriage green card case.
