The United States Immigration Laws allow its citizens to put their spouses on equal footing by granting them lawful permanent residence. However, the process of actually obtaining this status is complex and lengthy.

Determining which is the best avenue for you and your spouse to take is a crucial decision. Considering that there are several ways to proceed, we urge you to consult with our immigration lawyers before you begin trying to obtain an immigrant visa through marriage.

Upon reviewing and analyzing your case, our attorneys will explain the different procedures and assist you in choosing the most appropriate one for your situation.

In order to provide you with a general idea of the type of information that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services requires to validate your marriage, we have drafted a list of recommended items geared at achieving this goal.


Evidence of a Genuine Marriage

Residence
Lease or a letter from your landlord indicating that both spouses live at the residence, or copies of rent receipts showing both parties’ names.
Property deeds showing joint tenancy.

Employment
Letter from employer showing a change in records that reflects a new marital status.
Letter from employer showing designation of the spouse as the person to be notified in the event of an accident, sickness, or other emergency.

Finances
Copies of joint income tax returns.
Evidence of joint checking or savings accounts.
Evidence of joint ownership of automobile(s).
Copies of gas, electric, telephone and other utility bills.
Evidence of all major purchases made together, such as a stereo, television, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.

Insurance
Evidence of life insurance policies where the spouse is named as the beneficiary.
Evidence of medical or health insurance plans which name the spouse as a member or beneficiary.

Certificates
Marriage certificate.
Religious marriage certificate if there was a church wedding.
Birth certificate of children born of the relationship.

Identification and Memberships
Photo ID cards of both spouses with a new card for the wife showing her married name.
Driver's licenses, credit cards, check cashing cards, employment ID cards, video club memberships, etc. for both parties.

Photographs and Other Personal Items
Photographs, taken throughout the relationship, of the couple alongside family and friends (weddings, receptions, holidays, birthdays, vacations, and other types of celebrations and functions).
Professional or non-professional pictures of spouse and family, such as those kept in a billfold.
Evidence of correspondence between the parties, including letters, birthday and holiday cards, telephone calls, and other correspondence addressed to the parties.
Evidence of vacations taken together, including airline tickets and hotel bills.