The first step of the marriage-based green card process is proving to the U.S. government that your marriage is bona fide. To do this, the U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident spouse must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) along with evidence demonstrating the legitimacy of your relationship. To prove that your relationship is bona fide, the government requires the following evidence:
Evidence of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, such as a birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization or citizenship certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), or U.S. Permanent Resident Card (aka Green Card).
Evidence of a lawful marriage with foreign national spouse, including a copy of the marriage certificate and proof that both spouses have lawfully terminated any prior marriages.
Evidence that the marriage is bona fide, such as documentation demonstrating joint ownership of property; a lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; documentation showing that you and your spouse have combined your financial resources; birth certificates of children born to you and your spouse together; affidavits from family and friends with personal knowledge of the bona fide nature of your relationship; and any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.
