How to Prove a Bona Fide Marriage for Green Card Purposes

A practical guide (with evidence checklist, interview tips, and more)

Do you want a green card through marriage? The government requires proof that your marriage is real. USCIS will ask one core question: Did you marry in good faith, not to evade immigration law? This guide explains, in plain language, what “bona fide marriage” means and how couples generally demonstrate it based on USCIS guidance and public information.

Marriage-based green cards are granted when a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident shows through evidence that the marriage is genuine. This means the couple lives like partners and shares life and responsibilities. Below we explain what evidence applicants commonly submit, what to expect at the interview, and how to stay orginazed.

Why this matters now

USCIS’s main focus is whether the marriage was real and made in good faith. They pay close attention to fraud but still base decisions on the documentation provided. This means it’s crucial to submit clear, well-organized proof. 

If USCIS questions the authenticity of a marriage, they could deny the application. In serious fraud cases, there can be legal consequences. It’s important to make sure all documentation is accurate and credible before filing.

What does “bona fide marriage” legally mean?

A bona fide marriage means a couple married for real reasons, like love, living together, and sharing life. It is not a marriage only to get a green card. In reality, this is not a test based on just one document; USCIS reviews the totality of the evidence, no single document is enough on its own.

TheImmiQuest and the Client Conversation (Illustrative Example)

(The following is a fictional educational example for illustration only — not legal advice or a real consultation.)

TheImmiQuest: Hi. Please tell me your names and when you got married.

Client: My name is Maria, and my husband is John. We got married on June 10, 2025. John is a U.S. citizen who obtained his citizenship through naturalization about 5 years ago.

TheImmiQuest: Good. Did you live together after the wedding?

Client: Yes. We moved into a one-bedroom apartment two weeks after the wedding. We both signed the lease.

TheImmiQuest: Perfect. Do you share money and bills?

Client: We both pay for the rent. John has a bank account, and I have one, but we put our savings into a joint account last month.

TheImmiQuest: That’s one kind of evidence USCIS often reviews. Do you have photos or messages that show your life together?

Client: Yes. We have photos from the wedding and holidays with family.

TheImmiQuest: Excellent. Do you buy gifts, take trips, or regularly communicate before marriage?

Client: Yes, definitely. We have receipts for every gift and trips. We were in a relationship for a year before we married, so we have chat history, calls, and messages.

TheImmiQuest: For a strong filing, applicants usually prepare a folder of documents showing shared life and responsibilities. It’s also common to include affidavits from friends or relatives who can confirm the relationship.

Client: What if we do not have joint tax returns yet?

TheImmiQuest: Joint tax returns can be strong supporting documents, but not every couple will have them. Applicants often include any other available evidence, such as joint leases, bank statements, bills, or receipts, to show shared life.

Client: What happens at the interview?

TheImmiQuest: The immigration officer typically asks questions about the couple’s relationship and daily life. Both spouses usually attend. Applicants should answer truthfully and bring originals of the submitted documents.

Client: What if our marriage is recent?

TheImmiQuest: When a marriage is under two years old at the time of approval, the green card is usually “conditional,” meaning it’s valid for two years. The couple must later submit an additional form (Form I-751) with updated proof that the marriage continues. If the approval happens after two years, the green card is typically permanent.

Client: Okay, that helps.

TheImmiQuest: Remember, organization and honesty are key.

When you must prove that that your marriage is real.

You will need to demonstrate a bona fide marriage at each of these stages (if applicable):

  • Filing Form I-130 (petition for alien relative). Evidence should accompany the petition where possible.
  • Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or at the consular immigrant visa interview. USCIS officers or consular officers review documentation and often interview both spouses.
  • Form I-751 (Remove Conditions) – If you received a conditional green card, you must again show that the marriage remains bona fide.

Top evidence USCIS likes to see

  1. Marriage certificate:

  2. Joint lease or mortgage

  3. Joint bank accounts and joint bills

  4. Tax returns filed as married

  5. Photos with family and friends, labeled with names and dates

  6. Affidavits from family and friends

How to organize your evidence

  • Make a cover letter that lists all your documents.

  • Create a table of contents and label items as Exhibit A, Exhibit B, etc.

  • Put similar items together: housing, finances, photos, affidavits.

  • Translate non-English documents with certified translations.

How USCIS evaluates evidence

USCIS officers look at the case as a whole and generally follow these steps:

  1. Confirm the marriage is legally valid and prior marriages ended properly.
  2. Review documents to see if the couple lives together, shares finances, and acts like partners.
  3. Conduct an interview to verify that answers are consistent.

If anything appears unclear, USCIS may:

  • Request more documents (Request for Evidence, or RFE).
  • Issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).
  • Deny the petition.

In serious fraud cases, referrals may be made to law enforcement.

The interview – What to expect

During the interview, both spouses usually attend. Common questions include: how you met, your wedding, daily routine, where you’ve lived, jobs, children, finances, family, and future plans. Practice together to recall details, but avoid memorized scripts. Stay calm and truthful. Bring organized originals and copies of your evidence.

Conditional green card and removing conditions

If you were married less than two years when you received your green card, it will be conditional for two years. To keep your status, you must generally file Form I-751 within 90 days before it expires, showing the marriage continues to be real. Failing to file may affect your status.

Bona fide Documents

Common problems and how to fix them

  • Few joint documents: Add personal statements or more proof of daily life.
  • Name or date mismatches: Include explanations or legal paperwork.
  • Missing divorce or death certificates: Include certified copies when available.
  • Recent marriage: Provide additional relationship history like chats, travel records, and photos.
  •  

Summing UP

Proving a bona fide marriage is about telling a clear story with documents. The goal is to demonstrate that your life together is genuine. USCIS values honesty and organization over perfection.

This process isn’t just about collecting papers—it’s about showing your shared life through records that exist naturally. Even if some documents are missing, couples can include written explanations or third-party statements.
 If you have an upcoming interview, practice calm, truthful answers. If you already hold a conditional green card, keep collecting shared evidence for the next step.

In the end, your real relationship is the best proof. A genuine marriage creates a natural paper trail—just make sure it’s well organized.

FAQs on Proving a Bona Fide Marriage for Green Card Purposes

It means a marriage that is genuine and entered into for love and partnership, not just to get a green card.

They review documents, photos, joint financial records, and ask questions during the green card interview.

Joint leases, joint bank accounts, insurance policies, tax returns, and evidence of living together are very strong proof.

No. Photos help, but USCIS looks for ongoing proof that the couple lives and builds a life together.

Yes. Signed affidavits are helpful, especially when joint documents are limited, as long as they should be detailed and truthful.

Explain the situation clearly and provide other evidence, like travel records, frequent communication, or shared expenses.

Not always. Some applicants choose to include them if other evidence is limited, but only what supports the relationship should be shared.

Yes, though it’s rare. Home visits generally occur only when fraud is suspected

That is fine. A big wedding is not required. USCIS focuses on the authenticity of the relationship, not the celebration.

From the initial application until conditions are removed (about two years later). Even during naturalization, USCIS may review earlier marriage evidence.

Need help Organizing Your Documents?

Use USCIS’s official guidance and checklist to review your file before submitting.

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