Before You Start — Know Your Filing Fees
The I-485 filing fee is $1,440 for adults (14+) and $950 for children under 14 filing with a parent. Use our free calculator to get the exact total for your situation before you gather documents.
Calculate My Green Card Fees →Missing documents are the number one cause of USCIS rejection and Requests for Evidence (RFE) on I-485 applications. A rejected application wastes months of waiting time — and USCIS fees are non-refundable. Use this checklist to make sure your package is complete before you mail or submit it.
Part 1 — Core USCIS Forms (Required for Everyone)
These forms and items are required for virtually all I-485 applicants, regardless of immigration category.
Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence)
Completed, signed, and dated. Use the most current version. File online at myUSCIS.gov or mail. Fee: $1,440 adult / $950 child under 14.
2 Passport-Style Photos
2x2 inches, white/off-white background, taken within 30 days of filing. Write your full name and A-Number lightly on the back. No glasses.
Copy of Passport (photo page + visa page)
Clear copy of the biographical page and the page showing your most recent US visa (if you had one). Include the expiration date page.
Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
Print your most recent I-94 from i94.cbp.dhs.gov. This shows your lawful entry and authorized stay period. Required to demonstrate valid immigration status.
Birth Certificate (with certified English translation)
A clear photocopy of your birth certificate. If not in English, include a complete certified translation by a qualified translator. The translation must include the translator certification statement.
Form I-693 Medical Exam (sealed envelope from civil surgeon)
Completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Submit in the original sealed envelope — do NOT open it. If filing online, follow the USCIS instructions for submitting the medical exam separately. Fee: $200-$500+ depending on vaccination needs.
Filing Fee Payment
For paper filing: money order or personal check payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." For online filing: credit/debit card or bank account. Use Form G-1450 for card payment with paper filing. Never send cash.
Part 2 — Identity and Immigration Status Documents
Prior Green Card or Permanent Resident Card (if any)
Copy of any prior US green card, both front and back. Required if you have previously been a permanent resident.
Prior EAD (Work Authorization Card, if any)
Copy of any prior Employment Authorization Documents, both front and back.
All Prior US Visas (last 5 years)
Copy of all US visa stamps in your passport from the last 5 years. If your passport doesn't have them all (e.g., old expired passport), retrieve copies of key visas.
Travel History List (last 5 years, if requested)
I-485 Part 2 asks for all trips outside the US in the past 5 years. Prepare a list with departure date, destination, and return date for each trip.
Part 3 — Family-Based Applications (Spousal / Immediate Relative)
Additional documents required when the basis for your green card is marriage to a US citizen or being an immediate relative.
Approved Form I-130 (or I-130A) or Concurrent Filing
Include a copy of the I-130 approval notice. For immediate relatives of US citizens, you may file I-130 and I-485 concurrently in a single package. For other preference categories, the I-130 must be approved and a visa number available first.
Marriage Certificate (spousal cases)
Official marriage certificate showing both parties' names. If not in English, include a certified translation. For multiple prior marriages, include divorce decrees or death certificates for all prior marriages of BOTH spouses.
US Citizen or LPR Petitioner's Proof of Status
Copy of the petitioner's US passport, naturalization certificate, or green card — whichever applies. This proves the petitioner's legal right to file an I-130.
Form I-864 Affidavit of Support (with supporting documents)
Required for all family-based green cards. The petitioner (and joint sponsors, if needed) must show income at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Include most recent federal tax return (IRS transcript preferred), W-2s, pay stubs (3 most recent), and employment verification letter.
Bona Fide Marriage Evidence (spousal cases)
USCIS will review evidence that your marriage is genuine (not for immigration purposes). Include: joint lease or mortgage, joint bank account statements, joint insurance policies, photos together over time, proof of communication (emails, texts), joint tax returns. More evidence is always better.
Part 4 — Concurrent Forms (Optional but Recommended)
Most applicants file these forms at the same time as I-485. Filing concurrently saves time and ensures you can work and travel while your green card is pending.
Form I-765 (Work Permit / EAD) — Strongly Recommended
Allows you to work for any employer while I-485 is pending. Fee: $820 (initial). File concurrently with I-485. Processing: 3-7 months. Do NOT begin working before you receive the EAD card.
Form I-131 (Advance Parole / Travel Document) — Required if Traveling
DO NOT travel outside the US while I-485 is pending without Advance Parole — it will be treated as abandonment of your application. Fee: $630. File concurrently with I-485. Processing: 3-7 months. You must WAIT for the approved document before traveling.
Part 5 — Additional Documents (Case-Specific)
Depending on your specific situation, USCIS may require additional documents. Check the applicable boxes below.
If you have a prior marriage that ended:
Divorce decree(s) for each prior marriage (with translation if not in English)
Death certificate(s) if prior spouse is deceased (with translation)
If you have children:
Birth certificates for all children being included in the application (with translations)
If you have a criminal history:
Court records for ALL arrests, charges, or convictions (even dismissed cases)
Police clearance certificates from each country you lived in for 6+ months after age 16
Consult an immigration attorney before filing if you have any criminal history
If you served in the military:
Military records (discharge papers, service records) for military service in any country
If you have previously been in immigration proceedings:
Copies of all prior USCIS applications and decisions
Immigration court orders and decisions
Strongly consider consulting an immigration attorney
Common I-485 Mistakes to Avoid
Missing or unsigned forms
All forms must be completely filled out and signed by the appropriate party. Unsigned applications are rejected outright with no refund.
Wrong filing fee
USCIS fees must be exact. An incorrect amount results in rejection. Use our Green Card Fee Calculator to confirm your exact amount before filing.
Opening the sealed medical exam envelope
The I-693 from the civil surgeon must be submitted sealed. If it is opened or tampered with, USCIS will reject it and you will need a completely new medical exam.
Submitting originals instead of copies
USCIS accepts photocopies of most documents. Sending originals risks permanent loss of important documents like birth certificates and passports.
Forgetting translations
Every non-English document must be accompanied by a complete certified English translation. A missing or incomplete translation will result in an RFE and delay of months.
Traveling abroad without Advance Parole
This is the most serious mistake. Leaving the US while your I-485 is pending without approved Advance Parole (I-131) will result in your I-485 being considered abandoned — and you cannot re-enter the US on your pending green card application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need all these documents to file I-485?
Not all documents apply to everyone. Start with Part 1 (required for everyone) and then check which additional documents apply to your specific situation. If you are missing a document, do not delay filing — submit what you have and provide an explanation letter for anything missing. USCIS may issue an RFE requesting what is missing.
Can I file I-485 if my priority date is not current?
Only if you are in an immediately available category (immediate relatives of US citizens have no wait) or if the Visa Bulletin shows your priority date as current under the "Filing Date" chart. If your priority date is not current, you must wait — you cannot file I-485 yet. Check the monthly Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov.
How long after filing I-485 until I hear from USCIS?
Within 2-3 weeks of filing, you should receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) confirming USCIS received your application. Shortly after, you will receive a biometrics appointment notice. The biometrics appointment is typically scheduled 4-8 weeks after filing. After biometrics, the case is in USCIS review — current processing times are 8-24 months.
What is the I-485 interview?
After biometrics, USCIS will schedule you for an interview at your local field office. For spousal cases, both the US citizen spouse and the foreign-born applicant attend. The officer will review your application, ask about your relationship and background, and verify the supporting documents. The interview is typically 30-60 minutes.
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