Taking the Next Step: A Guide to Adjusting Your Status After Marriage

Marriage adjustment of status is an important and complex process that can help spouses of US citizens to become lawful permanent residents. If you’re considering going through marriage adjustment of status, it’s important to understand the ins and outs so that you can make an informed decision.

The first step in marriage adjustment of status is to determine if you qualify for the process. In order to be eligible, both the US citizen and their non-citizen spouse must meet certain criteria. Generally, these include the following: that they are legally married in a valid ceremony, have no criminal background or immigration violations, and can provide evidence of their marital relationship. You will also need to establish that the US citizen has enough income or assets to support both individuals and can prove the legitimacy of your marriage by providing documents such as joint bank accounts, leases, and photographs.

Once you have determined that both parties meet the requirements for marriage adjustment of status, you must submit an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative form to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This form is used to establish a family relationship between the US citizen and their non-citizen spouse, as well as request an immigrant visa for the foreign-born spouse. The USCIS will also require additional documents such as birth certificates, marriage license, financial records, and more.

Overall, marriage adjustment of status is a long and complicated process that requires careful attention to detail. However, it is an important pathway for non-citizen spouses of US citizens to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States. If you’re considering applying for marriage adjustment of status, make sure to familiarize yourself with the requirements and documents you will need.