Form I-485 Checklist of Required Documents

Required document

Description

• If you submit this form, USCIS will text or email you the receipt number(s) when your application is registered
• Check your spam folder for email from USCIS

• Use the most recent form edition available on the USCIS I-485 page

• You can file the following applications together with Form I-485:
  • Form I-765 to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Form I-131 to request a travel document (Advance Parole or Refugee Travel Document)
  • There are additional filing fees for Forms I-765 and I-131:
    • $260 for Form I-765
    • $630 for Form I-131 (Advance Parole)

• All family-based applicants must submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) signed by their petitioning sponsor
• Some employment-based applicants only when a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national relative filed the immigrant visa petition or such relative has a significant ownership interest (5 % or more) in the entity that filed the petition

Each Form I-864 must be supported by the following documents:

• Petitioner’s (sponsor’s) most recent federal tax return
• Petitioner’s (sponsor’s) most recent W-2 and/or 1099 form(s)
• Petitioner’s proof of U.S. citizenship or green card holder status
• See the full checklist of required documents: Affidavit of Support Checklist – Form I-864
• If the petitioner’s income does not meet the Poverty Guidelines, then:
  • A joint sponsor might be required, or
  • Petitioner’s household member can combine their income or assets (Form I-864A)

The following applicants are exempt from from the Affidavit of Support requirements:

• Applicant has earned or can receive credit for 40 quarters of coverage under the Social Security Act (SSA)
• Applicant is a child who will become a U.S. citizen upon entry under INA section 320
• Applicant is self-petitioning widow(er) (Form I-360)
• Self-petitioning VAWA applicant (Violence Against Women Act), Form I-360

Applicants listed above must file Form I-864W instead of Form I-864

• Check the most current Form I-485 filing fee
• $1,440 (general category)
• $950 (if under 14 years of age and submitting Form I-485 concurrently with the Form I-485 of one parent)

Acceptable forms of payment:

• Personal check
• Cashier’s check
• Money order
• Form G-1450 (credit card payment) – keep in mind that your bank may decline the transaction and your Form I-485 might be rejected

• Two identical color U.S. passport-style photographs of the applicant
• Add four more photographs if you want to apply for employment authorization and travel documents
• Write your name and A-number (or date of birth) on the back of each photograph

• Form I-130 receipt notice
• Form I-130 approval notice

Concurrent filers are not required to submit Form I-130 receipt notice

• Form I-140 receipt notice
• Form I-140 approval notice

Concurrent filers are not required to submit Form I-140 receipt notice

• Form I-129F approval notice

• At the time of filing Form I-485 (recommended);
• By mail as response to RFE (Request for Evidence) advising the submission of a medical form;
• In person at an interview at USCIS local field office (if scheduled)

• Passport (even if expired)
• Driver’s license (front and back)
• Military ID document (front and back)
• Foreign ID with photograph (front and back)

• Copy of passport page (biometric page with photograph)
• Copy of nonimmigrant visa 
• Copy of CBP stamp
• Form I-94

• Copy of applicant’s long-form birth certificate that lists both parents’ names

• Form I-797 approval notices for all extensions and changes of nonimmigrant status
• All Form I-94 Arrival/Departure records
• Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – if applicable
• Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status – if applicable
• Passport pages(s) with CBP stamp(s)

Note: Immediate relatives of US citizens are not required to provide proof of lawful nonimmigrant status maintenance, only proof of the most recent lawful entry into the U.S.

• Marriage certificate for spouses
• Birth certificates for children

• If any supporting documents are in a foreign language, provide certified English translations
• Attach the photocopy of the original document in foreign language

• Form I-485, Supplement J, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability under INA Section 204(j) 

If the applicant was EVER arrested or detained by a law enforcement officer for any reason anywhere in the world (including in the U.S.):

• An original or certified copy of the complete arrest record; and
• Either an official statement by the arresting or detaining agency or prosecutor’s office OR an applicable court order that indicates the final disposition of the applicant’s arrest or detention

If the applicant was EVER charged for any reason (even if wasn’t arrested) anywhere in the world (including in the U.S.):

• An original or certified copy of the complete arrest report; and
• Certified copies of BOTH the indictment, information, or other formal charging document AND the final disposition of each charge (for example, a dismissal order or acquittal order)

If the applicant was EVER convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing or rehabilitative program (such as probation, drug treatment, deferred adjudication, or community service program) anywhere in the world (including the U.S.):

• An original or certified copy of the complete arrest report;
• Certified copies of the following:
  • Indictment;
  • Information; or
  • Other formal charging document
  • Any plea agreement (in the form of a court filing or recording in a hearing transcript)
  • Final disposition for each incident (for example, conviction record, deferred adjudication order, probation order)
• Either an original or certified copy of the applicant’s probation or parole record showing that the applicant completed the mandated sentence, conditions set for the deferred adjudication, or rehabilitative program OR documentation showing that the applicant completed the alternative sentencing or rehabilitative program

If the applicant EVER had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or otherwise removed from the applicant’s record anywhere in the world:

• An original or certified copy of the complete arrest report; the indictment, information, or other formal charging document; any plea agreement; whether in the form of a court filing or recording in a hearing transcript; and the final disposition for each incident (for example, conviction record, deferred adjudication order, probation order); and
• A certified copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging, or otherwise removing the arrest or conviction

• Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
• Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal
• Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability (for refugee and asylee applicants)

• All Forms DS-2019
• Copies of all J-1 or J-2 visas 
• Copies of all I-94 record
• Copies of all passport pages with CBP stamps 

Only if the applicant was subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement:

• Documentation to show that the applicant has completed with the foreign residence requirement (proof that the applicant resided in the home country for at least 2 years since the exchange program ended);
• Have been granted a waiver (Form I-612) of the requirement before filing Form I-485; or
• Were issued a favorable waiver recommendation letter from the US Department of State before filing Form I-485

• Form I-508, Application for Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities;
• Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request (only if the applicant currently holds A, G, or NATO nonimmigrant status);
• Form I-508F (for French nationals)

• An Afghan or Iraqi translator or interpreter;
• An Iraqi national employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government;
• An Afghan national employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government or employed by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF); or
• A derivative beneficiary of one of the above.

• (c)(9) or (c)(16) Current Adjustment of Status or Registry applicant who filed for adjustment of status on or after July 30, 2007, and before April 1, 2024, and who paid the Form I-485 filing fee

• (c)(9) or (c)(16) Current Adjustment of Status or Registry applicant who filed for adjustment of status on or after July 30, 2007, and before April 1, 2024, and who paid the Form I-485 filing fee