Step-by-Step Guide to Form I-485

Form I-485 is an important part of the green card process for spouses applying from within the U.S. This step-by-step guide explains how to complete Form I-485, along with key information about required documents, fees, and processing times. You’ll also learn important information about concurrent filing, which can significantly speed up the green card process for you.

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What is Form I-485?

The primary purpose of Form I-485, officially the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is for an eligible individual who is already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status – also known as a green card. Essentially, it’s the final and crucial step in the green card process for those who qualify to apply from within the U.S.

If your spouse is applying for a green card from abroad, you will undergo consular processing instead.

Form I-485 Eligibility

Not everyone is eligible to file Form I-485. Before filing, ensure you meet the requirements:

1. You are physically present in the United States.
2. You have a legal basis for your application. The most common green card routes include:
   • Family-Based:
     • Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, including a spouse, parent, or child under 21.
     • Other relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (in a preference category with a current priority date).
     • Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen who entered on a K-1 visa and married within 90 days.
     • Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen.
     • VAWA self-petitioner (victim of battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or child).
   • Employment-Based:
     • Individuals with an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, in a preference category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, etc.) with a current priority date. In some cases, the I-485 can be filed concurrently with the I-140.
3. You Lawfully Entered the United States: You entered through an official port of entry (like an airport or border crossing) and were examined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. Entering without inspection generally makes you ineligible, with limited exceptions. Speak to an immigration attorney about this step if you are unsure.
4. You are Not “Inadmissible.” USCIS outlines certain Grounds of inadmissibility, which are specific reasons that can prevent a person from getting a green card or entering the country. They are like red flags that the government looks for when reviewing an immigration application. Examples could include things like:
   • Criminal History: Convictions for serious crimes, especially involving drugs, fraud, or violence.
   • Health Concerns: Having certain untreated, communicable diseases such as leprosy or syphilis
   • Immigration Violations: Lying on applications, having prior deportations, etc
   • Security Risks: Any connection to terrorism or espionage.
   • Financial Reasons: You likely would need U.S. government financial support to live in the U.S.

Concurrent Filing

The green card application process can be significantly sped up if you are eligible to file Form I-485 concurrently (at the same time) with Form I-130, or another immigrant petition form like the I-140. As a spouse of a U.S. Citizen, you would be eligible to do this.

Those eligible for concurrent filing include:

• Immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen, including spouses, unmarried child (under 21), and parent of a U.S. citizen (if the citizen is 21 or older)
• A visa number is available immediately.
• You are a special immigrant juvenile
• VAWA Self-Petitioners: An abused spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen who is self-petitioning using Form I-360
• Are applying for a special immigrant visa; are a member of a specific branch of the Armed Forces

Form I-485 Filing Instructions: Step-by-Step

Part 1. Information About You (Person applying for lawful permanent residence) 

This section gathers essential personal details such as your current legal name, any other names used, date and place of birth, sex, country of citizenship, and any Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or USCIS Online Account Number you may have. It also requires information about your recent immigration history, including details from your passport or travel document, visa information, and the specifics of your last arrival into the United States. You must also provide your current physical and mailing addresses, and your address history for the last five years. Finally, it asks about your Social Security Number and whether you authorize the Social Security Administration to issue you a card.

Have the following readily available to help speed up the process for this section:

• Passport or travel document
• Information about your Nonimmigrant Visa (if any)
• Place and date of last arrival into the United States. You can use the I-94 for help with this.

Part 2. Application Type or Filing Category

This section is very significant because you indicate which immigrant category you are filing under (Family-Based, Employment-Based, Special Immigrant, Asylee or Refugee, Human trafficking Victim or Crime Victim, Special Programs Based on Certain Public Laws, Additional Options)

If you are the principal applicant, be prepared to provide your receipt number, full name, A-number, date of birth, receipt number, and priority date.

Part 3, Affidavit of Support Exemption

This section is for applicants who may be exempt from the requirement to submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). You must select a reason for exemption, such as having 40 qualifying quarters of work in the U.S., being a widow(er) of a U.S. citizen, or being a VAWA self-petitioner.

Part 4. Additional Information About You  

This part asks for more details about your immigration and employment history. It inquires about any previous applications for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and any prior applications for permanent residence in the U.S.. You are also required to provide a complete employment and educational history for the last five years, including your current job or school.

Part 5. Information About Your Parents 

In this section, fill out your parents’ legal name, parents’ names at birth, and their personal biographic information.

Part 6. Information About Your Marital History

This section requires details about your current marital status and history. If you are married, you must provide information about your current spouse, including their name, A-Number, date and place of birth, and current address. You also need to state how many times you have been married and provide details about any prior marriages.

Part 7: Information About Your Children

You must list all of your living children, regardless of their age, marital status, or whether they are applying with you. This includes biological, adopted, and stepchildren. For each child, you need to provide their name, A-Number (if any), date and country of birth, and their relationship to you.

Part 8: Biographic Information

This part collects your biographic data, including your ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color.

Part 9: General Eligibility and Inadmissibility Grounds

This is a critical section containing a series of “Yes” or “No” questions to determine if you are inadmissible to the United States under U.S. immigration law. The questions cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Organizational memberships
• Immigration violations like unauthorized work or overstaying a visa
• Criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and drug-related offenses
• Security-related grounds, such as espionage, terrorism, or association with totalitarian parties
• Public charge determination, which assesses your likelihood of becoming dependent on government assistance
• Illegal entry and previous removal orders

Part 10. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, Certification, and Signature 

You must provide your contact telephone numbers and email address. By signing this section, you certify under penalty of perjury that all the information provided is true and correct.

Parts 11 and 12. Interpretation and Preparation

If an interpreter helped you complete the form, include their details, certification of fluency in your language, and signature. If someone else, like an attorney or accredited representative, prepared the form on your behalf, they must complete this section with their information and signature.

Part 13 and 14 Interview Signature and Additional Information

The signature section is to be left blank when you file the application. You will be asked to sign it by a USCIS officer during your interview. For part 14, space is provided for any additional details or explanations that did not fit in the designated sections of the form. You must clearly reference the page, part, and item number for each piece of additional information.

Document Checklist For Spouses

The following is required as evidence for immediate relatives and family-based preference applicants:

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: This is the main application form you must complete and sign.
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support: Required for most family-based cases to show the applicant has adequate financial support and is not likely to become a public charge.
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record: This must be completed and signed by a designated USCIS Civil Surgeon. The first page of the I-485 application has a specific field for the date this form was signed.
• Two Passport-Style Photographs: These must meet the specific requirements for size and composition set by the U.S. government.
• Government-Issued Photo ID: A copy of your passport’s biographical page, driver’s license, or other government-issued photo ID.
• Birth Certificate: A copy of your birth certificate. If the document is not in English, you must include a certified English translation.
• Proof of Legal Entry: Documentation showing you were inspected and admitted or paroled into the U.S. This is typically your Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or the admission stamp in your passport.
• Proof of Underlying Petition: Evidence that a family petition was filed on your behalf, which is the basis of your eligibility. This is usually the Form I-797, Notice of Action, for your Form I-130. The I-485 form asks for this receipt number.
• Evidence of a Bona Fide Relationship (for marriage cases): Documents that prove your marriage is genuine, such as joint bank account statements, a lease or mortgage with both names, and birth certificates for any children you have together.
• Marriage Certificate: You need to include a certified copy of your official marriage certificate.
• Filing Fees: The correct payment for the I-485 application fee. Your application will be rejected without them.
• Certified Police and Court Records: If you have ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime, you must provide certified copies of those records, regardless of the outcome.
• Petitioner’s (U.S. Citizen Spouse’s) Documents: Proof of U.S. Citizenship: A copy of your spouse’s U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization.
• (Optional but Recommended): Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: Use this form to request a work permit while your I-485 is pending.
• (Optional but Recommended) Form I-131, Application for Travel Document: Use this form if you need to travel outside the U.S. while your application is pending.

In specific scenarios:

• Termination of Prior Marriages: If either of you were previously married, provide copies of all divorce decrees, annulment orders, or death certificates.
• Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
• Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. after deportation or removal
• J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor status Documents
• Form I-508, Waiver of Diplomatic Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
• Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request
• Form I-485 Supplement A, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i)

I-485 Processing Time in 2025

The processing time for Form I-485 is between 6-12 months according to USCIS data. This time can vary depending on your case complexity and the processing speed of the service center handling your application.

You will know that USCIS received your application after filing it because you’ll be sent a confirmation of receipt. On this document, you’ll see a 10-digit receipt number, which will allow you to check your case status. 

Want to know the status of your case or I-485 tracker? You can always see the status of your case online.

Filing Fee

• General filing fee: $1,440
• If under 14 years of age and submitting Form I-485 concurrently with the Form I-485 of one parent: $950
• Exemptions and reduced pricing are available for certain categories: explore the full fees on the dedicated USCIS page.

I-485 Frequently Asked Questions

Can Form I-485 be filed online

No, Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, cannot be filed online. It must be filed by mail to a lockbox facility. The addresses can be found on the dedicated USCIS webpage. Forms commonly filed with the I-485, such as Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document), also cannot be filed online when they are part of an I-485 package. They must be included in the same paper mailing.

Even though you file by mail, you can still receive E-Notifications. If you want to receive an email and/or a text message that USCIS has accepted your form, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and attach it to the first page of your application or petition.

USCIS will send you an Online Access Code after they accept your application. This code allows you to link your paper-filed case to a personal USCIS online account. Through this account, you can:

• Check your case status and history.
• Receive electronic notifications about your case.
• Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFE).
• View notices and decision letters.

Who Can fill Form I-485?

While you, the applicant, are responsible for the information, several people can physically fill out Form I-485 for you:

• An Attorney or Accredited Representative: A legal professional can prepare the form, provide legal advice, and must provide their information on the first page of the application.
• Any Other Preparer: A friend, family member, or consultant can also fill out the form. They cannot give legal advice and must complete and sign
• If someone only translates the form for you, they act as an interpreter and must complete Part 11.

What if I did not file my form properly?

Expect to receive a Notice of Action to reject your application from USICS or a Request for Evidence to make a decision on your case. Your entire filing package may be mailed back to you, and your filing fees will not be cashed.

What does the I-485 do?

Form I-485 is an application in marriage green card cases and family-based green card cases to register for permanent residency or adjust your status.

What does it mean I-485 approved?

After your I-485 Adjustment of Status application is approved, you will need to go to the USCIS local office to get a passport stamp (bring any dependents who applied with you). The date your I-485 gets approved is the date of adjustment. Once it is approved you’re considered a lawful permanent resident and are able to work.

How long does it take to get approval for I-485?

The answer to processing time will largely be impacted by the category of adjustment it is and also the assigned USCIS field office handling your case. In 2022 the average I-485 processing time was 8-14 months.

What is the I-485 filing address? 

Where you mail your Form I-485 application depends on the state you live in. Go to the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485 page to see where you should file your application.

What if my I-485 gets denied?

If it gets denied, the first thing you should do is discuss your options with your immigration attorney. They may recommend creating a motion to reopen or reconsider the decision, appeal it or refile.