What is Involved in a Green Card Marriage Interview?

 Posted on February 20, 2025 in Spouse Visas

While the entire green card marriage process can be complex and full of stumbling blocks, perhaps no part of it is as nerve-wracking as the required in-person interview. During the interview, a USCIS employee or a consular officer evaluates the legitimacy of the marriage to ensure it is not only for immigration benefits.

Questions during the green card marriage interview will focus on the history of the couple’s relationship, their future plans, and what type of daily activities they commonly perform as a married couple. While each green card marriage interview is unique in some way, an experienced Plano, TX immigration attorney can help prepare you for the interview so you will have the best possible outcome.

Requirements for a Marriage Green Card

Eligibility for a marriage green card includes the following:

• The U.S. citizen spouse must file Form I-130 to establish the marital relationship.

• If the marriage is less than two years, the foreign spouse will receive a conditional green card, which is valid for two years. Before the expiration of the conditional green card, the couple must jointly file Form I-751.
• Once the conditions are removed, the foreign spouse will receive a permanent green card that is valid for 10 years.
• Before applying for the marriage green card, it must be established that the foreign spouse is legally married to a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
•  Both spouses must be at least 18 years old.
• There must be an in-person interview of both spouses.

What Should I Expect from the Green Card Marriage Interview?

The marriage interview can be the most stressful and intimidating element of the marriage green card application process. When the USCIS finishes reviewing all your green card application documents, your file will be transferred to the local USCIS field office closest to where both spouses live.

Before your interview, sit down together and go over important dates and events in your relationship. You will need to provide all documents submitted to the government with your green card application (court records, prior divorce documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and photos proving your marriage is authentic). Recent photos of the two of you together, as well as any of the following, can help prove your marriage is legitimate:

• Joint income tax returns
• Birth certificates of children born to the two of you
• Any jointly titled property documents or insurance documents
• Joint bank account statements
• Proof that you have taken vacations together or spent holidays together as a family.

Spouses may be interviewed together or separately, or you may be interviewed together and then separately to look for any inconsistencies. If USCIS has reason to believe your marriage is not valid, it is likely you will be interviewed separately. The USCIS officer will ask questions regarding how the non-citizen spouse came to the United States, as well as how you two met, how you fell in love, and how and when you decided to marry.

If the USCIS sees any "red flags," such as a large age gap, different addresses showing up online, a very short marriage, or very different cultural backgrounds, the interview may feel like more of an investigation. If you have difficulty speaking or understanding English, consider bringing an interpreter – and always arrive on time. This is a serious matter to USCIS staff, so do not attempt to joke with the officer.

Dress neatly, and do not argue with your spouse or other family members in front of the officer. Sarcasm is just as detrimental as attempting to joke with the officer, so do not lose your patience and never tell a lie about even the smallest matter. You will either be approved for the marriage green card or asked for extra documents; the officer may state that your case needs additional review, a second interview will be requested, or your request will be denied outright.  

Contact a Dallas, TX Immigration Lawyer

If you are considering a marriage green card application, you need a knowledgeable Plano, TX immigration attorney from Law Office of Jae Lee to guide you through the process. Attorney Lee offers one-on-one guidance, either in person or remotely. Call 214-295-3014 to schedule your free consultation.