What Evidence do I need for Marriage-Based Adjustment of Status?

October 28, 2025

Although a marriage certificate is necessary to prove that your marriage is legally binding, it is not sufficient proof of a bona fide marriage. You will need to gather and show additional evidence of your and your spouse’s relationship and life together after marriage.

What is “bona fide”?

A bona fide marriage is one that was done in good faith and for legitimate purposes by both spouses. This means that it was not entered for immigration purposes or to secure immigration benefits. USCIS will need extensive proof that your marriage is genuine, built on love, a desire to build a life together, and not for immigration to the United States. One of the most important components of any marriage-based application is proving that you are in a bona fide marriage. You should also note that it is not a good idea to marry for immigration benefits. Being caught in a “sham” marriage will make you more vulnerable to negative immigration consequences.

You should not use this as a comprehensive checklist of what you must have. Every relationship is different, and you may have a unique combination of evidence as proof of your relationship. However, some examples of evidence that can be provided to USCIS are:


  • Photos

    Photos of you and your spouse from your wedding, engagement, activities together, and daily life together are central evidence in your application. These photos should be dated and labeled. 

  • Commingling of finances

    Married couples generally commingle finances. This means that they make financial decisions together, spend money together, and save money as a team. Evidence of your combined financial resources can be strong proof of your marriage. This can include, but is not limited to: 

    • Joint bank accounts 
    • Shared credit cards 
    • Titles or deeds for property or vehicles with both of your names 
    • Mortgages or loans with joint responsibility
    • Life insurance policies with each other as beneficiaries 
    • Proof of collaboration on large purchases

  • Cohabitation

    Couples generally live together after they are married. Some examples that prove that you live together include: 

    • Matching addresses on driver's licenses or ID cards
    • Cosignatures on the lease
    • Other documents showing that you share an address 
    • Photos of your home that show cohabitation 

  • Shared children

    Although having children is not necessary to prove that your marriage is in good faith, a shared child can be strong evidence for your relationship. Evidence of your children and your involvement in their lives can include: 

    • Birth certificates or adoption certificates listing both spouses as parents
    • Medical records of your pregnancy or fertility treatment, if you are seeking fertility assistance 
    • Evidence of a relationship with your child or stepchild (family photos, proof of trips and activities as a family)

  • Affidavits from friends and family

    An affidavit is a sworn, written statement that can be submitted by people who know you and your spouse as evidence of your relationship. Affidavits can be more effective in the context of proving your bona fide relationship if the people who provide their testimony as evidence know you and your spouse and have direct knowledge of your relationship.


  • Other proof

    • Proof of vacations or trips together (plane tickets, photos, hotel bookings)
    • Letters, emails, texts, or call logs
    • Gather enough to show your consistent communication, which is particularly important if you were in a long-distance relationship

At our firm, we help clients compile strong evidence for their marriage-based cases. If you would like more information on how we can help, please contact us. 

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