You can use this page like a roadmap:

Marriage-based? Start here:
Marriage Green Card Guide.

Core items (most cases)

• Proof petitioner is a U.S. citizen or green card holder (example: passport, naturalization certificate, green card copy).
• Proof of relationship (example: marriage certificate or birth certificate).
• Proof of name changes (if any).
• Proof of any prior marriages ending (divorce decrees, death certificates), if applicable.
• Passport biographic page (beneficiary; and often petitioner too).

If filing for a spouse (extra evidence)

• Shared life evidence (examples: lease, bank, insurance, photos, travel, messages, kids’ records).
• A simple timeline of the relationship.
• Consistency check: names, dates, and addresses match across the file.

See: I-130 Guide •
Immediate Relatives •
Preference Categories

Sponsor documents (typical)

• Tax evidence (often IRS transcript or federal return).
• W-2s and/or 1099s (as applicable).
• Proof of current income (recent pay stubs, employment letter, or business evidence).
• Proof of U.S. domicile (if needed for the case type).
• If using assets: proof you own the asset and proof of value (and any liens/loans).

If using a joint sponsor or household member

• Joint sponsor: separate I-864 + the joint sponsor’s financial evidence.
• Household member: I-864A + the household member’s financial evidence.

See: I-864 Guide

Common AOS document set (plain list)

• Applicant identity (passport biographic page, photo ID).
• Proof of lawful entry/status (what you submit depends on the case).
• Medical exam (Form I-693, when required and as instructed).
• I-864 package (financial sponsorship) if required.
• Relationship evidence (especially spouse cases).

Official reference pages:
USCIS: Form I-485 •
USCIS: Form I-693 •
USCIS: I-485 Initial Evidence Checklist

NVC / CEAC uploads (typical)

• Online immigrant visa application (DS-260) (completed in CEAC).
• Affidavit of Support documents (I-864 + financial evidence).
• Civil documents (birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, etc., based on country rules).

Country-specific rules (very important)

• Civil documents must be from the correct “issuing authority” for that country.
• Use the State Department’s country reciprocity/document guidance to confirm what is acceptable.

Official references:
State Dept: Online Application (DS-260) •
State Dept: Civil Documents •
Reciprocity / Civil Documents by Country •
Upload & Submit Documents (CEAC)

USCIS translation rule (plain language)

If you submit a document to USCIS that contains a foreign language, you must include a full English translation.
The translator must certify the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent.

Practical tips

• Keep the original document and the translation together as one “set.”
• Use clear file names (example: “BirthCertificate_Applicant_EnglishTranslation.pdf”).
• Do not guess at spellings—match passports and civil records exactly.

Official reference:
8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (Translations)

Use a simple structure:

1. Cover page (what you are filing and the category).
2. Forms (in order).
3. Identity + status documents.
4. Relationship documents (then spouse evidence if applicable).
5. Financial sponsorship (I-864 and evidence).
6. Medical (if applicable and as instructed).
7. Translations behind each foreign document.

Consistency checklist:

• Names match passports and certificates (including middle names).
• Dates match across forms and evidence.
• Addresses match (or you explain changes clearly).

If you want to avoid delays, we can review your document set for missing items, inconsistencies, and “RFE risk.”
This is especially helpful for spouse cases and joint sponsor cases.

General information only. Not legal advice.