Evidence to Prove a Bona Fide Marriage for a Green Card

What Evidence Proves we have a Bona Fide Marriage?

A bona fide marriage is simply a legitimate marriage. The USCIS looks for real-life evidence that your marriage is genuine and not entered into solely for immigration purposes. The strongest evidence shows how you live together, make decisions together, manage finances, communicate, celebrate important events, and build a future as a married couple. Below are common types of evidence USCIS expects to see from a bona fide marriage, with examples of what each one looks like in practice. While not everyone in a bona fide marriage will have everything listed below, couples want to get as much of the evidence as possible. The goal is to make it easy for the USCIS to approve you.

Proving the Bona Fide Nature of the Marriage

Joint Financial Documents

Joint bank accounts: Statements from checking or savings accounts held in both spouses’ names can show shared finances over time.

Joint credit cards: Credit card accounts or statements listing both spouses as cardholders demonstrate shared financial responsibility.

Joint tax returns: Tax returns filed as married filing jointly are strong proof of a bona fide marriage and shared financial life.

Shared insurance policies: Health, life, auto, or renters’ insurance policies that list both spouses as insureds or beneficiaries show mutual financial protection.

Joint loans or mortgages: Mortgages, auto loans, or other debts in both names can be powerful evidence of long-term commitment and shared obligations.

Shared Residence

Joint lease or mortgage: A lease or mortgage listing both spouses as tenants or owners shows that you live together at the same address.

Bills to both spouses: Utility bills (gas, electric, water, internet, etc.) addressed to each spouse at the same address support the claim of cohabitation.

Shared mailing address: Official documents and mail, such as bank statements or government notices, delivered to both spouses at the same residence can be persuasive.

Home insurance in both names: Renters’ or homeowners’ insurance policies naming both spouses suggest shared responsibility for the residence.

Photos of the home together: Reasonable, non-staged photos taken inside the home over time can help establish that you truly live together.

Travel Together

Joint travel itineraries: Itineraries listing both spouses as passengers show trips you planned and took together.

Hotel bookings together: Hotel or lodging reservations that include both names confirm that you stayed together while traveling.

Travel photos: Photos from trips, vacations, or visits with family and friends help document your shared experiences.

Passport stamps: Stamps showing travel on the same dates or to the same destinations can corroborate your itineraries.

Tickets or boarding passes: Saved airline, train, or bus tickets and boarding passes further support evidence of joint travel.

Social and Family Integration

Photos with family: Pictures of both spouses with each other’s relatives at holidays, birthdays, and other gatherings show integration into each other’s families.

Invitations to events: Invitations to weddings, graduations, religious ceremonies, and other events addressed to you as a couple support your shared social life.

Affidavits from friends: Sworn statements from friends or relatives describing how they know you and what they have seen of your relationship can be valuable.

Social media appearances: Reasonable screenshots of posts or photos showing you together on social media can help, if used carefully and in moderation.

Joint community activities: Evidence of participating together in clubs, organizations, volunteer work, or community events shows a shared life beyond the home.

Children Together

Birth certificates: Birth certificates listing both spouses as parents are some of the strongest evidence of a real, ongoing relationship.

Adoption or guardianship records: Legal documents showing joint adoption or guardianship of children indicate a long-term commitment as a family.

School or medical records: Records that list both spouses as parents, emergency contacts, or guardians show shared responsibility for the children.

Family photos with children: Photos of everyday activities, holidays, and special events with children help document your life together.

Parenting or support records: Documents reflecting childcare arrangements, financial support, or other parenting responsibilities can further support your case.

Communication History

Call logs: Phone records or screenshots showing regular calls between you over time can help document the development of your relationship.

Text messages: Screenshots or exports of text or chat conversations, especially from earlier stages of the relationship, can show how it grew.

Emails: Email exchanges discussing important events, plans, or daily life offer additional context and history.

Video or voice calls: Screenshots or logs from platforms like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom are especially helpful for couples who were long-distance at times.

Cards and letters: Physical cards, notes, or letters exchanged on birthdays, anniversaries, or difficult times can be compelling, personal evidence.

Gifts and Celebrations

Gift receipts: Receipts for gifts purchased for each other on meaningful dates can illustrate ongoing care and attention.

Birthday and anniversary cards: Cards exchanged on birthdays, anniversaries, and other important occasions help show the emotional side of the relationship.

Celebration photos: Photos from birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other celebrations provide visual evidence of shared milestones.

Shipping confirmations: Order confirmations or shipping records for gifts mailed between spouses, especially when they lived apart, can be useful.

Holiday documentation: Evidence of celebrating holidays together—such as photos, travel confirmations, or invitations—helps show how you spend important dates.

Joint Planning and Future Intent

Emails about future plans: Messages discussing future goals, where to live, career plans, or family plans show that you see your lives together long term.

Joint budgeting documents: Spreadsheets or tools used to plan household budgets, savings, or large purchases reflect serious planning as a couple.

Housing or relocation plans: Documents about moving in together, buying a home, or relocating for work or family reasons show a shared future.

Planned trips together: Confirmations or planning documents for future travel can supplement evidence of prior trips.

Shared calendars: Screenshots or records of shared digital calendars or scheduling apps can demonstrate how you coordinate your daily lives.

Shared Responsibilities

Household chores: Evidence showing how you divide cooking, cleaning, or other chores can come from messages, notes, or even credible affidavits.

Shared purchases: Receipts or bank statements for shared household items, groceries, or furniture suggest a joint household.

Pet care: Adoption papers, vet records, or licenses showing both spouses involved with a pet can support the reality of your shared home.

Bill management: Records showing each spouse paying certain bills or managing accounts further confirm shared responsibility.

Errand coordination: Messages coordinating errands, pickups, or appointments may help show the everyday reality of your partnership.

Cultural or Religious Observances

Religious services together: Programs, bulletins, or photos showing you attending services or ceremonies together can demonstrate shared religious life.

Holiday photos: Photos of you celebrating religious or cultural holidays together can be strong evidence of integration into each other’s traditions.

Cultural events: Tickets or photos from festivals, cultural performances, or community events you attend as a couple can help show shared interests.

Wedding traditions: Wedding photos or documents showing cultural or religious elements can support the seriousness and authenticity of the marriage.

Invitations addressed to both spouses: Invitations to religious or cultural events sent to you as a couple reinforce your shared social and community presence.

What if We Don’t Have Joint Accounts or a Lease?

Not every couple will have every type of evidence listed above. Some spouses live with family, keep separate finances for personal or cultural reasons, or are newly married. In these situations, you can still prove you are in a bona fide marriage, but it becomes especially important to explain your circumstances clearly and provide alternative proof, such as affidavits from friends and relatives, mail addressed to each spouse at the same residence, photos over time, and records of communication. The key is to tell a consistent, believable story with the evidence you do have.

Remember the USCIS does not have a lot of time to decide whether you are in a bona fide marriage. The USCIS officer handling your case has many other cases scheduled that day. By organizing strong evidence to prove a bona fide marriage and presenting it clearly, you make it easier for USCIS to approve your case and grant the beneficiary a green card.

By being well-prepared, organized, and proactive throughout the marriage-based adjustment of status process, you can improve your chances of success and secure permanent residency in the United States. Couples in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs can benefit from consulting with an experienced immigration attorney who understands local USCIS practices and what the USCIS wants as proof of a bona fide marriage.