A marriage-based green card is one of the most common and trusted pathways to becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States. However, U.S. immigration authorities carefully scrutinize these cases to prevent misuse. Unfortunately, some individuals attempt to bypass the system by entering into fake or “sham” marriages solely to obtain immigration benefits.
Because of this, every genuine applicant must be prepared to prove that their relationship is real and built on authentic love and commitment. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys provide expert guidance to ensure your marriage-based green card application is complete, accurate, and fully compliant with USCIS standards—helping you and your spouse reunite in the U.S. sooner.
What Does It Mean to Have a Bona Fide Marriage?
A bona fide marriage means that you and your spouse are in a real, loving relationship and intend to live your lives together—not simply to obtain immigration benefits. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gives special attention to marriage-based petitions and requires convincing evidence that your marriage is legitimate.
Through extensive experience handling diverse marriage-based green card cases, immigration attorneys at Green Card Link understand how USCIS evaluates relationships and identify the best strategies to prove authenticity. The key to success is simple: be honest, well-prepared, and transparent throughout the process.
How to Prove That Your Marriage Is Real
Proving that your marriage is genuine involves two major components:
- Providing strong documentation that shows your shared life together, and
- Performing well during your immigration interview.
To start, the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), while the immigrant spouse either files Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) or goes through consular processing, depending on where they currently live.
Each step has a checklist of required documents. Below are the most important types of evidence you can provide to demonstrate that your marriage is bona fide.
1. Proof That Your Marriage Is Legally Valid
Your marriage must be recognized under the laws of the place where it occurred. The primary document to establish this is an official marriage certificate issued by a government authority.
If either spouse was previously married, you must also include evidence showing that the prior marriage legally ended—such as divorce decrees or a death certificate if a former spouse has passed away.
The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link have successfully helped thousands of couples navigate this process and reunite through marriage-based immigration.
2. Proof of Joint Residence
Living together is one of the strongest indicators of a genuine marriage. Although some couples may temporarily live apart due to work or other circumstances, you’ll need to explain any such situation clearly to USCIS.
Documents showing shared residence may include:
- Lease agreements or mortgage statements listing both names
- Utility bills (electric, water, gas, internet, phone) with both spouses’ names
- Driver’s licenses, mail, or other documents showing the same address
3. Proof That You Have Children Together
If you and your spouse share children, this provides significant evidence of a real marital relationship. Include copies of birth certificates or adoption records to support your application.
4. Proof That You Share Family Life Together
Demonstrating that you spend time together as a family strengthens your case. Examples include:
- Travel records (flight tickets, hotel receipts, photos of trips)
- Event invitations, wedding pictures, and proof of participation in family gatherings
- Screenshots of social media posts, emails, or text messages exchanged between spouses
- Receipts of gifts exchanged or shared purchases
These details show your ongoing emotional and personal connection—key to convincing USCIS officers of your marriage’s authenticity.
5. Proof of Combined Financial Life
Financial integration is another strong sign of a real marriage. Evidence may include:
- Joint bank account or credit card statements
- Shared insurance policies (health, auto, or life insurance with each other as beneficiaries)
- Joint property ownership, investments, or retirement accounts
Such documentation demonstrates shared responsibilities and mutual trust—important indicators of a lasting marriage.
6. Affidavits from Friends and Family
Affidavits are written statements from third parties—such as friends, relatives, neighbors, or community members—who can personally confirm your genuine relationship.
Each affidavit should include:
- The writer’s full name, address, and date of birth
- A detailed explanation of how they know you and your spouse
- Specific examples of interactions or events they’ve witnessed (such as attending your wedding or visiting your home)
Although affidavits from anyone are acceptable, letters written by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents generally carry greater weight.
How to Prove Your Marriage Is Genuine During the Green Card Interview
In addition to submitting documentary evidence, you will have another crucial opportunity to prove that your marriage is genuine—during your marriage-based green card interview. This interview typically marks the final stage of your permanent residence application process.
During the interview, immigration officers ask personal and detailed questions to evaluate how well you and your spouse know each other. Your preparation and ability to respond accurately can significantly affect your chances of approval. Here are some common questions you might encounter:
- How and where did you first meet?
- Were you introduced by someone? If so, who?
- When and where was your first date?
- Who proposed, and how did it happen?
- Where did the proposal take place?
- Was your spouse living alone or with someone at the time?
- When did your relationship become romantic?
- When did you decide to get married?
- How many people attended your wedding?
- Do you share any pets?
- Do you attend the same place of worship?
- Do you take vacations together? Where is your favorite destination, and when did you last visit?
- What is your spouse’s date of birth?
These questions help determine whether your marriage is legitimate and not entered into for immigration purposes. Couples often find it helpful to rehearse before the interview—testing each other’s knowledge and refreshing shared memories to ensure confidence and consistency during the questioning.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys provide detailed interview preparation guidance, helping clients feel confident and ready to demonstrate the authenticity of their marriage.
Proving a Genuine Marriage for Conditional Residence Status
If your marriage is less than two years old at the time of approval, you will first receive conditional resident status, valid for two years. This period acts as a probationary phase to further confirm that your marriage is genuine.
To transition from conditional to permanent residency, you must file to remove the conditions after two years. This requires presenting updated evidence that your marriage continues to be bona fide. Examples include joint tax returns, shared lease or mortgage documents, bank statements, insurance policies, and photos showing your life together.
If you provide strong documentation proving the authenticity of your marriage, you may even receive your 10-year green card without needing to attend the I-751 interview.
Common Reasons for Marriage-Based Green Card Denials
One of the most frequent reasons for denial is failure to prove the marriage is genuine. Inconsistencies or red flags during the documentation review or interview may raise doubts for immigration officers. Common causes include:
- Inability to communicate effectively in the same language
- Large differences in age or cultural background
- A marriage not legally recognized in the country where it occurred
- Contradictory statements during the interview
- Submission of falsified or inconsistent documents
- The petitioner previously filed for another foreign spouse
- Inability of the petitioner to meet financial sponsorship requirements
- Inadmissibility due to health or criminal grounds
It’s important to note that a denial doesn’t necessarily end your chances. You may still have the right to appeal or file a motion if you can demonstrate that your marriage is legitimate. Consulting an experienced immigration attorney at Green Card Link can help you understand your options and build a stronger case.
Why You Need the Immigration Attorneys at Green Card Link
Proving that your marriage is bona fide is one of the most critical steps in the green card process. Every detail matters, and even small mistakes can lead to unnecessary delays or denials. That’s why you should work with an experienced marriage-based green card immigration attorney who knows exactly how to present your case effectively.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys have extensive experience handling marriage-based green card petitions with a strong record of successful outcomes. Whether you’re preparing your initial application or appealing a denied case, the attorneys at Green Card Link can help you gather the right documentation, prepare for your interview, and avoid common pitfalls that jeopardize approval.
Take the first step toward your future in the United States—contact Green Card Link today to start your marriage-based green card application with confidence.