i 751 cover letter 2022

For visitors, travel, student and other international travel medical insurance.

Home » Greencard » Family Based Green card » Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence

Sample Cover Letter – I-751 Joint Petition to Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence

USCIS P.O. BOX 21200 Phoenix, AZ 85036

July 27, 2019

Re: I-751 joint petition to remove conditions of status on:

Manisha Devi Agrawal: A 123-456-7890 Jay Agrawal: A 123-456-7891

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed you will find a JOINT Form I-751, Petition for Removal of Conditions of Permanent Resident Status, for my wife, Manisha Devi Agrawal, and her son, Jay Agrawal. My wife and her son entered the U.S. on an immediate relatives immigrant visa.

I am enclosing the following:

• Application fee – $595
• Copy of USCIS Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card)
• 2 photographs

[REPLACE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR UNIQUE ONES]

• Copy of our joint U.S. tax return for the year 2018
• Copy of a recent statement from our stock broker at Merrill Lynch
• Copy of the tax statement for 2018 that we received for our joint checking account at Bank of America
• Copy of the title of our car, showing joint ownership
• Copy of our credit cards (MasterCard) showing a joint account
• Copy of our health insurance cards showing a joint policy
• Copy of our Costco Club cards on a joint account
• Copy of our airline reservations for a vacation that we have planned in January 2020

We are all happily living together and request that this petition be accepted for removal of conditions on the residence of my wife, Manisha Devi Agrawal, and her son, Jay Agrawal.

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents, and I agree to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date, if required. You are always welcome to visit our home should you ever desire to do so.

Yours truly,

<petitioner’s signature>

Rahul Ram Gupta

New Immigrants Insurance

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

• New Immigrants Health Insurance Directory Discussion Forums Fillable Forms Read/Share Experiences Green Card Tracker More Topics

Family Based Green Card

• Overview Categories & Eligibility Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen Preference Categories Following to Join Benefits Miscellaneous Extreme Hardship Waiver Affidavit of Support

I-130 Petition

• Documents & Application Proof of Family Relationship Filing Locations Direct Consular Filing Petition Upgrade

Marriage Based Green Card

• Tips Before Marriage Marriage - Persons Already in U.S. Bona Fide Marriage Documentation Remove Conditions on Residence Fraud Interview Notices

Related Links

• Birth Certificate Immigrant Visa Marriage Certificate Photograph Requirements Visa Bulletin

Share this article:

• Visitor Visa
• Visitors Insurance
• Read Experiences
• Discussions Forums
• Insurance Resources
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

immihelp ® .com is private non-lawyer web site. Not affiliated with any government agency.

Copyright © 1999-2024 immihelp ® .com. All rights reserved.

https://www.immihelp.com/sample-cover-letter-to-remove-conditions-marriage-based-greencard/

This website uses cookies, some of which are essential for the functionality of the website while others are for improving user experience and personalization. By continuing to browse this website, you agree to our use of cookies. For information about your privacy, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Immigration help for your business

• News & Reports
• Guides: Individual immigration

Form I-751, Explained

A step-by-step guide to upgrading a conditional green card, in this guide.

• What Is Form I-751?
• When to File Form I-751
• How to Fill Out Form I-751
• Additional Documentation
• Fees for Form I-751
• What Happens Next?
• Checking the Status of Your I-751
• RELATED INFORMATION

How to file a “Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence”

Most green cards last 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. But if you were married less than 2 years when you obtained permanent residence through marriage, you likely received a “conditional” green card valid for just 2 years.

Before it expires, you’ll need to file Form I-751 (officially called the “Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence”) in order to receive a “permanent” green card that’s renewable every 10 years.

Entrepreneurs who obtained a conditional green card through investment would need to file a different form, called the I-829 .

U.S. immigration can be complex and confusing. Boundless is here to help. Learn more.

Start planning your immigration journey today with Boundless.

Form I-751 (officially called the “Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence”) is a form used to upgrade a 2-year conditional green card to a full 10-year green card. This process is called the “ removal of conditions ” on the marriage-based green card and is important because a conditional green card otherwise expires after 2 years.

Conditional (or “CR-1”) green cards are issued to people who have been married less than 2 years when they gain permanent residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

The information provided on Form I-751 is used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to determine whether the applicant’s marriage is genuine and wasn’t entered into for the sole purpose of acquiring a green card.

If your marriage has since ended, you can still apply to remove the conditions on your green card, but you’ll need to explain and provide evidence to show that your marriage was genuine.

Do You Need to File Form I-751?

Everyone issued a conditional green card must file Form I-751 shortly before the 2-year anniversary of their green card’s approval. You likely have conditional resident status if at the time your green card was approved you were married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder less than 2 years.

You can check whether you have conditional residence by looking at the front of your green card. If your card has the letters “ CR1 ” under the “Category” heading, then you have a conditional green card. You can also check the expiration date on your green card to see if you were issued a 2-year or 10-year green card.

Generally, the conditional-resident spouse and the spouse who originally sponsored their green card must file Form I-751 jointly. However, if that isn’t possible — in cases when the couple has divorced or the sponsoring spouse has died or become abusive — then Form I-751 can be filed individually or the joint-filing requirement can be waived.

Not sure if you need to file Form I-751? Answer our 5-minute questionnaire to get started.

It’s important to file Form I-751 in a timely manner to avoid complications, such as the immediate loss of permanent resident status. But the right time to file depends on whether you are filing jointly with your sponsoring spouse or filing individually :

If you are still married and filing jointly with your sponsoring spouse

You must file Form I-751 during the 90-day period before the expiration date of your conditional green card.

For instance, if your green card’s expiration date is April 1, 2021, then you can file Form I-751 no earlier than January 1, 2021, or 90 days. You must file no later than April 1, 2021, in order to maintain your green card status .

If you are filing your I-751 by yourself

You can file your I-751 at any time after you receive conditional residence. This could be the case if your marriage ended due to divorce, annulment, or your sponsoring spouse’s death or if you or your children were abused by your spouse.

If your conditional green card has already expired

In some situations, the U.S. government will make an exception and allow you to file the I-751 form even after your conditional green card has expired. You will need to write a letter outlining your reasons for not filing sooner. Generally, requests will only be approved in “extraordinary circumstances” beyond the applicant’s control, and in which the delay was “reasonable.”

There is no guarantee that an I-751 will be accepted if it is filed late, so it’s important to try to meet the deadline.

Form I-751 must be printed out. You can either type your answers and print out the completed form, or print out a blank form and complete it by hand using black ink.

Once the form is completed, you will need to send it to the U.S. government by mail. The address you’ll use depends on which U.S. state you’re in. You can check where to send your completed I-751 here .

The information required to complete Form I-751 is fairly straightforward. Let’s look at each part of the form individually.

PART 1: Information about you

This section asks for basic personal information, such as your name, marital status, and other personal information. Other questions that may not be as obvious:

Alien Registration Number (or “A-Number”) : You can find this number on your green card, where it is labeled “USCIS#”. You can also find this number on your past correspondence with USCIS.

USCIS Online Account Number : This is different from your A-Number. Do not worry about it if you don’t have one. If you have used USCIS online services in the past, you can log in to your account and find your account number on your profile page.

Mailing and physical addresses : You may live at a different address than where you receive mail. If someone other than you accepts mail on your behalf, include their name on line 15.a., where it reads: “In Care Of Name.”

PART 2: Biographic Information

Here you will be asked for details about you, including eye color, height, weight, and ethnicity.

PART 3: Basis for Petition

If you are filing jointly with your spouse or parent, check the appropriate box in “Joint filing”.

If your circumstances mean you cannot file jointly with your spouse, check the appropriate box to explain why your spouse will not file with you. This might include the death of your spouse, spousal abuse, or divorce.

PARTS 4 and 5: Information About Your Spouse and Children

In this section, you will provide basic information about the sponsoring spouse (or parent or guardian) through whom the applicant obtained their green card.

In Part 5 you will do the same for any children you may have. If you do not have children, go straight to Part 6.

PART 6: Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities and Impairments

In this section, you can make USCIS aware of any disabilities or impairments you might have, and which would require accommodation by U.S. authorities.

PARTS 7 and 8: Applicant and Spouse Acknowledgements and Signatures

In this part, you and your spouse will be asked to verify that all the information contained in the application is correct.

The conditional green card holder is the “petitioner,” and should complete Part 7 and sign and date the form. Their sponsoring spouse, parent, or guardian (if applicable) should then complete and sign in Part 8.

PARTS 9 and 10: Interpreter and Preparer Information

If an interpreter, lawyer, or anyone else helped you to complete the form, they need to give their details in these sections.

Want a FREE downloadable checklist of the documents you need?

Enter your email address below to get your copy!

Thanks for sharing your email address!

Check your inbox for your checklist.

When you mail your completed Form I-751, you will also need to include some supporting documentation. You should send:

• Copies of the front and back of your current green card, and of the front and back of the green cards of any children included on the I-751.
• Evidence that your marriage was entered into in good faith. This could include documents that show you continue to live together, such as mortgage or lease documents; evidence of shared assets, joint bank accounts, or joint tax filings; birth certificates of children born since your marriage; voided checks showing the same address; or even family photographs and sworn affidavits from friends. For further details, check out Boundless’ article on how to prove your marriage is real .
• Evidence to support your reasons for not filing jointly (if applicable). This could include your spouse’s death certificate; a finalized divorce decree; or official documentation showing that you or your children suffered domestic abuse.
• An explanation for the reason you are filing late (if applicable).
• Details of any criminal convictions or charges brought against you since you became a green card holder (if applicable).
• If filing while overseas due to military or government service, enclose 2 passport-style photographs, completed Form FD-258 fingerprint cards, and a copy of your current military or government orders. Additionally, write “ACTIVE MILITARY” or “GOVERNMENT ORDERS” on the top of your I-751.

Check the I-751 instructions for full details on the kinds of documentation required for your specific circumstances.

USCIS Fee Hike

The filing fee for Form I-751 could nearly double in the coming months. In January 2023, USCIS proposed a new fee structure, which would increase filing costs for nearly every application type, including removal of conditions. The new fees are not yet in effect, but be sure to visit Boundless’ USCIS fees guide to learn more about the proposal and see what costs you can expect.

The filing fee for Form I-751 is $750. You will also have to pay an $85 biometric fee for yourself, and an additional $85 for each dependent included on your I-751. You can request a fee waiver based on your household income, receipt of means-tested benefits, or financial hardship.

You can pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check. When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you can pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions .

After you file Form I-751, you will receive a notice in the mail confirming that your Form I-751 has been received. This receipt, also called a Form I-797, can be presented along with your existing green card to extend its validity for up to 18 months beyond the original expiration date. Whenever you need to prove your U.S. residence, you must show both your green card and the receipt.

The processing times for I-751 forms change on a regular basis, and depend on which USCIS office processes your application. Be sure to check for current wait times . Sometimes the wait can be more than 3 years. That means you might not get your full green card before the extended date listed on your I-797 receipt. Don’t worry! Your green card will automatically remain valid until your I-751 petition is decided. You can still live, work, and travel freely just as you did before filing your I-751. If you need proof of residence, you can contact USCIS and request an appointment to get an extension stamped in your passport.

USCIS will review your application and send a request for evidence if parts of your application are missing. That can further delay the process, so make sure your Form I-751 is complete and that you include all the required documentation.

You will then be sent details of your biometrics appointment , including date, time, and location. This is an important appointment, so make sure you don’t miss it.

Finally, you may be required to attend an interview with a USCIS official. This requirement used to be regularly waived if the applicant and their spouse submitted clear evidence of a genuine marriage along with their initial application, but under new guidelines implemented late in 2018, most conditional green card holders do now have to attend an in-person interview.

If USCIS approves your petition, you will receive a notice of approval, followed by a new 10-year green card in the mail. You will need to renew your new green card before it expires.

Conditional residence and U.S. citizenship

Your time as a conditional green card holder usually counts towards the time needed to qualify for U.S. citizenship, so in some cases you may become eligible for naturalization before you receive your updated green card. If that applies to you, you can file a copy of your I-797 receipt along with your N-400 naturalization application and request that USCIS process both applications simultaneously.

Boundless offers unlimited support from our team of immigration experts, so you can apply with confidence and focus on what’s important, your life in the U.S. Learn more.

You can check the status of your Form I-751 by following the steps outlined in our guide . You will need to enter your application number, email address, and name. Once you’ve logged in, select “I-751 Remove Conditions” under “case type.”

If you are concerned that USCIS is taking too long to process your Form I-751, check the processing times for the field office where you filed. In the final column, you will see a date labeled “Receipt date for a case inquiry.” If you filed your application on or before this date, you can contact USCIS to request an update on the status of your case.

Form I-751 FAQs

Form I-751 processing delays are nothing new. In 2013, a Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman report found that a severe lack of training, inconsistent adjudications, and unwarranted removal proceedings were gumming up the works. And according to the CIS Ombudsman 2021 annual report , the inefficiencies and delays have only gotten worse. This is in large part due to the evolving (or devolving) state of interview waiver guidelines.

In 2005, an interoffice memorandum prioritized Requests for Evidence (RFEs), over interviews, to clear up any inconsistencies in I-751 petitions. If, despite new evidence, confusion still prevailed — or if the application seemed fraudulent in any way — the officers were instructed by the memo to schedule an in-person interview.

In 2018, USCIS issued another guidance , to fulfill the mission of Executive Order 13780 — entitled “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States.” That guidance shared much of the same language as the 2005 memo, except for one important addition: all conditional permanent residents (CPRs) who received their approval abroad, and who filed on or after December 10th, 2018, would, by default, have to attend an interview. In effect, interview waivers became the exception rather than the norm.

The new criterion — dubbed the “categorical interview requirement” — caused the number of interviews to skyrocket. Petitions meeting this requirement were effectively funneled to field offices for interviews. According to the 2021 Ombudsman report, “As of December 31, 2020, 58,371 Form I-751 petitions were pending with USCIS that met the categorical interview requirement.”

Perhaps more striking is the fact that, in 2019, 187,000 CPRs received their green card through consular processing. Under the 2018 guidance, all those applicants must attend an interview. In practice, this means severe delays. While USCIS is required by law to issue a decision within 90 days of the interview, they only reach this standard 49% of the time.

What was the reasoning behind the 2018 guidance? The administration intended to weed out the perceived threat of fraudulent applications. But, as it turns out, this threat was more fiction than fact. In 2020, only 1 percent of denials were due to fraud. For more on the 2018 guidance and its effects, read our article on the topic.

In response to the increased delays, USCIS has updated its policies to provide some cushion for applicants in bureaucratic limbo. Petitioners are now permitted to use their receipt notice (Form I-797), with their green card, as proof of residence for up to 24 months after the expiration of their permanent resident card. That’s 6 months more than the original 18-month grace period. Eligible applicants who filed prior to September 4th will receive a new receipt notice with the updated timeline.

You can check the current processing time estimates on the USCIS website . If you’ve been waiting longer than the estimated processing time, you can submit an e-form to inquire about the status of your petition.

There are 3 ways in which your application can be denied:

• It has been discovered, within the 2-year conditional period, that the marriage was fraudulent, or “judicially annulled”, or that the applicant has paid a fee for filing another application for immigrant status.
• The applicant did not attend their interview or file a joint petition within the appropriate time frame.
• The application itself contains false information.

If your application has been denied for one of these reasons, USCIS will send you a Notice to Appear (NTA), and you will be expected to attend removal proceedings at an immigration court. If you would like to argue your case, you will have to submit another I-751 on different grounds . Once you file the new petition, you can submit a motion to continue your removal proceedings while USCIS considers your new application. If the new I-751 is approved, you can file another motion to end the removal proceedings.

If the second Form I-751 is denied, it will be up to the judge to determine whether the decision was sound. Your conditional residence will remain valid until the end of the proceedings.

While it is not required that you submit a cover letter with your application, it can be very useful if you think your case might appear odd to a USCIS officer. You can use the letter to quell any potential concerns the case officer might have when reviewing your submission. This will, in turn, reduce the possibility of further evidence requests. For instance, if you and your spouse live separately , you can write a letter explaining why this is the case.

You can also use the letter to summarize your application, providing a list of contents and a brief explanation of each item on the list. It’s good to keep the letter brief and to the point, and you should be sure to include your name and alien registration number.

There’s no rule governing who should write the letter. You and your partner can decide together who might be best suited to the task. If either of you have experience drafting official letters, then the task should probably fall to that person. No matter who writes the letter, it’s a good idea for both of you (and a third party ) to review the draft several times before submitting. This will help reduce the possibility of errors sneaking their way into your petition.

As mentioned above, Form I-751 has been clogging the proverbial pipeline for sometime now. Ever since the publication of the 2018 memorandum, the number of required interviews has gone through the roof. As a result, the caseload has been distributed across several USCIS offices. According to the 2021 Ombudsman report , all applications meeting the “categorical interview requirement” have been forwarded “directly to the National Benefits Center (NBC) for intake processing and interview scheduling.” And since most CPR applicants are required to attend an interview, a large number of petitions have been sent to NBC.

First of all, it’s important to know that this is not grounds for immediate dismissal of your case . That being said, you should notify USCIS of the divorce as soon as it is final. They might send you an RFE requesting documentary proof that your marriage has ended, in which case you should promptly reply with the requested information. You might want to send the divorce decree with an attached cover letter explaining the situation and requesting that your initial application be changed to a divorce-based waiver petition. Whichever path you take, you should, where possible, include concrete evidence of your attempts to save the marriage — if, for instance, you went to couple’s therapy. You will want to show the case officer that your relationship and the ensuing divorce were authentic. But, in the end, this is not a reason to panic.

Boundless guide

• Everything You Need to Know About Conditional Residence
• How to Apply for a Marriage Green Card
• Marriage Green Cards, Explained
• How Do We Prove Our Marriage is Real?
• A Complete Guide to Getting U.S. Citizenship

No time for research? We provide an easy, guided application experience, with 4 anti-rejection checks and a lawyer review. Get started for free .

Article Contents

Apply for your visa with boundless., unlimited live support. lawyer review. money-back guarantee., which service.

Looks like you were working on a application just now. Applicants typically only require one service at a time.

You unlocked a $50 discount!

Congrats! Because your friend referred you, your application with Boundless is discounted. Start the application with Boundless within the next 14 days, and you'll save $50.

Cover Letter for I-751

In the context of United States immigration, the I-751 form is used by a conditional resident who obtained their status through marriage to apply for the removal of these conditions. After two years of conditional residence in the U.S., the individual must apply to remove these conditions 90 days before the second anniversary as a conditional resident.

Table of Contents

An effective I-751 cover letter can significantly contribute to a successful application process. A well-structured cover letter outlines your intent, elucidates the documentation included in your application, and helps provide a personal narrative about your situation.

Creating a compelling I-751 cover letter involves several key elements. Here are tips on how to go about it.

1. Begin With Your Details and Date

At the top-left corner of the page, input your personal details: your full name, address, city, state, and zip code. Following this, input the date.

2. Address the Letter Appropriately

Address your letter to the “United States Citizenship and Immigration Services”. You can make this specific by adding the name of your local USCIS office, but this isn’t necessary. The standard format is as follows:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

3. Introduce Your Intent

The first paragraph of your cover letter should mention your intent clearly. State that you’re submitting the I-751 form to remove conditions on your residence and include the date you were granted conditional residence.

4. Include the List of Documents

The cover letter should act as a checklist or an index of all the supporting documents you are including in your packet. This could be copies of your green card (front and back), marriage certificate, tax returns, joint bank statements, and others that demonstrate the authenticity of your marriage.

Enumerate all these documents, preferably in bullet points, to make it easier for the immigration officer to check them off.

5. Narrate Your Story

While not mandatory, narrating your story can give context and a personal touch to your application. Write briefly about your relationship, important milestones in your marriage, and your intent for the future. This can provide a personal perspective to your application, which is otherwise filled with official documents and legal language.

6. Wrap It Up Professionally

Conclude the letter by mentioning your contact information, indicating your willingness to provide additional information if needed, and thanking the officer for their time and consideration.

7. Sign the Letter

Ensure to sign your cover letter. A signed letter shows you affirm the information contained in the letter. It’s also an important formality in any official application.

Remember, the I-751 cover letter does not replace any required documentation or forms. Instead, it helps guide the USCIS officer through your application packet and provides a narrative of your journey. With clarity, precision, and a touch of personal narrative, your cover letter can play a crucial role in a successful I-751 application.

Please note that immigration law can be complex, and while these guidelines will help you draft a cover letter, they cannot replace legal advice. Always consult with an immigration attorney if you have questions or are unsure about the process.

A Decision Cannot Be Made Yet About Your Application

Case was approved i-485 how long to get green card.

Christine Mayle

Related posts, the impact of remote work on workers’ compensation, a guide to understanding comparative negligence in personal injury cases, does a reckless driving charge stay on your record for a long time, case was updated to show fingerprints were taken, can prescription drugs cause distracted driving accidents, settlements for personal injury claims in new jersey: what to expect.

• (888) 777-9102
• Learning Center

• How It Works
• All Packages & Pricing
• I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
• I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé
• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
• I-131 Application for Travel Document
• I-485 Adjustment of Status Application
• I-751 Remove Conditions on Residence
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
• I-821D DACA Application Package
• I-864 Affidavit of Support
• N-400 Application for Naturalization
• N-565 Application to Replace Citizenship Document
• Citizenship Through Naturalization
• Citizenship Through Parents
• Apply For Citizenship (N-400)
• Apply for Certificate of Citizenship (N-600)
• Replace Citizenship Document (N-565)
• Apply for a Green Card
• Green Card Renewal
• Green Card Replacement
• Renew or Replace Green Card (I-90)
• Remove Conditions on Green Card (I-751)
• Green Card through Adjustment of Status
• Adjustment of Status Application (I-485)
• Affidavit of Support (I-864)
• Employment Authorization (I-765)
• Advance Parole Application (I-131)
• Adjustment of Status Fee
• Family-Based Immigration Explained
• Search the Learning Center
• Request Support
• Find an Immigration Attorney

• Remove Conditions on Residence Questions (Form I-751)

Which documents should I send with Form I-751?

Home » Which documents should I send with Form I-751?

June 7, 2021

While it is necessary to file the I-751 petition within the 90-day period before the card expires, the supporting documentation that goes with the form is just as important.

Proof of a Bona Fide Marriage

You’ll need to submit proof that you have a bona fide marriage, but a marriage certificate isn’t enough. Submit evidence indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted conditional status was entered in “good faith” and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. There is no list of prescribed documents. It’s your job to come up with different documents that serve as evidence that you entered the marriage with the intent to stay married for a life time.

RECOMMENDED: 33 Great Documents for Proving a Bona Fide Marriage

Mistakes on your I-751 petition can cause costly delays or a denial.

Evidence to send with form i-751.

Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish the merits of the relationship from the date of marriage to the present date, and to demonstrate any circumstances surrounding the end of the relationship, if it has ended.

All couples should consider this requirement from the beginning of the marriage. Proving a good faith marriage should start on day one so that you have sufficient evidence to send with Form I-751 for the purposes of establishing your genuine marriage.

The documents may include, but aren’t limited to, the following examples:

• Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to the marriage
• Lease or mortgage contracts showing joint occupancy and/or ownership of your communal residence
• Financial records showing joint ownership of assets and joint responsibility for liabilities
• Any other documents that you consider relevant to establish that your marriage was not entered for the purpose of evading U.S. immigration laws
• Photographs of married couple together

All of the evidence above is made more effective if it starts at the time the marriage began up to the present time. Affidavits should be supported by other types of evidence listed above.

RECOMMENDED: How to Write an I-751 Affidavit of Support

CitizenPath makes preparing immigration forms easy. In addition to your prepared petition, CitizenPath provides you with a set of personalized filing instructions. Our filing instructions are customized to your answers in the petition so you know what to do for your specific situation. The filing instructions provide detailed directions on supporting documents, how to organize your petition package, and where to mail it. Learn more >>

Immigration Form Guides Form I-90       Form I-129F       Form I-130       Form I-131       Form I-131A       Form I-134       Form I-485       Form I-751       Form I-765       Form I-821D       Form I-864       Form N-400       Form N-565       Form N-600

Sign Up to Receive Free Monthly Information for Your Immigration Journey

© Copyright 2013-2024, CitizenPath, LLC. All rights reserved. CitizenPath is a private company that provides self-directed immigration services at your direction. We are not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. The information provided in this site is not legal advice, but general information on issues commonly encountered in immigration. CitizenPath is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney or law firm. Your access to and use of this site is subject to additional Terms of Use .

Immigration Solutions

• [email protected]

I-751 Checklist [2022]

What documents should i send with my i-751 petition.

The I-751 Petition is document-intensive and will require that you be organized and prepared to provide all the evidence you have of a bona fide marriage, even if your marriage ended.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the documents you provide must cover from the date of Marriage to the date you file the case or if you are no longer married, until the date your marriage ended.

USCIS places a lot of weight on – proof of joint ownership of assets, joint responsibility for liabilities and active commingling of finances. Evidence that  you have combined financial resources such as:

Full Checking, Savings or investment account statements showing ALL the transaction pages. USCIS will review the statements to see that the accounts have been actively used on a routine basis by both spouses for household and living expenses through the marriage

Proof that you and your spouse have made estate, health and financial planning arrangements with each other – such as a will, trust or durable power of attorney for health or property or both.

Federal and State Tax Returns, including relevant schedules and attachments such as W2 from date of Marriage to present. USCIS prefers that there is PROOF of filing with the IRS.  So it is best to order the actual Return and Wage and Income Transcripts from the IRS instead of sending a copy of the returns https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript )

Joint utility bills, family plan cell phones, etc.

Joint Loan or credit card account statements.

Any other joint accounts that prove your joint-life.

Children as a result of your marriage

Copies of civilly registered birth certificates

Final Adoption Decrees for any children adopted

Court guardianship records for any stepchildren

School/Medical Records indicating the stepparent as a contact/guardian

Proof that you and your spouse have resided together and shared responsibility for a common residence.

Lease in both names showing joint occupancy

Deeds or Mortgages in both names showing joint ownership

Copies of Driver’s Licenses/Identity Cards showing the same residence.

Proof of joint trips or vacations.

Itineraries

Boarding passes

Hotel/Car Rental Receipts

Passport – entry/exit stamps and visas

Military Documentation (if applicable)

All pages from DD-1172 Form

Military Identification Card for both spouses and children

Form DD-1278 – if deployed outside the US

Permanent Change of Status documents – if deployed outside the US

Designation of spouse as beneficiary of SGLI policy

Proof of health insurance policy on behalf of dependents.

Affidavits from third parties who have knowledge of the bona fides of the marriage

Must contain the affiants full name, address, date, and place of birth

Include detailed information on how the affiant acquired first-hand knowledge of the marital relationship

Proof – such as photographs etc.

Affiants may be called to testify before an immigration officer regarding the affidavit.

Photographs of joint-life

Do not provide the original photographs.

Create a word document with the photographs in date order. Then print out the document in color and file with the I-751

Note the date, location, and occasion for each photograph.

If you are outside the U.S. you must provide

Two (2) passport-style photographs for each spouse and any children who are applying

Two completed Form RD-258 Fingerprint Cards for each spouse and children over the age of 14

Copy of current military/government orders.

I-751 – Attorney Services & Fees

We work with a few select highly experienced immigration attorneys.

The attorney fee is $995. This is a flat fee with no hidden costs.

The USCIS fee is $680.

If you would like an experienced, highly rated immigration attorney to assist you in removing the conditions of residence, below is an overview of how the process will work:

1. You complete and submit the form below requesting a Retainer Agreement.

2. The immigration attorney will e-mail you the Retainer Agreement.

3. You email back the signed Retainer Agreement with the attorney fee required to begin the case.

4. When the signed retainer agreement and attorney fee are received, your case will begin and your online account will be set up.

5. You will receive a username and password to log in to your online account. You will then be able to complete your questionnaires and upload the required supporting documents. You will be able to check the status of your case 24/7 using your online account.

6. The immigration attorney will send you the completed USCIS forms to sign.

7. You return the signed forms and USCIS check.

8. The immigration attorney will complete the petition package and file (via FedEx next day) your I-751 petition with USCIS.

9. The immigration attorney will follow up with the USCIS until your I-751 petition is approved, and you receive the 10-year Permanent Residence Card in the mail.

To request a retainer agreement, please complete and submit the form below. The immigration attorney will email you the retainer agreement within 24 hours.

You may be also interested in:

• I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions – Learn How to Apply
• I-751 Instructions
• I-751 Processing Time
• I-751 USCIS Filing Fee
• I-751 Filing Address

Privacy Policy

• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

Or sign in with one of these services

• Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

I-751 ROC Filers - January 2023

By Rearviewmirror December 3, 2022 in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

• Register to Reply or Ask a Question
• Go to first unread post

418 posts in this topic

Recommended posts, rearviewmirror   370.

I figured we might have some people also gearing up to submit in January who want to get ahead of things before the holidays. I'll be submitting the second week of January and planning to send the following evidence:

• $680 filing fee check

A copy of the Permanent Resident Card of the beneficiary (front and back)

A copy of petitioner’s US passport and birth certificate

A copy of beneficiary’s passport 

Copy of marriage certificate

Copy of drivers licenses

Joint leases

Bank statements of joint checking, and savings accounts

Bank statements of joint credit card

Utility bills showing joint address (electricity, internet)

Car and home insurance policy documents

Beneficiary statements of retirement and investment accounts

Tax return transcripts, married filing jointly (2020 and 2021)

Photographs

Definitely not excited to be back in the waiting line of all things USCIS, but hoping there's a tiny chance I sneak into the "risk based" new approach which seems to have been lightning fast for some posters.

Good luck to all other January filers!

• Woodpecker07 and Anthony446

A magical mystery tour of many US visas prior to AOS ... (J-1, F-1, H-1B)

I-485/ AOS :

EAD /AP - NOA received May 18, 2020

AOS - NOA received May 18, 2020

Biometrics (Code 2) - August 5, 2020

Biometrics take 2 (Code 3) - August 27, 2020

Ready to be Scheduled for Interview - September 8, 2020

EAD /AP Approval Notice - October  1, 2020

EAD Card Received - October 13, 2020

Interview Scheduled Notification - March 1, 2021

Interview Scheduled - April 6, 2021

GC Approved - May 7, 2021

GC Mailed - May 11, 2021

GC Delivered - May 11, 2021

N400 Citizenship:

File Date - January 8, 2024

Biometrics Waiver - January 8, 2024

Interview Scheduled - March 7, 2024

Interview Date - April 12, 2024

Conditionally Approved Pending I-751 Transfer - April 12, 2024

I-751 Case Was Transferred to Another Office - April 12, 2024

Removal of Conditions:

File Date - January 7, 2023

Package Delivered - January 9, 2023

NOA Date - January 10, 2023

NOA Received - January 17, 2023 (dated "received" January 9, 2023)

48 Month Extension Received - March 20, 2023  

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

• Replies 417
• Created 1 yr
• Last Reply Apr 12

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Caitlin Kennedy 68 posts

Rearviewmirror 66 posts

OldUser 44 posts

Rocio0010 19 posts

Dec 29 2022

Jan 17 2023

Jan 23 2023

Jan 11 2023

Popular Posts

January 31, 2023

Just got this shocker in the mail today, didn’t see it coming and didn’t even know it’s approved but thank God the wait is over  Filed June 2021 MSC Biometrics done - August 2021 Ready to sche

January 20, 2023

Add to this we received our 797C letters today.  Only 9 days from sending packet to receipt of letters.   But as a dose of reality on how slowly things are moving, the extension time on our

Hi everyone, I mailed my packet off 1/12 and I just got the $680 charge! No text yet, but good news nonetheless.  

Posted Images

Fe.Ta   857

1 hour ago, Rearviewmirror said: Hi folks,   I figured we might have some people also gearing up to submit in January who want to get ahead of things before the holidays. I'll be submitting the second week of January and planning to send the following evidence:   I-751 G-1145 $680 filing fee check A copy of the Permanent Resident Card of the beneficiary (front and back) A copy of petitioner’s US passport and birth certificate A copy of beneficiary’s passport  Copy of marriage certificate Copy of drivers licenses Joint leases Bank statements of joint checking, and savings accounts Bank statements of joint credit card Utility bills showing joint address (electricity, internet) Car and home insurance policy documents Beneficiary statements of retirement and investment accounts Tax return transcripts, married filing jointly (2020 and 2021) Photographs   Definitely not excited to be back in the waiting line of all things USCIS, but hoping there's a tiny chance I sneak into the "risk based" new approach which seems to have been lightning fast for some posters.   Good luck to all other January filers!

Hiii!  Please check all the other threads for the other months as there is plenty of information in them.  You don't need the USC's passport or birth certificate.  The I-751 is for the LPR to apply to remove conditions.  Thus, the LPR is the actual "petitioner" in ROC.  The information that you need to include from your spouse (USC) are things that would confirm the marriage, financial comingling, and proof of living together.  You also don't need the LPR's passport either.  Just trying to save you time/space/money.  If you have any questions, let us know. I believe there are plenty of people that have shared their cover letters, and we also have ours.  I will try to find all of those and share.

• Rearviewmirror

November 2010 - Met/Just Friends

June 2017 - I caught feelings, you want to try this?  Yes. June 2018 - Do you want to get married?  Yes. November 2018 - K1 filed

May 2019 - K1 interview scheduled and packet sent to embassy

June 2019 - K1 interview, approved, and moved to USA

August 2019 - Married

September 2019 - AOS / EAD /AP filed

October 2019 - Biometrics Appointment

January 2020 - AOS RFE for birth certificate received and sent back

February 2020 - EAD /AP approved and got the card

October 2020 - EAD /AP renewal filed

November 2020 - EAD /AP renewal approved and got the card - AOS interview date issued

December 2020 - AOS interview, approved, and GC received

September 2022 - ROC filed

Rocio0010   5,561

agree with the above comment. Passports are not needed. Don’t send them anything they don’t require.

FROM F1 TO AOS

October 17, 2019 AOS receipt date 

December 09, 2019: Biometric appointment

January 15, 2020 RFE received

January 30, 2020  RFE response sent

Feb 7: EAD approved and interview scheduled

March 18, 2020 Interview cancelled

April 14th 2020: RFE received

April 29, 2020 Approved without interview

May 1, 2020 Card in hand

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

February 1, 2022 package sent

March 28, 2022 Fingerprints reused

July 18, 2023 approval

July 20, 2023 Card in hand

January 30,2023: Online filing

February 4th, 2023: Biometric appointment

June 15th, 2023: Case actively being reviewed

July 11th, 2023: Interview scheduled.

August 30th, 2023: Interview!

August 31st, 2023: Oath ceremony scheduled.

Sept 19th, 2023: Officially a US citizen!

• 2 weeks later...

Caitlin Kennedy   63

Do you have to do the whole two hole punch thing? When we submitted the AOS we did folders like this and liked it much better. Does it say where you have to put it together a certain way for the 751? We are doing exhibits and I would rather do it per manilla folder again.

beloved_dingo   1,932

19 hours ago, Caitlin Kennedy said: Do you have to do the whole two hole punch thing? When we submitted the AOS we did folders like this and liked it much better. Does it say where you have to put it together a certain way for the 751? We are doing exhibits and I would rather do it per manilla folder again.

You are fine as long as you follow this from the USCIS instructions (found here https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/tips-for-filing-forms-by-mail ): 

• Do not use binders or folders that we cannot easily disassemble.
• Use fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated.
• Sticky tabs assist in locating items listed as attachments. For easy filing, place the tabs on the bottom of the page, not the side.
• Do not use heavy-duty staples; instead use fasteners or heavy clips.

For all of our applications we have two-hole punched everything and used ACCO fasteners to hold it together, but that is not required. 

• Caitlin Kennedy , Sarge2155 and Rearviewmirror

K1 to AOS                                                                                     AOS / EAD /AP                                                                        N-400

03/01/2018 - I-129F Mailed                                              06/19/2019 - NOA1 Date                                              01/27/2023 - N-400 Filed Online

03/08/2018 - NOA1 Date                                                    07/11/2019 - Biometrics Appt                                   02/23/2023 - Biometrics Appt 09/14/2018 - NOA2 Date                                                    12/13/2019 - EAD /AP Approved                               04/03/2023 - Interview Scheduled

10/16/2018 -  NVC  Received                                              12/17/2019 - Interview Scheduled                          05/10/2023 - Interview - APPROVED!

10/21/2018 - Packet 3 Received                                      01/29/2020 - Interview - APPROVED!                   OFFICIALLY A U.S. CITIZEN! 

12/30/2018 - Packet 3 Sent                                               02/04/2020 - Green Card Received! 

01/06/2019 - Packet 4 Received                                      ROC - I-751

01/29/2019 - Interview - APPROVED!                           11/02/2021 - Mailed ROC Packet

02/05/2019 - Visa Received                                             11/04/2021 - NOA1 Date

05/17/2019 - U.S. Arrival                                                      01/19/2022 - Biometrics Waived

05/24/2019 - Married ❤️                                                     02/04/2023 - Transferred to New Office

06/14/2019 - Mailed AOS Packet                                    05/10/2023 - APPROVED!

On 12/19/2022 at 1:04 PM, beloved_dingo said: You are fine as long as you follow this from the USCIS instructions (found here https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/tips-for-filing-forms-by-mail 😞 In preparing your packet, remember: Do not use binders or folders that we cannot easily disassemble. Use fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated. Sticky tabs assist in locating items listed as attachments. For easy filing, place the tabs on the bottom of the page, not the side. Do not use heavy-duty staples; instead use fasteners or heavy clips. For all of our applications we have two-hole punched everything and used ACCO fasteners to hold it together, but that is not required. 

Thank you. On the USPS box for the address, we only need to put the address they have on the government website, right? We live in IL so on the USPS box we only need to put the below (I read you should put Attention: I-751 petition to remove conditions of status" on the envelope under the address.)

USCIS Attn: I-751   P.O. Box 4072 Carol Stream, IL  60197-4072

Also, we used a basic staple like this. should we not?

1 hour ago, Caitlin Kennedy said: Thank you. On the USPS box for the address, we only need to put the address they have on the government website, right? We live in IL so on the USPS box we only need to put the below (I read you should put Attention: I-751 petition to remove conditions of status" on the envelope under the address.) USCIS Attn: I-751   P.O. Box 4072 Carol Stream, IL  60197-4072   Also, we used a basic staple like this. should we not?  

Definitely don't staple it! Here are the instructions from USCIS. Most folks here either use bulldog clips, which can easily taken off, or 2 inch hole punch binders. USCIS scan the entire package on its arrival, so you don't want to make it harder for them. And print everything single sided. We bought printer paper that was already 2 inch hole punched to save a step.

For lockbox address it depends where you're filing from and then also how you are sending it - i.e. there's one address for filing via USPS and another for couriers (like UPS/Fedex). This page has all the addresses based on what state you're from.

• Caitlin Kennedy

27 minutes ago, Rearviewmirror said: Definitely don't staple it! Here are the instructions from USCIS. Most folks here either use bulldog clips, which can easily taken off, or 2 inch hole punch binders. USCIS scan the entire package on its arrival, so you don't want to make it harder for them. And print everything single sided. We bought printer paper that was already 2 inch hole punched to save a step.   For lockbox address it depends where you're filing from and then also how you are sending it - i.e. there's one address for filing via USPS and another for couriers (like UPS/Fedex). This page has all the addresses based on what state you're from.

yeah we are filing usps from IL so that is the correct address, but we dont need to put Attention: I-751 petition to remove conditions of status" on the envelope under the address.) do we?

when we submitted the 485 we used paperclips for everything and put each form in a manilla folder which seemed to work well. forgot about the stapling. thanks!

Are people submitting affidavits?

8 minutes ago, Caitlin Kennedy said: but we dont need to put Attention: I-751 petition to remove conditions of status" on the envelope under the address.) do we?

I've never heard of that. I am putting "RE: Form I-751 JOINT PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF STATUS, on NAME (A-NUMBER)" in my cover letter but otherwise just the address details they recommended.

1 minute ago, Rearviewmirror said: I've never heard of that. I am putting "RE: Form I-751 JOINT PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF STATUS, on NAME (A-NUMBER)" in my cover letter but otherwise just the address details they recommended.

Thank you! Yeah we are putting all that in the cover letter but on the actual usps box I am putting just the carol stream address as is

Just got my "reminder to remove conditions" letter from USCIS - looks like they didn't bother actually applying my change of address request to my file and so as a result USPS returned it, and they sent it back out to me at the address that USPS said "return to sender" at. It was stamped "action completed approved for filing" at the bottom on the tearaway slip, instead of the usual "include this with your application for faster processing". Hopefully when I file my I-751 they use that address instead of my old one...

beefmaster2   51

1 hour ago, Rearviewmirror said: Just got my "reminder to remove conditions" letter from USCIS - looks like they didn't bother actually applying my change of address request to my file and so as a result USPS returned it, and they sent it back out to me at the address that USPS said "return to sender" at. It was stamped "action completed approved for filing" at the bottom on the tearaway slip, instead of the usual "include this with your application for faster processing". Hopefully when I file my I-751 they use that address instead of my old one...

Lol exactly the same thing happened to me. They ended up switching to my new address after I filed the I-751

Our table of contents

Please let me know if you think I am missing anything or feedback! I'm debating writing out each photo description on here instead of just labeling the photos but it will take a few hours...

                 TABLE OF CONTENTS: EXHIBITS A-E

1.     Original x payment in the amount of USD $680.00 (Filing fee + Biometrics fee)

2.     Form G-1145

3.     Copy of x’s Form I-797C, Notice of Action Reminder to submit Form I-751

4.     Cover Letter

5.     Table of Contents (This page and following)

Exhibit A: I-751 Form and Supporting Documents to Remove Conditions

6.     Duly accomplished I-751 form filed and signed by x and x

7.     Copy of x Permanent Resident Card (front and back)

8.     Copy of Certified marriage certificate; date of our marriage

9.     Copy x birth certificate

10. Copy of x birth certificate

11. Copy of x passport biographic page

12. Copy of x passport biographic page

13. Copy of x Global Entry Card  

14. Copy of x Social Security Card

Exhibit B: Wedding: September 10, 2022

1.     Copy of Church Wedding Certificate

2.     Wedding Save the Date

3.     Wedding Suite: Invitation, Details, RSVP Card and two outer envelopes addressed to couple

4.     Copy of Wedding Program at St. x

5.     Copy of addressed wedding thank you card and card example

6.     Copy of insurance for our joint wedding bands

7.     Copy of wedding cards from family and friends (two)

8.     Copy of memory cards guests wrote to us at wedding

9.     Wedding Blessing Speech written and given at reception by x’s cousin, x

10. Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding Photos per Ziploc bag in folder; September 9, 2022 and September 10, 2022 (Labeled with dates and description on back of each photo)

Exhibit 😄 Cohabitation and Life in Chicago

1.     Trip summary of all trips taken since meeting June 2016

2.     x Street Apartment Lease 2021-2022

3.     x Apartment Insurance 2021-2022

4.     Apartment addressed People’s Gas and RCN utility bills from March 2021-December 2022

5.     Copy examples of Christmas cards from family and friends since marriage (4)

6.     Copy of x and x’s 2022 Christmas card sent to family and friends

7.     Copy of addressed Christmas and Wedding cards to our apartment from family and friends (5)

8.     Copy of our flight details and trip itinerary to England in October 2021 once borders re-opened

9.     x’s proof of employment August promotion offer letter and business card as x at The x

10. Photos with family and friends from March 2021-December 2022 of our life in Chicago, including holidays, trips and life events (Labeled with dates and description on back)

Exhibit 😧 Financial and Life Blending since marriage

1.     Copy of Jointly Filed Federal Tax Return for 2021

2.     Copies of joint x Bank Checking Account statements from February 2021-December 2022

3.     Copy of x Bank Account showing xas 100% primary beneficiary

4.     Copy of x Bank Account showing x as 100% primary beneficiary

5.     Copies of 2021-2023 United Healthcare health insurance showing x as 100% primary beneficiary

6.     Copy of 2022 United Healthcare insurance card for x and x

Exhibit E: Future Trip: Honeymoon Documentation; February 2023

1.     Flights booked to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

2.     Hotel accommodations booked for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

any feedback appreciated!

Cover Letter

Via USPS, ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

RE: Joint I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence For: x: x

Attn: I-751

P.O. Box 4072

Carol Stream, IL

Nature of Submission: I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

U.S. Citizen Spouse:

(DOB:, SSN:)

Conditional Permanent Resident Spouse (Petitioner):

(DOB:  SSN: )

The materials, which show a merging of our personal and financial lives since marriage (x), are organized in the exhibits listed in the Table of Contents on the following pages and in the folders per this submission.

Thank you for your prompt processing of this petition and for what we hope is your favorable response at your earliest opportunity. We agree to submit any original documents to an Immigration officer at a later date, if requested.

x (U.S. Citizen Spouse)

x (Conditional Permanent Resident Spouse and British Citizen)

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Already have an account? Sign in here.

• Existing user? Sign In
• Immigration Guides
• Immigration Wiki
• Example Immigration Forms
• Form Downloads
• K1 Fiancé Visa
• CR1 & IR1 Spousal Visa
• US Visa FAQs

Office Reviews & Info

• Consulate & USCIS Office Reviews
• US Port of Entry Reviews
• US Consulate Information
• Processing Times
• Immigration Timelines
• VJ Partners
• Ask a Lawyer
• All Activity
• Popular Topics
• Create New...

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Create Account

Direct Filing Address for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

Before you file your Form I-751

• Calculate your fees. To determine the correct fee, use our Fee Calculator .
• Check the form edition date. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions. You can also check the date listed in the “Edition Date" section on the Form I-751 page to ensure that you are submitting the correct version of the form.
• Review the form instructions for required documents. If you are filing with your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse (called “filing jointly”), you must file your Form I-751 during the 90-day period immediately before your conditional residence expires. We will reject your Form I-751 if you file more than 90 days before the date your conditional residence expires. Use our  Filing Calculator for Form I-751 (Filing Jointly with Your Spouse) to determine your 90-day filing date.
• Make sure you complete all sections of the form. Provide a response to all required fields.
• Sign your form! Read the signature sections carefully to determine where to sign. If you are filing your Form I-751 jointly with your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or stepparent, both you and your spouse or stepparent must correctly sign the form.

We will reject forms submitted with incorrect or incomplete fees, the wrong edition date, missing fields, or if you forget to sign or sign in the wrong place. To help ensure that we accept your petition, visit our Form Filing Tips page to learn how to complete your form accurately, assemble your petition and mail your form.

Where to file