How to prove your “bona fide” marriage to USCIS
- A bona fide marriage requires proof that the couple entered the relationship in good faith with the intent to build a shared life together.
- USCIS may assess the legitimacy of a marriage at multiple stages of the immigration process, not just at the initial filing.
- The strongest applications use clear, well-organized evidence showing a shared life over time rather than a large volume of recent documents.
- Long-distance or nontraditional marriages can still qualify if evidence clearly demonstrates ongoing commitment and shared responsibilities.
Before the spouse of a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder can enjoy immigration benefits, they must first prove they are in a “bona fide” relationship. Knowing what that means and how to prove it to USCIS can help your Green Card or citizenship application go more smoothly.
| 💡Did you know? “Bona fide” stands for “in good faith” in Latin. In marriage, this means that a relationship is genuine and not fraudulent. |
What “bona fide marriage” means under U.S. immigration law
USCIS defines a “bona fide” marriage as one where a couple genuinely plans to build a life together. In other words, these relationships are not constructed solely to gain immigration benefits (such as a Green Card).
To prove a bona fide marriage, couples must provide substantial evidence that they share a life together. For many cases, this may include providing copies of financial documents, mortgage statements, and personal records.
Immigration officers may review the validity of a marriage during:
- The initial review of your Form I-130 and/or Form I-485 petition
- The marriage-based Green Card interview, whether at a consular or USCIS office
- A spouse’s removal of conditional residence
- A marriage-based citizenship application
USCIS explicitly states that applicants must prove they entered into a marriage in good faith before they received immigration benefits. There are no waivers for this requirement either. Even if your relationship may not be conventional, you must show immigration officers that your marriage can be considered bona fide.
Why USCIS requires proof of a bona fide marriage
Without proof of good intent, USCIS cannot rule out if someone entered a relationship solely to gain immigration benefits. As such, a reviewing officer will not judge your marriage based on whether they believe it will last or is successful. Even if there are marital problems down the line, USCIS will approve petitions that show a couple initially got together for legitimate reasons.
Proving that you entered a marriage in good faith becomes particularly important when a spouse requests to remove conditions on their Green Card. Most people must file Form I-751 with their spouse. But those who are widowed or separated can self-petition if they can prove their previous relationship was bona fide.
| 🧑⚖️ This article is informed by real-world insights from Manifest Law’s practicing immigration attorneys. It reflects not only what the law says, but also how USCIS officers are currently applying that law, and where risks are increasing. Check out our editorial policy for more info. |
How USCIS evaluates a bona fide marriage
To evaluate the intent of a marriage, USCIS will first evaluate the evidence submitted in an immigrant petition. If a reviewing officer believes your case already proves the validity of your relationship, they may send an approval notice. But if they are not entirely convinced, they may send a Request for Evidence (RFE) or request an interview.
USCIS notes that it does not usually dig into the personal motives behind a marriage. In other words, reviewing officers are not judging why you fell in love or what benefits your relationship provides. They want to confirm that two people entered a marriage to build a life together, and not solely to fast-track one of the spouse’s ability to get a Green Card.
An immigration officer may also request to interview you to verify the intent of your marriage. During this appointment, they may ask you to confirm details in your initial application and follow-up questions, or request intimate information about your relationship.
To ensure you’re successful during both stages of the bona fide marriage review, you must:
- Submit strong evidence that you have an honest, longstanding relationship; and
- Accurately describe and recall details about your marriage
It’s normal to feel nervous about a review from immigration officers, especially when it comes to your relationship. Remaining calm should be your utmost priority, so that you’re able to give an immigration officer a clear answer.
Evidence that proves a bona fide marriage
To prove the good intent of your marriage, you must submit a strong, extensive set of evidence to USCIS. Below are some of the documents and types of evidence you should include in your application.
Shared financial statements
These documents help prove that you and your spouse are intertwining your finances together. Examples include:
- Credit card statements listing both spouses
- IRS transcripts showing married filing status
- Joint checking or savings account statements
- Joint federal and state income tax returns
- Personal, auto, or even mortgage loan documents that list both spouses
- Wills, trusts, and pension plans that name a spouse as a beneficiary
- Life insurance
Housing and rent documents
Use shared leases or home ownership as proof that you are building a life together with your partner. As evidence, you may submit:
- IDs that show the same home address for both spouses
- Joint utility bills
- Mortgage or rent statements
- Photos of you and your partner living together
- Property deeds
Bills and insurance
If you and your partner are not comfortable sharing bank or credit card accounts, bills can also prove that you share financial responsibilities. These could be:
- Auto or health insurance statements that name both spouses
- Joint streaming or subscription service statements that list both partners
- Life insurance documents that list a partner as a beneficiary
- Shared home or mobile phone plans
Documents showing your relationship history
Submitting ordinary items, like photos or communication receipts, can help confirm that you share a life with your partner. Examples include:
- Affidavits from friends and family
- Travel itineraries and flight, hotel, and rental car receipts showing both spouses
- Pictures that are labeled with dates and locations
- Text messages, video, or email logs
- Screenshots of social media posts that feature both of you as a couple
Not everyone will have every example listed above. To get recommendations tailored to your relationship, you should request a consultation with an immigration attorney on how to present your case best.
Evidence to have if your marriage is untraditional
USCIS does not bar what many consider “untraditional” marriages from immigration benefits. However, they are still held to the same bona fide requirements.
What to submit if you don’t share finances together
Couples who are married but are not commingling finances through joint ownership may not be able to submit shared bank statements or joint tax filings. However, you can submit bill statements and receipts that name both you and your spouse as responsible. These can help prove to an immigration officer that you share responsibilities, even if you don’t own a joint bank account.
Those who live together but don’t share rent or home ownership can submit any documents that feature the same home address. Government-issued IDs are suitable substitutes for joint leases and shared utility bills.
What to submit if you are in a long-distance marriage
USCIS does not bar married couples who live separately from immigration benefits.
If you’re filing as a couple in a long-distance marriage, Manifest immigration lawyer Ana Gabriela Urizar recommends swapping the following:
- Joint lease or mortgage → Evidence of ongoing visits
- Shared utility bills → Receipts paired with proof of shared financial responsibility (money transfers, shared expenses)
- Joint bank account statements → Individual bank accounts with regular transfers between spouses for shared costs
- Shared insurance policies → Insurance policies listing the spouse as beneficiary or emergency contact
Urizar also recommends sending detailed communication logs that show you’re in constant contact with each other. If you’re in separate locations for only part of the year, include documents that show when you aren’t and why. “Don’t be discouraged from filing just because you are in a long-distance marriage,” she says. “Use this as an opportunity to clear things up to an immigration officer. These type of applications get approved all the time with the right strategy”
Making sure your bona fide marriage evidence is valid
USCIS does not have a limit on how much evidence couples should submit to prove a bona fide relationship. Still, Urizar says you should remain selective of what you include in your application and to ensure everything you provide is consistent. “Quality over quantity goes a long way here,” she says. “Sending a bunch of documents won’t matter if they are not annotated and presented in a way that tells a compelling story about your relationship.”
Urizar says that many unsuccessful cases rely primarily on photographs and affidavits from close ones. “You should include these documents, but they should be clearly annotated and span several years,” she notes. “A photo collection that spans several years and covers major life events matters much more than random pictures taken within the last six months.”
While gathering evidence, Urizar says people should have a mix of financial, housing, and personal documents.
Establishing your bona fide marriage case before filing
Below are some quick, actionable steps you can take before filing:
- Create a joint lease or mortgage account bank
- Evaluate if you or your spouse qualify for a marriage Green Card
Shortly after your marriage:
- Open a joint bank account and use it regularly.
- Add your spouse to existing accounts.
- List each other as beneficiaries in insurance and retirement accounts.
Within a year of your marriage:
- Sign a joint lease or add a spouse to housing documents.
- File joint tax returns.
Throughout your marriage:
- Collect photos, correspondence, and affidavits over time.
- Maintain records of shared financial transfers and responsibilities.
- Keep documentation of shared travel and visits, especially for those in long-distance marriages.
- Create or update wills and estate planning documents.
Filing for a marriage Green Card soon? Our team of immigration lawyers can give you tailored feedback on how to prove your relationship is bona fide to USCIS. Request a consultation to learn more.
Bona fide marriage FAQs
How many photos should we submit?
USCIS does not post a required number of photos that applicants should submit. Manifest immigration attorney Urizar says what matters more is having a selection of pictures spanning several years in your relationship.
What if we don’t live together yet?
If you don’t live together yet, replace documentation of joint leases/mortgages with financial documents that show you share bills, utilities, or even subscription services together. Urizar says you should also include evidence that explains why you live apart and any plans you have to reunite.
Can arranged marriages or long-distance marriages qualify?
Yes, spouses in arranged and long-distance marriages can request a Green Card. However, they may need to substitute some evidence with other documents.
What evidence is required for I-130 vs. I-751?
The instructions for both an I-130 and I-751 petition ask people to submit marriage certificates as well as evidence of a bona fide relationship. These may include shared housing documents, utility bills, or joint financial statements.
