Marriage Green Card Lawyer
The process of acquiring a green card through marriage is complicated, and it’s easy to make a mistake. A marriage green card lawyer can streamline the process, complete paperwork on your behalf, and ensure the entire process goes smoothly, minimizing the chances of delays or a denial.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Marriage Green Card?
A Marriage Green Card Lawyer Can Save You from the Stress of Delays and Denials
When you first begin researching how to acquire a marriage green card, you probably have many questions: How do I prove my marriage is authentic? How do I know when I have enough supporting documentation? Do I need a lawyer to file for a green card? How much does a lawyer cost for a green card?
It’s normal to ask all these questions and many more. And searching the internet will not bring you the answers you need. That is why many people choose to work with a marriage green card attorney.
While it is possible to obtain a marriage green card without the help of an attorney, we do not recommend it. The process of applying for a marriage green card can be complicated. It requires submitting sufficient documentation, correctly completing detailed legal forms, and making sure everything is submitted correctly.
Even a small error or forgotten document can result in long delays in the process or even a green card denial. After you’ve been denied, it’s more difficult and time-consuming for a lawyer to step in and try to help. Working with a green card lawyer from the start helps streamline the process and ensures that everything is handled as it ought to be.
Why Choose Carman Fullerton?
Our Marriage Green Card Lawyers Make the Process Easier from Start to Finish
When you begin to research the process of acquiring a marriage green card, you’ll quickly be struck by how complicated it is. The most common question people ask before beginning the process is this: Do I need a lawyer for a marriage green card?
The future of your marriage hinges upon the successful completion of the marriage green card application process. Unfortunately, the process is complicated, and it’s easy to make a mistake that can cost you approval. When you work with the marriage green card attorneys at Carman Fullerton, you remove the uncertainty from the equation.
A marriage green card lawyer is well-acquainted with marriage and green card laws. Using a green card lawyer gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing an experienced professional handles every detail, from completing the forms correctly to submitting sufficient documentation proving the authenticity of your marriage.
When you need help navigating the marriage green card process, call Carman Fullerton. Our firm of experienced attorneys has a long track record of successfully helping clients navigate all elements of the marriage green card process.
The legal team at Carman Fullerton is available to discuss the details of your marriage and the steps you and your spouse need to take to successfully obtain a marriage green card.
Green Card and K-1 Visa Eligibility
When you have a green card, it means the U.S. government has given you permission to permanently live and work in the U.S. Green cards are highly sought after because they make living and working in the U.S. much easier.
However, obtaining a green card can be a lengthy and difficult process. Green card eligibility is typically available through family, employment, or a humanitarian designation like refugee or asylum seeker.
One common way for people to gain green card eligibility is to marry a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident who already carries a green card. You can qualify for a marriage green card if you are:
- The spouse of a U.S. citizen
- The spouse of a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
- The widow(er) of a U.S. citizen married at the time of the spouse’s death
- The fiancé of a U.S. citizen admitted on a K-1 visa.
You aren’t eligible for a green card until your marriage is finalized and registered with the U.S. government. However, if you’re engaged to a U.S. citizen, you can be admitted to the U.S. on a K-1 nonimmigrant visa.
Also called the fiancé visa, the K-1 visa exists specifically to help people legally enter the U.S. for the purpose of marriage. The marriage must occur within 90 days of the entrance to the U.S., and then the new spouse is eligible to apply for a green card as the spouse of the U.S. citizen.
Steps for Getting a Marriage Green Card
Compiling Paperwork and Supporting Documentation
The first step to gaining a marriage green card is also the hardest. Marriage and green card laws are complicated, and success hinges on a long process of submitting forms and supporting documentation.
When you apply for a marriage green card, the U.S. citizen or current green card holder is the “petitioner,” and the spouse for whom the green card is intended is the “beneficiary.” The necessary paperwork includes:
- Petitioner information
- Beneficiary information
- Proof of fee payment
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-130A, Supplementary Information for Spouse Beneficiary
- Proof of status showing current citizenship or residency of both spouses
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of termination of any previous marriages
- Passport photos
- Proof that the marriage is authentic and not fraudulent
- Vaccination records
- Medical exam.
Both petitioner information and beneficiary information will need to include at least five years’ history of residence and employment, as well as the end dates of any previous marriages.
As part of the application, you can also include a cover letter. While not a requirement, a cover letter can help show the authenticity of your marriage and provide clarity to any details of your supporting documentation.
Even a small error can result in lengthy delays or application denial. Additionally, a great deal of supporting documentation is required to establish that a genuine relationship exists. The goal is to show that you and your spouse have a real relationship and plan to continue your life together.
These strict requirements aim to discourage people from getting married simply to obtain a marriage green card and then going their separate ways. If a marriage is entered into with this intention, it is considered fraudulent.
Marriage Green Card Interview and Approval
If your application is approved, you’ll have an interview scheduled with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your marriage, relationship history, and plans for the future. The interviewer’s goals will be to assess whether you and your spouse are in an authentic relationship.
The interviewer will also assess whether any fraud is occurring. In this context, marriage fraud refers to marriage for the purpose of obtaining a green card without the intention of sharing a life.
A Lexington immigration attorney can help you prepare for the interview by coaching you on what to expect and what type of responses will help you achieve a successful outcome. Once you pass the interview, your marriage green card application will be approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of law does a marriage green card lawyer practice?
Most marriage green card lawyers practice immigration law. The attorneys at Carman Fullerton are experienced in immigration law and have a long track record of successfully helping married couples seamlessly complete the green card application process with success.
My marriage green card was denied — can you help?
Sometimes married couples find out the hard way that it’s better to use a lawyer to help with the process. If you tried completing the green card application process and your application was denied, a Carman Fullerton attorney can help.
An attorney will review your application, identify the reasons for denial, and help you move forward to achieve an approved application.
Do I need a lawyer to file for a green card?
Using a lawyer isn’t a legal requirement for a marriage green card. However, using a marriage green card attorney can greatly help. An attorney will guide you through all steps of the process, advise you on how to correctly document the authenticity of the marriage, and provide guidance for the green card interview.
Using a lawyer can save you from making costly errors that result in long delays or a denied application.
How much does a lawyer cost for a green card?
A marriage green card lawyer can range in price, and costs will be determined by the details of your case and the amount of support you need. Carman Fullerton prides itself on offering clients reasonable legal fees, so you can have your marriage green card application handled by a professional without exorbitant fees getting in the way of your marriage.
Contact Our Experienced Marriage Green Card Lawyers Today
When you and your spouse are ready to embark upon a new life together, you can’t afford to risk a denied marriage green card application.
The experienced marriage green card attorneys at Carman Fullerton have helped countless clients navigate the intricacies of the marriage and green card laws in the U.S. for a successful application process free from stress, error, delay, and denial.
