Form I-751 Checklist: Essential Documents to Remove Green Card Conditions
By Space Coast Daily // January 25, 2025
Did you apply for your green card, but when you received it, it was valid for just 2 years, and you don’t know why? Let me help you understand the reason behind this and a general overview of how to obtain the 10-year green card you desire.
Who is Required to File Form I-751?
If you obtained your green card through marriage to a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and were married for less than 2 years by the time you obtained your green card. USCIS will issue a 2-year valid conditional green card to you and you will then be required to file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.
Usually, you will need to jointly file Form I-751 to remove the conditions on your green card with the spouse who petitioned on your behalf. The purpose of this form is to confirm to USCIS that the marriage was not solely done with the intention of obtaining a green card. However, if you got divorced from the spouse who petitioned you, or they are deceased or if you were abused by your spouse, you will still be able to file the application by yourself, but you will need to provide evidence of your circumstances to USCIS and prove the marriage was real.
You must file the application before your conditional green card expires, otherwise, you will automatically lose your permanent resident status and may be subject to deportation. In order to determine the correct time for you to file the application it’s important to know if you will file it jointly or by yourself. If filed jointly, you must file the I-751 during the 90-day period before your green card expires; but if you will file it by yourself, you can do it at any time after you receive your green card.
Form I-751 Checklist of Required Documents
To remove the conditions on your green card, you will needthe following:
- Copies of the front and back of your conditional green card.
- Proof that your marriage is genuine, and it was not entered just for immigration purposes, such as:
- Evidence of joint bank accounts.
- Photographs of the couple together in social gatherings, holidays, vacations, wedding, etc.
- Leases or mortgages where the name of both of the spouses appear.
- Notarized affidavits from family or friends who have personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship.
- If filing by yourself, evidence to support the circumstances which brought you to do so like your spouse’s death certificate, divorce decree or evidence of any abuse suffered and a written statement explaining the details.
- Any record showing criminal activity (if applicable)
Navigate to the full I-751 checklist of required documents to ensure you include everything.
How to Find the Alien Registration Number
You can find your Alien Registration Number in a few places, including on your green card, where it will appear as your “USCIS #”. It is a unique 9 digit number who will also be present on any other notices you have received from USCIS.
