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Marriage Green Card Attorney | Harari Law

By Talia Harari, Attorney at Law. Updated September 2026.

A marriage green card gives permanent residence to the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder. It starts with a Form I-130 petition proving a real marriage, then finishes inside the U.S. through adjustment of status or abroad through a U.S. consulate.

Key Takeaways

  • Spouses of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, with no wait for a visa number.
  • Spouses of green card holders are in a preference category and may wait.
  • Married under two years at approval means a two-year conditional green card.

Who Qualifies

  • The petitioner is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • The marriage is legally valid where it took place.
  • The marriage is genuine: entered to build a life together, not for immigration.
  • The petitioner signs an Affidavit of Support, with a joint sponsor if income falls short.
  • The spouse is admissible, or eligible for a waiver.

Conditional residents file to remove conditions in the 90 days before the card expires. See the USCIS spouse page.

How We Handle It

  1. Consultation. We learn your history and each spouse’s status.
  2. Strategy session with our legal team. We choose adjustment or consular processing.
  3. Evidence and preparation. We build relationship and financial evidence.
  4. Review and filing. You review every form with us, then we file.

Already in the U.S.? See adjustment of status. Engaged but not yet married? See the K-1 fiancé visa.

Ready to talk through your marriage case?

Request a Consultation

Flat fee, quoted in full before we begin. Admitted in New York, representing clients nationwide and abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What evidence proves the marriage is real?

Shared leases, joint accounts, insurance, photos over time and statements from people who know you.

Will we have an interview?

Usually, and we prepare you both for it.

Can I work while the case is pending?

If you adjust status inside the U.S., you can request a work permit with it.

Related: all the visas we handle, adjustment of status, naturalization.

This article is general information from Harari Law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law and agency policy change; outcomes depend on individual facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.