Marriage Green Cards: Proving Your Relationship Is Real

 Posted on July 15, 2025 in Immigration

Applying for a marriage-based green card in Illinois is a detailed process. One of the most important parts of the process is proving your marriage is genuine. Despite the fact that some individuals attempt to exploit the marriage-based immigration pathway for the sole purpose of obtaining a green card, the vast majority of marriage-based green card applications are aimed at family reunification and are very real.  

Unfortunately, the few who exploit the system have made many people skeptical about the sincerity of marriage-based green cards. Since one of those skeptics could be conducting your interview, it is especially important that you are 100 percent prepared, know what documentation you need, and which red flags to watch out for. In short, you will be asked to provide strong evidence that your marriage is based on a real, ongoing relationship.

It can be extremely beneficial to have the assistance of a Bloomingdale, IL immigration attorney who can help you gather the necessary documentation and tell your story in a persuasive yet honest manner. Your immigration lawyer will know what "proof" USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) expects and how the interview process works. Preparing your case with the help of an experienced immigration attorney can make all the difference.

Why Proof of a Genuine Marriage Matters

Since USCIS is focused on preventing fraud, a "bona fide" marriage is a legal requirement for green card approval. Bona fide means the marriage was entered into with the intention of building a life together, established in good faith, and with a sincere commitment between the parties.

The parties involved must demonstrate that the marriage was not solely created for the purpose of obtaining a green card. A fraudulent marriage application can lead to severe consequences, so it is crucial to demonstrate that the marriage is genuine.  

What Types of Evidence Support a Real Marriage?

Most of us who are involved in a marriage rarely consider the outside "evidence" that would prove to someone else that the marriage is genuine. The types of evidence that can be presented to the USCIS to support a real marriage include:

• Joint banking document
• Insurance documents in both names
• Jointly filed tax returns
• A rental agreement, lease agreement, or mortgage in both names
• Utility bills in both names
• A travel history together
• Photos of the couple with family and friends
• Social media interactionsAffidavits from friends, family, or religious leaders
• Birth certificates of children, if applicable

What Are Some Red Flags That Could Trigger Further Investigation or Denial?

Even though the following issues may not mean the marriage is not genuine, they are likely to be red flags for a marriage-based green card, triggering further investigation or resulting in a denial. A significant age gap between the parties, significantly disparate educational levels, or different religious backgrounds can raise suspicion. Couples who married soon after meeting, soon after a visa expiration, or soon after deportation proceedings began are major red flags.

If there is little evidence of a shared life, including a lack of shared financial accounts, little evidence of cohabitation, or little familiarity with one another’s medical history, habits, and family, this will be considered suspicious.  When the parties offer contradictory statements during the interview or there are discrepancies in names or addresses, this type of inconsistent information can lead to a denial.

If there is no shared language, it can be difficult to show that the marriage is genuine. Any type of criminal history on the part of either spouse can lead to a denial. Additionally, if the spouse seeking a green card has previously entered the U.S. without inspection or overstayed a visa, their eligibility for a marriage-based green card will be limited.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Immigration Lawyer

An experienced Naperville, IL immigration attorney from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can review your application and supporting evidence and prepare you for your interview. Attorney Mevorah understands the importance of building a strong, well-documented case to give you the best chance of success. He has been serving the needs of immigrants throughout Northern Illinois for more than four decades. Call 630-932-9100 to schedule your free consultation.