Bring original copies of all documents you submitted with your Form I-485 adjustment application, including your passport, travel documents, government-issued photo ID, and arrival record. These documents establish your entry and travel history and are required at your green card interview—without them, your case cannot proceed. USCIS expects you to verify your identity, prove your lawful entry, and confirm that everything in your application is accurate. The interview officer will ask you to produce originals of documents that may have been submitted as copies, and will use them to confirm your eligibility.
Table of Contents
- Identity and Travel Documents
- Birth Certificate and Vital Records
- Medical Examination
- Police Clearance and Criminal Records
- Financial Sponsorship Documents
- Category-Specific Documents
- Frequently Asked Questions
Identity and Travel Documents
you must bring your original passport with all pages, along with a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or military ID. According to USCIS, expired IDs are acceptable if they establish your identity. Your passport does not need to be valid for travel—it only needs to show your personal information and entry history.
Bring your original Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record), which documents your lawful entry to the United States. If your I-94 is not in your passport, bring the receipt notice or I-94 arrival/departure card you received at the port of entry.
Birth Certificate and Vital Records
Bring your original or certified birth certificate. If your original birth certificate is unavailable, USCIS will accept church records, school records, or medical records showing the attempt to obtain the original. You must also bring documentation explaining why the original cannot be obtained—a letter from the vital records office stating they have no record, or a statement from your family explaining why the record was never created.
Bring marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and any other vital records relevant to your application category. If you filed as a spouse, bring the original or certified marriage certificate. If you have been divorced, bring the divorce decree. Any change in your family status since you submitted your application should be documented.
Medical Examination
Bring your medical examination form (Form I-693) in the sealed envelope provided by the civil surgeon. Do not open this envelope—the USCIS officer must open it during your interview. As of June 11, 2025, this form is valid only for the specific application for which it was submitted and cannot be reused for future applications.
If your medical exam was completed more than one year before your interview, you may need to provide an updated examination. Check your interview notice for guidance on exam validity.
Police Clearance and Criminal Records
If you have ever been arrested, bring certified original police clearance certificates and all criminal records, including arrest reports, court dispositions, and charging documents. Obtain these from the arresting agency or prosecutor's office in the jurisdiction where you were arrested. You must provide the complete record—arrest alone is not enough; the USCIS officer must also see the final disposition of the case.
If you were arrested but the charges were dropped or dismissed, bring documentation of the dismissal. If you were convicted, bring the conviction record along with any sentencing documents.
Financial Sponsorship Documents
If someone is sponsoring you on an affidavit of support (Form I-864), bring the most recent federal income tax return with all schedules, current pay stubs or an employer letter, and proof of income at 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Self-employed sponsors must bring Schedule C, D, E, or F from their tax return along with the main Form 1040.
The sponsorship documents must show that your sponsor has sufficient income to support you and any dependents. Bring bank statements or other proof of assets if your sponsor's income is borderline.
Category-Specific Documents
The documents you bring depend on how you are applying for your green card. Employment-based applicants must bring the approved visa petition (Form I-797), the job offer letter, and the labor certification. Family-based applicants must bring the approved family petition and relationship documentation specific to their category—for example, a spouse bringing the approved I-130 petition for immediate relative.
Bring two passport-style photographs in case the officer needs them for your green card. If your petition category requires additional documents—such as a divorce decree for a remarriage, or adoption papers for an adopted child—bring those as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring photocopies instead of original documents?
No. USCIS requires original copies of all documents submitted with Form I-485, even if you submitted copies in your application file. Expired documents are acceptable if they establish your identity or travel history.
What if I don't have my original birth certificate?
Bring church records, school records, or medical records instead, along with documentation from the vital records office explaining why the original cannot be obtained.
Will the USCIS officer open my sealed medical exam form?
Yes. The officer must open it during your interview. Do not open it yourself—a sealed envelope is a requirement of the form.
What if I was arrested years ago but the charges were dismissed?
Bring the arrest report and the dismissal order showing the charges were dropped or case was dismissed.