The Core Documents Required for Any Green Card Path

A green card requires different paperwork depending on how you are obtaining it — through family sponsorship, employment, diversity visa, or another route — but several documents are needed across nearly all paths. You will need a valid passport, a birth certificate, police clearance records from every country where you have lived for more than six months, and a medical examination completed by a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved doctor. You must also show proof of financial support, usually through an I-864 Affidavit of Support signed by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor.

Beyond those basics, the specific forms and supporting documents depend on your category. An employment-based green card requires job offer letters and labor certification documents. A family-based green card requires proof of your relationship to your U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative. A diversity visa requires only a valid lottery selection notice. Each path has its own document checklist, and submitting incomplete paperwork is the most common reason for delays or denials.

Key Takeaways

  • Every green card applicant needs a valid passport, birth certificate, police clearance from all countries where you lived over six months, and a medical exam from a USCIS-approved doctor.
  • You must show financial support through an I-864 Affidavit of Support, which proves a sponsor can support you and you will not become a public charge.
  • Employment-based green cards require a job offer letter and labor certification showing no available U.S. workers for the position.
  • Family-based green cards require proof of your relationship — marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers — plus evidence the sponsoring relative is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Diversity visa winners need only their selection notice and the standard documents; no job offer or family relationship is required.

Documents Proving Your Identity and Background

Your passport must be valid for the entire green card process and remain valid after you receive your card. A birth certificate is required to prove your identity and citizenship of your country of origin; it must be an official copy, not a photocopy. If you have been married, divorced, or adopted, you will need certified copies of those documents as well.

Police clearance records — sometimes called a police certificate or good conduct certificate — must come from every country where you have lived for more than six months since age 16. You obtain these directly from the police or government authority in each country. This step often takes the longest because some countries process requests slowly or require you to request them in person. Start this process early; many applicants underestimate how long it takes to gather clearances from multiple countries.

Medical Examination and Vaccination Records

You must complete a medical examination (Form I-693) with a doctor designated by USCIS, not your own physician. The USCIS website lists approved civil surgeons by location. The exam includes a physical, blood tests for certain diseases, and a review of your vaccination history. If you are missing required vaccinations, you can receive them during or after the exam; the doctor will note this on your form.

The exam costs between $300 and $800 depending on your location and the doctor's fees. Results are valid for two years from the exam date. If your green card process takes longer than two years, you may need a second exam. Keep the sealed envelope containing your exam results; you will submit it as part of your green card process package.

Proof of Financial Support: The I-864 Affidavit

The I-864 Affidavit of Support is a binding contract between you, your sponsor, and the U.S. government. Your sponsor — usually a family member or employer — signs this form to promise they will support you financially and prevent you from becoming a public charge. The sponsor must show income at or above 125 percent of the federal poverty line (190 percent if they are sponsoring multiple people). For 2024, that means a single sponsor must earn roughly $22,000 annually to sponsor one person, though this amount changes yearly.

Your sponsor must submit recent tax returns (usually the last two years), a letter from their employer confirming their job and salary, and proof of assets if their income alone does not meet the threshold. If your sponsor's income is too low, they can add a co-sponsor — another U.S. citizen or permanent resident who also signs the I-864 and meets the income requirement. Many applicants need a co-sponsor because their primary sponsor's income is borderline.

Employment-Based Green Card Documents

If you are obtaining a green card through a job offer, your employer must file a labor certification (Form ETA-750) with the Department of Labor before your green card process can proceed. This form proves the employer conducted a recruitment effort and found no available U.S. workers willing and able to do the job at the prevailing wage. The labor certification process can take months or years depending on the job category and current processing times.

You will also need a detailed job offer letter from your employer stating the position, salary, start date, and job duties. The letter must match the job description in the labor certification. If you are in the EB-1 category (individuals with extraordinary ability), you do not need labor certification, but you must show extensive evidence of your achievements — awards, publications, media coverage, or letters from experts in your field.

Family-Based Green Card Documents

The sponsoring family member must prove their relationship to you and their status as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. A U.S. citizen sponsor submits a copy of their birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. A permanent resident sponsor submits a copy of their green card. The sponsoring relative must also prove their relationship to you through a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption decree.

If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, you need your marriage certificate and proof that any prior marriages were legally ended (divorce decree or death certificate). If you are the child of a U.S. citizen, you need your birth certificate and proof of the citizen parent's citizenship. If you are the parent of a U.S. citizen, you need your birth certificate and your child's birth certificate plus proof of their citizenship. Adoptive relationships require the adoption decree and proof it was finalized before you turned 16.

Diversity Visa Lottery Documents

Diversity visa winners need fewer documents than other green card categories because there is no employment or family requirement. You need your passport, birth certificate, police clearance, medical exam, and I-864 Affidavit of Support — the standard package. You must also submit your diversity visa selection notice and any correspondence from the State Department confirming your selection.

The main challenge with diversity visas is timing: you must begin your green card process within the fiscal year you were selected (October through September). If you miss this window, your selection expires and you cannot use it. Processing times vary, but many diversity visa applicants complete their green card within 6 to 12 months of selection if they submit all documents promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to translate documents that are not in English?

Yes. Every document not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translator must sign a statement confirming the translation is accurate and complete. You can hire a professional translator or use a translation service; USCIS does not require a specific credential, but the translator must be able to certify their work.

What if I don't have a birth certificate from my country?

Contact the vital records office in your country of birth to request an official copy. If your country does not issue birth certificates or yours was lost, you may be able to submit alternative documents such as a baptism certificate, school records, or a notarized affidavit from someone who was present at your birth. USCIS will review what you can provide and may request additional evidence of your identity and date of birth.

Can my spouse or adult child be my I-864 sponsor instead of a parent?

Your spouse can sponsor you if they are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet the income requirement. An adult child can sponsor you only if they are a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. A permanent resident child cannot sponsor you. The sponsor must be willing to sign the I-864 and accept legal responsibility for your support.

What happens if my medical exam shows I have a health condition?

Most health conditions do not prevent you from receiving a green card. The main grounds for medical denial are active tuberculosis, certain communicable diseases, or failure to receive required vaccinations without a valid medical exemption. If the exam shows a condition, the doctor will note it, and USCIS will review it. In most cases, you can still proceed with your process.

How long are documents valid before I have to resubmit them?

Police clearances are typically valid for one year from the date issued. Medical exams are valid for two years. Your passport must remain valid throughout the process. Tax returns and employment letters should be current — generally within the last few months. If your green card process takes longer than these timeframes, you may need to obtain updated documents before your case is finalized.