After months of paperwork and waiting, the final step in the marriage-based green card process is often the USCIS interview — a critical moment that can determine whether your application is approved or denied.
Whether you’re applying after entering on a K1 fiancé visa or through a CR1 spousal visa, this guide walks you through what to expect at your marriage green card interview in 2025, how to prepare, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
1. Why the Interview Is So Important
The marriage green card interview is USCIS’s opportunity to:
- Confirm that your marriage is real and not fraudulent
- Verify that both spouses understand the relationship
- Review submitted documents and clarify inconsistencies
- Ensure eligibility for lawful permanent residence
Officers are trained to spot red flags and evaluate couples based on their behavior, answers, and documentation.
2. Who Attends the Interview?
If applying through adjustment of status (Form I-485) in the U.S., both the U.S. citizen spouse and the immigrant spouse must attend the interview.
If applying from abroad through consular processing, only the foreign spouse will attend the interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
3. What to Bring to the Interview
USCIS will send a notice with a checklist, but common required items include:
- Government-issued IDs and passports
- Original marriage certificate
- Proof of legal entry (I-94 form, visa)
- USCIS interview notice (Form I-797)
- Joint bank account statements
- Lease agreements or mortgage documents
- Utility bills with both names
- Photographs together
- Affidavits from friends/family
- Birth certificates of children (if applicable)
Bring originals and copies of all documents.
4. What Happens During the Interview
The USCIS officer will:
- Swear both spouses in under oath
- Ask for identification and documents
- Review application forms (I-130, I-485)
- Ask questions about your relationship and life together
The entire process usually takes 20–45 minutes.
5. Sample Interview Questions
Relationship History:
- How did you meet?
- When and where was your first date?
- Who proposed?
- When and where did you get married?
- Did your parents attend the wedding?
Daily Life:
- Who cooks?
- What side of the bed does your spouse sleep on?
- What time do you both wake up?
- What do you watch on Netflix together?
Financials:
- Do you file taxes jointly?
- Who pays the bills?
- Do you share a bank account?
Future Plans:
- Do you plan to have children?
- Do you own or rent your home?
- Have you taken any trips together?
6. Red Flags to Avoid
Officers are trained to notice signs of a fake or arranged marriage. Common red flags include:
- Large age gap
- Different religious or cultural backgrounds without evidence of integration
- Language barriers
- Living apart
- Discrepancies in stories
- Different addresses on IDs
You can still be approved with red flags — but be prepared to explain them clearly and truthfully.
7. Stokes Interviews (Separate Interviews)
If the officer suspects fraud or hears conflicting answers, you may be subjected to a Stokes interview, where spouses are interviewed separately.
Each spouse will answer the same questions, and the officer will compare answers to detect inconsistencies.
Common Stokes interview questions:
- What kind of toothpaste does your spouse use?
- What’s in your refrigerator?
- What time did your spouse leave for work yesterday?
8. What Happens After the Interview?
There are several possible outcomes:
✅ Approval On the Spot
The officer may approve your green card immediately and notify you at the end of the interview.
⏳ Further Review
You may receive a “case held for review” status. This means USCIS needs more time or additional evidence.
📄 Request for Evidence (RFE)
If documents are missing or unclear, you’ll get an RFE and must respond by the deadline.
❌ Denial
If the officer determines the marriage is not genuine or eligibility requirements aren’t met, your application may be denied.
9. After Approval: What’s Next?
If approved:
- You’ll receive your green card within 1–4 weeks by mail
- If married less than 2 years, you get a 2-year conditional green card
- You must file Form I-751 to remove conditions within 90 days before the card expires
10. Interview Tips for Success
- Review your forms before the interview — answers must be consistent
- Bring all original and supporting documents neatly organized
- Practice common questions with your spouse — but don’t over-rehearse
- Dress professionally and arrive early
- Be honest and calm — you’re not on trial, but the officer must verify your marriage
Final Thoughts
The marriage green card interview is a big milestone, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Couples who prepare properly, stay honest, and present clear evidence of their life together usually have no issues getting approved.
When in doubt, consult an immigration attorney — especially if your case involves complex history or past immigration issues.
