Written By Nancy Sayania

Marriage-Based Interview: What You Need to Know

If you’ve filed your green card application through marriage (I-130 and I-485 together), your USCIS interview is one of the final steps in the process. This interview is designed to confirm that your relationship is genuine, and not just a paperwork arrangement.

Here’s what you need to know before the big day.

Basics: What to Expect & How to Prepare

The interview is typically scheduled 5–18 months after you’ve filed, and both you and your spouse must attend. A USCIS officer will review your application, ask questions about your relationship, and look for signs that your marriage is real and ongoing.

What to bring:

  • Government-issued IDs (passport, driver’s license, etc.)

  • Originals of documents you submitted with your application (including civil documents)

  • Proof of relationship (photos, joint lease, utility bills, joint bank accounts, insurance, etc.)

  • Any updated or missing documentation

How to prepare:

  • Review your forms (I-130, I-485, I-864) together for accuracy

  • Discuss your relationship timeline, from how you met to married life

  • Practice answering questions in your own words — don’t memorize

  • Be honest, even if you forget something

Your goal isn’t to be perfect, it’s to be real, consistent, and calm.

Questions: Sample Questions to Prepare Yourselves

USCIS officers may interview you together or separately. They’ll ask about your relationship, your living situation, and how well you know each other.

Common questions include:

Relationship History:

  • When and where did you meet?

  • Who introduced you?

  • How long did you date before getting married?

  • Did you have a wedding? Who was there?

Daily Life:

  • What side of the bed do you sleep on?

  • What did you eat for dinner last night?

  • Who wakes up first in the morning?

  • What’s your spouse’s favorite food?

Home & Finances:

  • How is your home set up?

  • Do you share a bank account? Which bank?

  • Who pays the bills?

  • Is your name on the lease or mortgage?

Family & Routine:

  • Have you met each other’s parents?

  • When was the last time you visited family together?

  • What do you usually do on weekends?

You won’t be asked all of these but practicing a wide range helps both of you feel confident and connected.

Red Flags: What Could Raise Concerns

Officers are trained to spot patterns that might suggest a marriage was entered into for immigration purposes. That doesn’t mean your relationship is suspicious, it just means you need to be prepared to explain anything that might stand out.

Common red flags:

  • Large age difference

  • Different cultural or religious backgrounds

  • Short dating period before marriage

  • Not living together or no shared bills

  • Inconsistent answers during the interview

  • A prior immigration petition filed for a different spouse

  • Minimal or no wedding celebration (can be okay — just be ready to explain)

If any of these apply to your relationship, don’t panic. Be honest, explain your situation clearly, and bring whatever documentation you can to show your life together is real.

Nancy Sayania
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