Marriage Green Card Cost: What to Budget
Written by the Ellis Porter content team. This article has not been reviewed by an attorney. It is general information, not legal advice.
In plain English: A marriage green card costs come in pieces, and the total depends on whether you adjust status inside the US or process through a consulate abroad. The main government fees are for the I-130 petition and then the I-485 (adjustment) or the immigrant visa (consular). Add the medical exam, photos, and document translations. USCIS and State Department fees change, so always confirm the current amounts before you budget. Attorney fees, if you use a lawyer, are separate from all government fees and vary by firm and complexity.
Planning the budget for your spouse’s green card
If you are trying to figure out what a spouse’s green card will really cost, you are asking exactly the right question, and you deserve a straight answer. Here is how the money actually breaks down, in plain terms, so you can plan with confidence.
The cost of a marriage green card is not one number. It is a set of fees across the process, and the total depends on your path, adjustment of status inside the US, or consular processing abroad.
One caveat up front: USCIS and State Department fees change. This page describes what you pay, not exact current dollar amounts, because those move. Always confirm the current figures on the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) and the Department of State fee pages before budgeting. (Verify all current fees.)
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The Marriage Green Card Checklist
The path from I-130 to green card and the documents that prove a genuine marriage at every step, in one printable checklist.
The government fees
The core government fees, depending on your path:
| Stage | Adjustment of status (US) | Consular processing (abroad) |
|---|---|---|
| Petition | Form I-130 fee | Form I-130 fee |
| Green card stage | Form I-485 fee | State Department immigrant-visa + affidavit-of-support processing fees |
The exact fees and how they are bundled have changed under recent fee rules, so verify the current figures for your path.
Which path is cheaper?
The fee structures differ: adjustment uses USCIS fees (I-130 + I-485); consular uses USCIS (I-130) plus State Department immigrant-visa fees. Which is cheaper depends on the current amounts and your situation, but cost is usually not the deciding factor. Eligibility and where the spouse lives generally drive the choice of path more than price.
Applying for a marriage green card?
See the steps, the documents, and how Ellis Porter can help with your case.
The costs people forget to add
Beyond the core government fees:
- Medical exam by an authorized physician (civil surgeon for adjustment, panel physician for consular);
- Passport-style photos;
- Certified translations for any foreign-language documents (a common requirement); and
- Shipping and incidentals.
If a joint sponsor is needed for the affidavit of support, gathering their documents adds effort but not a government fee.
Attorney fees are separate
Attorney fees are optional and separate from all government fees. Many straightforward cases are done without a lawyer. If you do hire one, the fee varies by firm and complexity, with complex cases (prior denials, criminal or unlawful-presence issues) generally costing more. When comparing costs, keep government fees and legal fees clearly separate, a quote that blurs them is hard to evaluate.
Budget realistically
Take it one line at a time, and the picture gets a lot less overwhelming.
- Look up the current I-130 fee.
- Add the green card stage fee for your path (I-485 or consular).
- Add medical, photos, and translations.
- If using a lawyer, get a separate, written quote.
Because fees change and your path affects the total, the reliable way to budget is to confirm the current amounts for your situation. A licensed Ellis Porter attorney can walk you through the full cost picture, with government and legal fees clearly separated.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Government fees change; verify current amounts with USCIS and the Department of State. Consult a licensed immigration attorney about your case.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marriage green card cost?
The main costs are the government filing fees for the I-130 petition and then the I-485 (if adjusting status in the US) or the immigrant visa and related fees (if consular processing abroad), plus the medical exam, photos, and any document translations. USCIS and State Department fees change over time, so confirm the current amounts on the official fee schedules. Attorney fees, if any, are separate.
What government fees does a marriage green card involve?
Generally a fee for Form I-130 (the petition), and then either the Form I-485 fee (for adjustment of status in the US) or Department of State immigrant-visa and affidavit-of-support processing fees (for consular processing abroad). The exact fees and how they are bundled have changed under recent fee rules, so verify current figures for your specific path before budgeting.
Is adjustment of status or consular processing cheaper?
The fee structures differ: adjustment of status uses USCIS fees (I-130 plus I-485), while consular processing uses USCIS (I-130) plus Department of State immigrant-visa fees. Which is cheaper depends on the current fee amounts and your situation, and cost is usually not the main factor, eligibility and where the spouse lives generally drive the choice of path more than price.
Are there costs besides government fees for a marriage green card?
Yes. Budget for the required medical exam by an authorized physician, passport-style photos, certified document translations for any foreign-language documents, and shipping. If a joint sponsor is needed for the affidavit of support, gathering their documents may add effort but not a government fee. Attorney fees, if you hire a lawyer, are separate and vary.
Do I need to pay for a lawyer for a marriage green card?
No, using a lawyer is optional, and many straightforward cases are done without one. If you do hire an attorney, their fee is separate from all government fees and varies by firm and case complexity, with more complex cases (prior denials, criminal or unlawful-presence issues) generally costing more. Keep government fees and legal fees clearly separate when comparing costs.
Why do marriage green card fees change?
USCIS and the Department of State periodically update their fees under fee rules to reflect their costs. Because the amounts and how services are bundled change, any specific dollar figure can become outdated. Always confirm the current fees on the official USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) and the Department of State fee pages before you rely on a number.
Applying for a marriage green card?
See the steps, the documents, and how Ellis Porter can help with your case.