How to Prepare for Your Green Card Interview
Most adjustment-of-status (I-485) cases end with an interview at your local USCIS field office. The notice tells you the date, time and exact office. Preparation is mostly about documents and consistency.
Documents to Bring
- Your interview notice and government-issued photo ID
- Passport(s) and any travel documents, current and expired
- Complete copy of everything you filed
- Originals of documents you submitted as copies: birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decrees
- For marriage cases: updated evidence of the relationship (joint accounts, lease, photos, children's birth certificates)
- Certified court dispositions for any arrest, even if dismissed
What the Officer Asks
Expect questions confirming your application: biographic details, immigration history, employment, and the security questions from the form. In marriage cases, both spouses are usually interviewed on how the relationship developed and daily life together. Answer honestly and briefly; "I don't remember" is better than guessing wrong.
After the Interview
Officers can approve on the spot, request more evidence (RFE), or hold the case for review. Track what happens next with your case status online. If approved, the physical green card typically arrives within a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a lawyer or interpreter?
Yes. Attorneys can attend with a Form G-28 on file. If you are not comfortable in English, most field offices require you to bring your own interpreter for adjustment interviews.
What if I cannot attend the scheduled date?
Follow the rescheduling instructions on the notice as early as possible. Unexcused absences can lead to denial.