Fact check: How does the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) process green card applications for non-US citizens married to US citizens?

Executive summary

Marrying a U.S. citizen creates a defined path to permanent residency, but it is not automatic: applicants must file qualifying petitions, prove a bona fide marriage, and typically attend an in-person USCIS interview where evidence is scrutinized ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Recent reporting and law-firm guides emphasize increased procedural scrutiny and documentation requirements in 2025, including cases where discrepancies or questionable documents have led to denials, underscoring the need for careful preparation or legal counsel ^{[4] [5] [6]}.

1. How the system says it works — an overview that sets expectations

USCIS processes marriage-based green cards through a multi-step framework: a U.S. citizen files Form I-130 to establish the family relationship, the foreign spouse files either Form I-485 (if inside the U.S.) or proceeds through consular processing abroad, and both must present documents proving identity and the marriage’s authenticity; the process commonly culminates in a marriage interview intended to confirm the marriage isn’t solely for immigration benefit ^{[3] [2]}. Guidance materials and practice summaries reiterate that the interview and documentary review are central, whether the case is adjusted domestically or by immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate ^{[2] [7]}.

2. What USCIS and advisers say about proving a “bona fide” marriage

Immigration guidance and law firms list the types of evidence USCIS expects: joint financial records, leases or mortgage documents, shared insurance and tax filings, photos and correspondence showing a shared life, and affidavits from friends and family; these materials are used to demonstrate a bona fide marriage rather than a marriage of convenience ^{[6] [8]}. Multiple sources emphasize that no single document is dispositive—USCIS evaluates the whole record—so applicants should compile diverse, consistent proof spanning timelines, addresses, and finances to reduce the risk of adverse credibility findings ^{[6] [2]}.

3. The interview: where relationships are tested and cases are decided

The marriage-based interview is presented as the pivotal moment: officers ask about the couple’s history, daily routines, future plans, and details meant to reveal whether spouses truly live as partners, and inconsistencies can trigger denials or requests for additional evidence; lawyers publish sample question lists to help preparation ^[7]. News reporting documents real-world consequences where perceived document irregularities—such as disputed divorce records—have led to denial, illustrating that document credibility and interview performance materially affect outcomes ^{[5] [7]}.

4. Recent changes and tightening scrutiny reported in 2025

Multiple summaries from 2025 note a trend toward stricter scrutiny in marriage-based adjudications, with officials and practitioners reporting more thorough document checks and skepticism of evidence that previously might have sufficed; one headline framed this as “USCIS Implements Stricter Rules” for 2025, reflecting systemic emphasis on fraud prevention ^{[4] [3]}. Practitioners and reporting from September 2025 document high-stakes instances where deficiencies in proof or documentary irregularities produced denials, reinforcing the advice that applicants should anticipate and preemptively address potential USCIS concerns ^{[5] [4]}.

5. Where disagreements and pitfalls commonly occur — real-case signals to watch

Reported case examples and law-firm warnings highlight recurring pitfalls: missing or inconsistent proofs of cohabitation, unexplained financial separation, questionable or altered documents, and lack of corroborating third-party evidence; these issues are common red flags that lead to Requests for Evidence, interview escalations, or denials ^{[5] [6]}. Sources collectively stress that administrative errors, sloppy documentation, or failure to prepare for pointed interview questions often determine case outcomes more than the underlying legitimacy of the relationship itself ^{[6] [2]}.

6. Practical takeaways and contested perspectives in the public record

The consensus across summaries is clear: marriage to a U.S. citizen is a legitimate path to a green card but requires rigorous compliance with USCIS procedural and evidentiary standards, and applicants should expect an interview and documentary scrutiny; legal representation is frequently recommended for complex or high-risk files ^{[3] [6]}. Divergent emphases appear across sources: advocacy-oriented guides stress access and timelines for citizenship after residency, while news reports emphasize enforcement and denials—together illustrating a balance between facilitation and fraud prevention that shapes adjudication practices in 2025 ^{[1] [4]}.

Conclusion

Taken together, the reporting and practice guides from 2025 present a consistent, multi-source picture: marriage creates a defined immigration pathway, but success depends on timely filings, comprehensive documentary proof of a bona fide marriage, and careful interview preparation, particularly as USCIS applies heightened scrutiny in recent months; applicants should plan accordingly and consider professional advice when documents or circumstances may invite scrutiny ^{[2] [6] [4]}.