Removal of Conditions

When you are a conditional permanent resident who obtained status through marriage, you want to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status before the end of your 2-year green card. The removal of conditions will give you a 10-year green card.
To apply, you need to file a I-751 petition.

You can only file 90 days before your green card expires but do it as early as possible. I know Covid hit and is one reason it was so delayed, but I applied in May 2019 and was only approved in May 2023!

Here what you need to provide:
– a check (the fee changes every year so check the website to get the right amount)
– the I-751
– Copy of your current Green Card

and proof of a bona fide relationship, I sent:
– US Marriage certificate
– Copy of French Marriage certificate
– Copy of French Family Record Book
– Tax Return Transcripts showing taxes filed jointly
– Life insurance policies showing my spouse as beneficiary
– Notarized affidavits talking about our relationship (I think 3 or 4)
– Copy of Alan’s power of attorney designating me to make health/financial/etc. decisions for him if needed.
– Copies of photos of us together and with family throughout the years.
– Cards received from family and friends for our wedding or addressed to us both through the years.
– Phone calls record

This is if you are in a similar situation and that your spouse is incarcerated. Otherwise you have plenty more options to prove you are in a bona fide relationship, for example:
– lease or mortgage at both names / proof of joint residence
– joint bank account
– receipts of gifts
– photos of diverse celebrations including your wedding
– birth certificates of children born from your relationship
– proofs of travels together, especially to your home country

Like I said earlier I applied in May 2019, in November my case was “ready for an interview”, then Covid hit and USCIS shut down. In January 2021 I inquired about my case as I saw others were moving along, and my case was updated at, one again, “ready for an interview”. Then nothing happened until I was able to apply for nationalization so I sort of gave up on my Removal of Conditions. And I was finally surprised by receiving my 10-year Green Card out of the blue with no interview in May 2023.