Family-based green cards

• Proof of the petitioner's U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport or naturalization certificate) or green card
• Marriage certificate, and proof that any earlier marriage ended (divorce decree or death certificate)
• Birth certificates that show the relationship; Turkish civil records (for example a nüfus kayıt örneği) with certified English translations
• For a marriage: evidence the marriage is genuine, such as a joint lease or deed, joint bank accounts, photos over time and travel records
• The sponsor's latest federal tax return with W-2s and 1099s, recent pay stubs and an employer letter (Form I-864)
• Form I-864A for each household member whose income is counted
• In adjustment cases: the applicant's passport, I-94 and visa history, and the sealed medical exam (Form I-693) from a civil surgeon
• Court and police records for any arrest or charge, in any country

• Using an old form: USCIS rejects Form I-485 editions other than 09/18/26 filed on or after 18 September 2026.
• From 1 October 2026 USCIS accepts only the 08/24/26 edition of Form I-864; it includes a credit-report authorization, so a credit freeze can delay review.
• A marriage petition without strong evidence the marriage is genuine; USCIS may interview, and since 5 August 2026 officers suggest DNA testing when primary proof of a genetic relationship is missing.
• Overstays, unauthorized work or other status violations: they bar many preference-category applicants from adjusting, and the May 2026 memo makes them weigh against discretion.
• Choosing both adjustment and consular processing on Form I-130, or leaving the choice blank.
• An approved Form I-130 gives no status by itself; USCIS may issue a Notice to Appear if the relative is removable.
• A child who turns 21 or marries can move to a different category; ask before a birthday or a wedding.

• The petitioner is a permanent resident and wants to sponsor a parent or sibling: permanent residents can petition only for spouses and unmarried children; see U.S. citizenship.
• A fiancé(e) abroad: the K-1 fiancé(e) visa (Form I-129F, $675) is a separate route.
• Fear of return or a pending removal case: see asylum and removal defense.
• A relative with a strong professional record in a long family line: an EB-1A or EB-2 NIW petition may avoid that wait.

Who this is for

• Spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens.
• Adult sons and daughters and siblings of U.S. citizens.
• Spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents.

Key requirements

• A qualifying relationship, proved with civil documents, and a petitioner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, unmarried child under 21, and parent of a citizen aged 21 or over) are not subject to the annual limit.
• The preference categories are F1 (unmarried sons and daughters, 21 or older, of citizens), F2A (spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents), F2B (unmarried sons and daughters, 21 or older, of permanent residents), F3 (married sons and daughters of citizens) and F4 (siblings of adult citizens). The priority date, the day USCIS received the I-130, sets the place in line.
• Family-sponsored preference visas are limited to 226,000 a year in general.
• The petitioner signs Form I-864 and must usually show income of at least 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines for the household, or add a household member's income on Form I-864A.
• Adjustment of status is discretionary. A USCIS memo of 21 May 2026 (PM-602-0199) tells officers that, where consular processing is available, a nonimmigrant's failure to depart as expected is highly relevant; family ties and other factors are weighed too.
• A new public charge rule applies to adjustment applications filed on or after 18 September 2026.

What to check with an attorney

• Which category you are in, because it decides the waiting line.
• Whether adjustment in the U.S. is available and sensible after the May 2026 memo, or consular processing fits better.
• Past entries, status history and any grounds of inadmissibility.
• How turning 21, marriage or the petitioner's naturalization could move you to another category.

Fees and rules reviewed 16 Oct 2026. Sources below.

Official sources:

1. USCIS: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
2. USCIS: Visa Availability and Priority Dates
3. USCIS: When to file adjustment applications, October 2026
4. USCIS: Adjustment of Status
5. USCIS: Consular Processing
6. USCIS: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
7. USCIS: Form I-864P, 2026 poverty guidelines
8. USCIS: Fee Schedule, Form G-1055 (edition 10/16/26)
9. 22 CFR 22.1: State Department visa fees
10. USCIS policy memo PM-602-0199 (21 May 2026)
11. USCIS: Form I-485 (edition 09/18/26)
12. USCIS alert: public charge guidance (18 Aug 2026)

What changed: added 2026 USCIS and State Department fees (online and paper), the October 2026 Visa Bulletin dates, Form I-864 income figures, the May 2026 adjustment memo, the new form editions and the public charge rule.