CRITICAL DOCUMENTS, most RFEs come from these
Form I-693, Medical Examination
Most commonly missedA medical exam completed by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon, NOT your regular doctor. Must be submitted in a sealed envelope you cannot open.
HOW TO GET IT
Go to uscis.gov/civil-surgeons → find an approved surgeon near you → schedule ($200–$500) → bring vaccination records → they give you a sealed envelope → DO NOT OPEN IT → submit sealed exactly as given.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
A sealed envelope with the civil surgeon's stamp across the seal. If the seal is broken USCIS will reject your entire application.
⏰ EXPIRES: 2 years from civil surgeon's signature. File before it expires.
Birth Certificate, Long Form
Wrong version = instant RFEUSCIS requires the LONG-FORM birth certificate that lists BOTH parents' names. Not the short form. Not the wallet-sized card.
HOW TO GET IT
For US-born: VitalChek.com orders for all 50 states, $15–$30, 1–3 weeks.
For foreign-born spouse: Order from vital records office in home country + certified English translation.
For foreign-born spouse: Order from vital records office in home country + certified English translation.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Full page (8.5×11) with official seal or stamp. Shows full name, date of birth, AND both parents' full names. If parents' names are missing, that is the short form. Order the long form.
⚠️ Never send originals. Send a clear photocopy only. Keep originals forever.
Marriage Certificate
Must be government-issuedOfficial government-issued marriage certificate with an official seal. A church certificate alone is NOT enough for USCIS.
HOW TO GET IT
Order from the county clerk's office where you got married. In Texas: search "[county] county clerk marriage certificate." Usually $10–$25 online. Takes 5–10 business days.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Official document with a raised seal or colored security paper. Shows both full legal names, date of marriage, location, signed by a county official.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
Digital, most people don't know how to get itProof of your spouse's legal US entry. Since 2013 it is electronic, there is NO paper card. Many immigrants don't know how to download it.
HOW TO GET IT
1. Go to i94.cbp.dhs.gov
2. Click "Get Most Recent I-94"
3. Enter spouse's passport number, last name, first name, date of birth
4. Print the results page, this IS your I-94
5. If no record shows, contact CBP before filing
2. Click "Get Most Recent I-94"
3. Enter spouse's passport number, last name, first name, date of birth
4. Print the results page, this IS your I-94
5. If no record shows, contact CBP before filing
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
A printout from the CBP website showing: I-94 Number, most recent entry date, entry status, admit until date. Print it, black and white is fine.
Passport Photos
Wrong size = rejected2 photos each for petitioner and spouse. Exactly 2×2 inches, white background, within 6 months, no glasses.
HOW TO GET IT
CVS, Walgreens, UPS Store, or AAA, $15–$17. Tell them it is for a USCIS application. Write your full name lightly in pencil on the back of each photo.
⏰ Must be taken within 6 months of filing.
Affidavit of Support, Form I-864
Income must meet 125% thresholdThe petitioner must prove their income is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for their household size. This trips up many applicants.
HOW TO GET IT
Download free from uscis.gov/i-864. Include: last 3 years of tax returns, W-2s, and most recent pay stubs. If income is insufficient, a joint sponsor may file a separate I-864.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
For a household of 2 in 2026: minimum income is approximately $25,750/year. Use ClearPath's free I-864 calculator at the tools page to check if you qualify before filing.
⚠️ Filing when you don't meet the income requirement causes rejection. Check your income first.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE, CORRECT VS WRONG
✅ Long form, correct
EXAMPLE
STATE OF TEXAS
Certificate of Birth
Child's Full Name
Maria Elena Rodriguez
Father's Name ← REQUIRED
Carlos Rodriguez
Mother's Name ← REQUIRED
Ana Lucia Perez
SEAL
✓ Shows both parents, correct
❌ Short form, wrong
EXAMPLE
STATE OF TEXAS
Birth Certificate
Name
Maria Rodriguez
Date of Birth
01/15/1990
, no parents listed ,
SEAL
✗ No parents, USCIS will reject
I-94 PRINTOUT, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
I-94 Number:12345678901
Most Recent Entry:March 15, 2024
Admit Until:D/S
Class of Admission:B-2
✓ Print this page, this IS your I-94. There is no separate paper card.
2 photos each for petitioner and spouse. Exactly 2×2 inches, white background, taken within 6 months of filing. Get at CVS, Walgreens, or UPS Store ($15–$17). Tell them it is for a USCIS application.
😐
✓
✓ Correct
White bg, neutral expression
😎
✗
✗ No glasses
Not allowed since 2016
😐
✗
✗ Wrong background
Must be pure white
🧢
✗
✗ No hats
Religious headwear OK
🧕
✓
✓ Religious OK
Face must be fully visible
Every non-English document needs a certified translation. A friend or family member can do it, but NOT the applicant themselves. Or hire someone on Fiverr for $20–$50. Here is exactly what the translation must include:
CERTIFIED ENGLISH TRANSLATION, EXAMPLE
Original: Acta de Nacimiento, Mexico
BIRTH CERTIFICATE, Jalisco, Mexico
Full name: Maria Elena Rodriguez Perez
Date of birth: January 15, 1990
Father: Carlos Rodriguez Mendez
Mother: Ana Lucia Perez
BIRTH CERTIFICATE, Jalisco, Mexico
Full name: Maria Elena Rodriguez Perez
Date of birth: January 15, 1990
Father: Carlos Rodriguez Mendez
Mother: Ana Lucia Perez
CERTIFICATION OF TRANSLATION
I, [Translator Name], certify that I am competent to translate from Spanish to English, and that the above translation is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________ Date: May 3, 2026
Name: [Full Name] · Address: [City, State] · Phone: [xxx]
I, [Translator Name], certify that I am competent to translate from Spanish to English, and that the above translation is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________ Date: May 3, 2026
Name: [Full Name] · Address: [City, State] · Phone: [xxx]
Organize your package in this exact order. A well-organized package gets processed faster and signals that you are a serious applicant.
1
Cover letter on top, lists every document included, in order. Helps the officer find everything quickly.
2
Check or money order, payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Never cash. Since October 2025 USCIS also accepts credit/debit card and ACH payment.
3
Form I-130, all pages from same edition, signed and dated by petitioner
4
Form I-130A, only if spouse is inside the US and filing I-485 concurrently
5
Form I-485, spouse's adjustment of status application, signed and dated
6
Form I-864, Affidavit of Support + 3 years tax returns + W-2s + recent pay stubs
7
Form I-693, Medical exam in SEALED envelope from civil surgeon. DO NOT OPEN.
8
Supporting documents with labeled tabs:
Tab A: Citizenship proof (US passport or naturalization certificate)
Tab B: Marriage certificate + translation if needed
Tab C: Birth certificates + translations
Tab D: Passport copies (bio page + any pages with entry stamps)
Tab E: I-94 printout
Tab F: Passport photos (2 each, staple or clip, don't glue)
Tab G: Relationship evidence (joint bank statements, lease, photos)
Tab A: Citizenship proof (US passport or naturalization certificate)
Tab B: Marriage certificate + translation if needed
Tab C: Birth certificates + translations
Tab D: Passport copies (bio page + any pages with entry stamps)
Tab E: I-94 printout
Tab F: Passport photos (2 each, staple or clip, don't glue)
Tab G: Relationship evidence (joint bank statements, lease, photos)
9
Copy EVERYTHING before mailing. Mail via USPS Priority Mail Express or FedEx with tracking. Keep your receipt.
Use this checklist as you gather your documents. Items marked ⏰ have expiry dates, file before they expire.
✓
US Passport or Green Card
Photocopy of biographic page, do not send original
○
Marriage Certificate
Government-issued with official seal, order from county clerk
⏰
Form I-693 Medical Exam
USCIS-approved civil surgeon · sealed envelope · do not open
⏰ Expires 2 years from civil surgeon signature
○
Birth Certificate, Petitioner (long form)
Shows both parents' names, order from VitalChek.com
○
Birth Certificate, Spouse (long form)
From home country vital records + certified English translation
⏰
Passport Photos (2 each)
2×2 inches, white background, CVS or Walgreens
⏰ Must be taken within 6 months of filing
○
I-94 Printout
Download from i94.cbp.dhs.gov using spouse's passport number
○
Form I-864 + Financial Evidence
3 years tax returns + W-2s + recent pay stubs · must meet 125% poverty guideline
✓
Joint Financial Evidence
Bank statements, lease, or mortgage showing both names (last 6-12 months)
✓
Relationship Photos
At least 20 photos together across different dates and places
○
Affidavits from 2-3 witnesses
Friends, family, or clergy who know you as a couple, signed statements
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