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Application Procedures:
Becoming a Permanent Resident While in the United States
If you would like to become a lawful permanent resident in the United States, you must file the following items with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:
In addition:
- If you have already been approved for an immigrant petition , you must submit a copy of the
approval notice sent to you by the USCIS.
- If someone else is or has filed a petition for you that, if approved, will make an immigrant number immediately available to you, you must submit a copy of the completed petition that is being filed for you. Such applications include only immediate relative, special immigrant juvenile or special immigrant military petitions. For more information, please see How Do I Get an Immigrant Visa Number?.
- If you were admitted into the United States as a fiancé of a U.S. citizen and married that citizen within the required 90 days, you must submit a copy of the fiancé petition approval notice and a copy of your
marriage certificate.
- If you are an asylee or refugee, you must submit a copy of the letter or Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure
Record) that shows the date you were granted asylum or refuge
in the United States. You also must submit USCIS Form I-643 (Health
and Human Services Statistical Data).
- If you are a Cuban citizen or
native, you must use USCIS Form
I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust
Status) and submit evidence of your
citizenship or nationality.
- If you have been a continuous resident
of the United States since before January 1, 1972, you must submit
evidence showing that you entered the United States prior to
January 1, 1972 and that you have lived in the United States
continuously since your entry into the country.
- If your parent became a lawful permanent
resident after you were born, you must submit evidence
that your parent has been or will be granted permanent residence.
You must also submit a copy of your birth certificate, and proof
of your relationship with your parent.
- If your spouse became a lawful permanent
resident after you were married, you must submit evidence
that your spouse has been granted permanent residence. You must
also submit a copy of your marriage certificate and proof that
any previous marriages entered into by you or your spouse were
legally terminated.
Please note that there are certain eligibility requirements for using Form
I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust
Status). Forms are available by calling
1-800-870-3676, or by submitting a request through our forms
by mail system. For further information
on filing fees, please see USCIS
filing fees, fee
waiver request procedures, and the
USCIS
fee waiver policy memo.
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