PREPARING FORM I-485, ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS 

Download Form I-485 from USCIS web site. Use the most current version of the form. Fill it out, print and sign the form.

DOCUMENTS TO INCLUDE WITH FORM-485

Applicants for adjustment of status  are required to submit certain civil documents as part of their application, such as birth certificates, divorce certificates and police records. Department of State has Reciprocity Page for each country explaining how to obtain these civil documents from the specified country and whether or not such documents are available.

The following documents should be included with every Form I-485:

1. Approval of relevant Petition (Forms I-130, I-140, I-360);
2. Affidavit of Support, Form I-864 (if family based application);
3. Form I-693A, Report of Medical Examination;
   *Medical Examination is valid for six months only. There are three ways to submit Form I-693:
   1) together with Form I-485 to the location specified on Form I-485;
   2) after filing Form I-485 to the location specified in the most recent communication with USCIS (for example, an RFE); or
   3) in person at an interview at a USCIS field office, if an interview is required.
4. As of April 21, 2023, a single dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent meets the vaccine requirement of these Technical Instructions for applicants 6 years old or older and a single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent meets the requirements for applicants 5 years old or older. Although the monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States, these vaccines are still approved under these Technical Instructions because they are listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization and continue to require 2 or 3 doses (depending on age) to complete the requirement. Instructions for other vaccine formulations have not changed.
5. Applicant’s birth certificate  with the certified translation;
6. Applicant’s passport’s Visa Page;
7. Applicant’s  Form I-94;
8. Applicant certified dispositions of the court for criminal offenses (if it applicable);
9. Applicant’s passport photos;
10. Check for filing fees issued to “Department of Homeland Security.” (The correct amount is listed on the USCIS website.)

The receipt will come in the mail in two-three weeks. The instructions to appear for fingerprints will follow.

THE INTERVIEW

The interview will take place at the local USCIS office.

1. Bring all the necessary original documents with you to the interview;
2. Bring Documents Showing Changes in Your Life Situation;
3. Bringing a Competent Interpreter not a family member;
4. Be truthful.

Green card will be mailed to the Applicant after the successful interview.

APPLICATIONS TO SEND ALONG WITH FORM-I-485, ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS

The applicant may (and should) send the following applications together with Form I-485:

• Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-765;
• Application for Travel Document; Form I-131.

The Applicant shall receive an Employment Authorization and Advance Parole Card in 90 days so he or she could travel and work while awaiting for the adjudication of the main petition.

WHERE TO FILE MY ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS APPLICATION

Always check the filing  instruction by USCIS. Follow Direct Filing Address instruction to ascertain the correct address for your filing category.

 WHY DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY’S ASSISTANCE FOR FILING FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS? MAY I DO IT MYSELF? 

You may certainly try Also, the attorney will be able to inform you of any potential problems in your particular case and how to deal with those problems. Lastly, the USCIS will usually send all documents and inquiries to your attorney. This is particularly important if you will be changing addresses in the future.