Complete Guide to Form I-485
A complete field-by-field guide to the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, including filing category, immigration history, family information, employment and education, biographic data, eligibility questions, inadmissibility grounds, signatures and supporting evidence.
Before You Start: Prepare Your Records
Form I-485 is a detailed adjustment-of-status application. Keep your identity documents, immigration records, petition information, address history, family records and supporting evidence beside you.
You must have a legal basis that allows adjustment of status in the United States. The correct filing category depends on your individual immigration basis. All sample information below is fictional.
Information About You
Identity, names, dates of birth, contact information and immigration identifiers.
Current Legal Name
Enter your current legal Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name. Do not use a nickname unless it is legally part of your name.
GIVEN NAME: EMMA
MIDDLE NAME: SOPHIE
Other Names Used Since Birth
Provide all other names you have ever used, including your name at birth, prior legal names, maiden names, nicknames, aliases and assumed names.
Date of Birth
Enter your actual date of birth exactly as supported by your identity records.
Have You Ever Used Another Date of Birth?
Sex
Select the applicable option exactly as requested by the current form.
City, Town or Village of Birth
Enter the actual city, town or village where you were born.
Country of Birth
Enter your country of birth using the country information requested by USCIS.
Country of Citizenship or Nationality
Provide your current country or countries of citizenship or nationality as applicable.
Alien Registration Number — A-Number
Enter your A-Number if one has been assigned. Do not confuse it with a receipt number.
USCIS Online Account Number
Enter your USCIS Online Account Number if one exists.
U.S. Social Security Number
Enter your U.S. Social Security Number if one has been issued. Do not enter a foreign tax or national identification number.
Current Mailing Address
Provide the complete mailing address where you can reliably receive USCIS correspondence.
Current Physical Address
If your physical address differs from your mailing address, provide your actual residence address.
Address History
Provide the address history requested by the current form and instructions, including dates of residence.
U.S. Entry and Immigration Information
Passport Number
Enter the passport number associated with the applicable U.S. entry where requested.
Travel Document Number
Enter a travel-document number if you used one instead of or in addition to a passport.
Passport or Travel Document Expiration Date
Copy the expiration date directly from the document.
Country of Issuance
Provide the issuing country for the passport or travel document.
Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number
Enter the actual I-94 number if one exists for your entry.
Date of Last Arrival
Provide the date of your most recent arrival into the United States.
Place of Last Arrival
Enter the city or port and state where the applicable arrival occurred.
Status at Last Arrival
Enter the immigration status or classification under which you were admitted or paroled.
Current Immigration Status
Enter your present immigration status if one currently exists. Do not assume it is automatically the same as the status at last arrival.
Application Type or Filing Category
This is one of the most important sections because it identifies your legal basis for adjustment of status.
Family-Based Category
Select the applicable family-based adjustment category when your eligibility is based on a qualifying family petition or applicable immediate-relative basis.
Employment-Based Category
Select the applicable employment-based category when your adjustment basis comes from an employment-based immigrant classification.
Special Immigrant Category
Use the applicable special-immigrant option where your underlying eligibility falls within a qualifying special immigrant category.
Asylee or Refugee Category
Use the applicable refugee or asylee adjustment category when your eligibility is based on that status.
Human Trafficking or Crime Victim Category
Use the applicable T or U related adjustment category if your case qualifies under those provisions.
Special Adjustment Programs
The form also accommodates certain statutory adjustment programs such as the Cuban Adjustment Act and other categories identified in USCIS instructions.
Other Eligibility
If your category is not specifically listed, use Other Eligibility only when the USCIS instructions direct you to do so, and identify the exact legal adjustment category.
Selecting the wrong adjustment basis can affect the entire application. Use the underlying petition, statute and current USCIS instructions.
Principal or Derivative Applicant
Underlying Petition or Application
Where required, provide the receipt number or other information for the underlying immigrant petition or qualifying application.
Priority Date
Enter the priority date when your immigrant category requires one. Use the official petition or Department of State information rather than guessing.
Request for Exemption From Form I-864
This section addresses whether you must submit an Affidavit of Support under INA section 213A.
40 Qualifying Quarters of Work
Select this exemption only if you have earned or can receive credit for the qualifying Social Security quarters described by USCIS.
Child Who Will Automatically Acquire Citizenship
Use this exemption only if you meet the specific requirements for automatic U.S. citizenship described in the current form.
Widow or Widower of a U.S. Citizen
Use this exemption if you are adjusting under the qualifying widow or widower immigrant category.
VAWA Self-Petitioner
Use this exemption only when your adjustment basis qualifies under the applicable VAWA provision.
No Exemption Requested
Select the applicable option if you are required to submit Form I-864 or if the I-864 requirement does not apply to your category for another statutory reason.
Additional Information About You
Have You Ever Applied for an Immigrant Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate?
Have You Previously Applied for Permanent Residence While in the United States?
Have You Ever Held Lawful Permanent Resident Status That Was Later Rescinded?
Answer according to your actual immigration history. If Yes, provide the explanation requested in Part 14.
Employment and Educational History
Last Five Years of Employment and Education
Provide all employment and educational activity during the required five-year period, starting with your current or most recent activity.
Employer, Company or School Name
Enter the official employer, company or school name for each period.
Occupation
Enter your occupation. If unemployed or retired, state that accurately.
Periods of Unemployment or Retirement
Include unemployment and retirement periods and provide the source of financial support where requested.
Employment or School Address
Provide the complete address for each employer or educational institution.
Dates From and To
Enter accurate beginning and ending dates for each activity.
Information About Your Parents
Parent 1 Full Legal Name
Provide Parent 1's legal Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name where applicable.
Parent 1 Name at Birth
Provide the parent's name at birth if it differs from the current legal name.
Parent 1 Date and Country of Birth
Enter the requested birth information accurately.
Parent 2 Full Legal Name
Provide Parent 2's legal Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name where applicable.
Parent 2 Name at Birth
Provide the parent's name at birth if it differs from the current legal name.
Parent 2 Date and Country of Birth
Enter the requested birth information accurately.
Information About Your Marital History
Current Marital Status
Choose your actual current legal marital status.
How Many Times Have You Been Married?
Count your current marriage and every previous legal marriage.
Current Spouse's Full Legal Name
If currently married, provide your spouse's legal name.
Current Spouse's A-Number
Enter the spouse's A-Number if one exists.
Current Spouse's Date of Birth
Provide your spouse's actual date of birth.
Date and Place of Current Marriage
Provide the date and legal location of your current marriage.
Previous Spouses
For each previous spouse, provide the requested name, marriage dates and legal termination information.
How Previous Marriage Ended
Report the actual legal termination such as divorce, death, annulment or other applicable legal event.
Information About Your Children
Total Number of Children
Enter the number of children you have according to the form's definition and instructions.
Child's Full Legal Name
Provide each child's Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name where applicable.
Child's A-Number
Enter the child's A-Number if one exists.
Child's Date of Birth
Enter the child's actual date of birth.
Child's Country of Birth
Provide the country where the child was born.
Relationship and Current Status
Provide the child's relationship and immigration information requested by the form.
Biographic Information
Ethnicity
Race
Select all applicable race categories shown on the form.
Height
Enter height in feet and inches.
Weight
Enter weight in pounds.
Eye Color
Select the eye-color option that applies.
Hair Color
Select the hair-color option that applies.
General Eligibility and Inadmissibility — Organizations
Have You Ever Been a Member of or Associated With Any Organization or Group?
It can cover organizations, associations, funds, foundations, political parties, clubs, societies and similar groups.
Immigration History and Violations
Removal, Exclusion or Deportation Proceedings
Answer whether you have ever been in removal, exclusion, deportation or related immigration proceedings.
Final Order of Removal or Deportation
Answer according to whether such an order has ever been entered against you.
Failure to Attend Immigration Proceedings
Answer according to your actual immigration-court history.
Unlawful Presence
Answer the live USCIS question carefully regarding unlawful presence and applicable departures or reentries.
Unauthorized Employment
Answer whether you have ever worked in the United States without authorization where the current form asks about that conduct.
Violation of Nonimmigrant Status
Answer according to whether you violated the terms of any U.S. nonimmigrant status.
Misrepresentation or Fraud for an Immigration Benefit
Answer whether you have ever sought or obtained a U.S. immigration benefit through fraud, false information or willful misrepresentation as described by the form.
If you have prior removal, unlawful presence, unauthorized employment, false claims or immigration violations, review your records carefully.
Criminal History Questions
Arrest, Citation, Charge or Detention
Answer whether you have ever been arrested, cited, charged or detained by law-enforcement authorities as described by the current USCIS question.
Conviction
Answer whether you have ever been convicted of an offense under the wording used by the current form.
Plea, Deferred Adjudication or Alternative Sentence
Read the question carefully if your case involved a guilty plea, no-contest plea, diversion, deferred adjudication or another nontraditional disposition.
Controlled Substance Violations
Answer according to your actual history involving controlled substances and the specific wording of the form.
Prostitution or Commercialized Vice
Answer every applicable question according to the conduct described by USCIS.
Money Laundering
Answer according to whether the conduct described by the form applies to your history.
Human Trafficking
Answer all questions concerning trafficking, assistance, participation or related conduct separately.
Do not assume that an expunged, sealed, dismissed or old case can automatically be omitted. Use the current USCIS question and your actual court record.
Security and Related Questions
Espionage or Sabotage
Answer whether you have engaged in or intend to engage in activities described by USCIS.
Terrorist Activity or Organization
Answer each separate question concerning terrorist activity, membership, support, representation or association exactly as written.
Genocide
Answer whether the conduct described by USCIS applies to your actual history.
Torture
Answer the applicable torture-related question truthfully.
Extrajudicial Killing or Political Violence
Answer according to your actual history and the current USCIS wording.
Recruitment or Use of Child Soldiers
Answer according to whether the conduct described applies to you.
Military, Paramilitary or Armed Groups
Answer all questions concerning military service, armed organizations, paramilitary groups, rebel groups, insurgent groups, guerrilla groups or similar organizations according to your actual history.
Weapons or Specialized Training
Answer the applicable questions concerning weapons, military, explosives or other specialized training accurately.
Public Charge Questions
Are You Subject to the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility?
Answer according to your adjustment category and the current USCIS instructions. Not every applicant is subject to this ground.
Household Size
Where required, provide the household-size information requested by the form.
Household Income
Provide the applicable household-income information truthfully using the financial records requested by USCIS.
Household Assets
Where applicable, provide asset information according to the form instructions.
Household Liabilities or Debts
Provide the requested liability or debt information when the form requires it.
Education and Skills
Where required, provide education, occupational skills, licenses, certifications and related information accurately.
Other Eligibility and Inadmissibility Questions
Communicable Disease or Health-Related Grounds
Answer the health-related questions according to the current form and your actual medical and vaccination history.
Drug Abuse or Addiction
Answer according to your actual history.
False Claim to U.S. Citizenship
Answer whether you have ever represented yourself as a U.S. citizen under the circumstances described by USCIS.
Voting in Violation of Law
Answer according to whether the conduct described by the form has occurred.
Smuggling or Assisting Unlawful Entry
Answer the applicable questions concerning assisting, encouraging or helping another person enter the United States unlawfully.
Child Custody or International Child Abduction
Answer according to the precise circumstances described by USCIS.
Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship to Avoid Taxation
Answer only according to whether the specific legal circumstances occurred.
Draft Evasion or Desertion
Answer the applicable military-service and Selective Service related questions based on your actual history.
Each Yes or No answer must be accurate. If you answer Yes, or if you are uncertain about the legal meaning of an event, use Part 14 and obtain individualized legal guidance where necessary.
Accommodations for Individuals With Disabilities or Impairments
Do You Need an Accommodation Because of a Disability or Impairment?
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Use the applicable option if you require sign-language interpretation or another communication accommodation.
Blind or Low Vision
Describe the accommodation requested where applicable.
Other Disability or Impairment
Describe the requested accommodation for another disability or impairment.
Applicant's Statement, Contact Information and Signature
Applicant's Statement
Indicate whether you read and understood the application yourself or whether an interpreter read the application to you.
Daytime Telephone Number
Provide your current daytime telephone number.
Mobile Telephone Number
Provide your mobile number where applicable.
Email Address
Provide your current email address where applicable.
Applicant's Declaration and Certification
Read the certification carefully. By signing, you certify under penalty of perjury that the application and evidence are complete, true and correct.
Applicant's Signature and Date
A missing or invalid signature can cause the application to be rejected.
Interpreter's Contact Information, Certification and Signature
Interpreter Full Name
Provide the interpreter's Family Name and Given Name.
Interpreter Business or Organization
Enter the interpreter's business or organization where applicable.
Interpreter Mailing Address
Provide the complete mailing address.
Interpreter Telephone and Email
Provide the contact information requested by the form.
Interpreter Certification
The interpreter certifies that they are fluent in English and the language used to interpret the application for the applicant.
Interpreter Signature and Date
The interpreter signs and dates the certification when applicable.
Preparer's Contact Information, Declaration and Signature
Preparer Full Name
Provide the preparer's Family Name and Given Name.
Preparer Business or Organization
Provide the preparer's business or organization where applicable.
Preparer Mailing Address
Provide the complete preparer mailing address requested by the form.
Preparer Contact Information
Provide telephone and email information as required.
Preparer Declaration and Certification
The preparer certifies that the application was prepared at the applicant's request using information provided or authorized by the applicant.
Preparer Signature and Date
The preparer signs and dates this section where applicable.
Signature at Interview
Do Not Complete Before USCIS Instructs You
Do not sign the interview certification in advance. Complete it only when instructed by the USCIS officer.
Additional Information
A-Number and Applicant Name
Enter the identifying information requested at the top of the additional-information section.
Page, Part and Item Number
For every additional explanation, identify the exact Page Number, Part Number and Item Number to which the explanation relates.
PART NUMBER: 9
ITEM NUMBER: 12
Additional Sheets
If the available space is insufficient, follow USCIS instructions for attaching additional sheets and identify each related page, part and item.
Supporting Evidence and Final Checks
Identity Documentation
Provide the identity and civil documentation required for your case, including birth and identity records according to current USCIS instructions.
Inspection, Admission or Parole Evidence
Where applicable, provide I-94 records, passport admission stamps, parole documentation or other evidence of U.S. entry.
Underlying Adjustment Eligibility
Provide the petition approval, receipt, principal-applicant documentation or other evidence required for the category selected in Part 2.
Form I-864 or Applicable Exemption
Submit Form I-864 when required, or the evidence necessary to establish a valid exemption.
Form I-693 Medical Examination
Follow current USCIS instructions concerning the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record and when it must be submitted.
Certified Court and Police Records
If criminal-history questions apply, submit the records required by USCIS instructions.
Marriage and Family Records
Provide marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, birth certificates or other family records when required for your case.
Foreign-Language Documents
Any foreign-language document submitted to USCIS must include the required complete English translation and translator certification.
Final Review Before Filing
Current legal name and all prior names
All dates of birth used
Birthplace and nationality
A-Number and USCIS account number
Current and prior addresses
Passport and I-94 information
Last U.S. admission or parole
Current immigration status
Correct adjustment category
Principal or derivative status
Priority date and underlying petition
I-864 requirement or exemption
Previous immigrant visa applications
Previous permanent residence applications
Five-year employment and education history
Parent information
Marital history
Children information
Biographic information
Organization memberships
Immigration violations
Criminal history
Security questions
Public charge questions where applicable
Other inadmissibility questions
Disability accommodations if needed
Applicant signature
Interpreter and preparer sections
All required evidence
Certified translations
Form I-485 must reflect your own identity, immigration history, adjustment category, family history, employment, criminal history, eligibility and supporting evidence.