How to prepare Form I-485
Confirm eligibility and filing category first, then match every answer to passports, civil documents, and immigration records.
- 1
Confirm adjustment eligibility
Review the underlying petition, visa availability, admission, and applicable adjustment provision.
- 2
Organize identity and I-94 records
Copy names, numbers, class, and dates from passport, I-94, visa, and USCIS notices.
- 3
Complete family and history sections
List parents, all marriages, every child, addresses, employment, and organizations.
- 4
Review inadmissibility questions
Answer health, criminal, immigration, security, public-charge, and other questions accurately and prepare explanations.
- 5
Verify edition, fee, and filing method
Reopen the official USCIS page on the filing date and verify edition, fee, online eligibility, and mailing instructions.
- 6
Transfer to the official form and sign
Transfer verified English answers to the current official PDF or myUSCIS, attach evidence, and complete every required signature.
Common evidence checklist
Evidence varies by category and case. Use this list to prepare, then review the current official instructions before filing.
- Passport identity page, visa, latest I-94, and birth certificate
- Underlying I-130, I-140, or other petition approval or receipt
- Photos and government-issued identity evidence as currently required
- Marriage, divorce, child, and name-change civil records
- I-864, I-693, Supplement J, or other category-specific documents
- Complete certified English translations of every non-English document
Form I-485 FAQs
Can I-485 and I-130 be filed together?+
Some immediate-relative cases with an available visa and adjustment eligibility may file concurrently, but not every applicant can.
Can I leave the United States after filing I-485?+
Departure without appropriate travel authorization may abandon the I-485 or cause other consequences; exceptions require individual review.
When should Form I-693 be submitted?+
Follow current USCIS requirements and case timing, and verify the medical-form edition and civil-surgeon signature rules.
Can this worksheet be filed directly with USCIS?+
No. This is a I-485 preparation and English review worksheet. Transfer the answers to the current official form or USCIS online system.
Should AI translate a person's name?+
No. Use the existing English spelling on the passport or official record. Names and identification numbers are never sent to AI.
Why are the fee and mailing address not hardcoded?+
USCIS changes fees, Lockbox routing, and online-filing eligibility. Verify the official page on the day of filing.