Marriage Green Card Lawyer

Helping Married Couples Build a Life in the United States

A marriage green card lets your spouse live and work in the U.S. permanently.

We prepare strong spousal petitions and help you avoid delays or denials.

Why Choose Serrano Immigration

Guidance You Can Understand. Experience You Can Trust.

A marriage green card decides whether you and your spouse can
build your life in the same place. We understand what is at stake.

20+ Years of Focused Experienc
Focused experience in marriage-based and complex immigration cases.
Personal Understanding
Led by an attorney who has personally experienced the immigration journey.
Personalized Legal Strategy
We review past visas, entries, and any overstay before anything is filed.
Clear Communication
Straightforward guidance and bilingual support in English and Spanish.

Attorney | Federico B. Serrano

What You Need to Know

What Is a Marriage-Based Green Card?

A marriage-based green card allows the foreign-born spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to become a lawful permanent resident. Spouses of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, so they do not wait for a visa number.

Most cases begin with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed with Form I-130A. The case then finishes in the U.S. through adjustment of status or abroad through consular processing. Experienced legal support helps prepare the strongest case possible.

We Help Couples Stay Together

A marriage green card is more than paperwork. It means:

Living together in the U.S.

Working without restrictions

Traveling and returning freely

A path to U.S. citizenship

Who May Qualify?

U.S. Citizens May Petition For:

Green Card Holders May Petition For:

How We Help

Personalized Representation, Not High Volume Processing.

Personalized Legal Guidance

We review both spouses’ immigration histories before anything is filed with USCIS.

Secure Online Process

Upload documents, review forms, and sign paperwork securely from anywhere.

Complete Preparation and Filing

We prepare your petition and supporting forms and organize the evidence of your relationship

Ongoing Case Management

We track notices, deadlines, and next steps throughout your case.

Interview Preparation

We help you prepare for your immigration interview.

Real Human Support

Get answers from our team when questions arise.

Our Marriage Immigration Services

From the I-130 to the 10-Year Card

Whether your spouse is in the U.S. or abroad, we handle each stage of a marriage-based case, from the first petition to removing conditions.

Spouse Petitions

Form I-130 and I-130A for spouses of citizens and green card holders

Adjustment of Status

Green card applications for spouses already living in the U.S.

Consular Processing

Spousal immigrant visas (CR-1 and IR-1) for spouses living abroad.

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas

For U.S. citizens and their fiancé(e)s who plan to marry here.

Removal of Conditions

Form I-751 to turn a two-year green card into a 10-year card.

Immigration Waivers

Waivers for overstays, unlawful entry, and other inadmissibility issues.

Client Testimonials

Trusted by families for more than 20 years

On behalf of our family, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the office of Attorney Federico Serrano for their excellent and efficient work on our family’s immigration processes. Their constant and timely support contributed to the success of all the processes in which we were advised and assisted by them and their team. Once again, I reiterate my gratitude and highly recommend their immigration services due to the successful outcomes in all our cases. Blessings!

– Pablo (El Salvador)

An excellent lawyer for all your immigration cases. He’s very professional, kind, dedicated, and committed to your case, as is his entire team—very friendly and always willing to help and answer any questions you may have. They helped me and my children with the process for Permanent Residency, and fortunately, everything went very well within five months.

– Fanny (Woodbridge, VA)

I hope this helps anyone who is looking for an immigration attorney. When I was seeking guidance for my case 1-130. I was referred to Federico Serreno, so I made a consultation and right away I knew he would be the attorney I would want by my side to handle my case. He was very knowledgeable and attentive to all my questions and concerns. Mr Serrano and the staff he works with are great and made everything in my case go very smoothly.

– Mario (Mannasas Park, VA)

FAQs about Family-based Immigration

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Who qualifies for a marriage green card?

Family-based immigration is the primary legal pathway for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor foreign family members for lawful permanent residence. Under U.S. immigration law, beneficiaries are divided into two main groups: immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens), who face no annual visa caps, and family preference categories (such as adult children or siblings), which are subject to annual limits and variable wait times. The process officially begins by filing a Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS to establish a qualifying relationship.

What evidence proves a bona fide marriage?

Yes, depending on the specific visa preference category and the child’s age and marital status, qualifying children can often be included in family-based immigration cases as derivative beneficiaries. This is a critical component of long-term immigration planning for families, as it allows immediate family groups to navigate the immigration process together rather than facing years of separation.

Can a green card holder sponsor a spouse?

Yes, a lawful permanent resident can petition for a spouse. However, while spouses of U.S. citizens are processed immediately, spouses of green card holders fall under the family preference categories (specifically F2A), meaning they must monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin for visa availability. Sponsoring a spouse for marriage-based green cards requires extensive proof of a bona fide relationship to address strict government scrutiny regarding relationship legitimacy.

Is a K-1 fiancé visa different from a marriage green card?

Yes, k-1 fiancé visas are designed specifically to bring a foreign national fiancé(e) to the United States for marriage. After arriving in the country, the couple must marry within 90 days. Once married, the foreign spouse can apply for a permanent resident card through the adjustment of status process without having to leave the United States.

Why did my spouse receive a two-tear green card?

Yes. U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old are legally eligible to file petitions for parents. Because parents are considered immediate relatives, there is no waiting list for a visa number, making this one of the most direct routes to obtaining a green card. Note that lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible to sponsor parents or siblings; this benefit is strictly reserved for U.S. citizens.

What is the difference between Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing?

These represent the two distinct immigration procedures used to obtain a green card. Adjustment of Status allows an eligible family member who is already physically present in the United States to complete their entire application process internally without leaving the country. On the other hand, Consular Processing is the mandatory route for beneficiaries residing abroad (or those who do not qualify for adjustment), requiring them to attend a family immigration interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

What happens at the marriage green card interview?

If USCIS finds that your application lacks essential documentation, relationship proof, or financial records, they will issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs). Receiving an RFE in family immigration cases requires a thorough, legally sound, and timely response. Failing to submit the requested petition evidence within the government’s strict deadline can lead to an immediate denial of the case.

What if my spouse overstayed a visa or entered without inspection?

Entering without inspection or overstaying a visa creates serious legal hurdles. In many cases, navigating unlawful presence requires applying for specific immigration waivers (such as the I-601A provisional waiver) to excuse the violation before the relative can attend their consular interview. Because these scenarios involve high legal risk, seeking professional legal guidance from a family immigration lawyer is essential to avoid lengthy bars to re-entry.

Our Purpose

Ready to Build Your Life Together Here?

A marriage-based case asks you to prove something personal to strangers, and the wait can be hard on both of you. Our goal is to make the process clearer, more organized, and easier to navigate, so you and your spouse can move forward together.