top of page

How Do I Get a Green Card Through Marriage in Los Angeles?

  • Aug 19, 2022
  • 3 min read

Updated: Dec 15, 2022

Important FAQs On Marriage-Based Green Cards In California


One of the most popular routes to a green card is through marriage to an immigrant. The immigration benefit is often available to the spouse of a citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States. However, the majority of people find this process to be new and strange.


Here are some of our clients' most frequent questions to help those interested in learning how to obtain a green card through marriage.


green card marriage process

What Is A Green Card In California?


The official document used to prove one's status as a lawful permanent resident is called a "green card." The privilege of living and working in the US permanently belongs to permanent residents. Once they fulfill additional conditions, individuals may also naturalize as citizens of the United States.

"Green cards" can be applied for and gotten through several ways. If not marriage, you can go for family-based ones. Contact a prescreened Los Angeles Immigration Attorney to help you through the process.

When Can I Apply For Marriage-Based Green Card In California?


Most couples can apply as soon as they get their marriage license.


Getting a green card can begin as soon as you have proof of a legal marriage. First, you will undoubtedly require a copy of your marriage license. But you'll also need to demonstrate that your marriage is real.


Applications for green cards based on marriage are given particular scrutiny by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They must verify that neither side utilizes the union to get around immigration restrictions.


Fraud is when someone arranges a fictitious marriage to get a green card. USCIS, therefore, requests evidence of the validity of your marriage. It entails supplying additional proof of your marriage's validity in the form of supporting documents.


immigration attorney los angeles

Can Same-Sex Marriages Qualify For A Marriage-Based Green Card In California?

The US immigration system is open to married LGBTQ+ couples in the same way it is to married opposite-sex couples. A citizen or permanent resident of the United States may apply for their spouse's green card. Similar to opposite-sex couples, the LGBTQ spouse of an American citizen or lawful permanent resident is eligible for a green card.

The union must be lawful, just like in weddings of the opposite sex. In other words, the union had to have happened in a country where same-sex unions are permitted. Due to this, many same-sex couples use the K-1 visa (discussed in the preceding question) to enter the country to get married.


If you need advice on filing for a green card to get married, contact a prescreened Immigration Attorney in Los Angeles. An experienced lawyer will know your options and what's best to fulfill them.

What If I Run into Marital Issues?

Even if your marriage does not work out, your time in the United States is not necessarily ended. You must be legally married to be eligible for a green card through marriage.


We all know that many marriages start off well-intentioned but end in divorce. However, you can get a green card if you are not divorced or formally separated. However, in marital issues, we advise you to consult a knowledgeable Immigration Lawyer in Los Angeles.


USCIS agents are capable of identifying these problems. In addition, the officer will probably examine your connection and intentions when you first got married. Therefore, seek legal counsel if you ever find yourself living away from your spouse in different places.

How About For Temporary Relocations?

A married couple may occasionally be forced to live apart in different countries. This is typically the outcome of a temporary job assignment or other circumstance.

Although they usually don't cause issues, these conditions complicate your situation. Therefore, it's usually a good idea to speak with a prescreened Immigration Attorney in Los Angeles in these situations to ensure you don't have any troublesome circumstances.


top immigration lawyer california


Need a Los Angeles Immigration Attorney? 1000Attorneys can refer you to a prescreened California lawyer that can best handle your unique claim. Contact us through our 24/7 live chat (or complete our case details submission form) for a free initial consultation.

1000Attorneys.com - CALBAR-certifiction #0128

Official California State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

​

Established in 2005, 1000Attorneys.com is a California State Bar–certified Lawyer Referral and Information Service, operating under LRIS Certificate No. 0128, accredited by the American Bar Association, and independently listed as a LawHelpCA Verified Resource.

​

❝ Certified referral services exist to promote public protection, allowing consumers to bypass self-serving and misleading attorney advertising ❞

​

Our role is to connect Californians with reputable, vetted, independently licensed counsel through a regulated, certified channel.

 

We do not advertise on behalf of any law firm, do not auction inquiries to multiple competing attorneys, and do not engage in advertising-based or pay-to-play rankings.

 

While our primary focus areas are California employment law and personal injury matters, our referrals extend to many additional practice areas.

 

Each match is based on the legal issue presented, jurisdiction, statute-of-limitations considerations, and the attorney's licensure and experience profile.

​

Why Lawyer Referrals Matter in California

​

The California State Bar investigates thousands of attorney misconduct complaints each year.

 

Verifying that an attorney holds an active license is necessary but not sufficient — licensure alone does not capture disciplinary patterns, practice-area depth, or fit for a specific legal matter.

 

A State Bar Certified LRIS operates under defined statutory authority — Business and Professions Code § 6155, Rule 3.800 of the California Rules of Court, and the State Bar's Minimum Standards for a Lawyer Referral Service.

 

Non-certified matching platforms and lead-generation services are not authorized to operate under this framework.

​

As part of our referral process, we review publicly available licensure and disciplinary records and consider substantive practice experience in the area at issue.

 

→ Learn more about attorney discipline.

​

California Attorneys in Our Network

 

Panel attorneys are required to maintain an active California Bar license in good standing, demonstrate substantial experience in the relevant area of law, carry professional liability insurance, and comply with established client communication and ethical standards.

​

Evaluation criteria include:

​

  • Active California Bar licensure and verified disciplinary history

​

  • Depth of experience in the relevant practice area

​

  • Professional background and educational credentials

​

  • Client service standards, including responsiveness and communication

​

  • Client feedback and reviews, where available

​

  • Fee practices consistent with the California Rules of Professional Conduct

 

Participation in the referral service does not constitute an endorsement. The decision to retain counsel remains solely with the individual seeking legal representation.

​

How to Request a Lawyer Referral

​

  1. Submit your legal issue online for review by our staff. Online requests are typically processed in under 10 minutes.

  2. Email submissions are also accepted, with responses generally provided within one business day.

  3. Call our referral line at 661-310-7999. Referral agents are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice.

1000Attorneys.com American Bar Association Approved
bottom of page