Daniel Trust Foundation

What is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status?

Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used by a person in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status.

Who is Eligible to file the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and certain other Federal laws provide many different ways to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident. This is often informally referred to as applying for a “green card.”

The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying under. You must be physically present in the United States to file this application.

You may apply as the person who directly qualifies for an immigrant category (“principal applicant”) or, in some cases, as a family member of the principal applicant (“derivative applicant”). Whether you are a principal or derivative applicant, you must file your own Form I-485.

What documents should I submit with the application?

Two passport style photographs.

A copy of your government-issued identity document with a photograph.

A copy of your birth certificate. If it is unavailable or does not exist, submit other acceptable evidence of birth such as church, school, or medical records, and proof of unavailability or nonexistence.

Inspection and admission, or inspection and parole documentation (unless applying for adjustment under INA 245(i)). For more information and examples, please see the form instructions.

Documentation of immigrant category, such as a copy of Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the Form I-130 filed on your behalf (unless you are filing your Form I-485 with the Form I-130 filed on your behalf).

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (if required).

Certified police and court records of all criminal charges, arrests, or convictions regardless of final disposition (if applicable).

Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility (if applicable).

Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal (if applicable).

Documentation regarding J-1 and J-2 exchange visitor status (Form I-612, if applicable).

Form I-508, Waiver of Diplomatic Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities (if applicable).

Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – A, G, or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G, or NATO Status (only if you have A, G, or NATO nonimmigrant status).

Form I-485 Supplement A, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i) (Supplement A) (if applicable).

Family Members: If you are the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen’s immediate relative, you must independently qualify for adjustment of status and file your own application. You cannot qualify for adjustment of status as the derivative beneficiary based on the immediate relative’s application.

Checklist for Family Preference Immigrants

If you are a principal applicant, did you provide the following?

Everything listed above for immediate relatives.

Proof that you have continuously maintained a lawful status since arriving in the United States.

If you are the spouse or unmarried child under 21 years of age of a family-based principal applicant, did you provide the following?

Everything listed above for immediate relatives.

Proof you have continuously maintained a lawful status since arriving in the United States.

A copy of documentation showing your relationship to the principal applicant, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption decree. If your marriage certificate is unavailable or does not exist, submit other acceptable evidence such as church records and proof of unavailability or nonexistence.

A copy of the Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the principal applicant’s Form I 130 (unless you are filing your Form I-485 together with the principal applicant’s Form I 485).

A copy of the Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the principal applicant’s Form I 485 or a copy of the principal applicant’s Green Card (if not filing together with the principal applicant’s Form I-485).

What forms does Daniel Trust Foundation help me complete?

G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
I-485, Application for Adjustment of Status
I-864, Affidavit of Support for Sponsoring Spouse
I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
I-131, Application for Travel Document

What is the filing fee to Register for Permanent Residence or Adjust Status?

Daniel Trust Foundation document preparation fee is $1,500
USCIS filing fee for Form I-485 is $1,140 for most applicants
USCIS biometric services fee for your application, if required, is $85

How do I begin the application process and how does it work?

Call/Text 347-718-9921 to schedule a consultation with our team.

Complete and sign our document preparation agreement.

Make a payment to cover our document preparation fee.

We will send you a form you can complete and upload copies of the initial required evidence.

A team member will schedule a Zoom meeting to review the completed application with you.

We will help you put together a cover letter that will be placed on top of your application package.

We will print the application and all the required initial evidence and mail it to your home so you can sign it.

You will sign the application, include the USCIS filing fee and mail the application for processing.

Once USCIS receives your application package, they will send you a receipt in the mail.

A member of our team will be there and provide you with support during the entire process.