The 3 IMPORTANT Things to Do Before You Marry an American for a Green Card

Before you marry an American to get a green card, there’s something no one tells you: your future spouse has two jobs. You can only do one alone; you have to complete the other two steps together. Think of it as a mini test of commitment. If your American partner won’t show up for these two simple but essential tasks, that’s a red flag. Because getting a green card through marriage isn’t just paperwork—it’s teamwork, patience, and shared responsibility. Before you say, “I do,” make sure they’re ready to do their part. Your immigration future depends on it.

1. Get a Social Security Card – You will need it for the next two steps. Several ways are possible. For example, if returning to your home country will put you in significant harm, you can file for asylum and get a work permit while that case is pending.
2. Join Your Financial Futures – The American’s level of commitment to doing this shows whether they are actually willing to remain married until you get the green card, or only get a marriage certificate but possibly divorce soon after.
   • Joint bank account – for FUTURE expenses: the wedding, the apartment or house deposit, emergencies, vacations. Each person can keep another separate account, but as most bills will be shared, the MAJORITY of income from each person should flow DIRECTLY into this joint account. (If you can’t trust the other person with your money, you can’t trust them with your immigration future.)
   • Credit cards – At least one should be an authorized user on the other’s credit card.
   • Joint loans – One serves as cosigner for the other person’s car or personal loan. Again, if the American refuses to cosign a small loan, the marriage will probably fail before the green card arrives.
   • Beneficiary designations – At least one should be the beneficiary on bank accounts, retirement accounts, or life insurance of the other.
   • Prenuptial agreement – Make a contract about who pays which expenses both before marriage and during the marriage. This is especially important if one partner earns much more.

Do NOT mix your finances without paperwork, such as “unofficial” cash loans or sharing a single person’s bank account login information.

3. Move In Together – both names on ALL documents – the lease contract; mailbox assignment; both copied on emails from the leasing agency / realtor; utility setup; proof of renter’s/property insurance; both names on community amenities (gym, pool); both copied on any maintenance requests.

Soon after moving to the new address, you and ESPECIALLY the American spouse need to change your address with Division of Motor Vehicles (driver’s license); US Postal Service; US Citizenship & Immigration Service; Immigration Court; Social Security Administration; IRS; banks; credit cards; insurance companies; employers; doctors and veterinarian; accounts and services (for example, Amazon, Netflix).