Build Your Future Together in the United States
Experienced attorney Support for Marriage-Based Green Cards
Marriage-based immigration involves more than proving that you are legally married. Your immigration history, manner of entry, financial sponsorship, prior relationships, and supporting evidence may all affect the case.
Lear Immigration Law, PC helps couples identify the appropriate process, address potential concerns, prepare accurate and well-supported applications, and get ready for the marriage green card interview.
Paid attorney consultation · In person at our Westminster office or by Zoom
Prefer to speak with our team? Call 303-578-9083
Colorado Attorney Since 2012
Established legal experience serving individuals and families.
Direct Attorney Access
Work directly with the attorney responsible for your case.
Detailed, Individualized Preparation
Every case is reviewed and prepared around the family's circumstances.
Experience at Every Stage
Marriage green card guidance from case strategy and evidence preparation through the USCIS interview.
Marriage-Based Green Card Cases We Handle
A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may petition for a qualifying spouse.
A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may petition for a qualifying spouse. The correct process depends on the sponsoring spouse's status, the intending immigrant's location, manner of entry, immigration history, and visa availability.
One-Step Marriage Adjustment
Certain eligible spouses of U.S. citizens may file the marriage petition and adjustment-of-status application together.
Other Adjustment-of-Status Cases
Some spouses in the United States may qualify to apply for permanent residence through USCIS after a petition is filed or approved and a visa is available.
Consular Processing for Spouses Abroad
A spouse outside the United States generally applies for an immigrant visa through the National Visa Center and a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Pending or Complicated Cases
We assist with pending applications, Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny, interview concerns, prior filings, and cases requiring careful legal review.
Our services are for couples seeking individualized legal advice and attorney representation—not form preparation alone.
DISCUSS YOUR MARRIAGE GREEN CARD CASE
A consultation can help identify whether a qualifying path may exist.
Proving Your Marriage Is Genuine
Your relationship is real. Your evidence should tell its story.
A marriage certificate establishes that a marriage legally occurred. A marriage-based green card case must also demonstrate that the couple entered the marriage in good faith and not solely to obtain an immigration benefit. This is often referred to as proving a “bona fide marriage.”
Evidence may include:
• A shared lease or mortgage
• Joint financial and tax records
• Insurance policies and beneficiary designations
• Photographs, travel, and communications
• Records involving children or shared responsibilities
• Statements from people who know your relationship
There is no perfect checklist. Newly married couples, spouses living apart temporarily, and couples with separate finances may have different forms of evidence.
How We Help
Lear Immigration Law helps you identify the most relevant evidence, organize it around the history of your relationship, and check it for consistency with your immigration forms.
We can also help explain unusual circumstances, address gaps in traditional joint records, update your evidence before the interview, and prepare you for questions about your marriage.
GET HELP PREPARING MY MARRIAGE GREE CARD CASE
Get individualized guidance on your marriage evidence before filing or attending your interview.
What Goes Into a Marriage-Based Green Card Case?
A strong case requires more than a marriage certificate.
When an intending immigrant is in the United States and married to a U.S. citizen, it may be possible to submit Form I-130 and Form I-485 together. This is commonly called concurrent filing or one-step adjustment.
A marriage-based case may involve:
• The family petition and adjustment-of-status application
• Financial-sponsorship and medical documentation
• Evidence demonstrating that the marriage is genuine
• Employment-authorization or travel-document requests, when appropriate
• Preparation for a USCIS marriage interview
• Removal of conditions in certain cases
Concurrent filing is not appropriate in every case. Prior entries, status violations, criminal history, earlier immigration applications, or removal proceedings may affect eligibility or risk.
When Careful Review Is Especially Important
A qualifying family relationship does not automatically establish eligibility for adjustment of status or guarantee approval.
Detailed review may be especially important when a case involves:
• Entry without inspection
• A visa overstay or unauthorized employment
• Prior removal or deportation proceedings
• Previous immigration petitions or visa applications
• Possible fraud or misrepresentation concerns
• Criminal charges, arrests, or citations
• Previous marriages or petitions for another spouse
• Financial-sponsorship or relationship-evidence concerns
• A Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny
• Planned international travel while a case is pending
• Prior immigration violations
Some concerns may be manageable. Others may affect eligibility, require a waiver, or make a different process necessary.
DISCUSS MY MARRIAGE-BASED IMMIGRATION CASE
A consultation can help identify these questions before an important filing or decision.
How Our Representation Works
1. Paid Attorney Consultation
Meet with an immigration attorney to discuss the sponsoring relative, intending immigrant, immigration history, goals, and concerns. The attorney will identify possible options and subjects requiring further analysis.
2. Eligibility and Process Review
We examine the relevant family category, visa availability, adjustment-of-status considerations, prior immigration history, and other facts that may affect the appropriate path.
3. Case Plan and Document Collection
If the firm offers representation and you retain us, we create an individualized case plan and provide a clear list of the records and information needed from each family member.
4. Detailed Preparation and Filing
Our team prepares the applicable forms and supporting evidence. We review the filing for accuracy and consistency and work with you to resolve questions or missing information before submission.
5. Government Follow-Through
After filing, we monitor notices and deadlines and help address additional requests when included in the representation.
6. Interview Preparation and Continued Guidance
If USCIS schedules an interview, we help you understand what to expect and prepare the information and documentation that may be relevant to your case.
Every case follows its own path. The required steps may vary depending on the immigration category, visa availability, eligibility, government processing, and developments after filing.
Why Families Choose Lear Immigration Law
An Immigrant-Led Firm That Understands the Stakes
Attorney Anya Lear's connection to immigration law is personal. Born and raised in Moscow, she came to the United States for college and later navigated her own path through the immigration system to U.S. citizenship.
That experience informs the firm's approach: listen carefully, communicate clearly, prepare diligently, and treat every client and family with respect.
Anya has practiced law in Colorado since 2012 and is fluent in English and Russian. Clients work directly with the attorney responsible for their case, supported by an experienced team committed to careful preparation and consistent communication.
Immigration, Made Understandable
We strip away the legal jargon. We pride ourselves on clear explanations, easy-to-follow instructions, and walking you through your options so you feel empowered, not confused.
Compassion in Every Step
You aren't a transaction. Our clients consistently tell us that they felt seen, heard, and supported from the initial consultation all the way through to their final interview.
Integrity-Driven Strategy
We build trust through honesty. We provide fair pricing and transparent assessments, ensuring that our strategy is tailored to the complexity of your unique situation, not just "the standard process."
Confidence at Your Interview
Marriage green card interviews can feel intimidating. An experienced attorney from our firm prepares you and your spouse for the questions, documents, and potential concerns, then stands beside you during the USCIS interview.
Client Testimonials
Don't Just Take It From Us, Here's What our Clients Have to Say
Alma Ismagulova
Before choosing Anna, I researched and received paid and free consultations from other companies and lawyers (I've also encountered scammers). I was choosing between three. During an hour-long consultation with Anna, she identified the most significant issue. We began gathering the necessary documents, with recommendations and corrections. I had access to electronic templates, phone calls, video calls, and text messages. She was completely accessible. And, what's more, she provided expert assistance. My case has been submitted, biometrics have been completed, and I'm waiting 150-180 days for my work permit. More to come! Thank you to Anna's entire team!
Young Hyun Chi
Anya and her team are professional, meticulous, attentive, and kind in what can be a pretty anxious and detail-oriented process. I was able to smoothly and rapidly secure a permanent residency thanks to this firm's good work after marrying my American wife while in Korea, about half a year after moving to Colorado. They are willing to attend interviews and other processes in person, and their office was always open for in-person work when I was required to do something or ask about something.
It's not an easy thing to willingly delegate a process that impacts your life so, but I highly recommend Lear Immigration Law if you want it done correctly.
Josue Godinez
I had an amazing experience with attorney Anya Lear of Lear Immigration Law. Even though I only speak Spanish, she took the time to explain everything to me patiently and made sure I understood every step. She is kind, understanding, and truly cares about her clients. Thanks to her, my case was resolved quickly and smoothly. She made a difficult process much easier and less stressful. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who needs a good lawyer. Thank you so much, Anya!
Brad Gersch
This team has been fantastic in helping us navigate the complex immigration process. They flawlessly handled our massive amount of paperwork and were always quick to answer our sudden, news-related questions. As a bonus, their beautifully designed office provides a truly calming environment. Highly recommended for their excellent service, efficient processes, and wonderful staff!
Anna Valsami
Anya and her team were recommended to me by a family friend and I'm really glad I got in touch with them! I was ready to apply for my US citizenship and I wanted to make sure everything was done correctly. Anya was incredibly professional, thorough and caring from start to finish and I felt confident that she was on top of my case every step of the way. Overall, it was a seamless experience! Highly recommended to anyone needing assistance in their own immigration journey. Thank you Anya and team!
Yana Miloserdova
Thanks to Anya and her amazing team! Due to their professionalism, my Green Card application was processed remarkably quickly. We felt well supported throughout the entire process. The team was always available to address my questions and communicated with us from the beginning to the end of the process.
I highly recommend Lear Immigration Law and definitely plan to use their services again in the future for any of my immigration needs!
New more proof? Check out our other online reviews.
Here are some cases we are proud to share more about.
*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Let's Start Your Journey Toward a Secure Future
Before filing a family petition or adjustment-of-status application, understand the available process, required evidence, and potential concerns that may affect the case.
Schedule a paid consultation to discuss your family's circumstances with an immigration attorney.
Paid attorney consultation • In-person or Zoom
Or call 303-578-9083 during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (Make Marriage-Based Specific)
Who can file a family-based immigration petition?
U.S. citizens may petition for certain spouses, parents, children, adult sons or daughters, and siblings. Permanent residents may petition for certain spouses and unmarried children or adult sons or daughters.
The available category depends on the petitioner's immigration status and the intending immigrant's age, marital status, and family relationship.
What do Forms I-130 and I-485 do?
Form I-130 asks USCIS to recognize a qualifying family relationship. Its approval does not, by itself, grant a green card or lawful immigration status.
Form I-485 is the application through which an eligible person in the United States requests permanent residence. Certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may be able to file both forms together.
What if my relative is outside the United States?
A relative outside the United States will generally pursue an immigrant visa through consular processing after the required petition and visa-availability steps.
The attorney can help identify which process may apply and whether any concerns should be addressed before the case proceeds abroad.
What if the intending immigrant overstayed a visa or entered without inspection?
Certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not subject to some adjustment-of-status bars involving overstays or unauthorized employment. This does not mean everyone qualifies.
Entry without inspection presents different legal questions. The manner of entry, prior immigration history, and other facts should be evaluated before filing.
What evidence or interviews may be required?
Evidence may include civil records, proof of citizenship or permanent residence, financial documents, immigration records, and documents establishing the family relationship.
Marriage-based cases generally require evidence that the marriage is genuine. USCIS determines whether an interview is required.
What can we discuss during a paid consultation?
A consultation can address a possible new case, a pending application, an upcoming interview, a Request for Evidence, or concerns about immigration history.
The attorney will provide an individualized assessment based on the available information and explain possible next steps. A consultation does not guarantee that the firm will offer representation but we always aim to provide as much value as possible.
This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration eligibility and outcomes depend on the facts and law applicable to each case, and no result is guaranteed.