Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
Form I-751 Overview For:
Form I-751 Explained
What is Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence?
Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, is used by conditional permanent residents to request the removal of conditions on their green card. If you received your green card through marriage and had been married for less than two years at the time, your green card is conditional and valid for only two years.
Filing Form I-751 is how you transition to a 10-year green card. You must file during the 90 days before your conditional card expires. Missing this deadline could result in the loss of your lawful status and removal from the U.S.
- Why some green cards are conditional: Immigration law places a two-year condition on marriage-based green cards to prevent fraud. This resulted in the conditional green card.
- What “removal of conditions” means: It's the process of proving your marriage is real and obtaining a 10-year green card.
The focus of this article is the USCIS form itself. However, a significant part of filing an I-751 petition package is the supporting documentation. In particular, the burden is on petitioners to prove that the marriage was entered in good faith. For more extensive information on this topic, refer to our content that addresses how to prove a bona fide marriage.
USCIS I-751 Online Filing
Can I file Form I-751 online?
USCIS does not currently allow online filing for Form I-751. However, you can still prepare your petition online using a reliable service to avoid costly mistakes.
Filing electronically doesn't guarantee faster processing. The best way to speed up your case is by submitting a complete and accurate petition. A well-prepared package can prevent delays, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), or even denials.
Remember: USCIS is not your advocate. If your submission includes harmful or confusing information, they won’t correct it. That’s why it's critical to get it right the first time.
CitizenPath's Removal of Conditions Petition Package makes it easy. Our affordable, attorney-developed service helps you prepare Form I-751 quickly and correctly. You'll get:
- Instant alerts if there’s a problem
- Personalized filing instructions
- A money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve your petition
The Right Time to File a Petition
When should I remove conditions on my green card?
If You Are Filing a Joint Petition
Most people will file Form I-751 jointly with their spouse. In this case, you must submit the form during the 90 days before your conditional green card expires.
USCIS will reject your petition if you file too early. If you file late, you risk losing your permanent resident status and may be placed in removal proceedings. Only certain exceptions allow late filing — and they require a written explanation.
Tip: You can find the expiration date on the front of your green card. Count back 90 days to find your earliest filing date.
If You Need a Waiver of the Joint Filing Requirement
If you cannot file jointly with your spouse, you may request a waiver of the joint filing requirement. In this case, you don’t need to wait for the 90-day window. You can file any time after becoming a conditional resident and before your green card expires.
You may qualify for a waiver if:
- Your marriage ended in divorce or annulment
- You were abused or subjected to extreme cruelty
- Your marriage ended due to the death of your spouse
- You would suffer extreme hardship if removed from the U.S.
Each waiver category has different evidence requirements. It’s critical to prepare a strong case with supporting documents that prove you entered the marriage in good faith. Most often, a waiver is necessary after divorce.
Form I-751 Instructions
How do I fill out I-751?
CitizenPath's easy-to-use website helps you prepare the petition quickly and accurately. Our online service provides step-by-step Form I-751 instructions so that you can fill out the petition in just a few minutes. We even give you a money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve your petition.
If you prefer to fill out the PDF-based application, you can download instructions from USCIS or follow this summary of directions.
General Guidance
- Type or print answers in black ink only.
- Enter “N/A” if an answer is not applicable and "NONE" if your answer is zero.
- Foreign language documents must be accompanied by a full English certified translation.
- Submit your petition with the current USCIS filing fee. USCIS will only accept payment by credit card with Form G-1450 or ACH debit from a bank account using Form G-1650.
- Submit photocopies for all supporting documents unless an original document is specifically required.
Part 1
- For Names, use your current legal name. If you’ve legally changed your name since the conditional green card was issued, submit a copy of the legal name change document (such as a marriage certificate). Be sure to list any other versions of your name used in the past such as a maiden name.
- For Mailing Address, provide any address where you can safely receive mail. Include your physical address only if it is different than your mailing address.
- For Additional Information, a "Yes" answer to items 18-20 is generally problematic. Seek the advice of an immigration attorney if you must answer "Yes." If you've ever lived at a different address since becoming a permanent resident, you'll need to include a separate page that details these addresses along with the dates at each.
Part 2
- For Biographic Information, answer how you identify in terms of race and ethnicity. Indicate other details about your height, weight, eye color and hair color.
Part 3
- For Joint Filing, answer if you continue to be married, living in marital union, and will be filing this petition with your spouse (or parent's spouse for children). Most people use this option.
- For Waiver or Individual Filing Request, answer if you are not filing jointly and must request a waiver for the joint filing requirement.
Part 4
- For Information About the U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse, provide details about the conditional resident's spouse. In the case of a child filing Form I-751 separate from a parent, use the parent's U.S citizen or permanent resident spouse's information.
Part 5
- For Information About Your Children, provide all details about your children. Generally, USCIS considers children to be any biological, step, or adopted dependents under the age of 21. If your dependent child acquired conditional residence on the same day as you or within 90 days thereafter, you may include them on this same petition.
Parts 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
- For Accommodations, indicate any disability or impairments for which you would like USCIS to provide accommodations. USCIS will make accommodations for you at the time of your biometrics screening and any other appointments.
- For Petitioner's Statement, the conditional resident should provide the requested information.
- For Spouse's or Individual's Statement, the conditional resident's spouse should provide the requested information if filing a joint petition.
- For Interpreter and Preparer, provide information if applicable. If you and your spouse prepared your Form I-751, it’s only necessary to sign as the “petitioner" and "spouse.” If another person translated or prepared the petition for you, be sure Parts 9 and 10 are filled in and signed appropriately.
This is an abbreviated list of Form I-751 instructions. We highly recommend that you download USCIS instructions or use CitizenPath’s service to prepare the petition. CitizenPath provides filing instructions customized to your situation. You’ll get detailed I-751 instructions that explain which supporting documents to submit, how to organize, and where to mail.
Supporting Documents for Form I-751
How do I evidence a bona fide marriage?
When filing Form I-751, you must include evidence that your marriage is real and not just for immigration purposes. USCIS requires strong proof of a bona fide marriage to approve the removal of conditions on your green card.
Common examples include:
- Joint bank or credit card statements
- Lease or mortgage agreements with both names
- Birth certificates of children born to the couple
- Photos, travel records, or affidavits from friends and family
The quality and variety of your documents matter. Some evidence carries more weight than others. Strong evidence can make the difference between a smooth approval and a Request for Evidence. See 33 Great Documents for Proving a Bona Fide Marriage on the I-751 Petition
Submit the Petition
Where should I mail Form I-751?
USCIS accepts the I-751 petition via mail only. They do not want petitioners to submit Form I-751 in-person at USCIS offices.
At the time of writing this guide, USCIS receives petitions at two locations called lockboxes: Elgin, IL and Phoenix, AZ. Although USCIS receives your petition package at these locations, they will process them somewhere else. If you have an interview, it will be at a USCIS office near that address you provide.
Petitioners who live in the following states will file at the Elgin lockbox: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, or Wisconsin.
If you are sending via the U.S. Postal Service, mail the package to:
USCIS
Attn: I-751
P.O. Box 4072
Carol Stream, IL 60197-4072
If you will send via a courier service like FedEx, UPS or DHL, mail the package to:
USCIS
Attn: I-751 (Box 4072)
2500 Westfield Drive
Elgin, IL 60124-7836
Petitioners who live in other states and territories will file at the Phoenix lockbox.
If you are sending via the U.S. Postal Service, mail the package to:
USCIS
Attn: I-751
P.O. Box 21200
Phoenix, AZ 85036-1200
If you will send via a courier service like FedEx, UPS or DHL, mail the package to:
USCIS
Attn: I-751 (Box 21200)
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850
Please note that USCIS does occasionally change lockbox locations that receive petitions. Refer to your CitizenPath filing instructions or the USCIS website for the most up-to-date information.
Form I-751 Processing Time
How long does it take for the removal of conditions?
USCIS is reporting processing times in excess of one year. CitizenPath customers generally experience some of the best processing times. Well-prepared petitions have the best chance to skip the interview and get a quick approval. For an in-depth look at what happens after filing Form I-751, visit our I-751 processing time line.
Reporting for processing times only includes forms that were successfully filed. If an individual does not correctly prepare a form or otherwise does not satisfy eligibility requirements, USCIS will reject or deny these requests. For the most recent year, USCIS reported the following national statistics:
USCIS Rejections in 2024
MODERATE RISK
USCIS Denials in 2024
LOW RISK
Removal of Conditions Interview
What should I expect at an I-751 interview?
USCIS generally requires an in-person interview when reviewing Form I‑751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. However, officers may waive the interview if they can make a decision based on the record.
Interview waiver may be granted when:
- Your supporting documents clearly establish a bona fide marriage.
- USCIS previously interviewed the principal petitioner (e.g., on Form I‑130 or Form I‑485).
- There are no signs of fraud, misrepresentation, or complex issues.
In practice, many applicants received a waiver when eligibility was well documented. But under the Trump administration, USCIS is applying stricter scrutiny, making interviews more likely, even in strong cases.
What this means for you:
- Don't assume you’ll skip the interview and prepare as if you'll attend.
- A complete, well-organized petition, especially one showing a genuine marriage, is your best path to avoiding the I-751 interview and ensuring a smooth removal of conditions process.
CitizenPath can help. Our affordable service ensures your petition package is properly prepared, complete with personalized instructions and evidence recommendations to maximize your chances of approval and reduce the likelihood of an interview.
Denials of Form I-751
What happens if USCIS denies my removal of conditions?
A denial of Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, has serious consequences. If USCIS does not approve your request, your conditional permanent resident status ends immediately. In most cases, USCIS will begin removal proceedings and issue a Notice to Appear in immigration court.
Reasons to Deny
USCIS may deny a petition for several reasons, including:
- Insufficient evidence of a bona fide marriage
- Missing the 90-day filing window without a valid explanation
- Failing to respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE)
- Indications of fraud or misrepresentation
Why Preparation Matters
Once denied, your options become limited and more costly. Strong supporting documents and careful preparation are the best defenses against denial. For many petitioners, the difference between approval and denial comes down to how clearly the petition demonstrates a genuine marriage and eligibility for the removal of conditions. Do not take this lightly. Overwhelm USCIS with evidence. Learn more in our post about the Top Reasons Why Form I-751 Gets Denied.
CitizenPath Makes Removal of Conditions Easy
Who can help me file the I-751 petition correctly?
CitizenPath's affordable, online service makes it easy to prepare Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. Designed by immigration lawyers, the Removal of Conditions Petition Package helps you eliminate the common errors that create delays, rejections and even denials. That's because the service alerts you when your answer to a question may be a problem. There's even live customer support and a money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve the petition. Learn more about the Removal of Conditions Petition Package >>
STEP 1 | Check Eligibility | |
We're going to ask you a few questions to make sure you're eligible and preparing the correct form. | ||
STEP 2 | Prepare Form I-751 | |
Our software will guide you through the I-751 petition using simple step-by-step instructions. | ||
STEP 3 | Download, Print and File | |
Once you're completely satisfied, you’ll be able to print your I-751 and customized filing instructions. | ||
