Chicago Removal of Conditions I-751 Attorney

While most green cards issued in the United States are valid for 10 years, those who’ve obtained theirs through marriage are a bit different. Individuals with conditional residency must file for a Removal of Conditions once their green card expires, including those for foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Don’t take the chance of losing your residency status. Let our team of Chicago Removal of Conditions I-751 attorneys guide you through the process.

What Is USCIS Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)?

Form I-751 is used for individuals who obtained a conditional green card after marrying a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to obtain a permanent one. If you’ve received a marriage-based conditional green card, it’s only valid for a short two years. To keep your residency status in the country, you’ll need to petition to remove the conditions on your residency.

Our Chicago Removal of Conditions Attorneys Can Check Your Eligibility

If your conditional green card is nearing its expiration date, it’s time to do something about it. However, like most USCIS forms and applications, the process can be a bit tricky. Have you been asking yourself, “How do I get permanent residency in Chicago?” or “How do I turn my conditional green card into a permanent one?” If so, one of our Removal of Conditions lawyers can help to walk you through the process.

The eligibility requirements for filing Form I-751 include:

You’re still married to your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse
Your child or children received their green cards at the same time as you
You are a child who can’t be included in your parents’ green card application
Your spouse died
You divorced your spouse, but your marriage was bona fide
You or your children were abused by your spouse

If you’re still married to your spouse and aren’t having any relationship problems, this is the easiest scenario when filing to remove the conditions on your residency status. Still, the filing procedure can be a nerve-wracking process. If your spouse has passed or you’re now divorced, this adds another level of difficulty to obtaining your permanent residency card. If you divorced your U.S. spouse or are in the process of doing so, you’ll need to prove that your marriage was real and have grounds to end the relationship. This is where a Chicago removal of conditions attorney comes to the rescue.

Don’t risk something as important as your permanent residency. We can help you gather the necessary information and documents while guiding you through the process of filing Form I-751.

How Do I File Form I-751?

Like most USCIS applications, Form I-751 requires piles of documentation. To file this form successfully, you must supply:

You and your spouse’s signatures on the completed Form I-751
Copies of your green card, front and back
Recent photos of you and any children you have
Proof that your marriage is genuine. Examples of acceptable proof can include:
- Joint ownership of a house or apartment in Chicago
- Shared bank accounts or credit cards
- Bills or mail addressed to you and your spouse at your shared Chicago address
- Insurance policies naming each other as beneficiaries
- Joint tax returns

The process becomes a bit more difficult if you fall under the following conditions:

Your spouse has passed away
You and your spouse have divorced or are separated
Your spouse was abusive to you or your child
You believe if you left the United States, it would cause you extreme hardship

Depending on the complexity of your situation, filing for removal of conditions generally looks like this:

Fill Out the Form:
- Complete all sections of Form I-751.
- If you are filing with your spouse, select “joint filing.” If you are filing alone due to divorce, abuse, or other reasons, select the appropriate waiver.
Gather Required Documents:
- Proof of Marriage: Examples include joint bank statements, mortgage/lease agreements, insurance policies, and photos together.
- Copy of Green Card: Provide a copy of both the front and back of your conditional green card.
- Waiver Documents (if applicable): If filing alone, include proof like divorce papers, evidence of abuse, or documents showing hardship.
Pay the Filing Fee:
- Pay by check, money order, or credit card (using Form G-1450 for credit card payments).
Submit the Form:
- Mail the completed form, documents, and payment to the correct USCIS address based on your location. The address can be found in the I-751 instructions.
Wait for USCIS Processing:
- USCIS processing can take 12–18 months. While waiting, you’ll receive a receipt that extends your conditional green card status by 24 months.
Attend an Interview (if required):
- USCIS may schedule an interview to verify your marriage. Bring your original documents and be prepared to answer questions about your relationship.

Contact a Removal of Conditions on Residence Lawyer Today

A marriage-based green card doesn’t last a lifetime. These are conditional and expire after a quick two years. To remain legally in the country as a resident, the spouses of U.S. citizens or permanent residents must file for removal of conditions. Doing so will replace their conditional residency with a permanent green card.

Unfortunately, the process can be challenging and even more so if your U.S. spouse has died, you’ve divorced, or you are separated due to spousal abuse. Don’t let something as important as your permanent residency fall to the sidelines.

Speak to one of our removal of conditions attorneys today and protect your residency status.