1. Cover letter

Include a cover letter to explain the nature of your application and list the documents that you are going to attach. (see a sample cover letter)

2. Form G-1450 (or another payment method)

Use this form only if you use credit card as the payment method. However you can use Money order, personal check, cashier’s check. The correct fee can be found in here under filing fee or from USCIS fee calculator. Currently, the fee for an adult is $1225 ($1140-application fee+$85-biomatric fee) . Include the original G-1450 not a copy and Don’t forget to sign the G-1450

3. Form G-1145 (e-notification)

Use this form to receive text and email regarding the status of your petition (application). E.g. application accepted by Chicago lockbox. Include the Original G-1145

4. Two identical color passport photos

You can get passport photos at CVS, Walgreen or Walmart. It should be 2×2 color photo with white background. Write your name behind the photo with a pencil ( do not press hard when you are writing)

5. Sealed Medical Exam (Form I-693)

This is the sealed envelop that your Civil surgeon gave you.

6. Form I-485(Application)

This is the main application. You should read the instruction carefully and answer all the question truthfully. Check the edition date before you send your application (learn more). If you use a wrong edition they will reject your application. Watch our video to learn how to fill the I-485 form. Don’t forget to sign

7. Copy of DV selection letter(1 NL)

This is your selection letter. (see this example). A black&white copy is fine

8. Copy of email from KCC (2 NL)

This is the email attachment you received from KCC (see the example).

9. Copy of DV fee receipt

This is the paid receipt you received from department of states with your self-stamped-addressed envelop (see the example)

10. Copy of your original birth certificate

Your birth certificate must have your name, date of birth, place of birth, parents names and date of birth and official seal (endorsement). If your birth certificate is not in English you must include a translation.

11. Copy of your passport BIO page

This is the first page of your passport where you can see your personal information. Also include your previous expired passport bio page if you have any.

12. Copy of your current VISA page

This is the Visa page in your passport (e.g. F1/F2/H1B)

13. Copies of your previous VISA pages (if applicable)

If you have previous Visa (to US) include them as well.

14. Copy of your most recent I-94

You can download your recent I-94 from the official website

15. Copies of your VISA entry stamps

This the admission entry stamps on your passport

16. Copies of your authorized status

These are the documents that shows your legal status (e.g. I-20 for F1/F2 students)

17. Copies of your last 3 years W2s (if applicable)

If you are employed, include your W2s for the last 3 years (if you don’t have 3 include as many as you have). If you are not employed (now or previously) you don’t need to worry about this.

18. Copy of your SSN (if applicable)

Send a copy of SSN if you have one. If you don’t have one then don’t worry.

19. Copies of your last 3 months pay stubs (if applicable)

If you are employed, include your last 3 months paystubs (6 if you are paid biweekly). If you are unemployed don’t worry.

20. Copy of your employment verification (if applicable)

21. Most recent tax transcript

This is not the tax refund document. You can request your recent tax transcript from IRS by mail or online.

22. Copy of your high school diploma

You must include your high school diploma with a translation if not in English. Even if you have a University degree transcript you still need the high school diploma.

23. Any notices you receive from USCIS

if you have any document that you received from USCIS, like Notice of Action (I-797)

24. Any court or police reports/records

If you ever involved with an arrest, criminal charge, conviction or any other type of law enforcement procedure you should include those original reports or certified copies. Minor traffic citations are not required to report if the fine is less than $500.

If you are legally married then your spouse is also eligible to apply for green card as a derivative. But your spouse has to file a separate application and pay the required fees ($1225).

Include all the documents in Single person tab and these are the document that your spouse’s application should have

1. Form G-1450 (or another payment method):

For an adult the fees are same as the principle applicant. You can send a single payment for both applicant but highly recommend to send separate payments since if one application has an error both get rejected if you use one payment.

2. Form G-1145 (e-notification)

Spouse can also include this form

3. Two identical color passport photos

4. Sealed Medical Exam (Form I-693)

5. Form I-485(Application)

Your spouse also must fill another I-485 form.

6. Copy of DV selection letter(1 NL)

Include your 1NL

7. Copy of email from KCC (2 NL)

Include your 2NL

8. Copy of DV fee receipt

Include the same one you include yours

9. Copy of your spouse’s original birth certificate

Your spouse birth certificate must also have the same information as described above

10. Copy of your marriage certificate

This should include both of yours full names, date of marriage, place of marriage. Also, include a translation if not in English. If either of you been previously married include a copy of divorce certificate with translations.

11. Copy of your spouse’s passport BIO page

12. Copy of your spouse’s current VISA page

13. Copies of your spouse’s previous VISA pages (if applicable)

14. Copy of your spouse’s most recent I-94

15. Copies of your spouse’s VISA entry stamps

16. Copies of your spouse’s authorized status

17. Copies of your spouse’s last 3 years W2s (if applicable)

18. Copy of your spouse’s SSN (if applicable)

If your spouse doesn’t have one then don’t worry.

19. Copies of your spouse’s last 3 months pay stubs (if applicable)

20. Copy of your spouse’s employment verification (if applicable)

21. Most recent spouse’s tax transcript

22. Any notices your spouse receive from USCIS

23. Any court or police reports/records

If you have kids who are not US citizens then they are also eligible to apply for green card as derivatives. But your kids have to file a separate application and pay the required fees (for kids it’s $750 per kid).

Include all the documents in Single person tab and Married Couples and these are the document that your each kid’s application should have

1. Form G-1450 (or another payment method):

Fees for a child age under 14 is currently $750. You can send a single payment for all applicants but highly recommend to send separate payments since if one application has an error all get rejected if you use one payment.

2. Form G-1145 (e-notification)

3. Form I-485(Application)

Your kid also must fill another I-485 form.

4. Copy of DV selection letter(1 NL)

Include your 1NL

5. Copy of email from KCC (2 NL)

Include your 2NL

6. Copy of DV fee receipt

Include the same one you include yours

7. Copy of your kid’s original birth certificate

8. Copy of your kid’s passport BIO page

9. Copy of your kid’s current VISA page

10. Copies of your kid’s previous VISA pages (if applicable)

11. Copy of your kids most recent I-94

12. Any notices your spouse receive from USCIS

13. Any court or police reports/records