sample cover letter for removal of conditional status

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Home » USCIS Cover Letter Samples: A Complete Guide

USCIS Cover Letter Samples

Sample uscis cover letter by form type.

A cover letter is an overview document that gives the USCIS officer a quick summary of what to expect in the application package. Generally, it should include an outline of the contents. In some cases, it may be a good way to communicate any special circumstances that you have.

Use each sample USCIS cover letter as an example only. You’ll need to customize it to fit your own specific situation. Although supporting documents listed in the letter may be representative of a typical case, you may need different evidence based on the way you prepared the USCIS form. Use CitizenPath to get step-by-step instructions and a checklist of supporting documents.

Form I-90 Cover Letter Sample

Form i-129f cover letter sample, form i-130 cover letter sample, form i-131 cover letter sample, form i-485 cover letter sample, form i-751 cover letter sample, form i-765 cover letter sample, form i-821d cover letter sample, form n-400 cover letter sample, form n-565 cover letter sample, form n-600 cover letter sample, tips when writing a letter.

The USCIS generally is not required when filing an immigration application or petition. However, it is recommended. A well written letter projects care and professionalism. If you present your case with pride and attention to detail, it’s more likely that a USCIS officer will notice the importance you place on the request. With this in mind:

Keep your cover letter short and simple;
Use typed English on single-sided white paper;
Proofread before sending.

What to Include in Your USCIS Cover Letter

Our examples are for informational purposes only. You must review and customize the letter for your specific use. In general, a USCIS cover letter should contain the following elements:

USCIS address
Date of filing
Subject line that identifies the relevant benefit
Short introductory paragraph describing the purpose of the letter
List of the documents in your package that support your request for the immigration benefit
Name and signature

USCIS sample cover letter for CitizenPath immigration

The USCIS filing fee, supporting documents, and mailing address will vary based on form and other factors. You may find this information on the USCIS website . If you’re using CitizenPath to prepare your application or petition , you’ll receive filing instructions that are customized to your situation. Our filing instructions include easy-to-follow directions and a checklist of supporting documents.

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I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

ALERT: In January 2023, USCIS extended the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence , or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status , for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date. Read more here: USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Conditional Permanent Residents with a Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829 .

Use this form if you are a conditional permanent resident who obtained status through marriage and want to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status.

Forms and Document Downloads

Form I-751 (PDF, 597.13 KB)

Instructions for Form I-751 (PDF, 342.37 KB)

Form Details

04/01/24 . You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Dates are listed in mm/dd/yy format.

If you complete and print this form to mail it, make sure that the form edition date and page numbers are visible at the bottom of all pages and that all pages are from the same form edition. If any of the form’s pages are missing or are from a different form edition, we may reject your form.

If you need help downloading and printing forms, read our instructions .

For a complete list of addresses, visit our Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-751 page.

If USCIS granted you conditional permanent resident status through marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, use Form I-751 to file for the removal of those conditions.

If you are filing Form I-751 jointly with your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse:

You must file your Form I-751 during the 90-day period immediately before your conditional residence expires.
Visit our When to File Your Petition to Remove Conditions , page to determine the first day of your 90-day filing window. If you file your petition before that date, it may be rejected.

If you were not included in your parent’s petition and are filing a separate joint petition with your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident stepparent:

You may file your I-751 petition at any time before your conditional permanent resident status expires.

If you are not filing your I-751 petition jointly, and are requesting a waiver of the joint filing requirement for one of the following reasons:

Termination of your status and removal from the United States would result in extreme hardship;
You or your parent entered into the marriage in good faith, but your spouse or stepparent subsequently died;
You entered into your marriage in good faith, but the marriage ended by annulment or divorce;
You entered into your marriage in good faith, but during the marriage you or your child were battered or subjected to extreme cruelty committed by your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse; or
Your parent entered into the marriage in good faith, but during the marriage you were battered or subject to extreme cruelty by your parent or your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident stepparent.

You may file your Form I-751 individually, or with a request to waive the joint filing requirement depending on the circumstance, at any time before your conditional permanent resident status expires.

Refer to the form instructions for more specific guidance related to waivers or filing your Form I-751 petition and to our Removing Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage , page.

You can find the filing fee for Form I-751 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.

You can pay the fee with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or pay by credit card or debit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions . If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

When you send a payment, you agree to pay for a government service. Filing fees are final and non-refundable, regardless of any action we take on your application, petition, or request, or if you withdraw your request. If you pay by credit card or debit card, you cannot later dispute the payment. Use our Fee Calculator to help determine your fee.

If you are submitting multiple forms, pay each filing fee separately. We are transitioning to electronically processing immigration benefit requests, which requires us to use multiple systems to process your package. We may reject your entire package if you submit a single, combined payment for multiple forms.

Please do not submit this checklist with your Form I-751. The checklist is an optional tool to use as you prepare your form, but does not replace statutory, regulatory, and form instruction requirements. We recommend that you review these requirements before completing and submitting your form. Do not send original documents unless specifically requested in the form instructions or applicable regulations.

If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

If you are filing a joint petition, did you provide the following?

Copies of the front and back of your Permanent Resident Card;
Copies of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Cards of any conditional permanent resident children you are including in your petition (if applicable);
Submit copies of documents indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted status was entered in good faith and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date;
An explanation for the reason you are filing late (if applicable);
An explanation for the reason you are filing separately from your primary conditional permanent resident parent (if applicable);
Dispositions on criminal charges, arrests, or convictions (if applicable); and
Two completed Form FD- 258 Fingerprint Cards for each petitioner and dependent 14 to 79 years of age; and
A copy of current military or government orders.

If you are filing an individual request because of the death of the petitioning spouse or stepparent, did you provide the following?

Submit copies of documents indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted status was entered in good faith and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the date of your spouse's or stepparent's death;
Your spouse’s or stepparent's death certificate;
Two passport-style photographs for each petitioner and dependent, regardless of age;

If you are filing a waiver of the joint filing requirement due to a termination of marriage other than through death of the petitioning spouse or stepparent, did you provide the following?

Copies of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Cards of any conditional resident children you are including in your petition (if applicable);
Submit copies of documents indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted status was entered in good faith and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage until the marriage terminated;
The final divorce or annulment decree;
Evidence demonstrating any circumstances surrounding the end of the relationship;

If you are filing a waiver of the joint filing requirement because you and/or your conditional resident child were battered or subjected to extreme cruelty, did you provide the following?

With respect to abuse waivers, you may file your form with any credible evidence relevant to the application. The determination of what evidence is credible and the weight to be given (meaning how important the evidence is)is within our sole discretion.

Evidence of abuse;
The final divorce or annulment decree if your marriage was terminated by divorce on grounds of physical abuse or extreme cruelty;

If you are filing a waiver of the joint filing requirement because the termination of your status and removal would result in extreme hardship, did you provide the following?

Evidence of extreme hardship;
Two completed Form FD- 258 Fingerprint Cards for each petitioner and dependent 14 to 79 years of age;

Filing Tips: Review our Tips for Filing Forms by Mail page for information on how to ensure we will accept your form.

Don’t forget to sign your form. We will reject any unsigned form.

E-Notification: If you want to receive an e-mail and/or a text message that we have accepted your form at a USCIS lockbox, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance , and clip it to the first page of your form.

USCIS Policy Manual Volume 6, Part I, Family-Based Conditional Permanent Residents
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Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage

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Home » Greencard » Family Based Green card » Remove Conditions on Residence

Petition to Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage

You would get conditional permanent residence valid for 2 years if it was based on a marriage that was less than 2 years old from the day you were given permanent residence ( the day you were lawfully admitted to the U.S. on an immigrant visa or received an adjustment of status). CR-1, the notation in your passport stamp, indicates that you are a conditional resident. You must prove that you did not get married to evade the immigration laws of the U.S. A CR-1 conditional resident has the same rights and responsibilities as a permanent resident. Therefore, you can count your time as a conditional resident towards the time to be eligible for a U.S. citizenship.

When you obtain conditional residence status, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will notify you of the conditional basis of your status, the requirements for removal of the conditions, and what would happen if you failed to file a petition to remove the conditions. You will not get another reminder when it is time to actually file for the petition.

You and your spouse must apply together during the 90 day period before your second anniversary as a conditional resident (not second marriage anniversary) to remove the conditions on your residence. If you do not apply to remove the conditions in time, you could lose your conditional resident status and be put in removal proceedings.

If you file your application too soon, that is, earlier than 90 days before your conditional residence expires, the application will be sent back to you. Remember that you need to file up to 90 days in advance, and 90 days is always not the same as 3 months. If you are late only by a few days or a few weeks, mail the application with a cover letter explaining the delay. If you are no longer married to your sponsor spouse or have been battered or abused by your spouse, you can apply to waive the joint filing requirement. In such cases, you may apply to remove the conditions on your permanent residence any time after you have become a conditional resident but before you are removed from the U.S. Your children may be included in your application if they got their conditional resident status at the same time or within 90 days. Your child must file a separate application if they received conditional resident status more than 90 days after you did or were granted conditional resident status independently. If you file your USCIS Form I-751 on time, the USCIS will extend your conditional resident status for up to 12 months while your petition is under review. The Form I-751 can be filed regardless of whether you are physically present in the U.S. at the time you file. However, you must return to the U.S. with your spouse and children in order to comply with the interview requirement.

New Immigrants Insurance

Cover letter Sample letter
Form I-751 , Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence Sample I751
Copy of USCIS Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card) You must include it for you and for any of your conditional resident children you are filing in your petition. Submit copies of both front and back sides of the card.
Application fee must be sent with the application. Additionally, biometric fee is required. You can either make two separate checks or a combined check. Separate biometric fees are required for each applicant and for each dependent. Fee details
Evidence that you did not get married to evade the immigration laws of the U.S. Bona fide marriage documentation The documents should cover the period from the date you received the conditional green card to the filing of this petition. You may also submit affidavits sworn to or affirmed by at least 2 people (who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents) who have known both of you since your conditional residence was granted and have personal knowledge of your marriage and relationship. (Such persons may be required to testify before an immigration officer as to the information contained in the affidavit.) The original affidavit must be submitted and also contain the following information regarding the person making the affidavit: his or her full name and address; date and place of birth; relationship to you and your spouse, if any; and full information and complete details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge. The signatures must be notarized. Affidavits must be supported by other types of evidence listed above. Sample letters
An original official statement by the arresting agency or applicable court order confirming that no charges were filed.
An original or court-certified copy of the complete arrest record and/or disposition for each incident (e.g., dismissal order, conviction record, or acquittal order.) If you have ever been convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program (such as a drug treatment or community service program), submit:
An original or certified copy of your probation or parole record; or
Evidence that you completed an alternative sentencing program, or rehabilitative program.
An original court-certified copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging, or otherwise removing the arrest or conviction; or otherwise removing the arrest or conviction; or
If no record is available, an original statement from the court that no record exists of your arrest or conviction. NOTE: You do not need to submit documentation for traffic fines incidents, unless
A traffic incident was alcohol- or drug-related
And it did not involve an actual arrest if the only penalty was a fine of less than $500 and/or points on your driver’s license.
2 identical photographs for each applicant and dependents regardless of age
If you are between the ages of 14 and 79 (applicants and dependents), two completed fingerprint cards (Form FD-258). Make sure that the completed cards are not bent, folded, or creased. You must indicate your A Number on the fingerprint card. You need to fingerprint cards prepared by a U.S. Embassy or consulate, USCIS office, or U.S. Military installation. If you are filing based on military or Government orders, make sure to write “ACTIVE MILITARY” or “GOVERNMENT ORDERS” on top of Form I-751 and submit a copy of your current military or government records.
Form I-751 must be signed by both you and your spouse
Copy of your spouse’s death certificate
Evidence that you entered in the marriage in good faith
Copy of your divorce or annulment decree If you are in divorce proceedings but not yet divorced, you may not apply for a waiver of the requirement to file a joint petition, based on the “good faith” exception.
Evidence that you were not at fault in failing to file the petition on time, if applicable.
Evidence of the physical abuse, such as copies of reports or official records issued by police, judges, medical personnel, school officials and representatives of social service agencies, and original affidavits as described above; or
Evidence of the abuse, such as copies of reports or official records issued by police, courts, medical personnel, school officials, clergy, social workers and other social service agency personnel. You may also submit any legal documents relating to an order of protection against the abuser or relating to any legal steps you may have taken to end the abuse. You may also submit evidence that you sought safe haven in a battered women’s shelter or similar refuge, as well photographs evidencing your injuries.
Copy of your divorce decree if your marriage was terminated because of physical abuse or mental cruelty.
Evidence that you were not at fault in failing to file the petition on time, if applicable. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can find help through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224 (for hearing impaired). Help is available in Spanish and other languages. The Violence Against Women Act allows abused spouses and children of U.S. citizens and LPRs to “self petition”, or file their own petition to become a lawful permanent resident.
USCIS Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence)
Copy of USCIS Form I551 (Permanent Resident Card)
Evidence that your deportation would cause greater hardship than the hardships created when other aliens are removed from the United States. The evidence must be related only to those factors that arose since you became a conditional resident. However you should note that in evaluating the claim that your removal from the United States will cause you extreme hardship, the Service will only consider factors which arose after the date you obtained your conditional permanent residence.
A written explanation of why you are filing separately from your parents, and any supporting documentation.

Filing The Application

Application filing instructions

If you live in:

Mail your I-751 to:

USCIS Elgin Lockbox

US Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS Attn: I-751 P.O. Box 4072 Carol Stream, IL 60197-4072

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS Attn: I-751 (Box 4072) 2500 Westfield Drive Elgin, IL 60124-7836

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS Attn: I-751 P.O. Box 21200 Phoenix, AZ 85036-1200

USCIS Attn: I-751 (Box 21200) 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850

Filing jointly. If you are filing for the petition jointly with your spouse, you must file it during the 90-day period immediately before the second anniversary of the date you were granted conditional resident status. After those 90 days, your conditional residence expires. If you and your spouse are outside of the U.S. on the orders of the U.S. Government during the period in which the petition must be filed, you may file it within 90 days of your return to the U.S.

You may file a petition to request that the joint filing requirement be waived any time after you are granted conditional resident status and before you are removed.

The effect of not filing. If this petition is not filed, you would automatically lose your permanent resident status as of the second anniversary of the date on which you were granted conditional status. You would then become removable from the U.S. You would then receive a notice from the USCIS telling you that you have failed to remove the conditions, and you will also receive a “Notice to Appear” for a hearing. At the hearing you may review and rebut the evidence against you. You are responsible for proving that you complied with the requirements, but the USCIS is not responsible for proving that you did not comply with the requirements. If your failure to file was through no fault of your own, you may file your petition late with a written explanation and request that the USCIS excuse the late filing. Failure to file before the expiration date may be excused if you demonstrate when you submit the application that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control and that the length of the delay was reasonable. The director of the USCIS Service Center has the discretion to approve the petition and restore your permanent resident status.

Receipt Notice

A few weeks after the USCIS receives your complete application, they will send you a receipt noticed called a I-797C, Notice of Action. This is a very important document, because it extends your residency for another 1 year while the application is pending. It is your only proof of legal status until the application gets approved and can be used for employment, travel, and other purposes. You must also carry your expired green card at the same time because it has your photo on it. Before you travel internationally, it is advisable to visit your local USCIS office and get an I-551 stamp in your passport. Bring your unexpired passport, expired green card, and your receipt notice. The USCIS will take your green card, and they will stamp “I-551” in your passport. This stamp will serve as evidence of your status and will be valid for another 1 year. If your receipt notice expires before your application gets approved, you may get an I-551 stamp as well.

Some time after the receiving the receipt of the application, the USCIS will send you a biometrics notice. You will have to get yourself fingerprinted and wait for the background check to complete.

The director of the district office that serves the area where you live will review the petition to determine whether an interview is required. If the director is satisfied and based on the written petition believes that your marriage was not entered into in order to obtain immigration benefits, he/she may waive the interview requirement and approve the petition. Otherwise, you and your spouse will be scheduled for an interview. Fraud interview details

If your interview is waived, you will receive an approval notice in the mail. Take your approval notice to the local USCIS office and get an I-551 stamp in your passport for permanent residency. If your interview is successful, you will get an I-551 stamp in your passport for permanent residency. In either case the actual plastic card will arrive in mail within the next few months. If your application is denied, you will be placed in removal proceedings unless you can obtain an alternate legal status. If you are placed in removal proceedings, hire an attorney if you have not already. Do not skip a court date, because failure to appear results in an automatic order of deportation and could permanently ruin your chances of immigrating. If the immigration judge decides to remove you from the country, you may appeal this decision within 33 days after that decision is made. After your appeal form and a required fee are processed, the appeal would be referred to the Board of Immigration Appeals in Washington, D.C.

Naturalization

If you are married to your U.S. citizen spouse, are still living together, and have established the 3-year residency requirement, you would be eligible for naturalization. The USCIS will not approve your naturalization application until your I-751 is approved.

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