USCIS Cover Letter (I-485)

FORM I-485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE

OR ADJUST STATUS - COVER LETTER

[DATE]

[APPLICANT NAME / LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS LINE 1]
[ADDRESS LINE 2]
[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]
[TELEPHONE]
[EMAIL]

VIA [USPS PRIORITY / FEDEX / UPS]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[USCIS LOCKBOX ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]

RE: Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Applicant: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Date of Birth: [DOB]
Country of Birth: [COUNTRY]
A-Number: [A-NUMBER OR "NONE"]
Adjustment Category: [FAMILY-BASED / EMPLOYMENT-BASED / SPECIAL IMMIGRANT / OTHER]
Underlying Petition: [I-130 / I-140 / I-360 / ETC.] Receipt #: [NUMBER]

Dear USCIS Officer:

Enclosed please find Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, filed by [APPLICANT NAME], along with all required supporting documentation. [If concurrent: This application is being filed concurrently with Form [I-130/I-140], also enclosed.]

I. APPLICATION SUMMARY

II. APPLICANT INFORMATION

III. ELIGIBILITY FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS

A. Physical Presence

☐ Applicant is physically present in the United States as required by INA § 245(a)

B. Lawful Admission or Parole

☐ Applicant was inspected and admitted to the United States on [DATE] at [PORT OF ENTRY] in [STATUS] status

☐ Applicant was inspected and paroled into the United States on [DATE]

☐ Applicant is applying under INA § 245(i) (Form I-485 Supplement A enclosed)

C. Immigrant Visa Availability

☐ An immigrant visa is immediately available based on the following:

D. Underlying Petition

☐ Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

• Petitioner: [NAME]
• Relationship: [RELATIONSHIP]
• Status: ☐ Approved (Receipt #[NUMBER]) ☐ Filed Concurrently

☐ Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

• Petitioner/Employer: [NAME]
• Category: [EB-1/EB-2/EB-3/EB-4/EB-5]
• Status: ☐ Approved (Receipt #[NUMBER]) ☐ Filed Concurrently

☐ Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant

• Category: [SPECIFY]
• Status: ☐ Approved (Receipt #[NUMBER])

☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

IV. FILING FEES

Payment Method:
☐ Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions (enclosed)
☐ Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Bank Transactions (enclosed)

Note: As of January 1, 2026, USCIS no longer accepts personal checks, money orders, or cashier's checks unless an exemption applies.

V. FORMS ENCLOSED

A. Primary Forms

☐ Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
☐ Form I-485 Supplement A (if adjusting under INA § 245(i))
☐ Form I-485 Supplement J (if employment-based)

B. Concurrent Filing Forms (if applicable)

☐ Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
☐ Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
☐ Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

C. Ancillary Benefits Forms

☐ Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document
☐ Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole)

D. Financial Support Forms

☐ Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
☐ Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member (if applicable)
☐ Form I-864W, Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption (if applicable)

E. Medical Examination

☐ Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (in sealed envelope)

F. Payment and Notification Forms

☐ Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
☐ Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

VI. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - APPLICANT

A. Identity Documents

☐ Copy of Passport (biographical page with photo, expiration date, all U.S. visa stamps)
☐ Copy of all pages of passport with stamps/visas
☐ Copy of Birth Certificate
☐ Certified English Translation of Birth Certificate

B. Immigration Status Documents

☐ Copy of I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (print from CBP website)
☐ Copy of Current Visa (in passport)
☐ Copy of Prior I-797 Approval Notices
☐ Copy of Prior EAD Cards (if any)
☐ Copy of All Prior Immigration Documents

C. Photographs

☐ Two (2) passport-style photographs (2" x 2")

• Taken within last 30 days
• White background
• Full face, front view
• Name and A-Number written lightly on back in pencil

D. Evidence of Lawful Entry (Select as applicable)

☐ Copy of Entry Stamp in Passport
☐ Copy of I-94 showing inspection and admission
☐ CBP Travel History printout
☐ Other evidence of lawful entry: [SPECIFY]

VII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - RELATIONSHIP (Family-Based)

For Spouse of U.S. Citizen/LPR:

☐ Marriage Certificate with certified translation
☐ Evidence of termination of prior marriages (divorce decrees, death certificates)
☐ Evidence of Bona Fide Marriage:

• Joint lease/deed/mortgage
• Joint bank account statements
• Joint utility bills
• Joint insurance policies
• Birth certificates of children
• Photographs together
• Affidavits from family/friends
• Joint tax returns

For Child of U.S. Citizen/LPR:

☐ Birth Certificate showing parent-child relationship
☐ Adoption decree (if applicable)
☐ Evidence of legal custody (if applicable)

VIII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - EMPLOYMENT (Employment-Based)

A. Approved Petition Documentation

☐ Copy of I-140 Approval Notice (Form I-797)
☐ Copy of approved Labor Certification (if applicable)
☐ Copy of ETA Form 9089 Final Determination (if applicable)

B. Current Employment Documentation

☐ Employment Verification Letter from Petitioning Employer
☐ Recent Pay Stubs (last 3 months)
☐ Form I-485 Supplement J (Job Portability, if applicable)

C. Educational Credentials

☐ Copies of Degrees/Diplomas
☐ Academic Transcripts
☐ Credential Evaluation (if foreign degrees)
☐ Certified Translations

D. Professional Credentials

☐ Professional Licenses
☐ Certifications
☐ Letters of Experience

IX. FORM I-864 AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

Sponsor: [NAME]

☐ Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (signed original)
☐ Proof of Sponsor's U.S. Citizenship or LPR Status
☐ Sponsor's Federal Tax Returns (most recent year, or 3 years)
☐ IRS Tax Transcripts (preferred)
☐ W-2s for most recent year(s)
☐ Employment Verification Letter
☐ Recent Pay Stubs (last 6 months)
☐ Evidence of Assets (if income insufficient):

• Bank Statements
• Property Valuations
• Stock/Investment Statements

Joint Sponsor (if applicable): [NAME]
☐ Form I-864 from Joint Sponsor
☐ Supporting financial documents for Joint Sponsor

Household Members (if applicable):
☐ Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
☐ Financial documents for Household Member

X. FORM I-693 MEDICAL EXAMINATION

☐ Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

Status:
☐ Enclosed in sealed envelope from Civil Surgeon
☐ Will be submitted at interview (within validity period)
☐ Previously submitted: Receipt Date [DATE]

Civil Surgeon Information:

• Name: [DR. NAME]
• Address: [ADDRESS]
• Date of Examination: [DATE]

Note: Form I-693 is valid for 2 years from the date of the civil surgeon's signature.

XI. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

A. Court and Criminal Records (if applicable)

☐ Certified copies of arrest records
☐ Court dispositions for all arrests/citations
☐ Evidence of rehabilitation
☐ Expungement orders (if applicable)

B. Prior Immigration Violations (if applicable)

☐ Explanation of any immigration violations
☐ Evidence of eligibility under INA § 245(i) (Supplement A)

C. Selective Service Registration

☐ Selective Service Registration Card or printout (males 18-25)
☐ Status Information Letter (males over 26 who failed to register)

D. Tax Documents

☐ Federal Tax Returns (last 3 years)
☐ State Tax Returns (if applicable)
☐ Tax Transcripts from IRS

XII. DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION INDEX

TOTAL PAGES: [NUMBER]

XIII. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES / NOTES

[ADDRESS ANY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:]

☐ Name Discrepancies: [EXPLAIN]

☐ Prior Immigration Violations: [EXPLAIN]

☐ Criminal History: [EXPLAIN, INCLUDE DISPOSITIONS]

☐ Out of Status Period: [EXPLAIN]

☐ Medical Issues: [IF RELEVANT]

☐ Other: [EXPLAIN]

XIV. CONTACT INFORMATION

Applicant:
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

Attorney/Representative:
[NAME]
[FIRM]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]
[BAR/EOIR NUMBER]

XV. REQUEST

Based on the foregoing, we respectfully request that USCIS approve this Form I-485 application and grant [APPLICANT NAME] lawful permanent resident status pursuant to INA § 245.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________
[APPLICANT SIGNATURE]

[PRINTED NAME]
[DATE]

Attorney Certification (if applicable):

_______________________________
[ATTORNEY SIGNATURE]

[ATTORNEY NAME]
[BAR NUMBER]
[FIRM NAME]

FILING ADDRESS GUIDE

Family-Based I-485 (Filed with I-130):
[Verify current address at USCIS.gov - varies by location]

Employment-Based I-485:
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
USCIS
PO Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

Note: Filing addresses change. Always verify current addresses at www.uscis.gov before mailing.

POST-FILING CHECKLIST

☐ Retain copy of entire application package
☐ Retain proof of mailing/delivery
☐ Watch for Receipt Notice (Form I-797C) within 2-4 weeks
☐ Schedule biometrics appointment when notice received
☐ Do NOT travel outside U.S. without approved Advance Parole
☐ Update address with USCIS if you move (Form AR-11)
☐ Respond promptly to any RFE (Request for Evidence)
☐ Prepare for interview (if scheduled)

IMPORTANT WARNINGS

Travel Warning: Do NOT travel outside the United States after filing Form I-485 unless you have received an approved Advance Parole document (Form I-131). Departure without Advance Parole may result in abandonment of your I-485 application.

Employment Authorization: Do NOT begin new employment based on the pending I-485 until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Address Changes: You MUST notify USCIS within 10 days of any address change using Form AR-11.

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements at www.uscis.gov.