Prepare I-751 – Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

Who this page is for

This page is for conditional permanent residents who obtained a two-year green card through a qualifying marriage and now need to understand Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. It is intended for people who want a structured way to review what USCIS usually asks for before they complete the official petition. The guide can also help spouses, legal representatives, or family members who are supporting a conditional resident and want a clear overview of the I-751 process in a browser-friendly layout.

What is Form I-751?

Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, is a USCIS form used by certain marriage-based permanent residents to convert their conditional status into full lawful permanent residence. When someone receives a conditional two-year green card based on a relatively recent marriage, U.S. immigration law generally requires a follow-up petition to remove those conditions. Form I-751 is where the conditional resident (often together with their spouse) asks USCIS to review the relationship and update the person’s status.

Used by conditional permanent residents to request removal of the two-year conditional status on their residency.

The form asks for information about the conditional resident, the qualifying spouse, and the history of the relationship. USCIS compares this information with the original marriage-based case and reviews any new documentation submitted. The goal is to determine whether the marriage was entered in good faith and not primarily for immigration purposes.

On this page you prepare for the official USCIS Form I-751 (Edition 04/01/24) by understanding what it is, when it is normally used, and where to find the most recent instructions. You can then download the official PDF, review it carefully, sign where required, assemble your supporting evidence, and follow USCIS directions for filing.

Example situations where someone may use Form I-751

Form I-751 is commonly used in several conditional residence scenarios. Examples include:

• A conditional permanent resident and their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse filing jointly during the 90-day period before the two-year green card expires.
• A conditional resident whose marriage ended in divorce but who requests a waiver of the joint filing requirement, supported by documents showing the marriage was entered in good faith.
• A conditional resident seeking a waiver because they experienced abuse or extreme cruelty in the qualifying marriage, and who is providing evidence of that situation to USCIS.
• A conditional resident asking for a waiver based on extreme hardship that would result if removal from the United States occurred, as described in USCIS guidance.
• A conditional resident in removal proceedings who is still required to pursue I-751 relief in order to have conditions removed if USCIS or an immigration judge finds the petition approvable under the law.

These examples are illustrations based on how USCIS describes Form I-751 in general. Whether the form is appropriate in a particular case depends on detailed facts and the official USCIS instructions, and this page does not replace individualized legal advice.

How to fill Form I-751

The official USCIS instructions for Form I-751 explain the exact structure of the petition and how each part should be completed. While this page does not display the current form line-by-line, the outline below shows the types of sections that often appear on the I-751 and the kinds of information USCIS typically asks for. You can use this overview to organize your information before you complete the official USCIS form.

1. Information about the conditional resident. Form I-751 usually begins with questions about the conditional permanent resident, including name, A-Number, mailing address, physical address, and contact details. There may also be questions about the date and basis of conditional residence and details from the original green card approval.
2. Information about the spouse or parent who sponsored the original case. The form typically asks about the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent who formed the basis of the original petition, including biographic information and immigration status. In joint filings, this person usually appears as a co-petitioner or joint filer on the I-751.
3. Details about the marriage and family circumstances. USCIS asks about the date and place of the marriage, prior marriages, divorces, or annulments, and information about children. These questions help USCIS understand the history of the relationship and verify that it was entered in good faith rather than solely for immigration benefits.
4. Waiver categories and explanation, if applicable. When a conditional resident cannot or does not file jointly with their spouse, the form includes sections where the person identifies the type of waiver they are seeking, such as divorce, abuse, or hardship. USCIS expects an explanation and supporting evidence for the chosen waiver category as described in the instructions.
5. Declarations, signatures, and information about preparers. Like many USCIS forms, I-751 includes sections where the conditional resident and, in joint cases, the spouse certify that the information is true and correct. There are also spaces for interpreters and preparers to provide their information if they helped complete the form. Missing or incomplete signatures can lead to rejections or delays.

After reviewing the USCIS instructions and gathering your evidence, download the official Form I-751, fill it out according to the instructions, sign in all required places, and follow USCIS guidance on where to mail the petition and how to track the status once it has been received.

Common mistakes on Form I-751

• Filing after the conditional green card has already expired without including an explanation or evidence that fits USCIS rules for late filings.
• Leaving key sections blank or incomplete, especially those related to the marriage history, current marital status, or waiver category, which can lead to delays or RFEs.
• Forgetting to sign the petition in all required places, including the spouse’s signature in joint filings or the conditional resident’s signature in waiver filings.
• Submitting very limited evidence of a bona fide marriage when USCIS expects a broader picture of shared life, such as only a marriage certificate without additional joint documents.
• Not updating USCIS with a new address when the conditional resident moves, which can cause important I-751 notices to be sent to an old address.
• Using an outdated edition of Form I-751 instead of the version currently listed on the USCIS website.
• Sending the petition to the wrong USCIS lockbox or service center instead of the address listed in the official instructions for that filing category.
• Not keeping copies of the signed petition and all supporting documents, which can make it harder to respond to RFEs or understand what USCIS has on file.

When Form I-751 is usually not used

Form I-751 is specific to certain marriage-based conditional permanent residents. Other forms are generally used in different situations, for example:

• People who already have a permanent ten-year green card do not file I-751 to renew their card; they typically use Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, if a replacement is needed.
• Individuals pursuing family-based immigration for the first time generally start with a petition like Form I-130 rather than Form I-751, which is a follow-up petition.
• People seeking naturalization to become U.S. citizens use Form N-400 instead of Form I-751, although I-751 issues can sometimes affect the timing of an N-400 case.
• Conditional residents based on certain investor programs may have different condition removal forms and processes that are not handled through Form I-751.
• Foreign nationals who never received conditional resident status do not use Form I-751 because there are no marriage-based conditions to remove under this part of U.S. immigration law.

These are broad examples based on how USCIS organizes benefits and conditions on residence. They do not replace the official USCIS instructions or legal advice about whether Form I-751 is appropriate for your case.

Where to find the official USCIS instructions for Form I-751

USCIS publishes the official instructions for Form I-751 on its website along with the most current edition of the petition. Those instructions explain who must file, when to file, how to request joint filing or a waiver, and what evidence is usually expected. You can read them on the official USCIS Form I-751 page. This page is only a helper for organizing information and does not replace the official USCIS instructions or guidance from a qualified representative.

Before you sign and file Form I-751, it is a good idea to compare your completed petition and supporting evidence with the USCIS instructions to confirm that you are using the correct edition, understand the filing window for your case, and know which mailing address or lockbox applies to your situation.

Where to get a blank or replacement Form I-751

If you need a blank petition, you can download the current official Form I-751 PDF directly from USCIS. This page points you to that official PDF so you can print, sign, and include it in a filing package that meets USCIS requirements. The same USCIS page often includes links to separate instruction documents and information on filing locations.

If you realize that you made an error after preparing or filing a petition, USCIS instructions and any notices you receive will explain how corrections, responses to Requests for Evidence, or other updates may be handled. Keeping a copy of your signed I-751, supporting evidence, and mailing receipts can help you track what USCIS has on file and respond more easily if additional information is requested.

Glossary of key terms on Form I-751

Conditional permanent resident

A conditional permanent resident is someone who has been granted a two-year green card, usually based on a recent marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The person has many of the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent residents but must file Form I-751 to remove those conditions within a specific time window.

Joint petition

A joint petition refers to an I-751 filing where the conditional resident and the petitioning spouse or parent sign the form together. USCIS treats a joint filing as a request to remove conditions based on a continuing, qualifying relationship, supported by evidence that the marriage was entered in good faith.

Waiver of the joint filing requirement

A waiver of the joint filing requirement is a request to file Form I-751 without the spouse or parent who sponsored the original case. USCIS instructions list several waiver categories, such as divorce, abuse or extreme cruelty, or extreme hardship, and expect evidence showing why a joint filing is not possible or appropriate in that situation.

Request for Evidence (RFE)

A Request for Evidence is a notice from USCIS asking for more information or documents before a decision can be made on a petition or application. In I-751 cases, RFEs may ask for additional proof that a marriage was bona fide, clarification about prior marital history, or other records that help USCIS evaluate whether conditions should be removed.

Removal of conditions

Removal of conditions refers to the process of converting a two-year conditional green card into permanent resident status without conditions. Approval of Form I-751 normally results in issuance of a new Permanent Resident Card with a longer validity period, confirming that the person is a lawful permanent resident without marriage-based conditions on their status.

Security best practices when sharing information from Form I-751

Form I-751 and its supporting evidence often contain sensitive personal and family information, including addresses, dates of birth, financial records, and documentation of private circumstances. It is sensible to treat your petition as a confidential document and to consider how and where you store or transmit it. The general practices below may be helpful when handling draft or final versions of your I-751 package.

• Store digital copies of your petition and evidence in secure locations you control, such as password-protected folders or reputable cloud storage providers with appropriate security settings.
• Avoid sharing complete copies of your I-751 and supporting documents by unsecured email or public links when more private options, such as encrypted services or physical mail, are available.
• Keep track of which representatives or helpers have copies of your I-751 materials, so you understand who has access to sensitive information and can update them if circumstances change.
• Verify that you are using official USCIS addresses or secure online portals before submitting forms, fees, or evidence related to your I-751 petition.

These are general security considerations. Always follow the specific directions you receive from USCIS, any immigration court involved in your case, and any qualified representative who is helping you with the I-751 process.

Common questions people also ask about Form I-751

• Is Form I-751 the same as renewing a 10-year green card? No. Form I-751 is used to remove conditions from a two-year marriage-based green card, while renewing a ten-year Permanent Resident Card is normally handled with Form I-90. Someone who still has conditional status must generally resolve the I-751 process before moving on to routine card renewal or other benefits.
• Can I file Form I-751 and apply for naturalization at the same time? In some situations, a person may file Form I-751 and later submit Form N-400 while I-751 is still pending, depending on eligibility and timing. USCIS guidance explains how overlapping cases can be handled and may require resolution of the I-751 before a final decision is made on naturalization. People considering this path often review USCIS materials carefully or speak with a qualified representative.
• Do I need a lawyer to file Form I-751? USCIS does not require you to work with a lawyer, and many people prepare and file Form I-751 on their own using the official instructions. Others choose to consult an immigration attorney or accredited representative, especially in waiver cases or when there are complications in their history. This page is informational only and is not a substitute for individualized legal advice.

FAQ about Form I-751

Important disclaimer

This site is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. It provides a private, third-party resource to help you understand and prepare for the official Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. The information on this page is general and does not replace the official USCIS instructions or professional legal advice. Always review your completed form and follow the directions from USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security, and any qualified representative assisting with your case.