If you’re applying for a K-1 visa (fiancé visa) to marry your U.S. citizen partner, it’s essential to know what documents you’ll need. The K-1 visa allows an engaged partner to enter the U.S. and marry their fiancé(e) within 90 days. After the marriage, they can then apply for a marriage green card. In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the documents required at each stage of the application process.
Full List of K-1 Visa Required Documents
While every case is different, here are the general documents you’ll need when applying for a K-1 visa:
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship for the U.S. citizen fiancé
- Copy of the Sponsored Fiancé’s Passport
- Evidence of Terminated Marriages, if applicable
- Proof of Meeting in Person within the last two years before applying
- Proof of Legal Name Change, if applicable
- Sworn Statements from Both Partners showing intent to marry and confirming the relationship is genuine
- Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (if applicable for the sponsored fiancé)
- Evidence of IMBRA Waiver, if applicable
- Passport-Style Photos: One for each fiancé and two for the sponsored fiancé
- Birth Certificate for the sponsored fiancé
- Valid, Unexpired Passport for the sponsored fiancé
- Police Clearance Certificates from countries where the sponsored fiancé lived for more than 6 months
- Sealed Medical Exam by an approved physician
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) from the U.S. citizen fiancé
- Most Recent Tax Returns of the U.S. citizen fiancé
Documents Required for Form I-129F
The U.S. citizen sponsor must submit Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) to start the process. Here’s the checklist of required documents for Form I-129F approval:
| Document Type | Examples of Acceptable Documents | Who Needs It? |
| Proof of U.S. Citizenship | Birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate | U.S. citizen sponsor |
| Proof of Terminated Marriages | Divorce decree, annulment order, death certificate | Any fiancé who has been previously married |
| Passport-Style Photo | Must be recent (within 30 days) | Both fiancés |
| Proof of Legal Name Change | Certified copy of court order | Any fiancé who changed their name |
| Evidence of IMBRA Waiver | Death certificates, police reports, medical reports, etc. | U.S. citizen sponsor |
| Statement of Intent to Marry | Wedding invitations, receipts for wedding-related expenses | Both fiancés |
| Proof of In-Person Meeting (within 2 years) | Flight itineraries, photos, hotel bookings, correspondence | Both fiancés |
| Proof of Legitimate Relationship | Photos, signed statements, trip itineraries, correspondence | Both fiancés |
| Form I-94 (if applicable) | Available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Sponsored fiancé |
Documents Required for DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application)
Once Form I-129F is approved, the sponsored fiancé will need to complete Form DS-160. Here’s what both fiancés need for this step:
Sponsored Fiancé:
- Valid Passport
- Two Passport-Style Photos
- Birth Certificate
- Sealed Medical Exam from an approved physician
- Police Clearance from any country where they lived for over 6 months
U.S. Citizen Fiancé:
- Evidence of Relationship (approved I-129F)
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-134)
- Most Recent Tax Returns
The consular officer will review the DS-160 and the interview responses to determine K-1 visa eligibility.
Documents for the Affidavit of Support (I-134)
As part of the visa process, the U.S. citizen sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) to show they can financially support their fiancé. Here’s the list of documents needed:
| Document Type | Required Documents |
| Proof of Bank Account | Bank statement showing account details, total deposits, and balance |
| Proof of Employment | Employment verification letter with salary details and job status |
| Proof of Federal Taxes | Most recent federal tax return or commercial rating report (if self-employed) |
| Proof of Bonds (if applicable) | List of bonds and their serial numbers |
The U.S. citizen sponsor must meet the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size to be eligible to submit Form I-134.
Documents Required for the K-1 Visa Interview
After DS-160 approval, the sponsored fiancé will schedule an interview at the local U.S. embassy or consulate. Here’s a list of documents to bring:
- DS-160 Confirmation Page
- Birth Certificate
- Police Certificates from any country where the sponsored fiancé lived for more than 6 months
- Affidavit of Support (if required)
- Proof of Relationship
- Payment of Visa Fees
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months after arriving in the U.S.)
- Divorce/Death Certificates (if applicable)
- Sealed Medical Exam Results
- Two Passport-Style Photos
Since many of these documents were already submitted in earlier stages, it’s crucial to keep everything organized.
Each step of the K-1 visa process involves specific documents, and submitting all the required paperwork is essential for a smooth application. Double-check your checklist to avoid delays or rejections. If you’re unsure about any of the requirements, the Law and Visas team can help you every step of the way to ensure your application is complete and accurate.
