Child Green Card · Adjustment of Status
Give your child a permanent home in America.
As a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor your unmarried child for a Green Card right here in the US. CitizenKit walks you through every step — clearly, correctly, and confidently.
- Built on official USCIS.gov guidance
- Plain-language, step-by-step
- Full 10-year Green Card — no conditions
- No attorney fees required
About This Kit
Sponsoring your child for a Green Card — in plain English
If your child is living inside the United States right now, you — as a U.S. citizen — can file the paperwork to make them a permanent resident without them having to leave the country. This process is called Adjustment of Status (AOS).
Unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives under immigration law. That means no annual numerical cap on how many can be approved, no waiting list, and no priority date. A visa is available right now.
Your child must stay unmarried throughout the process.
From the day you file the I-130 to the day the Green Card is approved — if your child gets married at any point, the petition is automatically revoked and the case ends. This is one of the firmest rules in this case type.
Eligibility
Is this the right path?
Beyond the unmarried requirement, this case type is the right fit when all of the following are true:
- ✓
You (the parent) are a U.S. citizen
Only U.S. citizens can petition for a child as an immediate relative. Green Card holders must use a different visa category with a longer wait.
- ✓
Your child is unmarried and under 21 years old
This kit covers the immediate relative category. Children 21 or older, or married children, fall into preference categories with different timelines.
- ✓
Your child is currently inside the United States
Adjustment of Status is for children who are already in the US. If your child is abroad, they would need to go through consular processing.
- ✓
Your child entered the US legally
They must have been inspected and admitted or paroled by a border officer. Entry without inspection may disqualify them from AOS.
- ✓
You can meet the financial sponsorship requirement
Your income must be at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size. A joint sponsor can help if your income falls short.
The Process
What happens from start to finish
- 1
You File the Sponsorship Petition (I-130)
You — the U.S. citizen parent — file Form I-130 to establish the parent-child relationship and confirm your US citizenship. Because your child is an immediate relative, you can file this at the same time as the Green Card application, saving months.
- 2
Your Child Files for Their Green Card (I-485)
Your child submits Form I-485 to formally request permanent resident status. This is the core application — covering their background, immigration history, and basis for filing. It is filed together with your I-130 in the same packet.
- 3
You File the Financial Support Promise (I-864)
You sign Form I-864 — a legally binding commitment to financially support your child so they will not rely on government assistance. Your income must meet at least 125% of the federal poverty guideline for your household size.
- 4
Biometrics Appointment for Your Child
USCIS will schedule your child for a biometrics appointment to collect fingerprints and a photo for background checks. This happens at a local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC).
- 5
Medical Exam (I-693)
Your child must visit a USCIS-approved civil surgeon for a required health screening. CitizenKit provides step-by-step guidance on finding a civil surgeon using the official USCIS locator at uscis.gov. The sealed results are included in the filing packet.
- 6
Interview at Your Local USCIS Field Office
Many child AOS cases include an in-person interview — though USCIS sometimes waives interviews for younger children. Your child will attend, and you may be asked to come as well.
- 7
Approval & Full 10-Year Green Card by Mail
Once approved, your child receives their Green Card in the mail. Because this is an immediate relative case — not a spousal one — there is no conditional period. Your child receives a full 10-year Green Card right away.
Forms & Documents
Every form you need — already in your kit
Petition for Alien Relative
Your official sponsorship of your child. Establishes the parent-child relationship and confirms your US citizenship. Filed at the same time as the I-485.
Green Card Application
Your child's formal request to become a Lawful Permanent Resident. Covers personal history, immigration background, and admissibility.
Affidavit of Support
Your legally binding financial promise to support your child. Must show 125%+ of federal poverty guidelines for your household.
Work Permit Application
Allows your child to work legally while the Green Card is pending. Free when filed with the I-485. Optional but most applicants include it.
Medical Exam & Vaccination Record
Required health screening by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon. CitizenKit guides you to find one nearby using the official USCIS locator.
The CitizenKit
Two people. One organized packet. Nothing missed.
Guides Parent & Child Separately
Your questionnaire has a dedicated section for the sponsoring parent and a separate section for the child applicant. Each person only sees questions relevant to their role.
All 4 Required Forms, Pre-Filled
I-130, I-485, I-864, and I-765 — all populated from your answers, correctly formatted, and ready to print and sign.
Personalized Document Checklist
A tailored list of every supporting document both of you need to gather, based on your specific relationship type and situation.
Organized, Mail-Ready Packet
Cover sheet, forms in USCIS order, sign-here guide, correct mailing address, and complete filing instructions.
Civil Surgeon Guidance
Step-by-step instructions for finding a USCIS-approved civil surgeon and completing the required medical exam.
Case Support Specialist Included
Every kit includes access to a Case Support Specialist who can answer questions about your specific case.
FAQ
Common questions about child AOS
- Does my child need to leave the US to get their Green Card?
- No. Adjustment of Status allows your child to apply for their Green Card without leaving the country, as long as they are currently inside the United States and entered legally.
- What happens if my child turns 21 before the Green Card is approved?
- This is called "aging out." If your child turns 21 before USCIS approves the I-485, their visa category under immigration law may change, potentially affecting timing or eligibility. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) provides some protection in certain situations, but this is a complex area. CitizenKit is best suited for children comfortably under 21 with no aging-out risk.
- Does my child need to remain unmarried throughout the process?
- Yes. This is one of the firmest rules in this case type. Your child must remain unmarried from the day you file the I-130 to the day the Green Card is approved. If your child marries at any point during the process, the petition is automatically revoked.
- Will my child get a 2-year or 10-year Green Card?
- Children sponsored by U.S. citizen parents receive a full 10-year Green Card upon approval. The conditional 2-year card only applies to spouses — not children. No follow-up filing is required.
- Can my child work while the application is pending?
- Yes. By filing Form I-765 (included in this kit) at the same time as the I-485, your child can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). USCIS typically issues the EAD before the Green Card is approved, allowing your child to work legally while waiting.
Ready to give your child a permanent home here?
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