Sample Cover Letter for Removal of Conditions (Joint I-751 Petition)

Conditional Permanent Residents who obtained status through marriage must apply to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status before the 2 years anniversary of the issuance of their legal Permanent Resident Card (“green card”).  Specifically, the Conditional Permanent Resident must file a Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence within 90 days of the expiration of their two-year Permanent Resident Card. A late filing can have dire consequences: USCIS can terminate the Conditional Resident’s legal permanent residence and put them in proceedings before an Immigration Judge that conducts removal proceedings in the Department of Justice’s administrative immigration courts. 

For I-751 petitions filed jointly, meaning the Conditional Permanent Resident and Spouse are still married and are filing the form together, frequently couples choose to file without an attorney.  This is because a jointly filed petition is not complicated compared to other immigration filings. 

However, in the past few years there has been an increase in Requests for Evidence (RFE) for further evidence regarding the legitimacy of the relationship.  For this reason, we are providing this sample cover letter as a guide for I-751 filers.  The letter contains a list of sample evidence that can be included with the petition to reduce the risk of receiving an RFE. 

For Conditional Permanent Residents that are facing additional complications as they approach the two year anniversary of the issuance of their permanent resident card (such as the Conditional Permanent Resident and Spouse no longer living together, no longer being together as a married couple, or abuse within the relationship) we strongly recommend speaking to an immigration attorney to discuss specific options for each circumstance.  

Click here for the Sample I-751 Cover Letter