Proof of Relationship to U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Family Members

Proof of relationship to U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members is crucial in many immigration court proceedings, particularly those involving family-based immigration or applications for relief based on family ties. Examples of documents that can be used to establish these relationships include birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers, and DNA test results. In cases where a foreign national is seeking adjustment of status based on a family relationship, these documents will be essential in demonstrating the legitimacy of the relationship and the individual’s eligibility for the benefit sought. Similarly, in cases where a foreign national is applying for cancellation of removal based on exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying relative, proof of the relationship will be necessary to establish the relative’s status and the potential impact of the individual’s removal on the family.