{"id":352914,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:53","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/visas\/what-to-expect-at-a-stokes-interview.html"},"modified":"2023-06-27T12:27:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T17:27:53","slug":"what-to-expect-at-a-stokes-interview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/visas\/what-to-expect-at-a-stokes-interview.html","title":{"rendered":"What To Expect at a Stokes Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What To Expect at a Stokes Interview<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A Stokes interview is a second, more detailed marriage\u2011based green card interview used when USCIS needs additional proof that a marriage is bona fide. During this process, each spouse is questioned separately and asked detailed, often personal, questions to compare their answers for consistency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The goal of a Stokes interview is straightforward: The couple must prove to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the marriage is bona fide.<\/p>\n

At times, immigration officials may doubt the legitimacy of the marriage<\/a>. This is often due to factors such as a significant age difference or the length of the relationship. So, the immigration officer will conduct further questioning during the green card interview. An officer calls the process a ‘Stokes interview’ when they conduct more thorough questioning.<\/p>\n

The Stokes interview usually occurs only as a second interview. It happens when a USCIS officer is not convinced about the legitimacy of the marriage after interviewing the couple for the first time. Then, the interviewer will give them a second chance. Still, some U.S. immigration offices do the Stokes interview right away.<\/p>\n

This article will walk you through what to expect during a Stokes immigration interview and how you can prepare for it. Understanding the purpose of the interview and preparing the required documents can help couples navigate it with confidence.<\/p>\n

A Stokes interview can be intimidating, even for legitimate couples. But legal help is available. An immigration lawyer<\/a> near you can walk you through the types of personal questions USCIS may ask and help you practice answering consistently and confidently.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why Were Stokes Interviews Established?<\/h2>\n

The federal district court decision of\u00a0Stokes v. INS<\/a>\u00a0established the origins of the Stokes interview. Under this case, when an immigration officer questions the validity of a marriage in an\u00a0I-130 petition<\/a>, the applicant must be provided with a written notice describing the rights of the parties involved. They should also provide a separate attachment containing the list of rights with the appointment letter, as well as the list of required original documents for the interview.<\/p>\n

Generally, interviewees must bring the following documents to a Stokes interview:<\/p>\n