Was there a proposal? Who proposed, and where did it take place?

“Was there a proposal? Who proposed, and where did it take place?” is a practice question about relationship timeline for a marriage-based green card interview at a USCIS field office. A real officer may ask it in other words, ask something else, or skip it. Practice can help you explain your own facts. It cannot tell you what USCIS will decide.

What is the officer checking with this question?

The officer may ask about a proposal to understand one part of your decision to marry. The question can connect a personal event with the later wedding plans. It does not require you to describe a formal proposal if there was none, and any ring discussion may simply lead to more detail about what actually happened between you.

What might the officer ask next?

• About when did that conversation or proposal happen?
• Was there a ring at that time?
• Who chose the ring, if there was one?
• Had you already agreed to marry before that event?

The next question usually comes from the words in your answer. If you name a person, a place, or a month, expect a question about it. The guide to green card interview follow-up questions explains how to practice past the first answer.

How do you prepare to answer it?

Start by deciding whether proposal is an accurate word for what happened in your relationship. If it is, recall who asked, where you were, and roughly when it occurred. Keep a later ring purchase separate from the proposal if those were different events. If you do not know who selected an item or cannot recall a detail of the day, say so instead of describing a tradition you did not follow.

Answer from your own memory, in your own words. Do not learn a script or a sample answer. If your spouse remembers a detail differently, first check whether you mean the same event. Ask your lawyer about any concern with your forms or documents.

Can you practice this question out loud for free?

Yes. Choose "Answer it now, free". The officer asks this question first. You answer out loud, and the officer follows up on what you said. You can try 3 questions free, and you do not need documents. Feedback comes after the session, not while you speak.

More relationship timeline questions

• When did you and your spouse decide to get married?
• Did you live together before you married? If so, when did you move in together?
• Please walk me through the major milestones in your relationship from meeting to marriage.
• When did you tell your families that you were getting married?
• Have either of you moved cities or countries since you met? When and why?
• What is your spouse's date of birth?

Read the relationship timeline topic guide, or see all 91 interview questions.