What to include in a petition for alien relative Form I-130
Form I-130 Checklist
To avoid rejection or delay, submit a properly completed, signed, and current Form I-130, the required fee, and evidence proving the petitioner’s status and qualifying family relationship.[1]
Required items
| Item | What to include |
|---|---|
| Form I-130 | Complete every applicable section, sign in ink, and use the current edition and filing address.[1] |
| Filing fee | Include the fee required by USCIS at filing. Fees change, so verify the amount before submission.[1] |
| Petitioner’s status | Proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or Form FS-240—or proof of lawful permanent residence.[2] |
| Beneficiary’s identity | Beneficiary’s birth certificate and, if applicable, passport biographical page and required photographs.[3] |
| Proof of relationship | Documents establishing the claimed relationship, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption decree, or qualifying civil records.[2] |
| Prior marriages | Divorce decrees, annulment orders, or death certificates terminating every prior marriage of both the petitioner and beneficiary, if applicable.[3] |
| Form I-130A | Required when petitioning for a spouse; the spouse beneficiary generally completes and signs it.[4] |
| Marriage evidence | For a spousal petition, include evidence the marriage is bona fide and was not entered into solely for immigration purposes—such as joint property or lease documents, commingled finances, children’s birth certificates, photographs, correspondence, and third-party affidavits.[2] |
| Translations | For every foreign-language document, include a complete English translation certified by a competent translator.[5] |
| Additional forms | File a separate Form I-130 for each qualifying beneficiary, including each child. A child does not receive derivative status through a U.S. citizen’s immediate-relative spouse petition.[2] If represented, include Form G-28.[1] |
Information that must be consistent
Before filing, verify that the petition accurately lists:
- All names and aliases ever used;
- Addresses for the required period;
- Employment history;
- Marriage history;
- Birth and citizenship information;
- Beneficiary’s immigration history, if any;
- Prior petitions filed for the beneficiary;
- The beneficiary’s intended immigrant-visa processing location or adjustment-of-status location.
USCIS warns that incomplete answers, missing signatures, missing required evidence, or an incorrect fee can result in rejection or denial.[1]
Practical filing tip: Submit clear photocopies unless the form instructions or filing location specifically requires originals. Keep the complete filing package and proof of delivery. USCIS may later request originals or additional evidence.[1]
Sources & References
- Checklist for Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
- Checklist for Form I-130 (Immigrant Petition)
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Instructions for I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-130/I-130A, Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative, and Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary