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USUSCISRev. 12/15/23

Official form guide

Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative

Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is used by U.S. citizens or permanent residents to request a family‑based immigrant visa for a qualifying relative. File it when you want to start the green‑card process for a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-130 - Petition for Alien Relative

Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is used by U.S. citizens or permanent residents to request a family‑based immigrant visa for a qualifying relative. File it when you want to start the green‑card process for a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.

It collects petitioner and beneficiary biographic data, relationship proof, and supporting evidence of the qualifying family tie.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single missing signature can invalidate the entire petition.
  • 2Incorrect petitioner status (e.g., filing as citizen when only a resident)
  • 3Missing or illegible supporting documents
  • 4Wrong filing fee amount or payment method
  • 5Using an outdated edition of the form

Plain English

If you are a U.S. citizen or green‑card holder and you have a close family member abroad, you fill out I‑130 to ask USCIS to recognize that relationship for immigration. The form tells USCIS who you are, who the relative is, and proves the family tie.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File as soon as the relationship exists; there is no statutory deadline, but processing times affect how quickly the relative can move forward with a visa or adjustment of status.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

permanentpetitionparentmemberfamilyholder

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What this form is for

  • Use I-130 when you are a U.S. citizen or LPR petitioning for a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.
  • Do not use I-130 for fiancé(e) visas; that is Form I-129F.
  • If the relative is already in the U.S. and eligible to adjust status, you will later file Form I-485.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Petitioning for a fiancé(e)

Different visa category (K‑1)

✓ Verify the intended purpose before filing

Form I-129F

Petitioning for a non‑immigrant worker

Employment‑based category

✓ Use only for employment petitions

Form I-140

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed filing deadline for I-130, but the petition must be submitted before the beneficiary can apply for a visa or adjustment of status. Delays in filing extend the overall waiting period for the green card.

  • —Number of beneficiaries | Multiply by $535 (current fee) | Total filing fee | Verify fee on USCIS site

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Petitioner citizenship/residence

Copy of U.S. passport or green card · USCIS online portal or original document

⚠ Often omitted for LPRs✕ High
2

Relationship proof – spouse

Marriage certificate (with translation if foreign) · County clerk or embassy

⚠ Missing apostille✕ Medium
3

Relationship proof – child

Birth certificate showing parent names · Vital records office

⚠ Illegible names✕ Medium
4

Prior petitions

Copy of previous I-130 approval (if any) · USCIS receipt notice

⚠ Forgetting to include✕ Low
5

Name change documentation

Court order or marriage certificate · County court

⚠ Not needed if name unchanged✕ Low

Before you submit

  1. 1Use the current edition of Form I-130.
  2. 2Complete every required field; no blanks.
  3. 3Attach petitioner’s proof of citizenship or LPR status.
  4. 4Include relationship evidence for the specific relative type.
  5. 5Provide certified translations for any foreign‑language documents.
  6. 6Pay the exact filing fee and attach the receipt.
  7. 7Sign and date the form in the designated spot.
  8. 8Use the correct USCIS lockbox mailing address.
  9. 9Make a complete copy of the packet for your records.
  10. 10Enter the receipt number into your USCIS online account.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the PDF from USCIS.gov and read the instructions.
  2. 2Fill out the form electronically or by hand in black ink.
  3. 3Gather all supporting documents and translations.
  4. 4Prepare the filing fee payment method specified in the instructions.
  5. 5Assemble the packet in the order listed in the instructions.
  6. 6Mail the packet to the appropriate lockbox or submit online via USCIS Account.
  7. 7Record the mailing date, tracking number, and receipt number.

Known limitations

  1. 1USCIS does not publish a formal checklist for I-130; guidance is based on instructions and practice.
  2. 2Processing times vary widely by relationship category and service center.
  3. 3Online filing is only available for certain petitioners with a USCIS account.
  4. 4Fee amounts are subject to change; the form itself may not reflect the latest fee.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

8 fields

Part 1

1 items

Petitioner Relationship to Beneficiary

Your relationship: Spouse, Child, Parent, or Sibling.

Requiredselect

Part 2

3 items

Petitioner Full Name

Your current legal name.

Requiredtext
Petitioner Date of Birth

Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).

Requireddate
Petitioner Country of Birth

Country where you were born.

Requiredtext

Part 3

3 items

Beneficiary Full Name

Legal name of the relative you are petitioning for.

Requiredtext
Beneficiary Date of Birth

Relative's date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).

Requireddate
Beneficiary A-Number

Relative's A-Number if they have one. Leave blank if none.

text

Part 5

1 items

Petitioner Signature

Sign and date certifying all information is correct.

Requiredsignature

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Current form status
USCISRev. 12/15/23

Check the USCIS website for the latest edition date and fee schedule before starting. The form is regularly updated; using an older version may cause processing delays.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – verify the form’s revision date matches the current USCIS posting.
  • Fee – confirm the latest filing fee on the USCIS fee schedule page.
  • Mailing address – use the lockbox address for the petitioner’s state.
  • Signature requirement – ensure the petitioner signs and dates the form.
  • Payment method – check if a money order, cashier’s check, or online payment is accepted.

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Quick Facts

The petitioner – a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident – files the form on behalf of the relative.
It collects petitioner and beneficiary biographic data, relationship proof, and supporting evidence of the qualifying family tie.
File as soon as the relationship exists; there is no statutory deadline, but processing times affect how quickly the relative can move forward with a visa or adjustment of status.
Submit the completed form, filing fee, and supporting documents to the USCIS Lockbox address listed in the current I‑130 instructions, either by mail or online through USCIS Account if eligible.
Errors or missing evidence can lead to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or denial, delaying the entire immigration process for the beneficiary.
1. Download the latest I‑130 PDF from USCIS.gov. 2. Fill out all required fields accurately; use black ink or electronic entry. 3. Gather proof of citizenship/residence and relationship documents (birth certificates, marriage license, etc.). 4. Pay the filing fee and attach the receipt. 5. Mail the packet to the correct lockbox or submit electronically. 6. Keep copies of everything and note the receipt number.

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After you file

  1. 1Save the USCIS receipt notice (Form I-797C) and note the receipt number.
  2. 2Create a tracking spreadsheet for any future RFEs or notices.
  3. 3Monitor case status online weekly.
  4. 4If a Request for Evidence arrives, respond within the given deadline.
  5. 5When approved, forward the approval notice to the beneficiary for visa processing.
  6. 6Keep all originals and copies together for the later I-485 or cons{
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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