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Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
USCIS Form I-130 is Petition for Alien Relative, used to petition for a relative abroad. A petitioner who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of a new address within 10 days of moving.
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USCIS Form I-130 - Petition for Alien Relative
USCIS Form I-130 is Petition for Alien Relative, used to petition for a relative abroad. A petitioner who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of a new address within 10 days of moving.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not submit a stamped or typewritten name instead of an actual signature on the petition.
- 2Failing to sign the petition in ink (Part 6.b).
- 3Submitting a stamped or typewritten name instead of a signature.
- 4Forgetting to include the perjury declaration statement.
- 5Not providing required biographic info in Part 3, Items 1-6.
Plain English
This form allows a U.S. resident or citizen (the petitioner) to formally ask the government to recognize that another person (the alien relative) is related to them. Filing this petition starts the process for the relative to potentially receive immigration benefits in the United States.
Submission Date
- Filing date: A petitioner who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of a new address within 10 days of moving from the previous residence.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files to establish a relationship with an alien relative who wishes to immigrate to the United States.
- Do not use Form I-130 if you are filing for yourself (the petitioner) and need to petition someone else; instead, use Form I-130.
- Check Form I-130A instead when providing supplemental information specifically for a spouse beneficiary.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Filing for an unmarried child under 21 years old
This form covers the petition for your unmarried children who are under 21 years of age.
✓ Check Part 6 to confirm relationship type.
Filing for a parent and child (and evidence is inconclusive)
The petitioner may submit DNA testing results from AABB-accredited labs on this form.
✓ Ensure the lab submitting the test is listed at www.aabb.org/sa/facilities/Pages/RTestAccrFac.aspx.
Filing for a spouse beneficiary
Use this form when petitioning your spouse; specific fee information applies to this relationship type.
✓ Review the checklist item specifically for 'Form I-130 spouse petitioners'.
Obtaining a replacement Form I-94
If you cannot get the Form I-94 from CBP, file Form I-102 with USCIS to obtain it.
✓ Check Part 4 of Form I-130 if using this document as evidence.
Deadline or filing window
A petitioner who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of their new address within 10 days of moving from their previous residence. The form itself has no stated extension deadline, but timely filing establishes eligibility for processing.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Petition for Alien Relative
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status · Part 6 (Petitioner's Statement) / General Requirements
Spouse Relationship
Marriage Certificate/Proof · Supporting evidence section
Unmarried Child (<21) Relationship
Birth Certificate · Supporting evidence section
Parent-Child Relationship (if inconclusive)
DNA Test Results · Supporting evidence section
Passport/Travel Document Info
Passport or Travel Document · Part 4, Items 45-50
Translation (Foreign Language)
Certified Translation · Supporting evidence section
Before you submit
- 1Answer every question on Form I-130.
- 2Sign and date the petition.
- 3Enclose the correct filing fee for each petition.
- 4Submit proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
- 5Submit all other required supporting evidence listed in the General Requirements.
- 6If applicable, include a completed Form G-28 if you have an attorney or accredited representative.
- 7Ensure any translator certification includes their signature, printed name, date, and contact information.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required fields on USCIS Form I-130, ensuring Part 4 (Passport/Travel Document Numbers) is filled if applicable.
- 2Gather and attach all necessary supporting evidence, such as birth certificates or marriage documents.
- 3Sign and date the petition, making sure to include the declaration under penalty of perjury for every individual statement.
- 4Include the correct filing fee amount based on the relationship being petitioned (check Form G-1055).
- 5Mail the completed package to USCIS, or submit it online via www.uscis.gov/i-130, and retain a copy of the submission confirmation.
Known limitations
- 1A U.S. citizen must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative.
- 2The form is used to establish relationship existence with alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States.
- 3For parent-child relationships only, DNA test results are only accepted if they come from laboratories accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).
- 4If a petitioner is not a U.S. citizen, they must notify USCIS of a new address within 10 days of moving.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Part 1
1 items
Your relationship: Spouse, Child, Parent, or Sibling.
Part 2
3 items
Your current legal name.
Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
Country where you were born.
Part 3
3 items
Legal name of the relative you are petitioning for.
Relative's date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
Relative's A-Number if they have one. Leave blank if none.
Part 5
1 items
Sign and date certifying all information is correct.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition of USCIS Form I-130/I-130A has an expiration date of 02/28/2027, and the instructions direct users to www.uscis.gov/i-130 for the most current filing information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form is current and has an expiration date of 02/28/2027.
- Fee — check Form G-1055 for specific fee information applicable to Form I-130.
- Mailing address — do not mail completed forms to the Regulatory Coordination Division at 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009 (unless sending comments).
- Signature — ensure all individual written statements include the required declaration and are dated.
- Translator certification — if using a translator, confirm their signature includes contact information and date.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of the completed Form I-130.
- 2Confirm that you submitted proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status with the petition.
- 3If USCIS accepts the petition, it will be checked for completeness by USCIS.
- 4Be prepared to receive a request from USCIS asking for more information or evidence to support the petition.
- 5USCIS may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submitted.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The purpose of Form I-130 is to establish relationship existence for alien relatives wishing to immigrate.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — A U.S. citizen must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Eligible relatives include: spouse; unmarried children under 21; unmarried sons/daughters 21 or older; and married sons/daughters of any age.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — If mailed, the OAN is found on the Account Access Notice; if online, enter it in Part 2, Item Number 2.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — For ethnicity/race, select boxes for Hispanic or Latino (origins in Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands) and White (origins in Europe, Middle East, or North Africa).
- SRCInstructions p.9 — If census records are unavailable, two or more written statements may be submitted to prove an event.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Each written statement must include the writer's full name, address, date/place of birth, and complete details explaining how they acquired personal knowledge.
- SRCInstructions p.11 — Comments on burden estimate can be sent to USCIS Regulatory Coordination Division at 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009.
Common confusion points
What is the difference between an OAN and an A-Number?
The OAN (Online Account Number) is different from the A-Number.
→ If mailed, find your OAN on the Account Access Notice; if issued online, enter it in Part 2, Item Number 2.
Who can file Form I-130 for a spouse?
A U.S. citizen may file Form I-130 for their spouse.
→ Ensure you are filing as a U.S. citizen to petition your spouse.
What if my height is in meters or centimeters?
Select the values that best match your height in feet and inches, rather than entering it in metric units.
→ Do not enter height in meters or centimeters on Form I-130 Part 3, Item B.
How do you prove a relationship if records are unavailable?
You may submit two or more written statements from individuals who have personal knowledge of the event (like birth or death).
→ Each statement must include specific details like full name and address of the writer.
When is an OAN available for mailed submissions?
If the form was mailed, the OAN can be found at the top of the Account Access Notice sent by USCIS.
→ Check your mail for this notice to locate your OAN before filing or after submission.
What must the written statement declaration say?
The individual making the written statement must declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
→ Verify the exact wording: 'I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct.'
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Questions about USCIS Form I-130
What is USCIS Form I-130 used for?
This form allows a U.S. resident or citizen (the petitioner) to formally ask the government to recognize that another person (the alien relative) is related to them. Filing this petition starts the process for the relative to potentially receive immigration benefits in the United States.
Who must file USCIS Form I-130?
A petitioner must file USCIS Form I-130; this filer category includes anyone petitioning on behalf of a relative.
What information does USCIS Form I-130 require?
The form collects biographic information requested in Part 3, such as ethnicity and race (including Hispanic or Latino), height, and weight. It also requires contact information and declarations in later parts.
When is USCIS Form I-130 due?
A petitioner who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of a new address within 10 days of moving from the previous residence.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-130?
For current filing locations, review the website at www.uscis.gov/i-130. Additional information on where to file can be found via the USCIS Contact Center.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-130?
The petitioner must sign the petition (Part 6.b) in ink. If someone else prepares the form, that person signs Part 8. Furthermore, every individual's written statement must include a declaration under penalty of perjury.
What happens if USCIS Form I-130 is filed incorrectly?
If the petition is not signed or if the signature is invalid, USCIS will reject the Form I-130; failure to properly complete it means no basis for eligibility is established.
What is the difference between an OAN and an A-Number?
The OAN (Online Account Number) is different from the A-Number. If mailed, find your OAN on the Account Access Notice; if issued online, enter it in Part 2, Item Number 2.
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