2023 Complete Guide to How to Fill Out Form I-130

Form I-130, formally known as the “Petition for Alien Relative,” is a form used to request USCIS’s recognition of your family relationship and permission to continue forward with the green card application procedure. It is important to know how to fill out the Form I-130.

Visit our guide to discover more about the Form I-130’s purpose, qualifications, processing times, and also other key information.

To prevent any setbacks in your relative’s permanent residency application procedure, it is essential that you correctly complete and submit Form I-130 in the correct way, along with all necessary forms and relevant documentation.

How can I Submit Form I-130 ?

Filing Form I-130 online

The first step is to create an account. See the How to create a USCIS online account page for more information.

You can file Form I-130 online, even if your relative is in the United States, and files Form I-485 by mail. When you submit Form I-130 online, we will send an acknowledgment notice to your USCIS online account. Please provide a copy of the acknowledgment to your relative so they can include it in their Form I-485 package.

You cannot file Form I-130 online if you apply for a fee waiver.

Form I-485 or I-129F cannot be filed online at this time. See the Forms I-485 and I-129F pages for current filing information and refer to the form instructions for specific instructions on how to complete each form. Only properly filed documents will be accepted and processed. We will not get or decide on Forms I-485 or I-129F, which are attached as evidence of an online Form I-130.

Submission of Form I-130 by mail

If you live in the United States, file at a Lockbox in Chicago, Dallas, Elgin, or Phoenix, depending on where you live and whether your relative is also filing Form I-485 at the same time. 

If you live outside the US, you can:

File at the USCIS Elgin Lockbox. 

Request filing at a US embassy or consulate in certain limited circumstances if you are a US citizen and filing Form I-130 for your immediate relative (your spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent (if 21 or older)). 

 

What Documents Do You Need To Fill out Form I-130?

The “Petitioner” (U.S. citizen or green card holder) must file the Form I-130 with all the necessary supporting documents, to establish his/her relationship with the immigrant relative (beneficiary) seeking a green card.

It is recommended not to send any original documents unless specifically requested by the USCIS.

The I-130 petition also requires the U.S. citizen petitioner to submit the filing fee amount, along with the supporting documents. 

If you are filing Form I-130 for your family member:

• Evidence of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or U.S. national status:

  • A copy of your birth certificate issued by a civil registrar, vital statistics office, or other civil authority showing you were born in the United States; 
  • A copy of your naturalization or citizenship certificate issued by USCIS or the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); 
  • A copy of Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate; 
  •  A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport; 
  • An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport; or
  • A copy of the front and back of your Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card or a Form I-551).

• Evidence of family relationship with one of the following (see form instructions for more detailed guidance):

  • Spouse: A copy of your marriage certificate
    • Evidence you or your spouse terminated any prior marriages (if applicable)
  • Child: A copy of your child’s birth certificate(s).
  • Parent: A copy of your birth certificate.
  • Brother/Sister: A copy of the birth certificate for you and your sibling.

• Evidence of the bona fides of the marriage if petitioning for a spouse:

  • Documentation showing joint ownership of the property;
  • A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence, meaning you both live at the same address together;
  • Documentation showing that you and your spouse have combined your financial resources;
  • Birth certificates of children born to you and your spouse together;
  • Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. Each affidavit must contain the full name and address of the person making the affidavit; date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit; complete information and details explaining how the person acquired their knowledge of your marriage; and
  •  Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

• Proof of legal name change (if applicable); and 

• Two passport-style photographs (if applicable).

If you are filing Form I-130 for your adopted child

• Evidence of U.S. citizenship:

  • A copy of your birth certificate, issued by a civil registrar, vital statistics office, or other civil authority showing you were born in the United States; 
  • A copy of your naturalization citizenship certificate issued by USCIS or the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); 
  • A copy of Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate; 
  • A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport; or 
  • An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying that you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport.

• Evidence of family relationship, such as a final adoption decree;

• Evidence you have had legal custody of the adopted child for two years; and

• Evidence you have had a joint residence with the adopted child for two years

How Long Does It Take To Approve Form I-130?

The processing time for your I-130 petition and the approval depends on a number of factors.

The most common factors:

• Family relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary
• The processing time of the USCIS field office that receives your form
• Location of the petitioner and beneficiary, i.e., in the U.S. or abroad.

It is also important to note here that USCIS functions at a first-come-first-serve basis. So, it is important to file your petition early.

Category	Office	80% of cases are completed within
Permanent resident filing for a spouse or child under 21	California Service Center	43 Months
	Nebraska Service Center	25 Months
	Potomac Service Center	31.5 Months
	Texas Service Center	36 Months
	Vermont Service Center	35 Months
U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21	California Service Center
	Nebraska Service Center
	Potomac Service Center
	Texas Service Center
	Vermont Service Center
U.S. citizen filing for unmarried son/daughter 21 or older	California Service Center	81 Months
	Nebraska Service Center	27 Months
	Potomac Service Center	46.5 Months
	Texas Service Center	48.5 Months
	Vermont Service Center	48.5 Months
Permanent resident for unmarried son or daughter 21 or older	California Service Center	72 Months
	Nebraska Service Center	48 Months
	Potomac Service Center	44.5 Months
	Texas Service Center	52 Months
	Vermont Service Center	54.5 Months
U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter	California Service Center	83.5 Months
	Nebraska Service Center	40 Months
	Potomac Service Center	44 Months
	Texas Service Center	52 Months
	Vermont Service Center	49 Months
U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister	California Service Center	49 Months
	Nebraska Service Center	26.5 Months
	Potomac Service Center	41.5 Months
	Texas Service Center	50.5 Months
	Vermont Service Center	49.5 Months

You can find the complete information about the I-130 processing time here.

 

Where to Send Forms I-130 and I-485?

The location of filing the Form I-130 depends on where you physically reside. 

The latest filing locations for a Form I-130 can be found on the USCIS website.

If you are only filing Form I-130, and you live in:	Mail your form to:
Alaska American Samoa Arizona California Colorado Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Florida Guam Hawaii Idaho Kansas Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon Puerto Rico South Dakota Texas Utah U.S. Virgin Islands Washington Wyoming	USCIS Phoenix Lockbox U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries: USCIS Attn: I-130 P.O. Box 21700 Phoenix, AZ 85036-1700 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: I-130 (Box 21700) 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850
Alabama Arkansas Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Connecticut Delaware Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kentucky Louisiana Maine Marshall Islands Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Micronesia Minnesota Mississippi Missouri New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Palau Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Vermont Virginia Washington, D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin	USCIS Elgin Lockbox U.S. Postal Service (USPS):  USCIS Attn: I-130 P.O. Box 4053 Carol Stream, IL  60197-4053 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:  USCIS  Attn: I-130 (Box 4053) 2500 Westfield Drive  Elgin, IL 60124-7836
You are only filing Form I-130, and you live outside the United States	USCIS Elgin Lockbox U.S. Postal Service (USPS):  USCIS Attn: I-130 P.O. Box 4053 Carol Stream, IL  60197-4053 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:  USCIS  Attn: I-130 (Box 4053) 2500 Westfield Drive  Elgin, IL 60124-7836

How to Write a Check for Form I-130

If you are paying your I-130 fees by check, make sure to follow these guidelines.

• Enter the date you are completing the cheque. Use the American style month/date/year (Example: 4/1/2017 or 1/4/17, but not 4/1/17 or 4 JAN 2017).
• On the “Pay to the Order of” line, write “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “USCIS”.
• Use the numbers to indicate the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. In the example, the amount is “$725.00”.
• Enter the exact dollar amount of the fee and enter the fractional part of the amount as a fraction over 100. In the example, the amount is “Seven hundred twenty-five and 00/100”.
• Write a brief description of the purpose of the payment. In this example, it is “Fee for N-400 application and biometric services”. Write the applicant’s name on the memo line if it is not on the check itself (for example, if you are paying the fee for your child).
• Sign the check in ink using your legal name.
• If the check is not dated within 365 days, the application will be rejected.

 

General tips for filling USCIS forms

• Remember to sign the form in the space provided. USCIS will reject and return an unsigned form.
• Use a valid form printout. You can download forms from the USCIS website, fill them out electronically, and print the forms for mailing. 
• Do not mail a form that you have already submitted online.
• If you handwrite your answers, use black ink. Make sure all the information you write on the form is clear so that the information you provide can be clearly read when USCIS processes your form.
• Make sure that the form’s printing date and page numbers appear at the bottom of the printed pages and that all pages are completed using the same form printing. If any page of the form is missing or completed on a different form printout, your application may be rejected.
• Complete the form in full unless the form asks you to leave one or more boxes blank. If you do not complete all sections of the form, we may reject your application for missing information. If you make a mistake, please start again with a clean form.
• Do not use highlighter pens, correction fluid or tape. 
• If you are submitting multiple forms, write your name, date of birth and A-number (if applicable) exactly the same on each form.
• Pay the correct fee. 

 

How Much Does it Cost to File Form I-130?

The filing fee for Form I-130 is $535. You can find the latest Form I-130 fees on the official USCIS website.

 

How to Fill Out I-130 From Explained

The Petition for Alien Relative is a 12-paged USCIS form with 9 sections. 

An overview of the sections is below.

• Part 1: Relationship (You, the U.S. citizen or the green card holder are the Petitioner. Your relative is the Beneficiary)
• Part 2:  Information About You (Petitioner)
• Part 3: Biographic Information (Petitioner)
• Part 4: Information About Beneficiary (relative seeking the green card)
• Part 5: Other information
• Part 6: Petitioner’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature
• Part 7: Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature
• Part 8: Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Affidavit, if Other Than the Petitioner
• Part 9: Additional Information

 

 Part 1: Relationship (You are the Petitioner. Your relative is the Beneficiary)

If a question does not apply to you, type or print “N/A”. 

• Item 1: Please check the box that fits the relationship between Beneficiary and Petitioner  (you can check only one box)
• Item 2: Select the most relevant option (you can check only one box)
• Item 3: this question only applies to you if you file I-130 for your brither/sister
• Item 4: Answer “Yes” or “No.” If you have gained your green card through adoptive parents, you can no longer file a petition for your biological parents.

Part 2:  Information About You (Petitioner)

 

• Item 1. Alien Registration Number (A-number): The alien registration number is the identification number assigned to an immigrant by the immigration authorities. If you do not have one, you can enter N/A here.
• Item 2. USCIS Online Account Number: You will have this USCIS account number if you have previously created an online account for immigration purposes. You can leave this field blank if you do not have one.
• Item 4.a. Family name (last name): Enter your surname as it appears on your official documents (passport, state-issued identity card, birth certificate). If you have changed your surname, please indicate your previous surname(s) in the box ‘Other names used’ on the next page of this form.
• Item 4.b.: Given name (first name): Enter your first name as it appears on your official documents (passport, state-issued identity card, birth certificate). If you have changed your surname, please indicate your previous surname(s) in the box ‘Other names used’ on the next page of this form.
• Item 4.c.: Middle name: Please enter your middle name, if you have one. If you do not have a middle name, please leave it blank.
• “Other names used”, Items 5.a. – 5.c.: If you have ever used other names or have legally changed your name, please enter all your previous names here. 
• Items 10.a. – 10.i. Mailing address: Please indicate the address of the petitioner in this section. USCIS will send all case notices by mail. Be sure to update your USCIS information if your mailing address changes.
• Item 16. How many times have you been married? Enter “0” if you have never been married. Enter “1” if you are currently married. If you have been married to the same spouse more than once, enter each marriage separately.
• Items 18-19: Leave them blank if you are unmarried.
• Items 39.a. – 39.c.: Your certificate number is the number of your citizenship certificate, which is at the top of your certificate. The place and date of issue can also be found on your Naturalization Certificate.
• Item 40. Class of Admission: You can find your ‘Class of Admission’ on the front side of your green card, under the ‘Category’ section.  The ‘Date of Admission’ is the ‘Resident Since’ field on your green card. 

Part 3: Biographic Information

 

1. Ethnicity and Race. Check the boxes that best describe your ethnicity and race.

Ethnicity and race categories and definitions

(1) Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish origin culture or origin, regardless of race. (NOTE: This category is only included in ethnicity in Part 3, item Number 1.)

(2) White. A person of any indigenous people of European, Middle Eastern, or North African descent.

(3) Asian. A person of indigenous origin from the Far East, Southeast Asia, or India continent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Philippine Peninsula and Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.

(4) Black or African American. A person who is of African descent from any black racial group in Africa.

(5) American Indian or Alaska Native. A person who is of native descent from any of the indigenous peoples of North and North America. South American (including Central American) indigenous people who maintain tribal or community membership.

(6) An indigenous Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. A person who is of native descent from any of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the Americas, and the Pacific Islands. Indigenous people of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

Height. Select the values that best match your height in feet and inches. For example, if you are 180 cm and nine inches, select “5” for feet and “09” for inches. Do not enter your height in meters or centimeters.

Weight. Enter your weight in kilograms. If you do not know your weight or if you want to enter a weight that is less than 30 kilograms or more than 699 kilograms, enter “000”. Do not enter your weight in kilograms.

Eye color. Select the box that best describes the color of your eyes.

Hair color. Select the box that best describes the color of your hair.

 

Part 4. Information About Beneficiary

This section covers all the required details about your parent. 

• Items 1-3: Provide Beneficiary’s Alien Registration Number, USCIS Online Account Number and U.S. Social Security Number. If the Beneficiary has never been previously in the U.S., he/she most likely doesn’t have these numbers. Leave these fields blank if the Beneficiary doesn’t have any.
• Item 10: If someone has ever filed a Form I-130 for Beneficiary previously, answer “Yes”, otherwise “No”
• Items 25-44: Carefully enter relevant details of Beneficiary’s spouse and all children, including you. 
• Item 46.a: If Beneficiary is currently in the U.S., provide Beneficiary’s “class of admission”. If the Beneficiary entered the U.S. on a visa, the class of admission is provided in his or her I-94 record. For instance, if the Beneficiary entered on a student visa, his or her class of admission might be F1.

If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or USCIS has issued the beneficiary a Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, enter the beneficiary’s Form I-94 number and the date his or her authorized period of stay ends or expired (as shown on the Form I-94). The Form I-94 number is also known in some versions of Form I-94 as the Departure Number.

Regarding more about I-94

NOTE: If CBP admitted the beneficiary to the United States at an airport or seaport after April 30, 2013, CBP might have issued the beneficiary an electronic Form I-94 instead of a paper Form I-94. The beneficiary may visit the CBP website at www.cbp.gov/i94 to obtain a paper version of his or her electronic Form I-94. CBP does not charge a fee for this service. Certain travelers who entered the United States after April 30, 2013, at a land border, airport, or seaport with a passport or travel document and who were issued a paper Form I-94 by CBP may also obtain a replacement Form I-94 from the CBP website free of charge. If an I-94 cannot be obtained from the CBP website, it may be obtained by completing an I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant). Arrival-Departure Record, to USCIS. USCIS charges a fee for this service.

• Items 46.b-46.d: The Form I-94 issued by CBP or USCIS to the beneficiary provides the form number, along with the expiry date for his/her  authorized period of stay. “D/S” is usually granted only to beneficiaries admitted in the U.S. on a student visa or exchange visitor programs.
• Items 47-50: If the Beneficiary has entered the U.S. using a passport or a travel document, then enter the document’s number, even if the document has expired.
• Item 53. Was the beneficiary EVER in the immigration proceedings: If your Beneficiary was ever in immigration court in deportation (removal) proceedings, answer “Yes”. Immigration proceedings include removal, exclusion/deportation, rescission and other judicial proceedings.
• Items 61.a.-61.b. – If Beneficiary is currently in the U.S.., entered the U.S. on a visa and will apply for a green card within the U.S., choose this option. Provide the city or town and state of the current residence in the U.S.
• Items 62.a.-62.c. – If the Beneficiary is outside the U.S. and will be applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, then choose this option. Provide the city or town, province, and country of Beneficiary’s residence.

Part 5. Other Information

• Items 1-5: This subsection asks if you have ever filed a Form I-130 for Beneficiary or for any other relative. If you have ever filed Form I-130 previously, please provide the details (who you sponsor, the date you filed the petition, and the result).
• Items 6-9: If you submit separate Forms I-130 for your other Beneficiary, child, spouse, or siblings, provide the details in this subsection.

Part 6. Petitioner’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature

• Please tick the appropriate box to indicate whether you read this petition yourself or whether you used an interpreter. If you were assisted in completing the petition by someone, please tick the box to indicate that you used a preparer. You must also sign and date your petition and indicate your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if available) and e-mail address (if available). Each petition MUST be signed by the petitioner (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A stamped or typed name in place of a signature will not be accepted.

Part 7. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

If you used someone as an interpreter – to read you the instructions and questions in this petition in a language you speak fluently, the interpreter must meet the following requirements to complete this section, state his or her name, the name and address of his or her company or organization (if any), the name and address of his or her interpreter, his or her name and address, his or her daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any) and email address (if any). The interpreter must sign and date the application.

Part 8. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Petition, if Other Than the Petitioner

• If you fill out the form by yourself, you don’t need to worry about this part. Leave it blank.
• This part must be signed by the person who completed your petition if it is someone other than the following person, you, the petitioner. If the same person has acted as both interpreter and preparer, he or she should complete the following information in both Part 7 and Part 8. If the person completing this petition is associated with a company or organization, that person should complete the name and address details of the company or organization. Anyone who assisted you in completing this petition MUST sign and date the petition. A stamped or typed name instead of a signature is acceptable. is not acceptable. If the person who helped you complete the petition is an attorney or accredited representative whose representation extends beyond the preparation of this petition, they may also need to submit a completed form. G-28, Statement of Attorney or Accredited Representative, with your petition.

Part 9. Additional Information

This section is for any additional information you want to provide. You can also make copies of this section for extra space and file it with your petition.

Note: USCIS recommends you to save a copy of your completed petition to review in the future. 

 Can I File Form I-130 and I-485 Together?

If you are a US citizen, and you file an I-130 petition for your parents, child(unmarried, biologically under the age of 21, or you married to the mother before the child reaches the age of 18) or spouse. You can file the I-130 and I-485 together

If you are a green card holder and you file an I-130 petition for your spouse or child(under 21 years old and unmarried). You can file the I-130 and I-485 together.

What is an “Alien registration Number” in I-130 Form? 

You can find your A-Number and Department of State (DOS) Case ID on your immigrant data summary, USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, or immigrant visa stamp. Your A-Number is the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 numbers (such as A012345678).

We have covered a detailed guide, explaining where you can find your Alien Registration Number. You can find it here.

What is a “Class of Admission” on Form I-130?

The main class of admission is a 3-character code, usually consisting of one or two letters and a number.

It is the designation given to non-immigrants when they arrive in the United States.

This alphanumeric code describes the visa category used when a non-immigrant citizen was admitted to the United States as a permanent resident.

The class of admission can be found on Form I-94, the Arrival and Departure Record, and the Green Card (permanent resident or conditional resident).

It is on the front of your green card under “Category”. It may also be on the back of older cards.

For details about the Class of Admission, please see our detail guide

What is the “Date of Admission” on Form I-130?

“Date of Admission” is the date you were granted a permanent resident or conditional permanent resident status by the USCIS.

It is not the date you entered the U.S.

You can find the date of admission on the front side of your permanent resident card, in the “Resident Since” field.

What is ‘In Care of Name’ in Form I-130?

In “Part 2. Information About Petitioner“ section of the I-130 form, there is an item marked ‘10.a’, or ‘In Care of Name’ field.

If your mail is being sent to someone other than yourself, please include “In Care Of Name” in your mailing address.

You may also leave the section blank if it does not apply to you.

What is “Place of Admission” on Form I-130?

• If the green card holder entered the United States under an immigrant visa, this refers to city where they were inspected and admitted into the United States. 
• If the green card holder received an adjustment of status from USCIS, this refers to the city where USCIS handled the Green Card interview.

What’s Next After Form I-130 is Approved?

Once your I-130 petition has been approved, you have successfully completed the first step in your relative’s immigration process to the U.S. 

You can find detailed and complete information about what to do next once your I-130 petition is approved, in our exclusive guide here.