Navigating Part 4 of the I-130 Form: Information About Beneficiary

Introduction

The I-130 form, officially known as the “Petition for Alien Relative,” is a critical component in the process of establishing family-based immigration to the United States. This form, issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to request that their foreign-born family members be granted lawful permanent resident status in the U.S.

In this article, we will delve into a specific section of the I-130 form, namely, Part 4: “Information About Beneficiary.” Part 4 is crucial as it gathers essential information about the individual who is seeking to immigrate to the United States. Completing this section accurately is vital to the success of the immigration petition. In this guide, we will break down each question within Part 4 and provide insights into what is being asked, as well as its significance in the immigration process.

Section-by-Section Guide

Part 4 of the I-130 form, “Information About Beneficiary,” consists of several questions and fields that must be filled out with great care and precision. Below, we will provide a detailed explanation of each question within this section.

1. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any)

The Alien Registration Number, commonly referred to as the A-Number, is a unique identifier assigned to non-U.S. citizens during interactions with immigration authorities. This number, if applicable, should be provided in this field. However, not all beneficiaries may have an A-Number, particularly if they are at the initial stages of their immigration journey.

2. USCIS Online Account Number (if any)

In recent years, USCIS has introduced the option for applicants and beneficiaries to create online accounts, which can be used for various immigration-related purposes. If the beneficiary has an online account with USCIS, the account number should be entered in this field.

3. U.S. Social Security Number (if any)

If the beneficiary has been assigned a U.S. Social Security Number, this should be provided in the relevant field. A Social Security Number is often issued to individuals authorized to work in the United States and serves as a key identifier for employment and tax purposes.

4. Beneficiary’s Full Name

This section gathers the beneficiary’s full name, including their family name (last name), given name (first name), and middle name. Accurate name information is crucial to ensure that the immigration process proceeds smoothly.

5. Other Names Used (if any)

In this section, applicants are asked to provide any other names the beneficiary has used, if applicable. This can include nicknames, maiden names, or any other names that the beneficiary has used in the past. It’s important to be thorough and list all alternative names that apply, as this information can be used for background checks and verification.

6-10. Other Information About Beneficiary

This is a broad field where additional information about the beneficiary can be included. This might involve any unique details or circumstances about the beneficiary that are relevant to the immigration petition. It’s essential to use this section to provide information that can help establish the beneficiary’s identity and eligibility for immigration.

• City/Town/Village of Birth
• Country of Birth
• Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
• Sex
• Has anyone else ever filed a petition for the beneficiary?

11. Beneficiary’s Physical Address

Part 4 also includes a section for the beneficiary’s physical address. This information is important because it helps establish the beneficiary’s location and, in some cases, is used to determine which USCIS service center will process the application. It’s crucial to provide the beneficiary’s address accurately, as any errors or discrepancies can lead to communication issues during the application process.

Explanation of Key Concepts

Before we move on to the practical example, it’s essential to understand a couple of key concepts related to Part 4 of the I-130 form.

Interpretation of “Unknown” option for question 10

When answering Question 10, you may encounter the option “Unknown.” This option should be chosen only when both the petitioner and the beneficiary are genuinely unaware of any prior petitions filed on the beneficiary’s behalf. In cases where previous petitions have been filed, providing accurate information is crucial, as it can impact the processing of the current petition. Always strive for honesty and transparency throughout the immigration application process.

Example: Creating a Persona

To better illustrate how to complete Part 4 of the I-130 form, let’s introduce a fictional persona for our example:

Persona: José Martinez

José Martinez is a realistic fictional beneficiary from Mexico. He is seeking to join his U.S. citizen spouse in the United States through a family-based immigration petition. We’ll now complete the relevant sections of Part 4 with José’s information:

• 1. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any): José does not have an A-Number.
• 2. USCIS Online Account Number (if any): José has an online account with USCIS, and his account number is provided. (222333444555)
• 3. U.S. Social Security Number (if any): José does not have a U.S. Social Security Number.
• 4. Beneficiary’s Full Name:
  a. Family Name (Last Name): Martinez
  b. Given Name (First Name): José
  c. Middle Name: Not applicable

5. Other Names Used (if any): José has not used any other names.

• 6. City/Town/Village of Birth: José was born in Mexico City, Mexico.
• 7. Country of Birth: Mexico
• 8. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy): José’s date of birth is 03/15/1980.
• 9. Sex: José is male.
• 10. Has anyone else ever filed a petition for the beneficiary? No, no one has ever filed a petition for José.

Beneficiary’s Physical Address

The beneficiary’s physical address is a crucial piece of information. It not only helps establish the beneficiary’s current location but also plays a role in determining which USCIS service center will process the application. Here’s how to complete this section with our fictional persona, José Martinez:

• 11.a Street Number and Name: José resides in an apartment with a street address. Enter the street number and name: 123 Oak Street.
• 11.b. Apt. Ste. Flr.: As José resides in an apartment, specify his apartment number: Apt. 4B.
• 11.c. City or Town: José currently resides in Mexico City, Mexico.
• 11.d. State: For beneficiaries living outside the United States, the state field may not apply. José resides in Mexico, so we can leave this field blank.
• 11.e. ZIP Code: The concept of ZIP codes is unique to the United States, and for beneficiaries residing in other countries, this field may not be applicable. As José resides in Mexico, we can leave this field blank.
• 11.f. Province: Specify the province where José resides. In the case of Mexico, his province is “Federal District.”
• 11.g. Postal Code: José’s location uses postal codes, so provide his postal code: 12345.
• 11.h. Country: Enter José’s home country, which is Mexico.

Completing this section with accurate information ensures that USCIS can effectively communicate with José and process the immigration petition correctly.

Form Filing Tips

Filing Tips: Go to our Tips for Filing Forms by Mail page for information on how to help ensure we will accept your application.

Filing Tips for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Complete all sections of the form. We will reject the form if these fields are missing:

• • Part 1 – Relationship
  • Part 2 – Information About You
    • Your Full Name
    • Date of Birth
    • Mailing Address
    • Your Marital Information
  • Part 4 – Information About Beneficiary
    • Beneficiary Full Name
    • Date of Birth
    • Beneficiary’s Physical Address
    • Beneficiary’s Marital Information

Don’t forget to sign your form! We will reject any unsigned form.