I-130: What Documents You Need to File the Petition for Alien Relative

If you're a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and you want to bring your family member to the United States, chances are you're looking at Form I-130 — the Petition for Alien Relative. It's the very first step in helping a family member immigrate to the U.S., and while the form itself isn't overly complicated, the documents you need to submit with it are crucial.

Messing up here — forgetting something, uploading the wrong file, or providing poor-quality scans — can lead to delays, rejections, or even denials. So let’s walk through everything you need to successfully file Form I-130, one document at a time.

Why Form I-130 Is So Important

Before we dive into the checklist, let’s quickly recap what Form I-130 actually does.

The I-130 is used by U.S. citizens and green card holders to establish a qualifying family relationship with someone who wants to immigrate to the U.S. It's the immigration system's way of asking, "Are you really family?"

Without an approved I-130, your relative won’t even be considered for a visa or green card. Think of it as the gateway to all future immigration benefits.

Who Can You File Form I-130 For?

Form I-130 isn’t for just anyone. You can only file it for close family members. Here's who qualifies:

If you’re a U.S. citizen, you can file for:

• Spouse

• Children (any age, married or unmarried)

• Parents (if you are 21 or older)

• Siblings (if you are 21 or older)

If you’re a green card holder, you can file for:

• Spouse

• Unmarried children (any age)

So, depending on who you're petitioning for, the I-130 required documents may slightly vary. Let's get into that next.

Documents You Need to File I-130

Alright, here's the heart of it — what documents do you actually need when submitting Form I-130?

We'll break it down based on whether you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder, and who you're petitioning for.

1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence

You must prove that you (the petitioner) are eligible to file I-130.

If you are a U.S. citizen, include one of the following:

• U.S. passport (copy of the page with your photo and data)

• U.S. birth certificate (if born in the U.S.)

• Naturalization certificate

• Certificate of citizenship

If you are a green card holder, submit:

• Front and back copy of your Permanent Resident Card (green card)

Pro Tip: Always send clear, color copies. No blurry scans or phone pictures.

2. Proof of Family Relationship (This Is Big!)

This is the core of the I-130 package. You must prove your relationship to the person you're petitioning for.

Let’s break it down:

If you’re filing for a spouse:

• Marriage certificate (official copy)

• If either of you were married before, divorce decrees, annulment records, or death certificates

• Proof of a bona fide marriage (this is key!)

  • Photos together over time

  • Joint bank account statements

  • Leases or mortgages with both names

  • Insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries

  • Travel tickets, chat screenshots, etc.

If you're filing for a child:

• Child’s birth certificate, showing your name as a parent

• If the child was adopted, official adoption documents

• If you're the father and not on the birth certificate:

  • Proof of legitimation

  • Evidence of relationship (photos, correspondence, financial support)

Filing for a parent:

• Your birth certificate, showing your parents’ names

• If your name was changed — legal name change documents

Filing for a sibling:

• Your birth certificate

• Sibling’s birth certificate

• Both must show the same parent(s)

  
  

3. Passport-Style Photos

You must include passport-style photos of:

• The petitioner (you)

• The beneficiary (your relative)

Requirements:

• 2x2 inches

• White background

• Taken within the last 6 months

Put them in a small envelope and label clearly. Or, if filing online, upload digital versions that meet the specifications.

4. Completed Form I-130

Yes, you need to submit the form itself — filled out completely and signed!

You can either:

• Print and mail the completed I-130 to USCIS

• File online via the USCIS website

5. Translation of Any Foreign Documents

Any document not in English must be accompanied by:

• Full English translation

• Certification by the translator, stating:

  “I certify that I am competent to translate and that the translation is complete and accurate.”

Don’t skip this. USCIS will reject untranslated documents.

6. Payment of Filing Fee

In 2025, the base filing fee for Form I‑130 is:

• 625 dollars when you file online through a USCIS account.

• 675 dollars when you file a paper form by mail (as of this writing).

You can pay by:

• Credit/debit card (if filing online)

• ACH

Pro Tip: Make sure your payment is exact — even a small error can cause your petition to be returned.

Special Situations That May Require Extra Documents

Some cases are a little more complex. Here are examples where extra paperwork is needed with your I-130:

If You Changed Your Name

Include:

• Marriage certificate (if you took your spouse’s name)

• Legal name change document

If You Were Previously Married

Provide:

• Divorce decree(s)

• Annulment certificate(s)

• Death certificate of previous spouse (if applicable)

If the Relative Is in the U.S. Illegally

Don’t panic. You can still file I-130. But your relative may need to take additional steps before adjusting status. It’s wise to consult an attorney in this case.

If You’re Adopting a Child

You must show:

• Legal adoption was finalized before the child turned 16

• You lived with the child for at least 2 years

If Your Marriage Is Recent or Abroad

USCIS may scrutinize your marriage more closely. Provide as much evidence of genuine relationship as possible. Consider adding:

• Affidavits from friends/family

• Chat logs, emails

• Wedding photos and event details

  
  

Tips to Avoid I-130 Rejection or Delays

Let’s be honest: USCIS isn’t forgiving with mistakes. Here's how to avoid common pitfalls:

• Always send clear copies

• Double-check names and dates match across documents

• Include translations and certifications

• Use the latest version of I-130 form

• Pay exact fee

• Sign the form! (Yes, people forget)

Filing I-130 Online vs. Paper

Wondering which method is better? Here's a quick comparison:

Feature	Online Filing	Paper Filing
Speed	Faster	Slower
Tracking	Instant updates	Limited tracking
Document Upload	Easy file uploads	Must send by mail
Errors	Easier to catch errors	Easy to overlook details

If you're tech-savvy, online filing is usually the better route.

After You File I-130 — What’s Next?

Once USCIS receives your I-130, they’ll send a Receipt Notice (Form I-797).

Later steps include:

• I-130 Approval Notice

• Visa processing (via NVC or adjustment of status)

• Interview

• Green card issued

But it all starts with getting that I-130 right the first time.

Conclusion: Prepare Your I-130 Package Like a Pro

Filing Form I-130 isn’t just paperwork — it’s a life-changing step for your loved ones. Doing it right can save months of delays and thousands in fees.

Make sure your documents:

• Prove your relationship

• Are translated correctly

• Are well-organized and complete

Need help reviewing your I-130?

We offer expert consultations to double-check everything before you submit.

Download Form I-130 Here:

i-130.pdf

Download PDF • 733KB

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