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I-130 G-28

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I-130 / G-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance and Authorization to File Petition for Alien Relative

This Notice of Entry of Appearance and Authorization to File Petition is entered into by Petitioner Name: and Attorney/Representative Name: on behalf of Beneficiary Name: . The parties hereby set forth the terms under which Attorney/Representative will enter an appearance and prepare and file a Petition for Alien Relative (I-130) on behalf of the Beneficiary.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Petitioner is a person seeking to establish a qualifying family relationship to obtain an immigration benefit for the Beneficiary and intends to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the appropriate immigration authorities; and

WHEREAS, Attorney/Representative is duly authorized to practice law or is an accredited representative authorized to practice before immigration authorities and represents that Attorney/Representative is authorized to enter an appearance on behalf of Petitioner to file and prosecute the I-130 petition; and

WHEREAS, Petitioner desires to engage Attorney/Representative to prepare, execute, and file the I-130 petition, to receive correspondence and notices related to the filing, and to take such actions as are reasonably necessary to pursue the petition.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, "Petition" means the Form I-130 and all supporting documentation; "Attorney/Representative" means the named counsel or accredited representative identified in this Notice; and "Authorities" means the immigration agencies and their officers, employees, or representatives who adjudicate petitions and related matters.

2. AUTHORIZATION AND SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION

Petitioner hereby authorizes Attorney/Representative to prepare, sign where authorized, and file the Petition (Form I-130) and to receive correspondence, notices, and decisions issued by the Authorities concerning the Petition. This authorization includes: (a) preparing and submitting required forms and supporting evidence; (b) receiving and responding to requests for evidence; (c) corresponding with Authorities on procedural matters; and (d) taking routine ministerial actions necessary for processing the Petition. This authorization does not include representation in removal proceedings or appeals unless expressly agreed in writing.

Representation Type: Attorney Accredited Representative

3. PETITIONER INFORMATION

4. BENEFICIARY INFORMATION

5. ATTORNEY / REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT INFORMATION

6. SCOPE LIMITATIONS; EXCLUDED MATTERS

Attorney/Representative's scope of representation is limited to the preparation and filing of the Form I-130 petition and related correspondence with the Authorities, and to responding to requests for evidence and routine communications as necessary to adjudicate that petition. This Agreement does not obligate Attorney/Representative to represent Petitioner or Beneficiary in appeals, motions to reopen or reconsider, removal proceedings, state or federal court litigation, or any other proceeding unless an additional written engagement is executed.

7. PETITIONER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND WARRANTIES

Petitioner warrants that all information and documents provided to Attorney/Representative are true, accurate, and complete to the best of Petitioner's knowledge. Petitioner authorizes Attorney/Representative to sign documents on Petitioner's behalf where the Authorities permit counsel signature and to receive notices and decision documents. Petitioner understands that submission of false information may result in denial of the Petition and may have civil or criminal consequences.

8. FEES, COSTS, AND PAYMENT

Petitioner agrees to pay Attorney/Representative the fees as described: Fee Amount: . Government filing fees, translation costs, courier charges, and other third-party costs are separate and are the responsibility of Petitioner. Unless otherwise stated in a separate fee agreement, fees paid for legal services are earned when paid and are non-refundable except as required by applicable law.

9. RECORDS, PRIVACY, AND CONSENT TO DISCLOSURE

Petitioner authorizes Attorney/Representative to obtain, review, and retain copies of records and to disclose information to the Authorities as necessary for the Petition. Attorney/Representative will maintain confidentiality of client information consistent with professional obligations, except as required by law or where Petitioner provides written consent to disclosure.

10. NOTICES

All notices required under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses provided in this form. Notice shall be deemed given upon personal delivery, three days after deposit in the U.S. mail, or one business day after deposit with an overnight courier service, addressed to the respective party at the address set forth above or at such other address as a party may designate in writing.

11. WITHDRAWAL OR TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATION

Attorney/Representative may withdraw from representation if Petitioner fails to cooperate, fails to pay agreed fees, or for other good cause. Upon termination, Attorney/Representative will take steps to the extent required by professional rules to protect Petitioner's interests, including returning original documents upon request and, where appropriate, filing a substitution or withdrawal of counsel with the Authorities.

12. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified by Petitioner's address, except to the extent preempted by federal immigration law and regulations, which shall control where applicable.

13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

This instrument constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to Attorney/Representative's entry of appearance and the preparation and filing of the Petition. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

14. AMENDMENT; WAIVER; COUNTERPARTS

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties. Waiver of any breach shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature, each of which shall be deemed an original.

15. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / RECEIPT NUMBERS

By signing below, Petitioner certifies under penalty of perjury that the statements made in this Notice and the documents provided to Attorney/Representative are true and correct to the best of Petitioner's knowledge, and authorizes Attorney/Representative to enter an appearance and act as described herein.

Petitioner:

By:

Date:

Petitioner Contact Phone:

Attorney/Representative:

By:

Date:

Attorney Contact Phone:

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What the I-130 and Form G-28 are and how they work together

The I-130 is the USCIS Petition for Alien Relative used by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to establish a qualifying family relationship. Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, notifies USCIS that a lawyer or accredited representative will act on behalf of the petitioner or beneficiary. When a representative files a G-28 with an I-130, USCIS may communicate case updates and requests directly to the representative. Properly completed forms reduce processing friction and ensure official correspondence reaches an authorized point of contact.

Why filing a G-28 with an I-130 matters

Filing Form G-28 alongside or after an I-130 authorizes a legal representative to receive USCIS notices, respond to requests for evidence, and manage case correspondence on the petitioner’s or beneficiary’s behalf.

Why filing a G-28 with an I-130 matters

Who typically uses the I-130 G-28 combination

Legal representatives, accredited nonprofit advocates, and petitioners who work with counsel commonly use Form G-28 to centralize USCIS communications.

  • Immigration attorneys representing family petitioners and beneficiaries in preparation and response to USCIS correspondence.
  • Accredited representatives at recognized nonprofit agencies providing client representation in immigration matters.
  • Self-represented petitioners who later retain counsel and need to authorize a representative mid-case.

Including a G-28 makes it clear to USCIS who may lawfully receive case notices and act on the client’s behalf.

Simple step sequence to attach a G-28 to your I-130 filing

Follow these four steps to ensure the representative is properly entered on the USCIS record for an I-130 petition.

  • 01
    Prepare Forms: Complete I-130 and G-28 with matching client identifiers and dates.
  • 02
    Signatures: Have petitioner and representative sign in designated blocks; date signatures.
  • 03
    Assemble Evidence: Include G-28 with supporting I-130 evidence and all required documents.
  • 04
    Submit to USCIS: File the packet per USCIS instructions; keep copies and proof of mailing or receipt.

How to set up a digital workflow for the I-130 and G-28

Map each action to a digital step to collect signatures and preserve an audit trail when completing G-28 with an I-130.

Field Configuration
Signature Fields Place signature and date fields for petitioner and representative with required format enforcement.
Authentication Enable email or SMS verification for signer attribution and stronger authentication if needed.
Template Save a reusable G-28 + I-130 template to reduce repetitive data entry for repeat filings.
Notifications Configure automated notifications for each signer and for receipt confirmations.

Digital signing and technical requirements for valid e-signatures

Confirm the electronic signing platform supports ESIGN and UETA legal standards and retains an audit trail.

  • Signature Legality: Platform must record intent, attribution, and retention to meet ESIGN/UETA tests.
  • File Formats: Use PDF or other USCIS-accepted formats that preserve signatures and timestamps.
  • Authentication: Choose email, SMS, or stronger ID verification to link action to the signer.

When PHI is involved in supporting evidence, ensure the platform supports HIPAA (BAA) protections, secure storage (AES-256), and a verifiable audit trail.

Where a completed G-28 should go in the I-130 filing process

Attach the signed G-28 to the I-130 packet so USCIS records show the authorized representative from the start of adjudication.

  • Attach: Include G-28 as a top-level document in the same packet as the I-130.
  • If Filed Electronically: Follow USCIS e-filing instructions; include the representative block if the portal supports it.
  • If Filed by Mail: Mail the I-130 and attached G-28 to the correct USCIS service center address.
  • Retain Proof: Keep signed copies and evidence of submission for future reference.

Timing checklist and filing points to watch

G-28 has no separate USCIS filing deadline beyond the I-130; file it with the petition or submit promptly after retention of counsel.

File with Petition:

Include G-28 when you submit I-130 to ensure immediate representative recognition.

After Retaining Counsel:

If counsel is retained later, file G-28 promptly to update USCIS contact records.

RFE Responses:

Representatives on record may receive RFEs directly and can respond on the petitioner’s behalf.

Receipt Notices:

USCIS will send receipt and status notices to the address listed or the authorized representative.

No Separate Fee:

G-28 is a notice of appearance and does not require a separate USCIS filing fee.

Key milestones after submitting I-130 with a G-28

Track these stages to monitor the case and representative involvement from submission to decision.

01

Submission

USCIS receives packet; ideal to have G-28 included to notify their system.

02

Receipt Notice

USCIS issues an I-797 receipt to petitioner and authorized representative if listed.

03

Request for Evidence (RFE)

If issued, USCIS often sends RFE to the representative on record.

04

Adjudication

Decision notice will be sent and managed via the representative if properly entered.

Essential fields and identifiers required on I-130 G-28

Representative Name: Full legal name
Bar/Accreditation: License or accreditation number
Client Name: Petitioner full name
Contact Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Signature: Representative signature
Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Common preparation pitfalls when including a G-28

  • Submitting a G-28 with mismatched names or A-numbers causes USCIS to treat documents as unrelated, delaying adjudication.
  • Omitting the representative’s bar or accreditation number prevents USCIS from validating authority to represent the client.
  • Using an outdated or unsigned G-28 leads USCIS to continue corresponding with the petitioner rather than the representative.
  • Failing to retain signed copies and evidence of submission creates difficulty responding to future USCIS requests.

Consequences of incorrect or missing G-28 information

Processing Delays: USCIS may not route notices correctly, lengthening adjudication.
Communication Failure: Representative may not receive RFEs or decisions if not properly recorded.
Reputational Risk: Unauthorized representation can trigger professional discipline for the representative.
Case Misassociation: Mismatched identifiers may cause evidence to be ignored by adjudicators.
No Separate Fine: There is no civil fine for missing G-28, but case outcomes and timelines may suffer.
Evidence Issues: Notarization or RON conflicts can render supporting documents unusable.

Realistic scenarios showing G-28 use with an I-130

Two concise examples illustrate how representatives interact with USCIS when entered on the record via a G-28.

Immigration Law Firm

A petitioner retains counsel before filing I-130 to centralize communication and responses

  • Representative completes G-28 and files with the petition
  • USCIS sends receipt notices and any RFEs directly to counsel, enabling timely expert responses and consistent case management.

Pro Bono Clinic

A nonprofit clinic represents multiple clients and files G-28s to manage caseloads

  • Clinic lists accreditation and contact information on each G-28
  • Centralized filing reduces missed notices and helps clients meet tight RFE response deadlines while documenting authorized representation.

Practical tips to avoid delays when submitting a G-28 with an I-130

Adopt consistent data entry and document management habits to reduce errors and ensure USCIS recognizes the authorized representative.

Match Identifiers Exactly
Ensure names, A-numbers, and dates on the I-130 and G-28 are identical to avoid misassociation by USCIS and potential evidence rejection.
Retain Signed Copies
Keep scanned and physical copies of all signed forms and mailing receipts for case continuity and future verification needs.
Use Reusable Templates
Create a vetted G-28 template with locked required fields to minimize transcription errors across multiple filings and clients.
Secure PHI and PII
When handling health or financial evidence, use platforms and workflows that meet HIPAA and ESIGN requirements and maintain an auditable trail.

Comparison of eSignature vendor pricing and core capabilities relevant to I-130 G-28 workflows

The table compares starting prices and features that matter when collecting signatures and storing sensitive supporting documents for immigration filings.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about I-130 and Form G-28

Answers to common questions about when to file a G-28, acceptable signatures, and how representation affects USCIS communications.


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