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I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

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I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

Petitioner Name:   Petitioner Address:

Beneficiary Name:   Beneficiary Address:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Petitioner affirms that Petitioner is either a citizen or lawful permanent resident entitled to sponsor certain relatives for immigrant classification and seeks to establish the qualifying relationship between Petitioner and Beneficiary for immigration benefit purposes; and

WHEREAS, Beneficiary is the alien relative for whom Petitioner seeks classification under the relevant immigration statutes and regulations as the close family member of Petitioner; and

WHEREAS, Petitioner intends to submit documentary evidence establishing the family relationship and to comply with all procedural requirements, declarations, and certifications required under law;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the statements and representations contained herein, Petitioner petitions for classification of Beneficiary as a relative eligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status on the grounds set forth below.

1. PETITIONER IDENTIFICATION

Petitioner Status: U.S. Citizen Lawful Permanent Resident

2. BENEFICIARY INFORMATION

Spouse Child Parent Sibling

3. FACTS AND BASIS OF PETITION

Petitioner asserts under penalty of perjury that the representations made in this petition are true and correct to the best of Petitioner's knowledge. Petitioner submits the following facts establishing the qualifying relationship and eligibility:

Birth certificate(s) establishing relationship
Marriage certificate(s) and termination records
Photographs, correspondence, or joint financial documents
Other evidence (see explanation below)

4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

5. ATTESTATION AND CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws governing declarations and attestations, that the information contained in this petition and any accompanying documentation is complete, true, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that knowingly submitting false information may subject me to civil and criminal penalties and may be a basis for denial of the petition.

Petitioner agrees to provide additional evidence or attend interviews if required, and acknowledges that submission of this petition does not guarantee approval nor immediate issuance of an immigrant visa.

6. NOTICES

All notices relating to this petition, including requests for additional evidence, shall be directed to the mailing address provided by Petitioner above. Petitioner must promptly notify the appropriate authorities of any change of address as required by applicable law.

7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Governing Law: This petition and any dispute arising out of it shall be governed by the laws and regulations applicable to immigrant petitions under the relevant immigration statutes and implementing regulations.

Entire Agreement: This document, together with any attachments and supporting documentation, constitutes the entire petition and agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter herein and supersedes prior statements or representations with respect to the petition.

Severability: If any provision of this petition is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the petition shall continue in full force and effect to the extent permitted by law.

Amendments and Waiver: No modification or waiver of any provision of this petition will be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. A waiver of any breach shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach.

Counterparts: This petition may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

DECLARATION BY PETITIONER

I declare under penalty of perjury that I am the Petitioner named in this petition and that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Petitioner (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Beneficiary (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Is

The I-130 Petition for Alien Relative is the USCIS form used by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to establish a qualifying family relationship with an alien relative seeking an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. Filing Form I-130 documents the petitioner’s eligibility and the beneficiary’s relationship and requires supporting evidence such as birth, marriage, and adoption records plus proof of petitioner citizenship or permanent residency. Approval creates an immigrant classification or visa preference, subject to visa availability and later adjudication steps.

Why Filing Form I-130 Matters

Filing Form I-130 establishes the legal basis for family-based immigration, documents the family relationship required by USCIS, and triggers downstream steps such as consular processing or adjustment of status.

Why Filing Form I-130 Matters

Who Typically Files an I-130

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents use Form I-130 to sponsor qualifying family members for immigrant status.

  • U.S. citizens sponsoring spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21.
  • Lawful permanent residents sponsoring spouses and unmarried children; some categories have preference waits.
  • Petitioners preparing to support consular processing or an adjustment of status application.

Review USCIS eligibility rules and relationship categories carefully before preparing evidence and submitting the petition.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete Form I-130

Follow this ordered checklist to gather evidence, complete fields accurately, and submit Form I-130 with the correct fee and supporting documentation.

  • 01
    Gather Documents: Collect birth, marriage certificates, passports, and proof of status.
  • 02
    Complete Form: Enter names, addresses, and relationship details carefully.
  • 03
    Attach Evidence: Include certified or clear photocopies with English translations.
  • 04
    File and Pay: Submit form to USCIS with fee and supporting documents.

Required Information and Supporting Items

Petitioner Details: Full legal name, DOB, citizenship.
Beneficiary Details: Name, DOB, birthplace, A-Number if any.
Relationship Evidence: Marriage certificate, birth records, photos.
Proof of Status: Passport, naturalization certificate, or green card.
Contact Information: Current mailing and physical addresses.
Fee Payment: Form I-130 filing fee amount and method.

Configuring an Online I-130 Workflow

Set up a secure digital workflow that collects completed PDFs, verifies signer identity, and routes supporting documents for internal review before filing.

Field Configuration
Document Upload Accept PDF and DOCX; require single PDF package for USCIS.
Authentication Use email plus SMS or knowledge-based verification.
Signature Type Capture signer intent; include timestamp and audit trail.
File Naming Use clear filenames: petitioner_beneficiary_I130.pdf for filing.

Digital Signing and eSubmission Requirements

Choose an eSignature platform and workflow that meets ESIGN and UETA standards while producing secure audit trails and exportable signed PDFs.

  • File Formats: Signable PDF recommended; DOCX accepted for drafting.
  • Integrations: Works with Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite.
  • Authentication: Options: email, SMS, KBA, or SSO.

Where to File Form I-130 and How Submission Works

USCIS handles I-130 filings; the correct filing address depends on petitioner location, petitioner type, and whether the petition is mailed or filed online.

  • USCIS Lockbox: Mail paper petitions to the designated USCIS lockbox listed in form instructions.
  • Online Filing: Create a USCIS online account to file Form I-130 electronically when supported.
  • Consular Processing: Approval may transfer the case to the National Visa Center for consular processing.
  • Updates and Notices: Respond to Requests for Evidence or Notices to ensure timely processing.

Timelines, Deadlines, and Typical Processing Expectations

Processing times vary by service center and beneficiary country; submit complete evidence to reduce Requests for Evidence and avoid avoidable delays.

USCIS Fee:

$675 filing fee payable to USCIS.

Initial Processing:

USCIS issues a receipt notice within about 2–3 weeks in many cases.

Request for Evidence:

An RFE extends adjudication; respond by the stated deadline with requested documents.

Approval Notice:

Approval moves the case to NVC for consular cases or supports adjustment filings.

Visa Availability:

Visa Bulletin availability affects wait times for preference-category beneficiaries.

Key Milestones and Processing Stages

Track major milestones from filing through consular processing or adjustment so you know when action or documents are required by petitioner or beneficiary.

01

Filing & Receipt

Submit form and fee; USCIS issues a receipt notice.

02

Biometrics/Interviews

USCIS or consulate may schedule biometrics or interviews.

03

Decision

USCIS approves or denies the petition; approval advances the case.

04

Consular/NVC Processing

NVC assigns a case number and handles visa interview scheduling.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing Form I-130

  • Incomplete or inconsistent names and dates across forms and supporting documents often trigger Requests for Evidence and processing delays; always use exact names from government IDs.
  • Submitting non-English documents without certified translations or certified copies can cause USCIS to reject evidence or issue an RFE for properly translated documents.
  • Omitting proof of petitioner status (U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, or green card) is a frequent omission that directly leads to RFEs and slower adjudication.
  • Using an incorrect filing address, outdated form version, or failing to pay the exact fee can result in rejection and possible forfeiture of filing fees.

Risks and Consequences of Errors or Misstatements

Denial: Petition denied.
RFE: Requires additional evidence.
Processing Delay: Longer adjudication time.
Fee Forfeiture: No refund on rejected filing.
Perjury Risk: False statements may incur penalties.
Immigration Consequences: Can affect future petitions.

Representative Use Cases for Form I-130

Real scenarios illustrate how petitioners gather evidence and progress through consular or adjustment workflows after I-130 approval.

Spouse Sponsorship

A U.S. citizen living in California files Form I-130 to sponsor a spouse abroad, compiling marriage certificates and passport copies as supporting evidence.

  • Consular processing followed after petition approval.
  • After USCIS approval the case moved to the National Visa Center and the beneficiary completed the visa interview at the U.S. consulate. Timely document translation and certified copies avoided RFEs and shortened overall processing time.

Parent Sponsorship

A lawful permanent resident sponsors an elderly parent; the petitioner gathered birth records, proof of relationship, and evidence of legal residency before filing Form I-130.

  • Included certified translations and proof of residency.
  • USCIS approved the petition; the petitioner secured necessary financial affidavits for subsequent immigrant visa processing. Maintaining organized copies and clear evidence reduced requests for additional documentation and eased later stages.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for I-130 Workflows

Compare common eSignature plan features and starting prices when selecting a solution to support electronic completion and signature of Form I-130 and its supporting documents.

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 free trial, no credit card required Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year limit Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About the I-130 Petition

Answers to common questions about eligibility, required evidence, filing locations, fees, electronic signatures, and responding to USCIS requests.


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