Immigrant Visa Petition

I-130 Requirements (Petition for Alien Relative)

Form I-130 is used to prove that a valid family relationship exists between the U.S. petitioner and the immigrant beneficiary.
Below are the items required for a strong, complete submission.

1. Requirements for the Petitioner (U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder)

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence

Submit one of the following:

U.S. birth certificate

U.S. passport (biographic page)

Naturalization certificate

Certificate of citizenship

Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Green card (front and back) — if the petitioner is a permanent resident

Government-Issued Photo ID

U.S. passport, driver’s license, or green card

Proof of Legal Name Changes (if any)

Marriage certificate

Divorce decree

Court name-change order

Adoption decree

2. Requirements for the Beneficiary (Family Member Being Sponsored)

Proof of Identity

Passport biographic page

Birth certificate with certified translation (if not in English)

Proof of Any Legal Name Changes

Marriage certificates

Divorce decrees

Adoption records

Court orders

Evidence of Legal Entry (if inside the U.S.)

If the beneficiary is in the United States:

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

Admission/entry stamp

Visa page (if applicable)

3. Evidence of a Real, Bona Fide Relationship

For a Spousal I-130 (Marriage-Based):

USCIS requires proof that the marriage is real, valid, and not for immigration purposes.

Common evidence includes:

Required

Marriage certificate

Passport-style photos (1 for petitioner, 1 for beneficiary)

Strong Supporting Evidence

Joint lease or mortgage

Joint bank accounts

Joint tax returns

Health/life insurance listing each other

Utility bills with both names

Photos together over time

Travel itineraries, boarding passes, hotel receipts

Messages, call logs, emails (reasonable samples)

Affidavits from friends/family

Birth certificates of children together (if any)

4. Form Requirements and Supporting Documents

Completed Form I-130

Must be fully filled out with all sections answered.

Completed Form I-130A (for spousal cases only)

The beneficiary spouse must complete Form I-130A.

Filing Fee

The fee is required at the time of submission (amount varies based on online vs. paper filing).

5. Optional but Helpful Evidence

G-1145 for electronic notifications

Proof of previous marriages ending (divorce decrees, death certificates)

Proof of cohabitation

Correspondence mailed to the same address

Joint memberships (gym, clubs, subscriptions)

6. Requirements for Special Cases

If Either Spouse Was Previously Married:

Must provide proof marriage ended legally.

If Marriage Was Conducted Abroad:

Provide proof the marriage is legally recognized in that country.

If Marriage Was by Proxy:

Must show the marriage was consummated after the ceremony.