Instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, 

and Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for 

Spouse Beneficiary

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS

 Form I-130/I-130A

OMB No. 1615-0012

Expires 02/28/2027

Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 1 of 11

What Is the Purpose of Form I-130?

A citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States may file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. 

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish the existence of a relationship to certain alien relatives who 

wish to immigrate to the United States.

 Who May File Form I-130?

1. If you are a U.S. citizen, you must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative. You may file Form I-130 for:

A. Your spouse;

B. Your unmarried children under 21 years of age;

C. Your unmarried sons or daughters 21 years of age or older;

D. Your married sons or daughters of any age;

E. Your brothers or sisters (you must be 21 years of age or older); and

F. Your mother or father (you must be 21 years of age or older).

2. If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible 

relative. You may file Form I-130 for:

A. Your spouse;

B. Your unmarried child under 21 years of age; and

C. Your unmarried son or daughter 21 years of age or older.

NOTE:

1. If you are filing for your spouse, he or she must complete and sign Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for 

Spouse Beneficiary. If your spouse is overseas, Form I-130A must still be completed, but your spouse does not have 

to sign Form I-130A. Form I-130A must be submitted with Form I-130. 

2. There is no visa category for married children of lawful permanent residents. If you are a lawful permanent resident 

and you filed Form I-130 for your unmarried son or daughter, but your son or daughter marries before immigrating to 

the United States or adjusting status to lawful permanent resident, we will deny or automatically revoke your petition.

3. Non-citizen U.S. nationals (as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 308) have the same rights 

as lawful permanent residents to petition for family members. If you are a U.S. national born in American Samoa or 

Swains Island (or who otherwise qualifies as a non-citizen U.S. national, as described in INA section 308), you should 

indicate in Part 2., Item Number 36. of the petition that you are a lawful permanent resident. You do not need to list 

an Alien Registration Number (A-Number) in Part 2., Item Number 1. of the petition.

4. If the beneficiary qualifies under Items 1.C., 1.D., or 1.E. above, you are not required to file separate petitions for the 

beneficiary’s spouse or unmarried children under 21 years of age. They are considered derivative beneficiaries and 

you should list them in Part 4. of this petition.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 2 of 11

5. If you are the lawful permanent resident petitioner and the beneficiary qualifies under Items 2.A., 2.B., or 2.C. above, 

you are not required to file separate petitions for the beneficiary’s unmarried children under 21 years of age. They are 

considered derivative beneficiaries and you should list them in Part 4. of this petition.

6. The derivative beneficiaries described in Items 4. and 5. above may apply for an immigrant visa along with the 

beneficiary.

Who May Not File Form I-130?

You may NOT file Form I-130 for a person in the following categories:

1. An adoptive parent or adopted child, if the adoption took place after the child turned 16 years of age, or if the child 

has not been in the legal custody and has not lived with the parents for at least 2 years before filing the petition;

2. A natural parent, if you gained lawful permanent resident status or U.S. citizenship through adoption or as a special 

immigrant juvenile;

3. A stepparent or stepchild, if the marriage that created the relationship took place after the child turned 18 years of age;

4. A spouse, if you and your spouse were not both physically present at the marriage ceremony, unless the marriage was 

consummated;

5. A spouse, if you gained lawful permanent resident status through a prior marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful 

permanent resident, unless:

A. You are now a naturalized U.S. citizen;

B. You have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years;

C. You can establish by clear and convincing evidence that you did not enter the prior marriage (through which you 

gained your lawful permanent resident status) in order to evade any U.S. immigration law; or

D. Your prior marriage through which you gained your immigrant status was terminated by the death of your former 

spouse;

6. A spouse, if you married your spouse while he or she was the subject of an exclusion, deportation, removal, or 

rescission proceeding regarding his or her right to be admitted into or to remain in the United States, or while a 

decision in any of these proceedings was before any court on judicial review. However, you may be eligible for the 

bona fide marriage exemption under INA section 245(e)(3) if:

A. You request in writing a bona fide marriage exemption and prove by clear and convincing evidence that the 

marriage is legally valid where it took place and that you and your spouse married in good faith and not for the 

purpose of obtaining lawful permanent resident status for your spouse and that no fee or any other consideration 

(other than appropriate attorney fees) was given to you for your filing of this petition. The request must be 

submitted with Form I-130; or

B. Your spouse has lived outside the United States, after the marriage, for a period of at least two years;

7. Any person, if USCIS determines that he or she entered into or attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage in 

order to evade U.S. immigration laws; and

8. A grandparent, grandchild, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, cousin, or parent-in-law.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 3 of 11

General Instructions

We provide free forms through the USCIS website. To view, print, or complete our forms, you should use the latest 

version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have internet 

access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center and ask that we mail a form to you.

Signature. You (or your signing authority) must properly complete your petition. USCIS will not accept a stamped or 

typewritten name in place of any signature on this petition. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian 

may sign the petition on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If your petition 

is not signed, or if the signature is not valid, we will reject your petition. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts 

a request for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS may deny the request. 

Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature 

as valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink 

signature.

Filing Fee. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specific information about the fees applicable to 

this form.

Evidence. When you file your petition, you must submit all evidence and supporting documents listed in the General 

Requirements section of these Instructions. 

Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (fingerprints, 

photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background 

and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation 

(FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services appointment 

is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment. If you are 

currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office outside the 

United States to schedule an appointment. 

At your biometrics appointment, you must sign an oath reaffirming that: 

1. You provided or authorized all information in the petition;

2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your petition; and

3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.

If you do not attend your biometric services appointment, we may deny your petition.

Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of requested documents unless the Instructions specifically instruct you to 

submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at any time during our process. If we request an 

original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs the original. 

NOTE: If you submit original documents when they are not required or requested, USCIS may destroy them after we 

receive them.

Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English 

translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and 

that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must also include their 

signature, printed name, the signature date, and their contact information.

USCIS Contact Center. For additional information on the petition and Instructions about where to file, change of 

address, and other questions, visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or call at 800-375-5283 

(TTY 800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 4 of 11

Disability Accommodations/Modifications. To request a disability accommodation/modification, follow the instructions 

on your appointment notice or at www.uscis.gov/accommodationsinfo.

How To Complete Form I-130

1. Type or print legibly in black ink.

2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this petition, use the space provided in Part 9. Additional 

Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) 

(if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer 

refers; and sign and date each sheet.

3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been 

married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise 

directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many 

children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None” unless 

otherwise directed.

4. Enter dates in mm/dd/yyyy format. If you cannot provide an exact date, provide an approximate date in the same 

format and include an explanation in Part 9. Additional Information.

5. USCIS Online Account Number. You will only have a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) if you previously 

filed a form that has a receipt number that begins with IOE. If you filed the form online, you can find your OAN in 

your account profile. If you mailed us the form, you can find your OAN at the top of the Account Access Notice we 

sent you. If you do not have a receipt number that begins with IOE, you do not have an OAN. If you were issued a 

USCIS Online Account Number, enter it in the space provided at Part 2., Item Number 2. The OAN is not the same 

as an A-Number.

6. Part 3. Biographic Information. Provide the biographic information requested in Part 3., Item Numbers 1. - 6. 

Providing this information as part of your petition may reduce the time you spend at your USCIS ASC appointment as 

described in the Biometric Services Appointment section of these Instructions.

A. Ethnicity and Race. Select the boxes that best describe your ethnicity and race.

Categories and Definitions for Ethnicity and Race

(1) Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish 

culture or origin, regardless of race. (NOTE: This category is only included under Ethnicity in Part 3., Item 

Number 1.)

(2) American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and 

South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.

(3) Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian 

subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine 

Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

(4) Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

(5) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of 

Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

(6) White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

B. Height. Select the values that best match your height in feet and inches. For example, if you are five feet and 

nine inches, select “5” for feet and “09” for inches. Do not enter your height in meters or centimeters.

C. Weight. Enter your weight in pounds. If you do not know your weight, or need to enter a weight under 30 

pounds or over 699 pounds, enter “000.” Do not enter your weight in kilograms.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 5 of 11

D. Eye Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your eyes.

E. Hair Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your hair.

7. Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. Complete Part 4., Item Numbers 46.b. - 50., of the petition regarding the 

admission or travel document for the beneficiary.

If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or USCIS issued the beneficiary a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, 

provide the beneficiary’s Form I-94 number and date that his or her authorized period of stay expires or expired (as 

shown on Form I-94). The Form I-94 number also is known as the Departure Number on some versions of Form I-94.

NOTE: If CBP admitted the beneficiary into the United States at an airport or seaport after April 30, 2013, he or 

she may have been issued an electronic Form I-94 instead of a paper Form I-94. The beneficiary may visit the CBP 

website at www.cbp.gov/i94 to obtain a paper version of his or her electronic Form I-94. CBP does not charge a fee 

for this service. Some travelers may also be able to obtain a replacement Form I-94 from the CBP website for free 

if they were admitted to the United States at a land border, airport, or seaport after April 30, 2013, with a passport or 

travel document and received a paper Form I-94 from CBP. If the beneficiary cannot obtain his or her Form I-94 from 

the CBP website, he or she may obtain it by filing Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant 

Arrival-Departure Record, with USCIS. USCIS does charge a fee for Form I-102. See Form G-1055, available at 

www.uscis.gov/forms, for specific information about the fees applicable to this form.

Passport and Travel Document Numbers. Complete Part 4., Item Numbers 45. - 50., as applicable, if the 

beneficiary relative used a passport or travel document to travel to the United States, enter the passport or travel 

document information in the appropriate space on the petition, even if the passport or travel document is currently 

expired.

8. Part 6. Petitioner’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature. Select the appropriate box to 

indicate whether you read this petition yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted you 

in completing the petition, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Further, you must sign and date your 

petition and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any), and email address (if any). 

Every petition MUST contain the signature of the petitioner (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A stamped or 

typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.

9. Part 7. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. If you used anyone as an interpreter to 

read the Instructions and questions on this petition to you in a language in which you are fluent, the interpreter must 

fill out this section, provide his or her name, the name and address of his or her business or organization (if any), his 

or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone number (if any), and his or her email address (if any). 

The interpreter must sign and date the petition.

10. Part 8. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Petition, if Other Than 

the Petitioner. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your petition, if other than 

you, the petitioner. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should complete 

both Part 7. and Part 8. If the person who completed this petition is associated with a business or organization, 

that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who helped you 

complete this petition MUST sign and date the petition. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is 

not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your petition is an attorney or accredited representative whose 

representation extends beyond preparation of this petition, he or she may be obliged to also submit a completed Form 

G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, along with your petition.

We recommend that you review your copy of your completed petition before you go to your biometric services 

appointment at a USCIS ASC. At your appointment, USCIS will allow you to complete the petition process only 

if you are able to confirm, under penalty of perjury, that all of the information in your petition is complete, true, and 

correct. If you are not able to make that attestation in good faith at that time, we will require you to return for another 

appointment.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 6 of 11

General Requirements

1. Does approval of this petition mean that my family member is automatically a lawful permanent resident or 

they can immediately immigrate to the United States?

No. An approved petition does not give the beneficiary automatic lawful permanent resident status or permission to 

immediately immigrate to the United States. 

2. When will a visa become available?

When a petition is approved for the spouse, unmarried children under 21 years of age, or parents of a U.S. citizen, 

these persons are classified as immediate relatives, which means visas are immediately available to them.

When a petition is approved for a U.S. citizen’s sibling or married or adult son or daughter, or for a lawful permanent 

resident’s spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter, it is assigned to the appropriate visa preference category. Each 

year, a limited number of immigrant visas are available for each preference category. The visas are processed in the 

order in which the petitions are properly filed and accepted by us. To be considered properly filed, a petition must be 

fully completed and signed, and the filing fee must be paid.

For a monthly report on the dates when immigrant visas are available, call the U.S. Department of State at 

1-202-663-1541, or visit their website at www.travel.state.gov.

3. What documents do you need to show that you are a U.S. citizen?

A. A copy of your birth certificate, issued by a civil registrar, vital statistics office, or other civil authority showing 

that you were born in the United States;

B. A copy of your naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship issued by USCIS or the former Immigration 

and Naturalization Service (INS);

C. A copy of Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate;

D. A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport; or

E. An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying that you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport.

If you do not have any of the above documents and you were born in the United States, see the What if an official 

document is not available section of these Instructions.

4. What documents do you need to show that you are a lawful permanent resident?

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must file your petition with a copy of the front and back of your 

Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551). If you have not yet received your card, submit copies of your passport 

biographic page and the page showing admission as a lawful permanent resident, or other evidence of permanent 

resident status issued by USCIS or the former INS.

5. What documents do you need to prove family relationship?

You have to prove that there is a family relationship between you and the beneficiary. If you are filing for a relative 

listed below, submit the following documentation to prove the family relationship.

A. A spouse:

(1) A copy of your marriage certificate; 

(2) If either you were or your spouse was previously married, submit copies of documents showing that each of 

the prior marriages was legally terminated; and

(3) You must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself and your spouse (if he or she is 

in the United States) taken within 30 days of filing this petition. The photos must have a white to off-white 

background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 7 of 11

The two identical color passport-style photos must be 2 by 2 inches. The photos must be in color with full 

face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from top 

of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from bottom of photo. Your head 

must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a 

member. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo.

NOTE: In addition to the required documentation listed above, you should submit one or more of the 

following types of documentation that may prove you have a bona fide marriage:

(1) Documentation showing joint ownership of property;

(2) A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence, meaning you both live at the same address together;

(3) Documentation showing that you and your spouse have combined your financial resources;

(4) Birth certificates of children born to you and your spouse together;

(5) Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital 

relationship. Each affidavit must contain the full name and address of the person making the affidavit; date 

and place of birth of the person making the affidavit; and complete information and details explaining how the 

person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage; or

(6) Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

NOTE: You must submit clear and convincing evidence that you and your spouse entered into the 

marriage in good faith and not for immigration purposes if you married your spouse while your spouse 

was the subject of an exclusion, deportation, removal, or rescission proceeding (including during the 

judicial review of any one of these proceedings); or you are a lawful permanent resident that obtained 

your permanent residence through a prior marriage that was not determined by the death of your 

spouse and you are filing your petition for your spouse that you were married within five years of 

obtaining your permanent residence.

B. A child and you are the mother: Submit a copy of the child’s birth certificate showing your name and the name 

of your child.

C. A child and you are the father: Submit a copy of the child’s birth certificate showing both parents’ names, your 

marriage certificate to the child’s mother, and proof of legal termination of the parents’ prior marriages, if any, 

issued by civil authorities.

D. A child born out of wedlock and you are the father: Submit evidence that you and the mother were married 

while the child was under 18 years of age, or submit evidence that the child was legitimated under the law of the 

child’s residence or domicile, or under the law of your residence or domicile, before the child reached 18 years of 

age. If your child was not legitimated before reaching 18 years of age, you must file your petition with copies of 

evidence that a bona fide parent-child relationship existed between you and the child before the child reached 21 

years of age. This may include evidence that you lived with the child, supported him or her, or otherwise showed 

continuing parental interest in the child’s welfare.

E. A brother or sister: Submit a copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your brother’s or sister’s birth 

certificate showing that you have at least one common parent. If you and your brother or sister have a common 

father but different mothers, submit copies of the marriage certificates showing that your father was married to 

each mother, as well as copies of documents showing that any prior marriages of either your father or mothers 

were legally terminated. If you and your brother or sister are related through adoption or a stepparent, or if you 

have a common father and either of you were not legitimated before you turned 18 years of age, see Items D., H., 

and I. in these Instructions for additional information on proving your family relationship.

F. A mother: Submit a copy of your birth certificate showing your name and your mother’s name.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 8 of 11

G. A father: Submit a copy of your birth certificate showing the names of both parents. Also submit a copy of your 

parents’ marriage certificate establishing that your father was married to your mother. If either your mother or 

father were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that each of the prior marriages was legally 

terminated. If you are filing for a stepparent or adoptive parent, or if you are filing for your father and you were 

born out of wedlock, see Items D., H., and I. in these Instructions for additional information on proving your 

family relationship.

H. Stepparent/Stepchild: If your petition is based on a stepparent-stepchild relationship, you must file your petition 

with a copy of the marriage certificate of the stepparent to the child’s natural parent showing that the marriage 

occurred before the child turned 18 years of age, copies of documents showing that any prior marriages were 

legally terminated (if applicable), and a copy of the stepchild’s birth certificate.

I. Adoptive parent or adopted child: If you and the person you are filing for are related by adoption, you must 

submit a copy of the adoption decree showing that the adoption took place before the child turned 16 years of age.

If you adopted a child under 16 years of age, and you also adopted the older sibling of that child, you may file a 

petition for the older child if the adoption occurred before the older child turned 18 years of age. You must submit 

a copy of the adoption decree showing that the adoption of the sibling occurred before the sibling turned 18 years 

of age.

In either case, you must also submit copies of evidence that each child was in the legal custody of and resided 

with the parents who adopted him or her for at least two years before or after adoption. Only a court or 

recognized government entity may grant legal custody, and it is usually granted at the time the adoption is 

finalized. However, if legal custody is granted by a court or recognized government entity prior to the adoption, 

that time may count toward fulfilling the 2-year legal custody requirement.

6. Notice to persons filing for spouses, if you have been married less than two years.

If you have been married less than two years on the date your spouse has obtained permanent resident status, USCIS 

will grant your spouse conditional permanent resident status for two years under INA section 216. USCIS then 

requires both you and your spouse to file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, during the 90-day 

period immediately before your spouse’s conditional permanent resident status expires.

Conditional permanent residents have the same rights, privileges, responsibilities, and duties as all other lawful 

permanent residents. A conditional permanent resident is not limited in his or her right to apply for naturalization, file 

petitions on behalf of qualifying relatives, or reside permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance 

with U.S. immigration laws.

NOTE: If your spouse fails to timely file Form I-751 to remove the conditional basis of his or her spouse’s 

permanent resident status, USCIS will terminate his or her permanent resident status and begin removal proceedings.

7. What if a name has changed?

If either you or the person you are filing for is using a name that is not the same name shown on the relevant 

documents, you must file your petition with copies of the legal documents reflecting the name change, such as a 

marriage certificate, adoption decree, or court order.

8. What if an official document is not available?

In this situation, submit a statement from the appropriate civil authority certifying that the document or documents 

are not available. You must also submit secondary evidence, which may include one or more of the following records 

listed below.

A. Religious record: A copy of a document bearing the seal of the religious organization showing that the baptism, 

dedication, or comparable rite occurred within two months after birth, and showing the date and place of the 

child’s birth, date of the religious ceremony, and the names of the child’s parents.

B. School record: A letter from the authority (preferably the first school attended) showing the date of admission to 

the school, the child’s date of birth or age at that time, place of birth, and names of the parents.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 9 of 11

C. Census record: State or Federal census records showing the names, place of birth, date of birth, or the age of the 

person listed.

D. If records like those described above are not available, then you may submit two or more written statements from 

individuals who were living at the time and who have personal knowledge of the event you are trying to prove, 

such as the date and place of birth, marriage, or death. The individuals making the written statements do not 

have to be U.S. citizens. Each written statement must contain the following information regarding the individual 

making the written statement: his or her full name, address, date and place of birth, full information concerning 

the event, and complete details explaining how the individual acquired personal knowledge of the event.

Finally, each individual’s written statement must include the following declaration, “I declare (or certify, verify, 

or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and 

correct. Executed on [date], [signature].”

E. For parent-child relationships only: If other forms of evidence have proven inconclusive, the petitioner 

may submit on a voluntary basis other evidence of a birth parent and birth child relationship to include 

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. DNA test results will only be accepted by USCIS from parentage-testing 

laboratories accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). A list of laboratories can be 

viewed at www.aabb.org/sa/facilities/Pages/RTestAccrFac.aspx.

Where To File?

Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/i-130 for the most current information about where to file this petition.

Address Change

A petitioner who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of his or her new address within 10 days of moving from his or 

her previous residence. For information on changing your address, go to our website at www.uscis.gov/addresschange, 

or call the USCIS Contact Center.

NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to the USCIS Lockbox.

Processing Information

Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your petition we will check it for completeness. If you do not properly complete 

this petition, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and we may reject or deny your petition.

Requests for More Information. USCIS may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your 

petition. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original document 

from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it is no longer needed.

Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your petition. 

During your interview, USCIS may require you to provide your biometrics to verify your identity and/or update 

background and security checks.

Decision. The decision on Form I-130 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the 

immigration benefit you are seeking. USCIS will notify you of our decision in writing.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 10 of 11

USCIS Forms and Information

To ensure you are using the latest version of this petition, visit www.uscis.gov. 

Penalties

If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form I-130, we will 

deny your Form I-130 and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties provided 

by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

USCIS Compliance Review and Monitoring

By signing this petition, you have stated under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. section 1746) that all information and 

documentation submitted with this petition are complete, true, and correct. You also authorize the release of any 

information from your records that USCIS may need to determine your eligibility for the immigration benefit you are 

seeking and consent to USCIS verifying such information.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to verify any information you submit to establish 

eligibility for the immigration benefit you are seeking at any time. USCIS’ legal authority to verify this information is in 

8 U.S.C. sections 1103, 1155, and 1184, and 8 CFR Parts 103, 204, 205, and 214. To ensure compliance with applicable 

laws and authorities, USCIS may verify information before or after your case is decided.

Agency verification methods may include, but are not limited to: review of public records and information; contact via 

written correspondence, the Internet, facsimile, other electronic transmission, or telephone; unannounced physical site 

inspections of residences and locations of employment; and interviews. USCIS will use information obtained through 

verification to assess your compliance with the laws and to determine your eligibility for an immigration benefit.

Subject to the restrictions under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(16), USCIS will provide you with an opportunity to address any adverse 

or derogatory information that may result from a USCIS compliance review, verification, or site visit after a formal 

decision is made on your case or after the agency has initiated an adverse action which may result in revocation or 

termination of an approval.

DHS Privacy Notice

AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this petition, and the associated evidence, is collected under the 

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 204.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this petition is to determine if you have 

established eligibility for the immigration benefit for which you are filing. DHS will use the information you provide to 

grant or deny the immigration benefit you are seeking.

DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However failure to provide the requested information, 

including your Social Security number, and the requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case or result in 

denial of your petition.
Form I-130 Instructions 04/01/24 Page 11 of 11

ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this form with other Federal, state, local, and foreign 

government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the associated 

published system of records forms [DHS/USCIS–001 – Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System and 

DHS/USCIS–007 – Benefits Information System] and the published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA003 Integrated Digitization Document Management Program (IDDMP), DHS/USCIS/PIA-016(a) Computer Linked 

Application Information Management System and Associated Systems, and DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity 

Management for International Operations], which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the 

information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.

Paperwork Reduction Act

USCIS may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and you are not required to respond to a collection of 

information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public 

reporting burden for Form I-130 is estimated at 1.817 hours per response and Form I-130A is estimated at 50 minutes 

per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, 

completing the forms, preparing statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the forms. The collection 

of biometrics is estimated to require 1 hour and 10 minutes. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any 

other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, 

Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009; OMB No. 1615-0012. Do not mail your completed Form I-130 or 

Form I-130A to this address.

Checklist

For all Form I-130 petitioners:

□ Did you answer each question on Form I-130? 

□ Did you sign and date the petition?

□ Did you enclose the correct filing fee for each petition?

□ Did you submit proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status?

□ Did you submit other required supporting evidence?

□ If you have an attorney or accredited representative, did you include a completed Form G-28?

For Form I-130 spouse petitioners:

□ Did you include two photographs of your spouse beneficiary?

□ Did you include a completed and signed Form I-130A?

□ Did you include two photographs of you (spouse petitioner)?