Form I-129F Instructions, How to Fill Out

What is Form I-129F?

Form I-129F, or “Petition for Alien Fiancé(e),” is an immigration form used by U.S. citizens for the purpose of bringing a foreign fiancé(e) to the U.S. 

The K-1 visa allows the foreign fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. for the purpose of getting married to the U.S. citizen petitioner. 

After marriage, the foreign spouse can then apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

The process involves several steps:

Step 1. The U.S. citizen must file Form I-129F, along with supporting documentation with USCIS

Step 2. After Form I-129F is approved by USCIS, the petition is forwarded to the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) 

Step 3. Case is forwarded to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign fiancé(e)’s home country for further processing.

Who is eligible to file Form I-129F?

To be eligible to file Form I-129F, you must meet the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizenship: The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible to file Form I-129F for a fiancé(e).
• Intent to Marry: The petitioner and the foreign fiancé(e) must have a genuine intention to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa.
• Meeting in Person: The U.S. citizen petitioner and the foreign fiancé(e) must have met in person at least once within the 2 years before filing the petition, with some limited exceptions for cases where meeting in person would violate strict and long-established customs of the petitioner’s or fiancé(e)’s culture or social practice, or when it would result in extreme hardship to the petitioner.
• Legally Able to Marry: Both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the foreign fiancé(e) must be legally able to marry. This means they must be free to marry and any previous marriages must have been legally terminated by divorce, death, or annulment.

In Form I-129F applications, the U.S. citizen is called “Petitioner” and the foreign fiancé(e) is called “Beneficiary”.

K-1 fiancé(e) visa vs K-3 spouse visa

K-3 visa category was created to allow the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is waiting abroad for an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. and await the processing of the immigrant visa. 

The process involves filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), but for a spouse rather than a fiancé(e). 

However, because of the extended processing time of Form I-130 petition and U.S. Department of State policy regarding the issuance of a K-3 visa for someone with an approved I-130 petition, it is rare that K-3 visas are issued.

Form I-129F filing fees

The filing fee for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), is $535. 

Exception: no fee is required if Form I-129F is being filed for a K-3 visa application (spouse of a US citizen).

Form I-129F filing fee is subject to change, and it’s important to check the USCIS current filing fees.

Payment methods accepted by USCIS:

• Money order (payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• Personal check (payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• Cashier’s check (payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• Pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions

Form I-129F checklist of required documents

Here is a general checklist of required documents for Form I-129F (submit photocopies only):

Evidence	Examples of acceptable documents
Proof of petitioner’s US citizenship	At least one of the following documents: U.S. Birth Certificate; Naturalization Certificate; Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA); or Unexpired U.S. Passport (although one of the other documents is preferable);
Proof that the U.S. citizen and fiancé(e) have met each other in person within the last 2 years	Birth Certificates of children that the couple have together;  Personal photographs of the couple together; Affidavits (certified letters) from friends and relatives; Airplane tickets, boarding passes and/or itineraries from trips to visit each other; Communications between the couple (mail, email, texts, What’s App messages, etc.); Phone records showing calls between the couple.
Additional evidence that the couple are in a bona fide relationship and intend to marry each other within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the U.S.	Evidence of engagement celebrations (invitations, photographs, etc.). “Intent to marry” notarized statements of the couple
If either the U.S. Citizen and/or the fiancé(e) has previously been married	Divorce Decree; Annulment Order; or Death Certificate for the prior spouse
Passport style photographs	1 color passport-style photograph of the U.S. Citizen taken within the last 30 days 1 color passport-style photograph of the fiancé(e) taken within the last 30 days
Evidence of any name changes for either the U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)	Marriage certificate Divorce decree Court order of name change

How to fill out Form I-129F step-by-step instructions

Let’s start with general Form I-129F instructions:

• Current edition of forms: make sure that you are using the current edition of the Form I-129F. The most current edition is available on the USCIS website.
• USCIS will reject any outdated editions of the form
• Sign and date the form
• Answer all questions fully and accurately
• If you need extra space to complete any item on Form I-129F, go to the last page of the form (Part 8, Additional Information). Indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers.
• If an item is not applicable or the answer is “none,” type or print “N/A” 
• You must sign the form in ink. Stamped or typed signatures are not accepted

Step-by-step instructions on how to fill out Form I-129F:

For USCIS Use Only: leave this section blank.

Part 1. Information About You

This section gathers information about the U.S. citizen petitioner. 

Question 1 – Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any): Enter your Alien Registration Number (also known as an “A-Number” or “A#”) here, if you have one. Most applicants do not have an A-Number. 

A-Numbers are usually assigned when an immigrant petition or application for Adjustment of Status is filed, or if the person has previously been issued an immigrant visa. 

An A-Number is also assigned to individuals placed in removal or deportation proceedings.

Some applicants may have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that lists an A-Number that starts with a “1.” This number is not an A-Number. It is an EAD number and need not be listed here. 

Question 2 – USCIS Online Account Number (if any): If you have ever created an USCIS Online Account Number, enter it here.

If you have previously filed certain applications or petitions on a paper form, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing a USCIS Online Account Number. 

The USCIS Online Account Number (if any) can be found at the top of the notices for the previously filed petition or application. 

The USCIS Online Account Number is NOT the same as an A-Number.

If you don’t know or don’t have an USCIS online account number, leave this field blank.

Question 3 – U.S. Social Security Number (if any): enter U.S. citizen’s SSN.

Select one box below to indicate the classification you are requesting for your beneficiary: 

Box 4.a. Fiance(e) (K-1 visa) – choose this box if you want to obtain a K-1 visa for your fiancé(e) 

Box 4.b. Spouse (K-3 visa) – choose this box if you want to obtain a K-3 visa for the spouse of a U.S. citizen.

Question 5 – If you are filing to classify your spouse as a K-3, have you filed Form 1-130?: If you selected “Spouse (K-3 visa)” in response to Question 4, indicate if you have already filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for your spouse. If you selected the “Fiance(e) (K-1 visa)” option in the previous question, leave this box blank.

Important: Form I-130 must be filed for the spouse of a US citizen prior to the filing of the I-129F petition. So, if you answered “No,” to question 5, you cannot file Form I-129F. You must include Form I-130 receipt notice if you want to obtain a K-3 visa.

Questions 6.a. -6.c. – Your Full Name: Enter U.S. citizen’s full legal name as shown on the birth certificate, passport or legal name-change document. 

Questions 7.a. – 7.c. – Other Names Used: List all other names the U.S. citizen has ever used, including aliases, maiden name, and nicknames. 

Questions 8.a. – 8.i. – Mailing Address: Enter U.S. citizen’s U.S. mailing address. All USCIS notices and the original documents (receipt notice, Request for Evidence (RFE), approval notice) will be mailed to that address.

Question 8.j. Is your current mailing address the same as your physical address? – Answer “Yes” if your mailing address matches your physical address. Answer “No” if your mailing address does not match the physical address and provide your current physical address in Questions 9.a. – 9.h.

Questions 9.a. through Question 12.b. – Your Address History: Provide the addresses for the places the U.S. citizen has resided over the previous 5 years, whether inside or outside the U.S. Provide the petitioner’s current physical address first. Provide the dates that the U.S. citizen resided at each address. Make sure that all addresses and dates of residence are accurate, as inconsistent information could result in problems with the petition and K-1 visa approval. If you need extra space to complete the full physical address history, use the last page of the form (Part 8. Additional Information).

Question 13 through Question 20.b. – Your Employment History: Provide the U.S. citizen’s employment history for the previous 5 years, whether in the US or abroad. Provide the current employment information first. Provide the names and addresses of the U.S. citizen’s employers, occupations (positions), and the dates of employment for all jobs. If you need additional space to provide the full employment history, enter it on the last page of the form (Part 8).

Other Information

Question 21 – Gender – Indicate the U.S. citizen’s gender.

Question 22 – Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy): Enter the U.S. citizen’s date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format.

Question 23 – Marital Status: Indicate whether the U.S. citizen is “Single (never married)”; “Married”; “Divorced”; or “Widowed.” 

Question 24. City/Town/Village of Birth  – enter the U.S. citizen’s city/town/village of birth as indicated on their birth certificate.

Question 25. Province or State of Birth – enter the U.S. citizen’s province or state of birth according to their birth certificate. Enter “NA” if this question does not apply to the U.S. citizen.

Question 26. Country of Birth – enter the U.S. citizen’s country of birth.

Information About Your Parents

Parent 1’s Information

Provide U.S. citizen’s parents information in this section. If any of the information about U.S. citizen’s parents is unknown, enter “unknown.” 

Questions 27.a. – 27.c. Full Name – Provide your father’s full name (last name, first name and middle name, if applicable). 

Question 28. Date of Birth – Enter your father’s date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format. Be aware that some countries use a dd/mm/yyyy format to list dates of birth on passports or birth certificates.

Question 29. Gender – select “Male”.

Question 30. Country of Birth – enter your father’s country of birth.

Question 31.a. City/Town/Village of Residence – enter your father’s current city or town of residence. If your father is deceased, enter “Deceased”.

Question 31.b. Country of Residence – enter your father’s current country of residence. If your father is deceased, enter “Deceased”.

Parent 2’s Information

If any of the information about U.S. citizen’s parents is unknown, enter “unknown.” 

Question 32.a. – Question 32.c. – Full Name – Provide your mother’s full name (last name, first name and middle name, if applicable). 

Question 33. Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) – enter your mother’s date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format. Be aware that some countries use a dd/mm/yyyy format to list dates of birth on passports or birth certificates.

Question 34. Gender – select “Female”.

Question 35. Country of Birth – enter your mother’s country of birth.

Question 36.a. City/Town/Village of Residence – enter your mother’s current city or town of residence. If your mother is deceased, enter “Deceased”.

Question 36.b. – Country of Residence – enter your mother’s current country of residence. If your mother is deceased, enter “Deceased”.

Question 37. Have you ever been previously married? – Answer “Yes” if the US citizen has been previously married. Answer “No” if the U.S. citizen has never been previously married. 

Name of Previous Spouse

If the U.S. citizen was previously married, information about all previous spouse(s) must be provided in Questions 38.a. – 38.c. If additional space is needed, use the last page of the form (Part 8).

Questions 38.a. – 38.c. – Provide the full name(s) of each previous spouse.

Question 39. Date Marriage Ended (mm/dd/yyyy) – Enter the date that each marriage ended. 

Note: to be eligible for a K-1 visa, both the U.S. citizen and fiancé(e) must be legally free to marry at the time Form I-129F is filed. If any marriage has not been fully legally terminated prior to filing the petition, the I-129F petition will be denied. 

Your Citizenship Information

You are a U.S. citizen through (select only one box):

Box 40.a. Birth in the United States – select this box if you were born in the U.S.

Box 40.b. Naturalization – select this box if you obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization. 

Box 40.c. U.S. citizen parents – select this box if you obtained U.S. citizenship through birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s) or through automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent(s).

41. Have you obtained a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship in your own name? – Only petitioners who obtained US citizenship through naturalization or parents, have a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship issued in their own names. US citizens who were born in the US, are never issued Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization. 

The information requested below is listed on your Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (if any).

Question 42.a. Certificate Number – if you were ever issued a Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization, enter the certificate number here.

Question 42.b. Place of Issuance – if you were ever issued a Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization, enter the place of issuance here.

Question 42.c. Date of Issuance (mm/dd/yyyy) – if you were ever issued a Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization, enter the date of issuance here.

Additional Information

Question 43. Have you ever filed Form I-129F for any other beneficiary? – Answer “Yes” if the US citizen has ever filed Form I-129F for any other person in the past. Answer “No” if the US citizen has never filed Form I-129F before and skip Questions 44-47.

Question 44. A number (if any) – If the U.S. citizen has ever filed Form I-129F before,  enter the beneficiary’s A-Number (if any). Beneficiary’s A-number can be found on previous Form I-129F approval notice.

Questions 45.a. – 45.c. –  If the U.S. citizen has ever filed Form I-129F before,  enter the beneficiary’s full name. 

Questions 46. Date of filing (mm/dd/yyyy) – If the US citizen has ever filed Form I-129F before, enter the date of previous form’s filing date. This date can be found on Form I-129F receipt notice or approval notice in the “Received Date” field. 

Question 47. What action did USCIS take on Form I-129F (for example, approved, denied, revoked)? – If the US citizen has ever filed Form I-129F before, enter the last action that was taken by USCIS. If the previous petition was denied, enter “Denied”. If the previous petition was approved, enter “Approved”. If the US citizen requested USCIS to withdraw the petition, enter “Withdrawn”. If the USCIS is still processing the petition, enter “Pending”.

Note: If the US citizen has filed for more than one previous fiancé(e), use Part 8. Additional Information to provide the information for each beneficiary. 

Important: if the US citizen has filed two or more I-129F form in the fiancé(e) category at any time in the past or had a prior I-129F fiancé(e) petition approved within the last two years, the new I-129F petition may not be approved unless USCIS grants a discretionary waiver under INA §214(2)(B) and (C). 

Question 48. Do you have any children under 18 years of age? – Answer “Yes” if the US citizen has children under the age of 18. Answer “No” if the US citizen has no children under age of 18 and skip Questions 49.a. – 49.b. 

Question 49.a. Age – If the US citizen has children under 18, provide the age for each of the children. If you need additional space to provide ages of all children, enter it in Part 8. Additional Information.

Question 49.b. Age – If the US citizen has children under 18, provide the age for each of the children. If you need additional space to provide ages of all children, enter it in Part 8. Additional Information.

Provide all U.S. states and foreign countries in which you have resided since your 18th birthday.

Residence 1

Questions 50.a. – 50.b. State and Country – enter all U.S. states and all foreign countries in which the U.S. citizen has resided since their 18th birthday. If the location is a U.S. state, indicate the state in Question 50.a. If resided in a foreign country, leave Question 50.a. blank and enter the name of the country in Question 50.b. If you need additional space, use the last page of this form (Part 8).

Part 2. Information About Your Beneficiary

All questions in Part 2 gather information about the foreign fiancé(e) (also known as “beneficiary”).

Questions 1.a. – 1.c. – Beneficiary’s Full Name: Enter beneficiary’s full legal name, including family name (last name), given name (first name), and middle name of the beneficiary.

Question 2 – A-Number (if any): Enter beneficiary’s Alien Registration Number (also known as an “A-Number” or “A#”) here, if the beneficiary has one. Most beneficiaries do not have an A-Number. 

A-Numbers are usually assigned when an immigrant petition or application for Adjustment of Status is filed, or if the person has previously been issued an immigrant visa. 

An A-Number is also assigned to individuals placed in removal or deportation proceedings.

Some applicants may have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that lists an A-Number that starts with a “1.” This number is not an A-Number. It is an EAD number and need not be listed here. 

Question 3 – U.S. Social Security Number (if any): Enter beneficiary’s SSN issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (if any). If the beneficiary has ever been issued a Social Security Number that has a note stating “Valid for work only with DHS authorization”, you still must list it here. If the beneficiary was never issued a SSN, enter “None”.

Question 4 – Date of Birth: Enter the beneficiary’s date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format. Be aware that some countries use a dd/mm/yyyy format to list dates of birth on passports or birth certificates.

Question 5 – Gender: choose the beneficiary’s gender (male or female).

Question 6 – Marital Status: choose the box indicating the beneficiary’s current marital status. Choose “Single” if never married before, “Married”, “Divorced”, or “Widowed.” 

Question 7. City/Town/Village of Birth – provide the beneficiary’s city/town/village of birth according to their birth certificate.

Question 8. Country of Birth – provide the beneficiary’s country of birth.

Question 9 – Country of Citizenship or Nationality: provide the beneficiary’s country of citizenship or nationality. If the beneficiary has citizenship or nationality in more than one country, list all countries of citizenship and nationality.

Questions 10.a. – 10.c. – Other Names Used: Provide any other names the beneficiary may have used including their aliases, maiden name, and nicknames. It’s recommended to review the beneficiary’s documents (birth certificate, passport, IDs) to make sure that all other names and variations of spelling are listed. 

Questions 11.a.-11.i. – Mailing Address for Your Beneficiary: Enter the beneficiary’s current mailing address. If the beneficiary has a US address, provide it here.

Your Beneficiary’s Address History

Questions 12.a. through Question 15.b. – Your Beneficiary’s Address History: Enter all addresses for the places where the beneficiary has physically resided over the last 5 years (in the U.S. or abroad). Provide the beneficiary’s current address first, if it’s different from the mailing address provided in response to Questions 11.a. – 11.i.

Your Beneficiary’s Employment History

Question 16 through Question 23.b. – Your Beneficiary’s Employment History: Enter the beneficiary’s employment history for the previous 5 years, whether inside or outside the U.S. Provide the current employment first. You must provide the names and addresses of the beneficiary’s employers, beneficiary’s occupations (positions), and the dates of employment for all jobs in the mm/dd/yyyy format. If the beneficiary is unemployed, enter “Unemployed”. If additional space is required to complete this section, enter it in Part 8.

Information About Your Beneficiary’s Parents

Parent 1’s Information

Questions 24.a. through Question 24.c. – enter beneficiary’s father’s full name here.

Question 25. Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) – enter beneficiary’s father’s date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format.

Question 26. Gender – choose “Male”.

Question 27. Country of birth – enter the beneficiary’s father’s country of birth.

Question 28.a. City/Town/Village of Residence – enter the beneficiary’s father’s city of current residence. Enter “Deceased” if the parent is deceased.

Question 28.b. Country of Residence – enter the beneficiary’s father’s current country of residence. Enter “Deceased” if the parent is deceased.

Parent 2’s Information

Questions 29.a. – 29.c. – enter beneficiary’s mother’s full name here.

Question 30. Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) – enter beneficiary’s mother’s date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format.

Question 31. Gender – choose “Female”.

Question 32. Country of birth – enter the beneficiary’s mother’s country of birth.

Question 33.a. City/Town/Village of Residence – enter the beneficiary’s mother’s city of current residence. Enter “Deceased” if the parent is deceased.

Question 33.b. Country of Residence – enter the beneficiary’s mother’s current country of residence. Enter “Deceased” if the parent is deceased.

Other Information About Your Beneficiary

Question 34. Has your beneficiary ever been previously married?: Answer “Yes” if the beneficiary has been previously married. Answer “No” if the beneficiary was never married before and skip to Question 37.

Name of Previous Spouse

Questions 35.a. – 35.c. – If the beneficiary was married before, enter their previous spouse’s full name here.

Question 36. Date Marriage Ended (mm/dd/yyyy) – Enter the date that beneficiary’s each marriage ended. 

If the beneficiary has had more than one previous marriage, use Part 8 Additional Information to provide information about each ex-spouse. 

Note: to be eligible for a K-1 visa, both the U.S. citizen and fiancé(e) must be legally free to marry at the time Form I-129F is filed. If any marriage has not been fully legally terminated prior to filing the petition, the I-129F petition will be denied. 

Question 37 – Has your beneficiary ever been in the United States?: Select “Yes” if the beneficiary has ever been in the U.S. If the beneficiary has never been in the US previously, answer “No”.

If the beneficiary is not in the U.S. at the time Form I-129F petition is being filed, enter “N/A” in response to Question 38.a and move to Question 39. 

If your beneficiary is currently in the United States

Note: The Form I-129F is filed with USCIS to apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa through the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. If the beneficiary is currently in the U.S., you can consider an Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) process instead.

If the beneficiary is physically present in the U.S. at the time that Form I-129F is filed with USCIS, provide the following information regarding the beneficiary’s most recent entry into the U.S.:

Question 38.a. He or she last entered as a (for example, visitor, student, exchange alien, crewman, stowaway, temporary worker, without inspection) – enter the beneficiary’s “class of admission” which can be found on the I-94 record.

Question 38.b – I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number: Enter the beneficiary’s I-94 Arrival-Departure record number. 

Question 38.c – Date of Arrival: Enter the beneficiary’s most recent date of arrival to the U.S. This date is listed on the I-94 record.

Question 38.d – Date authorized stay will expire as shown on Form I-94 or I-95: Enter the “Admit Until Date” as shown on the beneficiary’s I-94 record.

Question 38.e – Passport Number: Enter the beneficiary’s passport number used to enter the U.S. at the time of their most recent entry.

Question 38.f – Travel Document Number: If the beneficiary used a travel document (for example, Advance Parole, Refugee Travel Document, etc.), enter the travel document number used to enter the U.S. most recently. If this question does not apply, enter “NA”.

38.g – Country of Issuance for Passport or Travel Document: If the beneficiary used a passport or travel document to enter the U.S., enter the country that issued the passport or travel document.

38.h – Expiration Date for Passport or Travel Document: enter the expiration date of the passport or travel document that was used to enter the U.S.

Question 39. Does your beneficiary have any children? – Select “Yes” if the beneficiary has any children. Answer “No” if the beneficiary does not have children.

Children of Beneficiary

Question 40.a. – 40.c. – if the beneficiary has children, enter the beneficiary’s child’s full name here.

Question 41. Country of Birth – enter the beneficiary’s child’s country of birth.

Question 42. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) – enter the beneficiary’s child’s date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format.

Question 43. Does this child reside with your beneficiary? – Answer “Yes” if the child lives with the beneficiary. If not, you must provide the child’s physical address in Questions 44.a. – 44.h.

If the beneficiary has more than one child, you can provide that information in Part 8 Additional Information.

Address in the United States Where Your Beneficiary Intends to Live

Question 45.a.- 45.e. – Provide the U.S. address where the beneficiary intends to live after he/she arrives in the U.S. 

Question 46. Daytime Telephone Number – enter the beneficiary’s phone number here.

Your Beneficiary’s Physical Address Abroad

Questions 47.a. – 47.f. –  enter the beneficiary’s foreign physical address.

Question 48. Daytime Telephone Number – enter the beneficiary’s foreign phone number here.

Your Beneficiary’s Name and Address in His or Her Native Alphabet

Questions 49.a. through Question 50.f. – If the beneficiary’s native alphabet does not use Roman letters, enter the beneficiary’s full name and physical address abroad in the native alphabet. 

Question 51. Is your fiancé(e) related to you? – Answer “Yes” if the U.S. citizen and their fiancé(e) are related. Answer “No” if the US citizen and their fiancé(e) are not related. 

Question 52. Provide the nature and degree of relationship (for example, third cousin or maternal uncle) – If the US citizen and their fiancé(e) are related, enter the degree of relationship. Enter “NA” if this question does not apply to you.

Note: Each U.S. state has differing rules governing the legal ability of relatives to marry. If the couple will be living in a U.S. state that does not allow them to get legally married due to their familial relationship, or the couple lives in a state that will consider their marriage void due to their familial relationship, it makes the US citizen and fiancé(e) ineligible to file Form I-129F.

Question 53. Have you and your fiancé(e) met in person during the two years immediately before filing this petition? – Answer “Yes” if the US citizen and their  fiancé(e) have met in person during the 2 years immediately preceding the filing of Form I-129F petition. Answer “No” if the couple hasn’t met in person in the last 2 years.

Note: If you haven’t met each other, you might be ineligible to file Form I-129F. One of the main requirements for filing I-129F petition is that the couple must have met each other in person within the 2 years immediately before the filing of the I-129F petition. Exceptions: 1. If you can prove that meeting in person would violate strict and long-established customs of the fiancé(e)’s foreign culture or social practice, and that any and all aspects of the traditional marital arrangements have been or will be met in accordance with the custom or practice. 2. If you can prove that the requirement to meet in person would result in extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen. Examples of acceptable documents include medical records, statements from religious leaders, or evidence of immediate danger. 

Question 54 – If you answered “Yes” to Question 53, describe the circumstances of the couple’s in-person meeting in detail. If you need additional space to complete this section, use the space provided in Part 8 Additional Information. You must submit evidence proving that the couple met each other in person during the previous 2-year period. 

International Marriage Broker (IMB) Information

Question 55. Did you meet your beneficiary through the services of an IMB? – Answer “Yes” if the US citizen met the fiancé(e) through the service of a so-called “International Marriage Broker (IMB).” An International Marriage Broker (IMB) is a business or organization that charges fees to facilitate the introduction of individuals from different countries for the purpose of marriage or dating. These brokers often operate online and provide services that involve connecting individuals interested in forming international relationships. The services may include providing information about potential partners, arranging communication between them, and organizing meetings or events. Matchmaking and dating services that do not fall under the category of International Marriage Brokers (IMBs) typically involve connecting individuals for the purpose of dating, companionship, or forming relationships, without a specific emphasis on facilitating international marriages. 

If you answered “No” to Question 55, move to Question 62.a.

Question 56. IMB’s Name (if any) – If you answered “Yes” to Question 55, enter the IMB’s name here.

Question 57.a. Family Name of IMB (Last Name) – Enter the IMB’s last name (if applicable).

Question 57.b. Given Name of IMB (First Name) – Enter the IMB’s first name (if applicable).

Question 58. Organization Name of IMB – Enter the IMB’s organization name (if applicable).

Question 59. Website of IMB – Enter the IMB’s website (if applicable).

Questions 60.a. – 60.f. – Enter the IMB’s address (if applicable)

Question 61. Daytime Telephone Number – Enter the IMB’s daytime telephone number (if applicable).

Note: If you used an IMB’s service to meet your fiancé(e), you must provide a copy of the signed written consent form that the IMB obtained from the beneficiary authorizing the release of the beneficiary’s personal contact information to the U.S. citizen petitioner. If the consent form is in a foreign language, you must provide a certified English translation. 

Consular Processing Information

Your beneficiary will apply for a visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate at: 

Question 62.a. City or Town – enter the city of the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate where the beneficiary will apply for their K-1 visa. The list of U.S. Embassies and Consulates is available here. 

Question 62.b. Country – enter the country of the U.S. Embassy or US Consulate where the beneficiary will apply for their K-1 visa.

Important: Where a foreign country has more than one U.S. Embassy or Consulate, not all of them issue K-1 visas. You should verify on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate websites which locations issue K-1 visas. 

Part 3. Other Information

This section gathers criminal history information of the U.S. citizen.

Criminal Information: 

Under the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA), the U.S. citizen petitioner must provide information about his or her criminal and marital history, including any history of domestic violence.

These criminal information questions must be answered even if U.S. citizen’s criminal records were sealed, cleared, or if the U.S. citizen was told that they no longer have a criminal record. 

Question 1. Have you EVER been subject to a temporary or permanent protection or restraining order (either civil or criminal)? – Answer “Yes” if the U.S. citizen has ever been the subject of a temporary or permanent protection order or restraining order (either civil or criminal). 

Have you EVER been arrested or convicted of any of the following crimes:

Question 2.a. Domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, child neglect, dating violence, elder abuse, stalking or an attempt to commit any of these crimes? – The term “domestic violence” includes felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by a person:

(1) Who is a current or former spouse of the victim; 

(2) With whom the victim shares a child in common; 

(3) Who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim; 

(4) Who is similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the relevant jurisdiction; or 

(5) Against whom the victim is protected under the jurisdiction’s domestic or family violence laws. 

Question 2.b. Homicide, murder, manslaughter, rape, abusive sexual contact, sexual exploitation, incest, torture, trafficking, peonage, holding hostage, involuntary servitude, slave trade, kidnapping, abduction, unlawful criminal restraint, false imprisonment, or an attempt to commit any of these crimes? – Answer “Yes” or “No.

Question 2.c. Three or more arrests or convictions, not from a single act, for crimes relating to a controlled substance or alcohol? – Answer “Yes” or “No.

Note: If the U.S. citizen was ever arrested or convicted of any of the specified crimes,  certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and disposition for every arrest or conviction must be submitted, even if the records were sealed, expunged, or otherwise cleared.

Disclosure of criminal history to beneficiary: If Form I-129F is approved, USCIS will provide a copy of the petition, including the U.S. citizen’s criminal history to the U.S. Department of State for distribution to the beneficiary. 

If the U.S. citizen was arrested, or convicted of any of the crimes mentioned above and was being battered or subjected to extreme cruelty at the time of their conviction, then check the boxes that apply to the petitioner:

3.a. I was acting in self-defense.

3.b. I violated a protection order issued for my own protection.

3.c. I committed, was arrested for, was convicted of, or pled guilty to a crime that did not result in serious bodily injury and there was a connection between the crime and me having been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty.

Question 4.a Have you ever been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined, or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance in any country, excluding traffic violations (unless a traffic violation was alcohol- or drug related or involved a fine of $500 or more)? – Answer “Yes” if the US citizen has ever been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined, or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance in any country, for any offenses other than those the US citizen has already disclosed previously on the form. Unless a traffic incident was alcohol- or drug-related or involved a fine of $500 or more, the U.S. citizen does not need to provide information on it.

If the US citizen answered “Yes” to Question 4.a, then in Question 4.b provide information that explains:

• Circumstances
• Places
• Dates
• Outcomes for each incident of arrest, citation, charge, indictment, conviction, fine, or imprisonment. 

U.S. citizen must submit court the following documents:

• Certified copies of the arrest record and/or disposition for each incident, OR 
• Certified statement from the court indicating that no record exists of the arrest, citation, charge, indictment, conviction, fine, or imprisonment. 

If additional space is needed to complete this section, provide it in Part 8. Additional Information.

Multiple Filer Waiver Request Information

U.S. citizen must request a waiver of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) filing limitations if: 

• The U.S. citizen previously filed Form I-129Fs on behalf of two or more fiancé(e)s; or 
• The U.S. citizen has previously had a Form I-129F approved, and less than two years have passed since the filing date of the previously approved petition. 

If one of these filing limitations apply, then USCIS cannot approve Form I-129F unless the U.S. citizen obtains a waiver of the multiple-filing limitation.

Select the box that indicates the type of waiver that the U.S. citizen is requesting (if any):

Box 5.a. Multiple Filer, No Permanent Restraining Orders or Convictions for a Specified Offense (General Waiver) – If the U.S. citizen has never been convicted of a violent criminal offense, provide documentation showing why a waiver is appropriate in their case. Examples of acceptable documents include: signed and dated letter from the US citizen outlining the details of the previously filed petitions, death certificate, police reports, news articles, or medical reports. 

Box 5.b. Multiple Filer, Prior Permanent Restraining Orders or Criminal Conviction for Specified Offense (Extraordinary Circumstances Waiver) –  If the U.S. citizen has ever been convicted of a violent criminal offense, the petitioner must submit evidence to demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances exist to obtain a waiver. Examples of acceptable documents include: signed and dated letter from the US citizen, police reports, court records, news articles, trial transcripts, proof of the petitioner’s rehabilitation, social and proof of good moral character.

Box 5.c. Multiple Filer, Prior Permanent Restraining Order or Criminal Convictions for Specified Offense Resulting from Domestic Violence (Mandatory Waiver) – If the petitioner committed violent criminal offenses but were battered or subjected to extreme cruelty, a waiver must be obtained. The US citizen must prove that they were acting in self-defense; or they committed, were arrested for, were convicted of, or pleaded guilty to committing a crime that did not result in serious bodily injury and there was a connection between the crime committed and the petitioner having been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. Examples of acceptable documents include: police reports, court records, news articles, trial transcripts, evidence the petitioner acted in self-defense, evidence the petitioner was a victim of abuse or battery, evidence the petitioner violated a protection order intended for their protection, and any other credible evidence.

Box 5.d. Not applicable, beneficiary is my spouse or I am not a multiple filer – select this box if you are applying for a K-3 visa (spouse of US citizen) or the multiple Form I-129F filing limitations do not apply to you.

Part 4. Biographic Information

This section gathers the U.S. citizen’s biographic information.

Question 1- Ethnicity (Select only one box): Indicate whether the U.S. citizen is “Hispanic or Latino” or “Not Hispanic or Latino.” A petitioner is considered Hispanic or Latino if they are a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Question 2 – Race (Select all applicable boxes): Check all applicable boxes to indicate whether the U.S. citizen is: 

White – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa; 

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; 

Black or African American – A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa; 

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; or

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. 

Question 3 – Height: Enter the U.S. citizen’s current height in feet and inches. 

Question 4 – Weight: Enter the U.S. citizen’s current weight in pounds. 

Question 5 – Eye Color (Select only one box): Select the box that most closely matches the U.S. citizen’s eye color. 

Question 6 – Hair Color (Select only one box) – Select the box that most closely matches the U.S. citizen’s hair color or if the petitioner is bald. 

Part 5. Petitioner’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, Certification, and Signature

Question 1.a. – If the US citizen can comfortably read and understand the application in English, then check the box in Question 1.a.

You should carefully review the entire application for accuracy prior to signing.

Question 1.b. – If you are not proficient enough in reading English, then a competent interpreter needs to read through the application with you for accuracy review prior to signing. The interpreter need not be a professional interpreter but should be someone that is able to properly interpret the application. In such a case, the box in Question 1.b should be checked and the language used to interpret the application to the applicant should be entered (for example, Spanish, French, etc.)

Question 2 – The box for Question 2 should be checked if anyone has prepared the application at the U.S. citizen’s request. If a preparer was used to prepare the application, Part 7 must be completed too.

Petitioner’s Contact Information

Questions 3, 4, and 5 – Enter US citizen’s daytime telephone number, cell phone number (if any), and email address (if any).

Petitioner’s Declaration and Certification

Question 6.a. Petitioner’s Signature – U.S. citizen signs the form here. It must be an ink signature. USCIS does not accept stamped or typed signatures.

Question 6.b. – enter the date in mm/dd/yyyy format.

Part 6. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

If an interpreter was used to read you the application in your native language, then Part 6 must be completed with the information about the interpreter. 

The interpreter must sign and date to certify that they are:

• Fluent in English and the language the applicant used; 
• They have completely read the application to the applicant in that language;
• The applicant confirmed to understand the contents of the application; and 
• The applicant verified the accuracy of the application.

Part 6 is completed by entering the full legal name of the interpreter, the interpreter’s mailing address, daytime phone number, cell phone number (if any), email address (if any), and the language used to interpret the application to the applicant. The interpreter must then sign and date the application where indicated at Questions 7.a. and 7.b.

Part 7. Preparer’s Statement

Part 7 is completed by entering the preparer’s full name, organization name (if applicable), mailing address, daytime telephone number, fax number (if any), and email address (if any). 

The box at Question 7.b should be checked if an attorney has prepared the application.

The preparer must sign and date the application where indicated as Questions 8.a. and 8.b. attesting to certifications about the preparation and accuracy of the application.

Part 8. Additional Information

This section can be used if there is not enough space in any other parts of the form to provide all requested information. 

Note: Even if no information is provided in Part 8, this page should still be included with the application when submitted to USCIS. 

If you need additional space, make copies of this page to use to provide all requested information. 

If you are using Part 8 to provide additional information, enter:

• Applicant’s name 
• Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any)
• Indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which the answer refers.

Where to send Form I-129F application

Signed and dated Form I-129F, payment of the filing fee and the supporting documents must be mailed to the appropriate address (see “Where to File”).

Form I-129F processing time

The processing time for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), can vary depending on the caseload at the service center handling the petition, the complexity of the case, and any issues or requests for additional evidence that may arise during the review:

• California Service Center: 16 months
• Nebraska Service Center: 5 months
• Potomac Service Center: 19 months
• Texas Service Center: 12.5 months
• Vermont Service Center: 7.5 months

You cannot choose the USCIS service center that will review your Form I-129F.

The processing times are estimates, and actual processing times may vary.

To check the current processing times for Form I-129F, you can visit the USCIS website’s Processing Times page, choose Form I-129F and the specific service center that is processing your application.

You can find the USCIS Service Center in the lower left corner of your I-129F receipt notice.

Related Links:

K-1 Visa – How to Bring Your Fiance(é) to the U.S.

Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

K-3 Visa for Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Adjustment of Status for Fiancé(e)s