Last updated: November 9, 2025.
By Asel Williams, Esq. · Columbia Law School · Licensed immigration attorney
- Form I-130, “Petition for Alien Relative,” is an immigration form used in family-based applications
- Form I-130 is filed with USCIS by the US citizen or permanent resident who wants to sponsor a family member for permanent residency
- US citizen or permanent resident sponsoring the family member is called “Petitioner”
- The foreign born family member being sponsored is called “Beneficiary”
- The main purpose of Form I-130 is establishing the relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary
- Submitting Form I-130 with USCIS typically initiates the immigration process
When submitting Form I-130 petition with USCIS, you must provide a number of supporting documents that establish the beneficiary’s eligibility.
Form I-130 can be filed by mail or submitted online.
Submit only photocopies of the supporting documents with Form I-130 petition, do not submit original documents unless directed by USCIS. Original documents submitted to USCIS will not be returned.
Keep in mind that all documents in foreign language must be translated into English along with a certification that the translation is accurate and the translator is competent to translate.
When submitting English translation of documents, a photocopy of the original document in foreign language must also be provided.
Below is the general list of documents that must be submitted with Form I-130:
- Evidence of U.S. citizenship (if petitioner is a US citizen, at least one of the following):
- Birth certificate if born in the United States;
- Certificate of naturalization;
- Certificate of citizenship;
- Valid unexpired U.S. passport; or
- Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (only if ever obtained a Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
- Proof of permanent resident status (if petitioner is a permanent resident):
- Copy of a green card (front and back);
- Stamped immigrant visa page
- Evidence of the family relationship:
- If sponsoring a spouse:
- Marriage certificate
- Proof that previous marriages were terminated (if any spouse was married previously): divorce decree, annulment decree, death certificate
- Proof of good faith marriage
- If sponsoring a spouse:
- If sponsoring a child:
- Child’s birth certificate listing the petitioner as a parent
- If sponsoring a mother:
- Petitioner’s birth certificate bearing the name of the mother
- If sponsoring a father:
- Petitioner’s birth certificate bearing the father’s name
- Marriage certificate showing the father’s marriage to the petitioner’s mother
- Only if petitioner was born out of wedlock: evidence of legitimation (court degree of legitimation, proof that the country where the child was born draws no legal distinction between children born in or out of wedlock)
- If a legitimation document isn’t available: evidence of child-father relationship before the child turned 21 (examples: custody, child support payments, etc.)
- If sponsoring a sister or brother:
- Petitioner’s and the beneficiary’s birth certificates showing at least one parent in common
- Marriage certificates of the parent(s), prior divorce
- decrees, and evidence of legitimation for children born out of wedlock
- Completed and signed Form I-130
- The latest edition of Form I-130 or online submission
- Completed and signed Form I-130A (only if sponsoring a spouse)
- The latest edition of Form I-130A
- If filing I-130 online, a signed Form I-130A in pdf format must be uploaded to I-130 online application
- U.S. passport-style photographs of petitioner and beneficiary (only if sponsoring a spouse)
- If filing online – 1 digital photograph of each spouse
- If filing hard copy by mail – two (2) identical US passport style photographs of each spouse
- Form I-130 filing fee ($625 if filing online or $675 if filing by mail)
- If filing online – a credit card payment
- If filing hard copy by mail – a personal check, cashier’s check, money order or credit card payment authorization (Form G-1450)
We recommend to make a copy of the completed application for your records.
If filing Form I-130 online:
- An USCIS online account is required for petitioners. A new account can be created here
If filing Form I-130 by mail:
- Check the most current mailing address on Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-130
- Find the state or country of your residence
- If you will be mailing the application via USPS, choose the address for “U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries”
- If you will be mailing the application via FedEx, DHL or UPS, choose the address for “FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries”
- If you want to receive an email notification or text message with the USCIS receipt number, fill out and submit Form G-1145. USCIS will send a text message or email with the I-130 receipt number within 10 days after the submission date (check spam folder)
Forms I-130 filed online will be registered the same day. Form I-130 will be available in your online USCIS account. The hard copy will arrive by mail within 2 weeks.
Forms I-130 submitted by mail take about 1-2 weeks to be registered by USCIS. Hard copy USCIS notices will arrive 2 weeks after the submission date by mail.
Form I-130 Checklist FAQs
How many photos for I-130?
Photographs must submitted only if Form I-130 is filed for a spouse. If filing Form I-130 online, upload 1 digital US passport-style photograph of each spouse. If filing Form I-130 by mail, submit 2 identical US passport-style photographs of each spouse.
How long does it take for I-130 to be approved?
Form I-130 processing time depends on the immigration category:
- 12-13 months (immediate relative and F2A categories)
- 24-48 months (preference category)
What is the standard of proof for I-130?
To obtain Form I-130 approval, you will need to prove the following:
- Sponsor’s immigration status (permanent resident or US citizen)
- Qualifying relationship
See the checklist above for the full list of supporting documents required for each Form I-130 category.
Related Links:
I-130 Form, Petition for Alien Relative Guide
How to Fill Out Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative – Step-By-Step Instructions