Fill Form I-130 online
Petition for Alien Relative
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Form I-130 in short
Form I-130 lets a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national establish a qualifying family relationship with a relative who wants to immigrate. It is the first step toward a Green Card for that relative. Approval does not by itself give the relative any status.
| Issued by | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |
|---|---|
| Current version | Edition 04/01/24 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | A U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national (the petitioner) filing for an eligible relative (the beneficiary). File a separate Form I-130 for each relative unless they qualify as a derivative. |
| Who receives it | USCIS. |
| Where to send it | File online through a USCIS online account, or by mail. If you live in the United States, mail to the Chicago or Phoenix lockbox depending on where you live and whether your relative files Form I-485 at the same time. USCIS changed filing locations on Oct. 7, 2026, with a grace period for forms postmarked on or before Nov. 9, 2026. Petitioners outside the United States may file at the Chicago lockbox, online, or in limited cases at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Check the Direct Filing Addresses page before mailing. |
| Deadline | No filing deadline. When your relative can apply for a Green Card depends on visa availability in their category. |
| Fee | $675 paper filing, $625 online filing (Form G-1055 Fee Schedule, edition 10/16/26, checked 2026-10-25). Mailed filings are paid by card (Form G-1450) or bank ACH (Form G-1650) unless you qualify for the paper payment exemption (Form G-1651). |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF · Official instructions |
What changed
The form edition is still 04/01/24. On Oct. 7, 2026, USCIS changed the mailing addresses for Form I-130 and set a 30-day grace period for forms postmarked on or before Nov. 9, 2026 and sent to a prior address.
How to fill out Form I-130, line by line
| Part 1 | Relationship Select the one relationship you have to the beneficiary, such as spouse, parent, brother or sister, or child. USCIS rejects the form if this is missing. |
| Part 2 | Information about you (petitioner) Your full name, date of birth, mailing address, and marital information are required. USCIS lists these as fields that cause rejection if left blank. |
| Part 2 | Citizenship or permanent residence Say whether you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and how you got that status. Attach proof such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, passport copy, or both sides of your Green Card. |
| Part 3 | Biographic information Your ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color. |
| Part 4 | Information about the beneficiary The relative's full name, date of birth, physical address, and marital information are required. USCIS rejects the form if they are missing. |
| Part 4, Items 61 and 62 | Adjustment of status or consular processing Complete only one: Item 61 if the relative will apply for a Green Card inside the United States, or Item 62 if they will go through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Do not complete both and do not leave both blank. |
| Part 5 | Other information Tell USCIS about any prior petitions you filed for this or any other relative, and list other relatives you are filing for at the same time. |
| Part 6 | Petitioner's statement and signature Sign and date the petition. USCIS rejects unsigned petitions. |
| Part 9 | Additional information Use this page for any answer that does not fit. Include your name, A-Number if any, and the page, part, and item number. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out required fields USCIS lists as rejection triggers: Part 1 relationship, your full name, date of birth, mailing address, marital information, and the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, physical address, and marital information.
- Completing both Item 61 and Item 62 in Part 4, or leaving both blank.
- Not signing the petition. USCIS rejects unsigned forms.
- Filing for a spouse without Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.
- Mixing pages from different form editions or missing pages. USCIS says it may reject the form.
- Paying the wrong fee or using a payment method USCIS does not accept for mailed forms.
- Including non-paper items such as DVDs, thumb drives, or cards with chips or batteries. USCIS will not accept them.
- Sending foreign language documents without a full certified English translation.
Questions about Form I-130
Can I file Form I-130 online?
Yes. USCIS accepts Form I-130 online through a USCIS online account, or you can mail a paper form.
Does an approved I-130 give my relative a Green Card?
No. Approval only establishes the relationship. Your relative must still apply for a Green Card, through Form I-485 inside the United States or consular processing abroad.
Do I need Form I-130A?
Yes, if you are filing for your spouse. Submit Form I-130A with the I-130.
I filed as a permanent resident and then became a citizen. What do I do?
If the petition is pending, send the processing office a short letter with copies of your naturalization certificate and receipt notice, marked I-130 Update. If it is approved and with the National Visa Center, use the NVC Public Inquiry Form.
Do I need a separate petition for each child?
Yes. A U.S. citizen petitioning for a spouse must file a separate I-130 for each child and include a copy of the receipt notice for the spouse's petition.
What photos are needed?
For a spouse petition, the instructions ask for two identical color passport-style photos of you and of your spouse if your spouse is in the United States, taken within 30 days of filing.
Related forms
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Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- https://www.uscis.gov/i-130
- https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130.pdf
- https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf
- https://www.uscis.gov/i-130-addresses
- https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055
- https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf
- https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/forms-available-to-file-online