Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

• Type or print answers in black ink only. 
• Enter “N/A” if an answer is not applicable and "NONE" if your answer is zero.
• Foreign language documents must be accompanied by a full English certified translation.
• Submit your petition with the current USCIS filing fee. Use a personal check, money order, cashier’s check or use Form G-1450 to pay by credit card.
• Submit photocopies for all supporting documents unless an original document is specifically required.

• For Relationship, indicate which relative will benefit from the I-130 petition. Answer the questions that follow regarding the specific relationship type. Parents' marriage status at birth, step child/parent, and adoptive relationships will all affect the type of supporting documents to submit with the petition.

• For Information About You, include details about the petitioner's alien registration number, USCIS online account and Social Security Number if you have them. Although not mandatory, this information can help clarify your identity and facilitate quicker processing.
• For Names, use the petitioner's current legal name. If you want to begin using a married name, you generally may use a marriage certificate from a U.S. state as a legal name change document. Be sure to list any other versions of your name that you've used in the past (such as a maiden name).
• For Mailing Address, provide any address where you can safely receive mail. Include your physical address only if it is different than your mailing address. You should include a full five years of address history.
• For Your Marital Information, provide a complete accounting of your marital history. This is particularly important if your beneficiary is a spouse or child related to the spouse.
• For Additional Information About You, indicate the petitioner's status in the United States as a citizen or permanent resident. Provide the follow-up information regarding how that status was acquired. You may proceed if you are a citizen and do not have your certificate. However, you will need some proof of citizenship (like a U.S. passport) when filing Form I-130.
• For Employment History, provide the petitioner's employers for the past five years. If self-employed, you may enter "Self-employed" in the space for a company name.

• For Biographic Information, answer how you identify in terms of race and ethnicity. Indicate other details about your height, weight, eye color and hair color.

• For Information About Beneficiary, include details about the beneficiary's alien registration number, USCIS online account and Social Security Number if you have them. Although not mandatory, this information can help clarify their identity and facilitate quicker processing.
• For Names, use the beneficiary's current legal name. If the beneficiary wants to begin using a married name, they generally may use a marriage certificate from a U.S. state as a legal name change document. Be sure to list any other versions of the beneficiary's name used in the past such as a maiden name.
• For Mailing Address, provide an address where the beneficiary can safely receive mail. Also include a physical address only if it is different than the mailing address.
• For Your Marital Information, provide a complete accounting of the beneficiary' marital history. Again, this is particularly important if your beneficiary is a spouse.
• For Information About Beneficiary's Family, list the beneficiary's spouse and children (if applicable). For the purposes of preparing Form I-130, "children" includes any of the beneficiary's children under the age of 21.
• For Beneficiary's Entry Information, provide details about the beneficiary's entry to the United States if they are currently in the U.S. Most of the information can be found on the beneficiary's I-94 arrival/departure record.
• For Employment History, provide the beneficiary's current employment situation. If self-employed, you may enter "Self-employed" in the space for a company name.

• For Other Information, indicate if you previously filed or intend to file future I-130 petitions for other family members. Provide the relevant details to the best of your ability.
• For Petitioner's Statement, the petitioner should provide the requested information. Provide an email and U.S. phone numbers where USCIS can reliably reach you. USCIS will rarely call petitioners, but they will use email. Sign your petition with black ink. A surprising number of I-130 rejections are the result of petitioners forgetting to sign or signing in the wrong place.
• For Interpreter and Preparer, provide information if applicable. If another person translated or prepared the petition for you, be sure Parts 7 and 8 are filled in and signed appropriately.

Petitioners filing Form I-130 for a spouse beneficiary must also file Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for a Spouse Beneficiary. Form I-130 is simply a supplement with additional information about your spouse. The spouse beneficiary is not required to sign I-130A if he or she is living abroad.