Petition for a Relative (I-130) · United States

Bring these documents

• Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or LPR status[1]Required

  Passport bio page, naturalization certificate, birth certificate, or green card (both sides).

• Evidence of qualifying relationship[1]Required

  Spouse: marriage certificate + evidence of bona fide marriage. Child: birth certificate listing petitioner. Parent: petitioner's birth certificate. Sibling: both birth certificates with at least one common parent.

• Proof prior marriages ended (if any)[1]If applicable
• Two passport-style photos (petitioner + beneficiary, spouse cases)[1]If applicable
• Filing fee[2]Required

Step by step

1. 1

   Confirm the relative qualifies[3]

   U.S. citizens can petition for spouse, children, parents (immediate relatives — no wait) and siblings/adult children (preference — long wait). LPRs can petition for spouses and unmarried children only.

   Open official page Source: uscis.gov
2. 2

   File I-130 online at myUSCIS[1]

   Online filing is available for I-130. Faster, cheaper for most cases, and lets you upload evidence.

   Open myUSCIS → Source: uscis.gov
3. 3

   Pay the current fee

   Verify the I-130 fee at the calculator before filing.

   Fee Calculator →
4. 4

   Wait for approval, then check the Visa Bulletin

   I-130 approval just confirms the relationship. Whether the beneficiary can apply for a green card depends on visa availability for the category.

   Visa Bulletin →
5. 5

   After visa is current, beneficiary files I-485 (in U.S.) or attends consular processing (abroad)[6]

   Adjustment of status with USCIS if the beneficiary is already in the U.S. in valid status; otherwise consular processing through NVC and a U.S. embassy abroad.

   Open official page Source: uscis.gov

Common reasons this gets rejected

• Marriage evidence too thin (spouse cases)

  Marriage certificate alone is not enough. Include joint lease, joint bank statements, joint utility bills, photos with family, and affidavits from people who know you.

• Translating documents incorrectly

  Every foreign-language document needs a full English translation + a signed translator certification. USCIS issues RFEs for partial translations.

• Filing for an ineligible relative

  U.S. citizens cannot petition for grandparents, cousins, aunts/uncles, or in-laws. LPRs cannot petition for parents or married children.

• Wrong fee post-May-2026

  Always pull the current I-130 fee from uscis.gov/feecalculator the day you file.

Talk to a human

Sources

1. [1]Form I-130 — USCIS
2. [2]USCIS Fee Calculator
3. [3]Family of U.S. Citizens
4. [4]Visa Bulletin
5. [5]myUSCIS
6. [6]https://www.uscis.gov/family