Form I-130 Instructions: How to Complete and File

Quick Answer: How Do You Fill Out Form I-130?

To complete Form I-130, the petitioner provides information about the qualifying family relationship, themselves, and the beneficiary, then signs and submits the petition with the required supporting documents and filing fee.

• Parts 1–5 contain the main petition information, including the relationship and details about the petitioner and beneficiary.
• Parts 6–8 cover the petitioner’s declaration and, when applicable, interpreter or preparer information.
• Part 9 provides space for additional information.

Always use the current USCIS edition of Form I-130. If you are petitioning for a spouse, you generally must also submit Form I-130A.

Before You Start Form I-130

Before filling out Form I-130, make sure you are using the current USCIS edition and understand whose information belongs in each part of the petition.

Check the Current Form I-130 Edition

As of October 2026, USCIS lists 04/01/24 as the current Form I-130 edition. Before filing, check the official Form I-130 and Instructions for Form I-130 on the USCIS website in case the edition changes.

If filing a paper form, make sure all pages are from the same edition. Do not combine pages from different Form I-130 editions.

Last verified: October 2026

Know Who Is the Petitioner and Beneficiary

The petitioner is the person filing Form I-130 for a qualifying relative. The beneficiary is the relative for whom the petition is being filed. The form asks for information about both people, so check each section carefully before entering your answers.

Form I-130 Instructions at a Glance

Form I-130 is divided into nine parts. Each part collects a different type of information needed for the family petition.

The petitioner is responsible for filing and signing Form I-130, although information about both the petitioner and beneficiary is required throughout the form.

The sections below explain how to approach each part in more detail.

General Rules for Completing Form I-130

For a paper Form I-130, type or print your answers clearly in black ink. Answer each question fully and follow any instructions given for that specific field. Enter dates in mm/dd/yyyy format.

If you do not know an exact date, provide an approximate date in that format and explain it in Part 9, Additional Information.

Should You Use N/A, None, or Leave a Field Blank?

If a question does not apply to you, enter “N/A” unless USCIS directs otherwise. For a question requiring a number, enter “None” when the answer is zero. Do not leave fields blank unless the form or instructions tell you to do so.

A-Number vs. USCIS Online Account Number

An A-Number and USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) are different numbers. USCIS says you will have an OAN only if you previously filed a form with a receipt number beginning with IOE.

If you filed online, you can find the OAN in your account profile. If USCIS issued one after a paper filing, it appears on your Account Access Notice.

If you need more space for an answer, use Part 9 and identify the related page, part, and item number.

Part 1: Relationship

Part 1 tells USCIS what family relationship forms the basis of the Form I-130 petition. Select the option that accurately describes the relationship between you, the petitioner, and the beneficiary.

Select the relationship option that applies to the qualifying relative in your petition. If you are filing for a child or parent, Part 1 asks for more detail about how that relationship was created.

Options include a biological relationship, a stepchild or stepparent relationship, or certain adoption relationships.

Choose the relationship that matches your actual legal family relationship rather than the option that seems closest.

For relationship-specific eligibility rules, see our Form I-130 for a Spouse, Form I-130 for a Child, or Form I-130 for a Parent guides.

Part 2: Information About You — Petitioner

Part 2 is about you, the person filing Form I-130. Do not enter the beneficiary’s information in this section unless a question specifically asks for it.

USCIS asks for identifying information such as your A-Number, USCIS Online Account Number, and Social Security number, if applicable.

You will also provide your legal name, other names you have used, mailing and address information, and details about your birth.

Part 2 also asks about your marital history and whether you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Depending on your status, you may need to provide information about how you obtained citizenship or permanent residence.

The section also includes your recent employment history.

Use names, dates, addresses, and immigration information that are consistent with your records and supporting documents.

If you previously used another legal name, maiden name, or other name, provide it where the form asks for other names used.

Part 3: Biographic Information

Part 3 asks for biographic information about the petitioner. USCIS requests basic physical and demographic details, including ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color.

Select or enter the response that accurately describes you using the choices provided on the form. This section is about the petitioner, not the beneficiary.

Follow the form’s requested units and response options rather than converting or adding information that USCIS does not ask for.

Part 4: Information About the Beneficiary

Part 4 is about the relative you are petitioning for and is one of the most detailed sections of Form I-130. Read each question carefully so that the petitioner’s information and the beneficiary’s information do not get mixed up.

Beneficiary Identity and Contact Information

Enter the beneficiary’s legal name and any other names they have used. The form also asks for information such as the beneficiary’s date and place of birth, addresses, and identifying numbers, including an A-Number or USCIS Online Account Number if applicable.

Use information that matches the beneficiary’s immigration and identity records.

Beneficiary Family Information

Part 4 asks about the beneficiary’s marital history and family members where applicable.

Yes, provide the beneficiary’s children when the form asks for them, even if those children are not being petitioned for through this particular Form I-130.

Listing a family member in this section does not by itself mean that person is receiving an immigration benefit through the petition.

Beneficiary Immigration Information

If the beneficiary has been in the United States, the form may ask about the beneficiary’s arrival, Form I-94, passport or travel document, immigration status, and authorized stay.

It also asks whether the beneficiary has ever been in immigration proceedings. Answer these questions based on the beneficiary’s actual immigration history.

Item 61 or Item 62: Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing

These questions tell USCIS where the beneficiary expects to complete the next stage of the immigration process.

Item 61 applies when the beneficiary is in the United States and intends to apply for Adjustment of Status. Enter the city or town and state of the USCIS office where the beneficiary intends to apply.

If you are unsure which local USCIS field office applies, use the USCIS Office Locator to identify the office serving the beneficiary’s area.

Item 62 applies when the beneficiary will apply for an immigrant visa abroad. The form asks for the city, province if applicable, and country of the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Complete the option that reflects the intended pathway. Do not provide conflicting Adjustment of Status and consular-processing answers simply because both options appear on the form.

Being physically present in the United States does not by itself make a beneficiary eligible for Adjustment of Status.

Part 5: Other Information

Part 5 asks about the petitioner’s previous Form I-130 petitions and certain other petitions being submitted at the same time.

If you have ever filed an I-130 for this beneficiary or any other person, answer yes and provide the requested information about that petition, including the person’s name, where and when it was filed, and the result.

You should report an earlier petition even if it was approved, denied, or withdrawn when the form asks for your previous filing history.

If you are submitting separate Form I-130 petitions for other relatives at the same time, Part 5 also asks for their names and their relationship to you. Answer based on your actual filing history and current submissions.

Parts 6–8: Signatures, Interpreter and Preparer

The petitioner must sign Form I-130. USCIS will reject the petition if it is not signed or the required signature is not valid.

Part 6 contains the petitioner’s statement, contact information, declaration, certification, and signature. Review the completed petition before signing it.

The beneficiary does not sign Form I-130 itself. Separate signature requirements may apply to Form I-130A when the beneficiary is a spouse.

Part 7 is completed when an interpreter helped the petitioner understand the form and questions. The interpreter provides the requested information and signature.

Part 8 applies when another person prepared the petition for the petitioner. That preparer must provide the information and signature requested in this section.

Part 9: Additional Information

Use Part 9 when you need more room to provide a complete answer to a Form I-130 question.

For each additional response, identify the page number, part number, and item number that the information relates to. This helps USCIS connect the extra explanation to the correct question.

If Part 9 does not provide enough space, you may attach additional sheets.

Follow USCIS instructions by including your name and A-Number, if any, identifying the related page, part, and item, and signing and dating each additional sheet.

Filing for a Spouse? Form I-130A

If Form I-130 is being filed for a spouse, Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary, generally must also be submitted.

Form I-130A is used only for spouse beneficiaries and provides additional information about the spouse. If the spouse beneficiary lives overseas, Form I-130A must still be completed, but USCIS does not require the overseas spouse to sign it.

For step-by-step guidance on this supplemental form, see our Form I-130A Instructions article.

Supporting Documents for Form I-130

Form I-130 must be submitted with documents that support the information in the petition. These generally establish the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, the qualifying family relationship, and other facts relevant to that relationship.

The exact documents depend on who you are petitioning for. A spouse, child, parent, or sibling case may require different supporting evidence.

For a relationship-specific breakdown of what to include, see our Form I-130 Required Documents guide.

How to Submit Form I-130

Form I-130 can generally be filed online through a USCIS online account or by mail, depending on the filing circumstances.

Paper filers should verify the current USCIS Form I-130 filing instructions immediately before mailing because the correct filing location can vary based on the filing circumstances.

You may also file Form I-130 online when Form I-485 will be submitted by mail. USCIS advises including a copy of the I-130 receipt notice with the Form I-485 filing.

For current government fees and payment requirements, see our Form I-130 Filing Fee guide.

Form I-130 Checklist Before You Submit

Before submitting Form I-130, check that:

• You are using the current Form I-130 edition.
• You selected the correct family relationship in Part 1.
• The petitioner’s information is complete and accurate.
• The beneficiary’s information is complete and accurate.
• Item 61 or Item 62 is completed correctly when applicable.
• Part 9 or additional sheets are included if more space was needed.
• Form I-130A is included for a spouse when required.
• Required supporting documents are included.
• You verified the current filing fee and accepted payment method.
• All required sections are properly signed.

Review the full petition once more before submitting it to USCIS.

Common Form I-130 Mistakes to Avoid

Some Form I-130 mistakes happen because a question is misunderstood, even when every part of the petition appears complete. Before filing, check for these common errors:

• Mixing up petitioner and beneficiary information. Make sure each answer is entered for the person the question refers to.
• Confusing an A-Number with a USCIS Online Account Number. These are different identification numbers.
• Using names, addresses, or dates that do not match immigration or identity records.
• Giving conflicting answers in Item 61 and Item 62 about Adjustment of Status and consular processing.
• Failing to report a previous Form I-130 when Part 5 asks about earlier petitions.
• Using Part 9 without identifying the related page, part, and item number.
• Assuming that listing a spouse or child in Part 4 automatically files a petition for that person.

Use the relevant sections above to review any answer you are unsure about before submitting Form I-130.

What If You Discover a Mistake After Filing Form I-130?

If you notice an error after submitting Form I-130, contact USCIS for instructions on correcting the pending petition. Keep your receipt number available and clearly identify the incorrect and correct information. The correction method can depend on the error and filing method.