What Documents Are Required for Form I-130? Complete Guide

Quick Answer: What Documents Are Required for Form I-130?

The documents required for Form I-130 depend on the petitioner’s immigration status and the family relationship being claimed.

Most petitions need evidence showing that the petitioner is eligible to file and documents proving the relationship to the beneficiary.

Common Form I-130 supporting documents include:

• proof of the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status;
• birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other civil records proving the family relationship;
• proof that any prior marriages ended, when applicable;
• Form I-130A and evidence of a bona fide marriage for spouse petitions;
• legal name-change records, when names differ across documents;
• passport-style photographs when required for a spouse petition; and
• complete English translations with translator certification for documents in another language.

Relationship	Main evidence generally required
Spouse	Marriage certificate, Form I-130A, proof prior marriages ended, bona fide marriage evidence
Child	Birth certificate and relationship-specific evidence for biological, stepchild, or adopted-child cases
Parent	Petitioner’s birth certificate and additional relationship evidence when required for a father or stepparent
Sibling	Birth certificates showing at least one common parent, plus additional evidence when needed
All petitions	Petitioner’s citizenship or permanent resident evidence and English translations when applicable

The exact evidence depends on the facts of the case. USCIS may request additional documents if the initial evidence does not establish eligibility or the claimed family relationship.

Preparing Form I-130?

Use ImmigrationDirect’s guided preparation service to organize your petition information and supporting documents before filing.

Why Supporting Documents Matter for Form I-130

USCIS uses the documents submitted with Form I-130 to determine whether the petitioner is eligible to file and whether the claimed family relationship has been established.

If required evidence is missing, unclear, or inconsistent, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), send a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), or deny the petition if the evidence does not establish eligibility.

Submitting the required civil records and relationship-specific evidence with the initial petition can reduce avoidable requests for additional documentation.

USCIS Family-Based Petition Policy Update

In August 2025, USCIS updated its family-based immigrant petition policy guidance, including guidance relevant to Form I-130. The guidance consolidates rules on eligibility, documentation and evidence, screening and vetting, interviews, and adjudication of family-based petitions.

For document preparation, the practical point remains the same: the evidence must establish both the petitioner’s eligibility and the qualifying family relationship. USCIS may request additional evidence or an interview when the record does not sufficiently establish eligibility.

Core Documents Required for Form I-130

The documents required in every case depend on the petitioner’s status and family relationship. However, most Form I-130 petitions require evidence of the petitioner’s immigration status and documents establishing the qualifying relationship.

Official source: USCIS Form I-130 Instructions.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status

The petitioner must provide evidence showing that they are eligible to file Form I-130 as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may submit a copy of one of the following, as applicable:

• U.S. birth certificate issued by the appropriate civil authority;
• unexpired U.S. passport;
• Certificate of Naturalization;
• Certificate of Citizenship; or
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you may submit:

• a copy of the front and back of your Permanent Resident Card; or
• if you have not yet received your Permanent Resident Card, a copy of the biographic page of your passport and the page showing admission as a lawful permanent resident, or other USCIS-issued evidence of permanent resident status.

If names differ between your immigration-status document and other supporting records, include the legal document that explains the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

English Translations for Foreign-Language Documents

Any document submitted to USCIS in a language other than English must include a complete English translation.

USCIS explains the translation certification requirements in the Form I-130 Instructions.

The translator must certify that:

• the translation is complete and accurate; and
• they are competent to translate from the original language into English.

The certification should include the translator’s signature, printed name, date of signature, and contact information.

The translation should cover the entire document, not only the section that appears relevant to the petition.

Common documents that may require translation include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, adoption records, and other foreign civil documents.

Relationship-Specific Documents for Form I-130

The evidence needed to prove the family relationship differs depending on whether the beneficiary is a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.

Documents Required for a Spouse-Based Form I-130

A spouse petition must establish two things: that the marriage is legally valid and that it was entered into in good faith rather than solely to obtain an immigration benefit. For the complete filing process, see how to file Form I-130 for a spouse.

Forms Required for a Spouse Petition

A spouse-based petition generally includes:

• Form I-130, completed and signed by the petitioner; and
• Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.

If the spouse beneficiary lives outside the United States, Form I-130A must still be completed, but the beneficiary is not required to sign it.

Passport-Style Photos for a Spouse Petition

USCIS’s Form I-130 instructions include passport-style photo requirements for spouse petitions.

The petitioner must submit the required passport-style photos. If the spouse beneficiary is in the United States, the beneficiary must also submit the required photos.

Follow the current Form I-130 instructions for the number, size, and photo specifications that apply when you file.

Marriage Certificate

Submit a copy of the civil marriage certificate issued by the government authority where the marriage was legally recorded.

A religious or ceremonial record alone may not establish that the marriage was legally valid if a civil marriage record is required in that jurisdiction.

Proof That Prior Marriages Ended

If either spouse was previously married, submit evidence showing that each prior marriage legally ended.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• final divorce decrees;
• annulment orders; or
• death certificates of former spouses.

The evidence should account for all prior marriages relevant to the current marriage.

Evidence of a Bona Fide Marriage

In addition to the marriage certificate, submit evidence showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith and reflects an ongoing marital relationship.

Examples may include:

• joint ownership of property;
• a joint lease or other evidence of a shared residence;
• joint bank or financial records;
• insurance policies listing each other;
• birth certificates of children born to the couple;
• affidavits from people with personal knowledge of the marriage; and
• other records showing an ongoing marital relationship.

No single type of evidence is required in every case. The documents should reflect the couple’s actual circumstances.

If You Recently Married

Newly married couples may have fewer joint financial or household records simply because the marriage is recent.

Submit the evidence that is available and relevant to your circumstances. If appropriate, third-party affidavits or a short explanation may help provide context, but they should support rather than replace available documentary evidence.

Documents Required for Form I-130 for Children

Documents for a child petition depend on how the parent-child relationship was created. USCIS has different evidence requirements for biological children, stepchildren, and adopted children.

For child-specific petition eligibility, relationship rules, and filing steps, see our Form I-130 for a Child guide.

If the Petitioner Is the Child’s Mother

Submit the child’s birth certificate showing the petitioner’s name as the mother.

Also include proof of the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.

If the Petitioner Is the Child’s Father

The required evidence depends on whether the child’s parents were married and how the legal parent-child relationship was established.

If the child was born to married parents, evidence may include:

• the child’s birth certificate showing the parents’ names;
• the parents’ marriage certificate; and
• evidence showing that any prior marriages legally ended, when applicable.

If the child was born outside marriage, additional evidence may be required to show that a legally recognized or bona fide parent-child relationship was established under the applicable rules.

Depending on the facts, this may involve evidence of legitimation or evidence showing that a bona fide parent-child relationship existed before the child turned 21, such as financial support, shared residence, or other records showing ongoing parental involvement.

If the Beneficiary Is a Stepchild

A stepparent may petition for a stepchild if the marriage that created the step relationship occurred before the child’s 18th birthday.

Submit:

• the child’s birth certificate;
• the marriage certificate showing the marriage between the petitioner and the child’s biological parent; and
• evidence that any prior marriages of the petitioner or biological parent legally ended, when applicable.

If the Beneficiary Is an Adopted Child

Adoption cases have additional requirements beyond submitting the adoption decree.

For the type of adopted-child relationship generally covered by Form I-130, the evidence may need to establish that:

• the adoption was completed before the child’s 16th birthday, or before age 18 in certain sibling circumstances;
• the petitioner had legal custody of the child for at least two years; and
• the petitioner and child lived together for at least two years.

Some intercountry adoption cases follow different immigration processes, including orphan or Hague Convention procedures.

Supporting evidence may include the adoption decree, custody orders, school records, medical records, leases, or other documents showing the required legal custody and joint residence.

If a required birth certificate or other primary civil record is unavailable, see Secondary Evidence When Primary Documents Are Unavailable below.

Documents Required for Form I-130 for Parents

A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old may file Form I-130 for a parent. Lawful permanent residents cannot petition for a parent. See how to file Form I-130 for a parent for the complete eligibility and filing process.

If Filing for Your Mother

Generally submit:

• your birth certificate showing your name and your mother’s name; and
• proof of your U.S. citizenship.

If your current name differs from the name on the birth certificate, include the legal document connecting the two names.

If Filing for Your Father

The required evidence depends on how the father-child relationship was established.

Generally, submit:

• your birth certificate showing your father’s name;
• proof of your U.S. citizenship; and
• marriage or other evidence required to establish the father-child relationship, depending on the circumstances.

If your parents were not married when you were born, additional evidence may be required to establish the legal or bona fide parent-child relationship.

If Filing for a Stepparent

Submit:

• your birth certificate;
• the marriage certificate showing that your biological parent married your stepparent before your 18th birthday; and
• evidence that any prior marriages legally ended.

If Filing for an Adoptive Parent

Filing Form I-130 for an adoptive parent requires evidence establishing the qualifying adoption relationship.

Depending on the case, this may include the adoption decree and records showing that the applicable adoption, legal-custody, and joint-residence requirements were met.

Adoption-based relationships can have additional requirements, so review the current USCIS Form I-130 instructions for the circumstances that apply.

Documents Required for Form I-130 for Siblings

A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old may petition for a brother or sister. Lawful permanent residents cannot file Form I-130 for siblings.

Generally submit:

• the petitioner’s birth certificate;
• the beneficiary sibling’s birth certificate; and
• proof of the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship.

The birth certificates should show at least one common parent.

If the siblings share the same father but have different mothers, additional evidence may be required to show the father’s legal relationship to each child, including marriage certificates and records showing how any prior marriages ended.

Adoption, step-sibling, or other non-standard sibling relationships may require additional evidence establishing how the qualifying sibling relationship was created.

Secondary Evidence When Primary Documents Are Unavailable

If a required civil record does not exist or the appropriate civil authority confirms that it is unavailable, USCIS may accept secondary evidence.

First, obtain a statement from the appropriate civil authority confirming that the required record is unavailable.

Then submit secondary evidence that helps establish the same fact. Depending on the type of record, examples may include:

• baptismal or religious records;
• school records;
• medical or hospital records;
• census records;
• other government records; or
• affidavits from people with personal knowledge of the event or relationship.

The evidence should be relevant to the specific fact you are trying to prove.

If USCIS does not consider the secondary evidence sufficient, it may request additional documentation.

Do You Need Originals or Copies for Form I-130?

In most cases, submit clear photocopies of supporting documents unless USCIS instructions specifically require an original.

Do not send an original document unless the form instructions or USCIS specifically asks for it. USCIS may request an original later if it needs to verify the document.

Keep a copy of everything submitted with the petition for your own records.

How to Upload and Organize Form I-130 Documents

If filing Form I-130 online, upload clear and complete copies of each supporting document.

Before submitting:

• scan every page that is part of the document;
• make sure text, seals, dates, and signatures are readable;
• avoid blurry, cropped, or partially uploaded pages;
• use clear file names so you can identify each document;
• group related evidence logically, such as civil records, marriage evidence, and translations; and
• keep a complete copy of everything uploaded to USCIS.

For foreign-language documents, upload both the original-language document and the complete English translation with the translator’s certification.

Before Filing, Check for These Form I-130 Document Problems

Before submitting Form I-130, check the document package for issues that can lead USCIS to request clarification or additional evidence:

• required birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, or custody records are missing;
• names, birth dates, or other details differ across documents without an explanation;
• a foreign-language document does not include a complete English translation and translator certification;
• spouse petitions include too little evidence of the marital relationship;
• scans or photocopies are incomplete or unreadable; or
• the evidence does not match the specific family relationship claimed on Form I-130.

Review the packet against the current USCIS Form I-130 instructions before filing.

FAQs About Form I-130 Documents

Preparing Your Form I-130 Documents?

Form I-130 requires the right supporting evidence for the family relationship you are claiming. Before filing, confirm that your civil records, relationship evidence, translations, and other required documents are complete and consistent with the information entered on the petition.

ImmigrationDirect provides guided Form I-130 preparation, step-by-step support, and help organizing the information needed for filing.

ImmigrationDirect is not USCIS and does not determine eligibility or approve petitions. USCIS makes the final decision on every Form I-130 petition.