87+
Total Document Types
29
Critical Documents
26
May Require Translation
Documents proving the petitioner's status
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Completed and signed petition form
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or LPR Status
U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or green card (front and back)
Government-Issued Photo ID
Driver's license, state ID, or passport photo page
Passport-Style Photographs
2 recent color photos (2x2 inches) with white background
Filing Fee Payment
$535 check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Form G-1145 (Optional)
E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
Proof of Legal Name Change
Court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree if name differs from citizenship document
Naturalization Certificate
If petitioner is a naturalized U.S. citizen
Certificate of Citizenship
If petitioner derived or acquired citizenship
Form N-600 Approval Notice
If citizenship certificate is pending
Documents for the person being sponsored
Beneficiary's Birth Certificate
Certified copy showing full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names
Beneficiary's Passport Bio Page
Copy of current valid passport
Passport-Style Photographs
2 recent color photos (2x2 inches) with white background
Beneficiary's Government ID
National ID card or other government-issued identification
Proof of Current Immigration Status
Visa, I-94, or other status documentation if in the U.S.
Prior Immigration Documents
Previous visas, I-20s, DS-2019s, or approval notices
Criminal Record Certificate
Police clearance from countries of residence (for consular processing)
Military Records
If beneficiary served in any military
Proof of qualifying family relationship
Petitioner's Birth Certificate
To establish relationship with parent, child, or sibling
Marriage Certificate
For spouse petitions - certified copy
Divorce Decrees/Death Certificates
Proof that prior marriages were legally terminated
Annulment Decrees
If any prior marriage was annulled
Adoption Decree
For adopted children - must show adoption before age 16
Legitimation Documents
For children born out of wedlock in certain countries
Stepparent-Stepchild Evidence
Marriage certificate showing marriage occurred before child turned 18
DNA Test Results
If other evidence of biological relationship is unavailable
Additional documents for spouse petitions
Wedding Photos
Photos from wedding ceremony and reception
Wedding Invitation/Program
Original or copy of wedding invitation
Joint Bank Account Statements
Recent statements showing both names
Joint Credit Card Statements
Statements showing both spouses as account holders
Joint Lease or Mortgage
Rental agreement or property deed with both names
Joint Utility Bills
Electric, gas, water, internet bills with both names
Joint Insurance Policies
Health, auto, life, or home insurance listing both spouses
Beneficiary Designations
Life insurance, retirement accounts naming spouse as beneficiary
Joint Tax Returns
Federal and state tax returns filed jointly
Birth Certificates of Children
If couple has children together
Affidavits from Family/Friends
Sworn statements attesting to bona fide marriage
Travel Records Together
Boarding passes, hotel receipts, itineraries
Communication Evidence
Phone records, chat logs, emails showing ongoing relationship
Photos Throughout Relationship
Photos from dating, engagement, holidays, family events
Engagement Announcement
Newspaper announcement or social media posts
Receipts from Shared Purchases
Furniture, appliances, vehicles purchased together
Emergency Contact Forms
Medical forms, school forms listing spouse as emergency contact
Mail Addressed to Both Spouses
Letters, packages addressed to both at same address
Documents for parent or child petitions
Child's Birth Certificate
Showing parent's name on certificate
Parent's Birth Certificate
When petitioning for parent
Hospital Birth Records
Medical records from birth
Baptismal Certificate
If birth certificate is unavailable
School Records
Enrollment records showing parent's name
Medical Records
Vaccination records, pediatric records
Photos of Parent and Child
Photos throughout child's life
Evidence of Financial Support
Bank transfers, receipts showing support
Affidavits of Relationship
Sworn statements from family members
Acknowledgment of Paternity
For fathers not listed on birth certificate
Court Order Establishing Paternity
Legal determination of parentage
Custody Documents
If applicable to the relationship
Documents for brother/sister petitions
Both Siblings' Birth Certificates
Showing at least one common parent
Parents' Marriage Certificate
If siblings share both parents
Half-Sibling Documentation
Birth certificates showing common parent for half-siblings
Step-Sibling Documentation
Marriage certificate of parents and birth certificates
Adoption Records
If either sibling was adopted
Photos of Siblings Together
Photos throughout life showing relationship
Family Photos
Photos with parents and other family members
Correspondence Between Siblings
Letters, cards, emails over the years
Affidavits from Family Members
Statements confirming sibling relationship
Evidence of financial ability to support
Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
Required for most family-based petitions (filed later with NVC)
Recent Tax Returns
Federal tax returns for past 3 years with W-2s
Tax Transcripts
IRS tax transcripts (Form 1040)
Employment Verification Letter
Letter from employer stating position, salary, and tenure
Recent Pay Stubs
Pay stubs from past 6 months
Bank Statements
Statements from past 12 months showing savings
Investment Account Statements
401(k), IRA, brokerage accounts
Property Deeds
Real estate ownership documentation
Vehicle Titles
Proof of vehicle ownership
Business Ownership Documents
If self-employed: business license, tax returns, profit/loss statements
Joint Sponsor Documents
If petitioner doesn't meet income requirements
Form I-864A
Contract between sponsor and household member
Other helpful evidence
Cover Letter
Summary of petition and list of enclosed documents
Document Index/Table of Contents
Organized list of all submitted documents
Certified Translations
For all documents not in English
Translator's Certification
Statement certifying accuracy of translation
Evidence of Prior USCIS Filings
Receipt notices, approval notices from prior petitions
Legal Representation Documents
Form G-28 if represented by attorney
Waiver Applications
If applicable (I-601, I-212, etc.)
Evidence Supporting Waivers
Hardship evidence if waiver is needed
Country Condition Evidence
For cases involving persecution or hardship claims
Expert Letters or Evaluations
Medical, psychological, or other expert opinions