I-130 Supporting Documents

Major evidence buckets

Most I-130 packages combine petitioner status proof, beneficiary identity information, proof of the qualifying relationship, translations where needed, and the correct filing fee. Relationship-specific evidence belongs on the spouse, child, or parent pages—not in one universal dump.

1. Petitioner evidence

USCIS needs proof that the petitioner is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident before it can approve a family petition.

• Citizenship or LPR status documents

  Common examples include a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, unexpired U.S. passport, CRBA, or both sides of a Green Card. Use the documents the current I-130 instructions accept for your status.

2. Beneficiary information

Identity and civil records for the relative should match the petition. A birth certificate and passport biographical page are common starting points; requirements still vary by relationship.

3. Proof of qualifying relationship

This is the relationship-specific core of the filing. Spouse, child, and parent petitions use different civil records and, in some cases, different supplemental forms.

Open the matching relationship page rather than copying another relative’s packet.

4. Name-change evidence where applicable

If names on civil documents do not match the names on Form I-130, the current instructions may ask for name-change evidence. Only include what applies to the people named on the petition.

5. Prior-marriage evidence where applicable

When either the petitioner or the beneficiary was married before, USCIS often needs proof that earlier marriages ended—such as divorce decrees, annulments, or death certificates.

6. Translations

Foreign-language documents generally need a complete English translation and a translator certification.

7. Relationship-specific evidence

For spouses, that can include Form I-130A and bona fide marriage examples. For children and parents, birth records and any additional documents the instructions require for step or adopted relationships.

Use the spouse, child, and parent pages for those details. Confirm Form G-1055 for the fee: Current G-1055 scenarios CivicNest tracks include paper $675 · online $625 (other amounts apply in some situations). CivicNest currently tracks $675 for many paper filings and $625 for many online filings. Confirm Form G-1055 before you pay. CivicNest preparation is not a USCIS filing fee.

Official USCIS sources

• USCIS Form I-130
• Form I-130 instructions (PDF)
• USCIS Form I-130A
• Form I-130A instructions (PDF)
• USCIS filing fees (G-1055)