The I-130 checklist — document by document.
Form I-130 is the first step in most family-based US green card cases. This guide walks the checklist in two parts — the core packet every petition needs, and the supporting documents that change by relationship, whether you are petitioning for a spouse, parent, child, or sibling.
What goes on every I-130 checklist.
The relationship you are petitioning for changes the supporting documents, but the core packet below stays the same across every Form I-130.
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
The petition itself, completed and signed by the petitioner. A separate Form I-130 is filed for each relative — one petition cannot cover several beneficiaries.
Form I-130A (spouse cases only)
Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary, completed by the beneficiary spouse with their address and employment history. Required only when the petition is for a husband or wife.
Proof of the petitioner's status
Evidence the petitioner is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident — a US passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a copy of the green card.
Evidence of the qualifying relationship
The civil document that proves the relationship — a marriage certificate, a birth certificate showing the parent-child or sibling link, or an adoption decree, depending on the category.
Civil documents with certified translations
Birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates as applicable. Any document not in English needs a full certified English translation.
The USCIS filing fee
The required fee for Form I-130. Fees are set by USCIS and change periodically — confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule before you file.
The supporting documents that change by relative.
On top of the core packet, each relationship adds its own civil documents and — for spouses — bona-fide-relationship evidence. The category also sets the wait, because only immediate relatives sit outside the annual caps.
I-130 checklist for a spouse
Add Form I-130A, the marriage certificate, proof that any prior marriages ended (divorce decrees or death certificates), and a body of bona-fide-marriage evidence — joint finances, a shared household, a shared social life, and photos. Spouses of US citizens are immediate relatives with no annual cap.
I-130 checklist for a parent
A US citizen aged 21 or older can petition for a mother or father. Add your own birth certificate showing the relationship and, for a father, the parents’ marriage certificate where it applies. A separate I-130 is filed for each parent.
I-130 checklist for a child
Add the child’s birth certificate; a stepchild, an adopted child, or a child born out of wedlock needs extra documents. An unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen is an immediate relative; married children and adult sons or daughters fall into the family-preference categories.
I-130 checklist for a sibling (brother or sister)
A US citizen aged 21 or older can petition for a sibling. Add both birth certificates showing at least one common parent. Siblings fall into the F4 preference category, which has the longest wait of any I-130 relationship.
The I-130 checklist — common questions.
- What is an I-130?
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is the petition a US citizen or lawful permanent resident files with USCIS to establish a qualifying family relationship with a relative they are sponsoring for a green card. Approving the I-130 does not grant status by itself — it only establishes the relationship, after which the relative either adjusts status in the US (Form I-485) or processes an immigrant visa abroad.
- What documents go on the I-130 checklist?
- A typical I-130 packet includes Form I-130 (and Form I-130A for spouse cases), proof of the petitioner’s US citizenship or lawful-permanent-resident status, evidence of the qualifying relationship, civil documents such as birth and marriage certificates with certified translations, and the filing fee. The relationship-specific supporting documents change by category. Always confirm the current requirements with USCIS.
- What supporting documents do I need for the I-130?
- Beyond the forms and fee, the supporting documents fall into two groups: the civil documents that prove the relationship (birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates, with certified translations) and — in spouse cases — bona-fide-relationship evidence showing the marriage is genuine, such as joint financial accounts, a shared lease or mortgage, shared insurance, photos together over time, and correspondence. USCIS publishes the document requirements for each relationship category.
- What is Form I-130A?
- Form I-130A (Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary) is filed alongside Form I-130 in spouse cases. The beneficiary spouse completes it to provide address and employment history. It is only required when the petition is for a husband or wife — not for parents, children, or siblings.
- Is an approved I-130 a green card?
- No. An approved I-130 only confirms the family relationship — it does not grant a green card, work authorisation, or a travel document. The case then continues with Form I-485 (adjustment of status in the US) or Form DS-260 (consular processing abroad) before permanent residence is granted.
Every document above, organised in one checklist.
ReRooted groups the I-130 requirements into the collection categories USCIS and the Department of State look at, so you can see what is still outstanding before you file. Free to start.