cover letter for i 130 for parents

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How to Write a Form I-130 Cover Letter

Drafting a cover letter for a family-based green application, plus sample templates, in this guide.

• Form I-130 Cover Letter Template
• Is the Cover Letter Mandatory?
• What Should the Cover Letter Say?
• Marriage-based Green Card Reviews
• Related Information

What is a Form i-130 cover Letter?

When filing a marriage green card application with the U.S. government, some applicants choose to include a cover letter in front of Form I-130 (“Petition for Alien Relative”) in their application package. The cover letter (which is not mandatory as per government requirements) acts as a table of contents for all of the forms and supporting documents included in a marriage green card application. The letter can also be used to explain unique circumstances or provide further context so that immigration officers may have a more holistic understanding of a couple’s application.

In this guide, we’ll explain when it’s best to include a cover letter and what information it should contain . We’ve also prepared free downloadable cover letter templates you can use as a starting point for your application.

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Boundless helps you avoid common problems, such as forgetting to include important documents or placing documents in the wrong section of the application package, which can cause delays or even denial. Learn more , or get started now .

Including a cover letter for your marriage green card application is optional , although some immigration attorneys choose to include one for their clients. Cover letters can be helpful when couples want to provide USCIS with additional information or context about their application. They can also be used to clarify details in the petition and provide adjudicating officers with a clear picture of each supporting document included.

With Boundless, you get the confidence of an independent immigration attorney who will review all of your forms and documents and answer any questions you have — for no additional fee. Learn more about how Boundless can help you , or start your application today .

Although there’s no specific format required for the Form I-130 cover letter, it’s important to include a general introduction and a detailed list of all of the forms and documents you are submitting to the government.

The cover letter should be properly dated and signed, and it should include the following key information:

• Date of filing
• USCIS filing location
• Introduction paragraph
• List of all forms and filing fees included in the application
• Detailed list of supporting documents included for each form
• Marriage date and location of petitioner and beneficiary
• Conclusion paragraph with petitioner’s contact information
• A signature line showing the petitioner’s signature and full printed name

The contents of the cover letter may vary depending on where you are applying from , and whether the sponsor of the application is a U.S. citizen or green card holder. Your application may also include documents that are specific to your situation, so it is important to personalize the cover letter and use the template only as a starting point.

Boundless helps you understand what documents you need , and keep them all together securely online. Find out more about what Boundless does , or let’s begin !

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Immigration guideS

• Documents Needed for a Marriage Green Card
• How to Avoid Receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE)
• Where to Look for Hard-to-Find Immigration Documents
• “Petition for Alien Relative” Form I-130 Information
• How to Get a Marriage Green Card

Article Contents

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• Adjustment of Status
• E-2      Treaty Investors
• Green Cards
• H-1B    Specialty Workers
• H-3     Trainees
• K-1       Fiance or Fiancee
• L-1       Intra-company Transfers
• I-130 Petition

Learn About I-130 Petition Process And Documents

• 1. I-130 Overview
• 2. I-130 Process

Filing The I-130 Immigrant Visa Petition

STEP 1: File The I-130 Petition

The U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident must prepare and assemble the following forms and supporting documents and mail it to the U.S Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) with the appropriate fee. Remember that a separate Form I-130 must be submitted for each qualifying relative.

A. Supporting Documents And Forms To Be Submitted Along With The I-130 Petition

1. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

2. Filing fee, as required by USCIS. The fee can be paid with a personal check, bank draft or money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Fees cannot be paid in cash. The use of checks or money orders will allow the petitioners to track their payment.

3. Cover Letter. The petition and documents should include a cover letter that contains a description of what petition or application is being submitted (Form I-130), and a complete list of everything that is sent in the packet to USCIS. It should also include an explanation of any special circumstances involved.

NOTE: If additional room is needed to explain the case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

4. Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence of the Petitioner (the individual filing the Form I-130).

i. Proof of U.S. citizenship includes but is not limited to the following documents:

a) If born in the U.S., a copy of the long form Birth certificate (must include the names of parents) (front and back) issued by the appropriate civil agency

b) Copy of the biographic pages of a valid unexpired U.S. passport

c) Copy of the naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship issued by the USCIS or the former INS

d) Copy of the FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States, issued by a U.S. Embassy or consulate

ii. Proof of U.S. Legal Permanent Residence includes but is not limited to the following documents:

a) Copy of the front and back of the I-551, Permanent Resident Card (green card)

b) Copy of the foreign passport which includes a copy of the biographic page, the I-551 stamp issued by the U.S. Consulate and the page showing admission to U.S. as a permanent resident

5. Proof of relationship:

i. If filing for spouse, a copy of the marriage certificate (with English translation, if necessary)

ii. If filing for a parent, child, or brother/sister, a copy of the birth certificate(s) and/or marriage certificate(s) tracing the relationship

iii. If filing for an adopted child, a copy of the adoption decree

iv. If filing for a step-child/step-parent, a copy of the marriage certificate and appropriate birth certificate(s)

6. If filing for a foreign national spouse:

i. Either the petitioner or the beneficiary (the foreign national spouse) were previously married, submit copies of the documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated (court certified copies of the petitioner’s and/or intending immigrant’s divorce documents or death certificate of the prior spouse)

ii. Form G-325A is completed by the U.S. citizen spouse (signed and dated) with a passport style photo attached

iii. Form G-325A is completed by the foreign national spouse (signed and dated) with a passport style photo attached

iv. Evidence of a bona fide marriage (including but not limited to pictures, joint ownership of property, lease in both names, etc.)

B. Submitting The Petition

Upon compiling the form, supporting documents and filing fee, the petition package should be mailed to the appropriate “Lockbox” in Chicago. Petitions are no longer sent directly to a service center but are routed there by the lockbox.

C. After Mailing The Petition

Generally, within a few days after the U.S. citizen petitioner sends the petition to the USCIS lockbox, he or she will receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action (“receipt notice”) indicating that the USCIS has received the I-130 application and indicating the service center the petition was routed to. If the petitioner does not receive a receipt notice within one to two weeks of filing the petition, contact USCIS to follow up.

If the petition package is missing any documents or the service center needs further clarification or additional documents, it will use a “Request for Evidence” detailing the additional documents or information needed for the case to proceed.

D. Approval of The Petition

Once the I-130 immigrant visa petition is approved, the USCIS service center that processed the petition will send the U.S. citizen petitioner another I-797, Notice of Action (“approval notice”) letter indicating the approval. The service center will then forward the approved petition to the National Visa Center (unless the petition is for an immediate relative who is in the U.S. and it was filed with an application for adjustment of status (see STEP 2 below).

E. Processing Time

The time it takes the USCIS service center to process the I-130 depends on what preference category the foreign national relative falls into. The lower the priority of the preference category (i.e., 3rd or 4th preference) the longer it takes for processing. Since visa numbers are not immediately available these petitions receive lower priority for processing.

STEP 2: Adjustment of Status If The Beneficiary Is Already Inside The U.S.

If the beneficiary (the person form whom the immigrant petition is filed) of the I-130 petition is in the U.S. when the petition is approved and a visa number is available, he or she may be able to file for Adjustment of Status using Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status.

NOTE: To adjust of status inside the U.S. the beneficiary must meet certain conditions: they must have entered the U.S. legally and must have maintained their status throughout their stay in the U.S. There are certain limited exceptions to these provisions for immediate relatives.

Click here to learn more on Adjustment of Status.

STEP 3: Consular Processing If Beneficiary Is Outside The U.S.

If the beneficiary of the I-130 immigrant visa petition is outside the U.S. or has chosen Consular Processing when the petitions is approved and a visa number is available, he or she must complete consular processing and obtain their immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad before they can enter the U.S. as a legal permanent resident.

NOTE: The Beneficiary of the I-130 petition cannot enter the U.S. unless he or she has an immigrant visa or has obtained another type of non-immigrant visa.

Click here to learn more on Consular Processing of immigrant visas.

I-130 For Dependents of The Alien Relative

Only U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents can file an immigrant petition for their direct relatives. Dependents of only some of those relatives, however, may immigrate with the foreign national.

A. Dependents of Immediate Relatives

Each immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (spouse, children under 21 and parents- those who are not subject to visa quota availability) must have a petition filed on his or her behalf by the U.S. citizen petitioner. Dependents of the foreign relative (e.g., minor children of the parents or children of the spouse) cannot be included in the petition or “follow-to-join” . The dependents must have a separate petition filed on their behalf by the U.S. citizen petitioner or by the immediate relative beneficiary after he or she becomes a permanent resident.

B. Dependents of Preference Relatives

Dependents (spouse and children under 21) of beneficiaries who are in a preference category (spouse, children under 21 and unmarried sons and daughters of a legal permanent resident and unmarried/married children over 21 and brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens) are eligible for derivative status or are eligible to “follow-to-join.” This means that they are eligible to receive an immigrant visa in the same preference category as the relative and be able to immigrate with the principal relative without having to be the beneficiary of a separate petition.

• If the petitioner is a legal permanent resident and files for his or her spouse, the spouse’s unmarried children will be eligible for an immigrant visa as long as they are under 21 (real age or CSPA age) when the visa becomes available. If, however, the child is over 21, a new petition will have to be filed for the son or daughter. If the petition is filed by the same petitioner, the son/daughter’s I130 petition will be able to retain the priority date of the first petition.
• If the petitioner who was a permanent resident at the time an I130 petition was filed for a spouse and/or children under 21 becomes a citizen, the petition is automatically upgraded to an immediate relative petition. When this occurs, a separate petition must then be filed for the child of the foreign national spouse because he or she will no longer be permitted to “follow-to-join”. This may have serious repercussions if the son or daughter was protected by CSPA as he or she loses this protection if a new petition is filed.

I-130 Petition Possible Problems

A. Missing Documents

All petitions are screened by USCIS when they are initially submitted to see that all required forms, fee and initial supporting documents are included. If the initial screening finds the petition to be deficient, it may be returned to the petitioner depending on the deficiency.

At the time of the final review, if the reviewing officer has questions or needs additional supporting documentation, a Request for Evidence (RFE) will be issued. The RFE will state what questions the officer has and what additional information documents are needed to complete the review of the petition. USCIS is required to give respondents at least 84 days to respond and an additional 14 days if the information or documents must be obtained from abroad.

If important initial documentation or information is missing, or if there is an indication that there may be fraud, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) in lieu of an RFE. In most instances, USCIS gives respondents only 30 days to respond to a NOID.

B. Denial of The I-130 Petition

If a petition is denied, the petitioner has the right to have the petition reopened/reconsidered and/or appealed. When a decision is issued denying an I130 petition, USCIS must give the specific reasons for the denial. It must also give the petitioner instructions on where and how to file a motion to reopen/reconsider or appeal. You have the right to have an attorney represent you on either.

1. Motion to Reopen/Reconsider

If the petitioner wishes to have the decision reviewed once more by the service center that rendered the decision and/or the petition has additional evidence that can be submitted, a Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion must be filed with USCIS in order to submit a Motion to Reopen and/or Reconsider (MTR). Additional or new evidence in existence at the time of filing or containing information that was in existence at the time of filing can be submitted with an MTR.

a. The I-290B must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the decision (or when the decision is mailed, if applicable).

b. It must contain a clear statement of why the petitioner thinks the decision is erroneous. The petitioner can also submit a brief with the reasons why the decision was wrong, citing any law that supports the position or including new evidence.

c. The brief, if filing one, must be submitted with the I-290B.

d. The Form I-290B is filed with the appropriate filing fee and brief, if applicable, to the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox and will be forwarded to the service center or office that rendered the decision.

If the Petitioner wishes to have the decision reviewed by a higher decision-making body or an MTR has already been submitted and denied, Form EOIR-29 Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals from the Decision of a USCIS Officer must be filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals.

a. The EOIR-29 must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the decision (not the date you receive the decision).

b. It must contain a clear statement of why the petitioner thinks the decision is erroneous. The petitioner can also submit a brief with the reasons why the decision was wrong, citing any law that supports the position

c. The brief, if filing one, can be submitted with the EOIR-29, or within 30 days of filing the EOIR-29.

d. The EOIR-29 is filed with the appropriate fee and brief, if applicable, to the USCIS office that made the decision on the case. The EOIR-29 should not be filed directly with the BIA.

When the USCIS office that made the decision to deny the I-130 receives a MTR or appeal, that office will review the case based on the appeal and any brief that is submitted with it. In the case of an MTR, USCIS can also review any additional evidence submitted with the MTR. The USCIS can reverse their decision and approve the I130 petition or uphold their decision. In the case of an MTR, if they uphold their decision, a new decision affirming the denial of the petition is written and sent back to the petitioner. In the case of an appeal, the file must be forwarded to the BIA. Once the BIA decides on the case, the petitioner will receive a notification with the decision. A decision from the BIA can take 6 months or longer.

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How To Write a USCIS Cover Letter

Preparing an immigration application for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires filling out complex paperwork and gathering supporting documents. Using a cover letter is a great way to keep your application materials organized and make sure you don’t miss any required documents. It’s also a good opportunity to highlight anything you want USCIS to know about your application. This article explains what a cover letter is and the elements it should include. It also includes a template you can use to write your own.

Written by Jonathan Petts .  Updated May 4, 2023

What Is a USCIS Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a document that helps USCIS officers navigate your application materials. You can place a cover letter at the top of your citizenship , permanent resident , DACA , or visa application package. By outlining your reasons for applying and the contents of your application in a cover letter, you give your USCIS officer a useful overview of your case. You can also use your cover letter as a personal checklist to make sure you’ve included all necessary documents in your package.

You may also use a cover letter to explain any special circumstances you want the USCIS officer to be aware of before they start reviewing your application. If you have a unique or complicated background, it is especially helpful to supplement your application with a cover letter. It will ensure that USCIS becomes aware of any special circumstances and can consider your application with this in mind.

Is a Cover Letter Required for My USCIS Application?

USCIS does not require you to submit a cover letter for any immigration benefit or visa application. Many immigration attorneys include cover letters for their clients to prevent any misunderstandings or missing paperwork. Immigration officers read through a lot of paperwork, so any guidance or organization you can offer them will be helpful. 

Cover letters may be especially helpful when you are in a unique situation. Suppose you are applying for a marriage green card with Form I-130 : Petition for Alien Relative, and you and your spouse have lived apart for some time. You and your U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse can use a cover letter to explain this or any other unusual circumstances behind your marriage. 

USCIS will want to know the reasons behind an unusual living or marriage situation when evaluating your adjustment of status application. A cover letter can help you address any major concerns at the beginning of the process.

What Should My USCIS Cover Letter Include?

When submitting a cover letter with your application, be sure to include the following:

The USCIS filing location or lockbox address to which you’re sending your application

The date of filing

An appropriate subject (re:) line

A short introductory paragraph to describe the contents of your letter and package

If applying for a marriage-related benefit, information about the marriage date and location for yourself (the beneficiary) and your spouse (the petitioner)

An ordered list of the content in your application package, including all supporting documents and filing or biometrics fees included

A closing paragraph including your contact information

Your signature and full printed name

Your supporting documents for an application will depend on which forms you’re filing. You can determine which documents are necessary by reviewing USCIS’ webpage for your specific form. For example, USCIS lists the required supporting evidence on its webpage for Form N-400 applicants.

You’ll also need to identify the right mailing address for your application. To do so, you should consult the USCIS website. For example, naturalization applicants can review USCIS’s webpage for Form N-400 direct filing addresses .

Your filing fees will depend on your specific application type. You can use the USCIS Fee Calculator to determine your costs. For example, suppose you are filing for naturalization with Form N-400. You should select Form N-400 on the Fee Calculator and enter your age. USCIS may ask for additional information, such as your specific application category.

USCIS Cover Letter Template

You may use the sample cover letter below as guidance when writing your cover letter. This specific cover letter sample is for a naturalization application, intended for submission alongside Form N-400. Be sure to personalize this template to reflect your application type and circumstances. If you’d like to use the following template, you may also make a copy of this document to start writing.

[Petitioner’s Street Address]

[Petitioner’s City, State  ZIP code]

[Relevant USCIS mailing address]

RE: [Naturalization Application]

Beneficiary: [Immigrant’s Full Legal Name]

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed, please find the Naturalization Application for [Immigrant’s Full Legal Name].

The following documents accompany and support this application:

Filing Fee Payments

[Check or Money Order] in the amount of [Current Fee Amount] for Form N-400

Form G-1450 authorizing payment of the filing fee for Form N-400 (credit card charge authorization if you completed one)

[Form G-1145 (e-notice authorization if you requested them in our system)]

[OPTIONAL Beneficiary’s Form I-912 Fee Waiver Application]

[List of supporting documents]

Beneficiary’s Form N-400 Application for Naturalization

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at [Phone Number]. Thank you very much for your prompt consideration of my Naturalization Application.

[Immigrant’s Full Name]

[Immigrant’s Signature]

[Signature Date]

Tips for Writing Your USCIS Cover Letter

When writing a USCIS cover letter, be sure to type your letter in English on a computer. Keep your letter concise and only include necessary information. A long cover letter will not be as helpful to a USCIS officer as a brief letter. If possible, keep your letter to one page. Be sure to proofread your letter before submitting your application package.

Continue reading and learning!

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How to Write an I-130 Cover Letter- Sample & Tips

The I-130 form is a form to petition for an alien relative. It's a form that you usually submit to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to petition for a close relative who is intending to immigrate to the US. A cover letter for I-130 forms is not always needed, but when concurrent filing I-130 and I-485, cover letter documents can be helpful to explain the situation. The same can be said when you're only filing one of the two sets of paperwork.

If you're thinking about writing a cover letter for I-130, this article should be able to help point you in the right direction.

• # I-130 Cover Letter Sample
• # I-130 Cover Letter Structure
• # Tips for Writing I-130 Cover Letter
• # How to Edit I-130 Cover Letter Template

I-130 Cover Letter Template

This is a free cover letter template for i 130. Free Download and customize it according to the sample text below.

Supported formats

I-130 cover letter sample (text).

Below you'll find a sample cover letter for I-130, this is the most basic form of an I-130 cover letter, which should always be included in the document package, with the addition of a small amount of detail outlining the circumstances:

Your address City State Zip Code Month Day, Year

USCIS Attn: I-130 Address of place of filing City State Zip Code

Re: I-130, Petition for Alien Relative Petitioner: Your full name Relative: Their full name

Dear Sir/Madame,

I am writing to inform you that I have enclosed Form I-130 to petition on behalf of (Relative's full name). I, (Your full name), am a United States citizen, and (Relative's full name) is my (name your relationship type).

Included in this package are the following supporting documents for the I-130 petition:

• A check payable to the USCIS for the amount of （Amount in USD) to cover the filing fee for this petition.
• A completed I-130 form to petition for my alien relative.
• A Naturalization certificate for myself, the petitioner.
• A copy of my birth certificate.
• A copy of my U.S. passport.
• A copy of my U.S. driver's license.
• The birth certificate of my relative.
• A certified translation of my relative's birth certificate.

If you have any further questions, please contact me at (Your phone number). Thank you for your consideration regarding this I-130 petition.

Yours sincerely, (Sign your name) (Print your full name)

Now, on a separate page, if you had certain circumstances you wished to explain, you would write something like this:

Re: I-130, Petition for Alien Relative circumstance explanation Petitioner: Your full name Relative: Their full name

To give you some insight into the details of why I am petitioning for my relative, please allow me to say this:

The relative in question is my mother, and she has fallen under some difficult times. She is currently positioning to immigrate to the United States following a job offer after the last company she worked for was brought out. She is a hard-working, dedicated person, and I know that she is already well under way to applying for citizenship.

I am hoping that by filling in the I-130 petition, I might be able to help her case.

Thank you for your time. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns.

Structure of an I-130 Cover Letter

The structure of an I-130 cover letter can be a little confusing, but we've put together a short guide for you in bullet points, so you can see exactly what you need to include:

• Include your current postal address.
• Date the letter.
• Name the USCIS and note the petition number. (Line 1: "USCIS", line 2: "Attn: I-130".)
• Add a subject line that notes the full title of the petition ("RE: I-130, Petition for Alien Relative"), your full name, and the full name of the relative in question.
• Start your letter with a salutation.
• Explain why you're writing to the USCIS.
• Note the documents that are included in the package with the I-130 form.
• Give a phone number for the USCIS to contact you on for further questions.
• Thank the department for their time.
• Closing salutation.
• Sign-off with your full name, and sign.

If your relative's case is peculiar in any way, you may attach a secondary sheet explaining the circumstances. Start and end this letter the same way as the official I-130 cover letter.

Tips for Writing I-130 Cover Letter

• The cover letter can have two parts. As shown above, if your relative has particular circumstances, you may include a separate cover letter.
• The first cover letter is always needed. It highlights what is contained in the document package.
• When providing details, keep your second letter short.
• Do not plead, and do not waste the USCIS's time.
• Always use full names as shown on birth certificates.
• Always sign and date all documents.
• Explain your current situation clearly. If it's a job you're relocating for, explain why you want to relocate. If it's a job requesting relocation, explain why you're happy to move.

With these tips and both cover letter for I-130 samples, you should easily be able to finish your I-130 filing.

How to Edit I-130 Cover Letter Template

To make a strong i-130 cover letter, you can download the PDF cover letter template in this page and then edit it with Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor . This great PDF editor will help you customize the texts, images, forms in the template and make it fit your experience perfectly.

Step 1. Open the I-130 Cover Letter Template

Step 2. Click on "Edit" and Enter Your Text as You Like

Step 3. Complete and Save Your I-130 Cover Letter

Posted by Elise Williams to Updated: 2024-04-18 13:58:49

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I-130 Checklist: How to submit form I-130?

I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

I f you or your foreign relative wants permanent residence (green card), you need to meet specific requirements to file your petition. Some may find that petition requirements for spouses are more exhaustive than any other relationship, but with the proper preparation, we promise this one can go smoothly as well.

The receipt for your approval of USCIS Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, that will lead you to the green card is to submit relevant supporting documents to evidence your relationship with the sponsor or beneficiary.

This is why we found it helpful to create an I-130 checklist to lead you through this process and submit clear evidence simply by following the checklist while preparing your petition.

As we already mentioned, the relationship between you and your spouse may have an additional layer of scrutiny by immigration officials because the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will pay extra attention.

The reason is that fraudulent marriages are often used to commit green card fraud. So be ready to file firm evidence because immigration officials will want to make sure your spouse obtains a green card based on a bona fide marriage and not for immigration purposes only.

This I-130 checklist will primarily show you how to fill USCIS the I-130 petition for spouses , but we will also provide you with some instructions on how to petition form I-130 for your parents.

As the process may be overwhelming, an immigration attorney can be an excellent choice to avoid some common mistakes that people make, which can cost them the lost opportunity to obtain a green card immigrant visa.

Herman Legal Group is a law firm with over 25 years of experience in immigration matters. You can call us for any immigration questions and have a consultation. In addition, to our clients, we are available 24/7 and offer you Zoom or Skype consultations.

I-130 Checklist for a U.S. Citizen Spouse- Review

Let’s have a short overlook of the I-130 checklist before the beginning of your I-130 petition.

We prepared this quick I-130 checklist of items that you’ll need to gain insight into how to fill out certain parts of the form.

Form I-130 contains nine parts and lots of questions, so let’s see what information you should prepare.

Petitioner’s Information

The petitioner of the I-130 form can have a status as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and this person needs to file the petition, and depending on the reason, the proof of status will differ. A person who intends to become a permanent resident in the U.S. is called a beneficiary.

Form I-130 asks the petitioner to provide details about:

• Address history for the last five years
• Whether you were married before? (if applicable)
• Employment history for the past five years
• Whether you previously filed a petition for the beneficiary or any other foreigner?

Beneficiary’s Information

The beneficiary is the immigrant that wants to live in the United States and intends to apply for a green card.

In form I-130, the beneficiary will provide the following information:

• Whether you were previously married? (if applicable)
• I-94 information (if he or she is currently present in the U.S.)
• Any previous immigration proceedings if there were some

As we mentioned earlier, when filing Form I-130 for your spouse, it’s essential to make a petition package complete with all of the supporting documents.

If the supporting documents attached to your petition don’t provide enough information, the USCIS may send you a Request for Evidence (RFE) which can take additional time and impact the processing time to approve your I-130 petition.

Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Make sure to complete all of the required sections, and if you have any concerns or need any help with completing form I-130, don’t hesitate to contact us at +1-216-696-6170 for your consultation or request one through our online form. Don’t forget to sign the form.

Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary

Form I-130A is required only if the beneficiary is a spouse and not for parents. If your spouse is currently outside the United States at the moment of submitting the form, his or her signature is not obligatory.

Supporting Documents

When preparing supporting documents , you need to submit, ensure to include copies along with your I-130 petition, and keep original examples for yourself.

Then, follow the list to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Passport Photos

Your petition will require two passport-style color photos of your and two passport-style color photos of your spouse. Do not attach to the petition package old photos since those shall be taken within 30 days of filing the petition.

If your spouse lives outside the United States, photos can be older, but it’s also highly advisable to provide the most recent ones.

Proof of U.S. Citizen Status or U.S. Permanent Residence

U.S. citizens can prove their citizenship by submitting a photocopy of a birth certificate (for U.S. citizens by birth), passport, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship, or consular report of birth abroad.

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you have to provide a photocopy of your green card (both sides of it) or other proof of permanent residence to prove your status.

Proof of Marriage

Your marriage certificate will prove that there is a relationship between you and your spouse. As stated earlier, submit a copy of your marriage certificate and keep the original since USCIS may keep provided papers

Evidence of a bona fide marriage

We cannot stress enough how much it is important to include supporting evidence to prove that you are married because you love each other, intend to live and stay together, and not evade U.S. immigration laws.

The bonafide relationship can be proven by submitting copies of documents that you have shared financial liabilities, assets, insurance, birth certificates of your children born into the marriage, or any other documents you think might demonstrate that your relationship is genuine.

Proof that any prior marriages are terminated

If either you or your spouse was previously married, just state ‘not applicable.’ Otherwise, make sure to submit a photocopy of documents showing that any prior marriage was legally terminated.

For this purpose, you can submit a photocopy of a divorce decree or death certificate, depending on why it was terminated.

If any of these documents are in a foreign language, provide translations. It doesn’t have to be certified, but the translator needs to be competent.

Name Changes

If applicable, provide a legally valid record of any name changes issued by the government.

Proxy Marriage

If you submitted a Proxy Marriage Certificate, you would have to prove that you both were physically present and together after the wedding ceremony. To prove this, use any hotel receipts, photographs, passport stamps, etc.

USCIS Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance of Attorney or Representative , provides information about the eligibility of an attorney or other accredited representative to represent a client in an immigration matter before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Cover Letter (optional)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not require a cover letter along with Form I-130. However, a cover letter can help you explain and clarify the evidence that you are submitting.

Now, when you have your I-130 petition package complete , you need to submit your visa application at the proper USCIS lockbox facility. It will depend on whether your spouse lives outside the United States and whether you are filing Form I-485 , or Application for Adjustment of Status, at the same time.

How to Complete the I-130 Form for Parents

If you want to bring your parents to the United States as green card holders, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. As you can see, as a lawful permanent resident, you cannot use this opportunity for your parents.

We won’t go through each question in the form applicable for parents and make the specific checklist, but if any questions arise, we remind you that you can book your consultations with Herman Legal Group.

However, we will note what essential documents to submit with Form I-130 for parents are.

Required Documents for Submission With Form I-130

• Proof of status – that you are a U.S. citizen who sponsors your parents. Make a copy of your birth certificate, naturalization certificate, passport, Form FS-20 (Report of Birth Abroad of a United States Citizen), or citizenship certificate.
• Proof that beneficiaries are your parents : Submit a copy of your birth certificate where your parents are listed. If you were adopted, make sure to include the adoption certificate. If you have step-parents, then file for marriage and birth certificate.

USCIS Filing Fee

A filing fee for the USCIS form I-130 is $535, no matter if you sponsor your spouse or your parents. You can pay via check or credit card at the U.S. consulate or Embassy.

Do I need an Immigration Lawyer to Get a green card?

While you can start the visa journey on your own following this checklist, an immigration attorney can be helpful from the very first beginning. Our immigration attorneys aim to get to know each client and be by their side at the beginning, middle, and end of the process.

You can call us for a consultation at +1-216-696-6170 or use our online form to request one, so we can discuss the best strategy to bring your spouse or your parents to the United States.

Related Articles

I-130 Petition for Family Members (Spouses, Parents, Children, Siblings)

Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relatives: The Winning Guide

What Supporting Documents You Have to Submit With I-130 Petition?

How to Prepare for the Marriage Green Card Interview (I-130, I-751)

How to Win a Spousal I-130 or I-751 After RFE or NOID?

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Do you have a sample cover letter to submit with Form I-485?

Home » Do you have a sample cover letter to submit with Form I-485?

May 3, 2021

Always keep your cover letter short and simple. Include the vital information such as your name and alien registration number (if applicable). Be concise when explaining the purpose of the letter.

RECOMMENDED: Obtaining an Adjustment of Status Work Permit

Sample I-485 Cover Letter

This sample is for a family-based adjustment of status (spouse of U.S. citizen filing concurrently with Form I-130). Your situation may vary. Use this sample cover letter as a guide. Do not submit this letter without updating it to fit your specific situation.

You may want to simply itemize the contents of your adjustment of status application package. Or you can use the cover letter to bring information to the attention of the USCIS officer who will be reviewing your case. The I-485 cover letter is the appropriate place to highlight this.

Mistakes on your I-485 application can cause costly delays or a denial.

Where to address your cover letter for form i-485.

Address your letter to the same address that you file Form I-485. Refer to the USCIS instructions for your applicable filing address. Or if you’ve used CitizenPath to prepare your I-485 application, refer to the custom filing instructions for the USCIS mailing address.

RECOMMENDED: How to Assemble Your Adjustment of Status Package

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• Bringing Family Members of US Citizens to America

I-130 for parents?

By rea July 18, 2012 in Bringing Family Members of US Citizens to America

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236 posts in this topic

Recommended posts, rea   1.

So we received a mail from USCIS saying that the I-130 petitions for mom and dad has been approved and that the approved petition has been forwarded to the National Visa Center.

What to do next?

the opinions that i express in this website are my own and are not legal advise...thank you...

06/18/12: I-130 for parents approved

06/25/12: received email from USDOS - with MNL# assigned for both parents & agent registration (DS-3032)

06/25/12: received email from USDOS - requesting for AOS (Affidavit of Support) processing fee for $88.00

click here for my parents I-130 Journey

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rea 38 posts

Angkorthom 30 posts

let-it-be 26 posts

jc_colin 24 posts

Apr 17 2013

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Mike and Lily

July 25, 2012

We used one cover letter for both and put both petitions in one envelope. So far they are being processed together I think. We used separate checks and separate evidence for each petition.

August 9, 2012

Application (Filing fee) - $420 http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD Affidavit of Support (AOS) Processing Fee - $ 88 http://travel.state..../info_3178.html Visa Fee - $230 http://ma

August 13, 2012

for all of you that are in the process or will be in the process of petitioning your parents to come to the United States, this is my I-130 journey - you can also find this in my "about me" page in my

aaron2020   11,651

So we received a mail from USCIS saying that the I-130 petitions for mom and dad has been approved and that the approved petition has been forwarded to the National Visa Center. What to do next?

USCIS will send you a fee letter for the I-864 Affidavit of Support and the DS-230 Visa Application. You pay the fees online. After 3 business days, you go back to download the forms. Fill out the forms and send them in with the supporting documents. Once the paperwork is complete, the case goes to the US Embassy. The US Embassy will inform your parents where to go for their medical exams and schedule their interviews.

So I(the petitioner) will receive I-864 and DS-230 or my parents(benificiary) will?

You will receive the fee letter with instructions to pay the I-864 fee and DS-230 fee.

You will download the I-864 with a bar coded cover letter. The instructions are in the fee letter.

You can download the DS-230 and fill it out and send it to your parent for an original signature. (Scan signature do not count - must be an original signature.

The US Embassy may send out a DS-230 to your parent.

carL♥tRin   1

I will be filing I-130 Petition for my parents this coming Friday. I have a question about the cover letter. Should I write a cover letter one for each, or can I just make one for both of them? Of course, I will be filing separately but will send it in one envelop. Any advice? Thank you

F2A Journey ( Daughter or LPR mom)

PD : 08/22/2013

NOA2 : 11/15/2013

CASE NUMBER GENERATED : 12/16/2013

DS261 SENT : 12/16/2013

AOS PAID : 1/1/2014

AOS PACKET SENT :

I V PAID: 1/10/2014

IV PACKET SENT:

Mike and Lily   13

Hello, I will be filing I-130 Petition for my parents this coming Friday. I have a question about the cover letter. Should I write a cover letter one for each, or can I just make one for both of them? Of course, I will be filing separately but will send it in one envelop. Any advice? Thank you

We are the poster children for chain migration!

10/13/06 - NOA1

01/25/07 - NOA2

02/12/07 - NVC sent petition to Guangzhou consulate

04/27/07 - Packet 3 received

06/17/07 - Packet 4 received

07/05/07 - Interview - Passed!

07/07/07 - Received K-1 visa

03/20/08 - Received 2 year Green Card

02/21/10 - Received 10 Year Green Card

10/18/11 - Sent N-400

03/22/12 - Sworn in as USC

IR-5 for parents

03/23/12 - Sent I-130

03/29/12 - NOA1

06/29/12 - NOA2

07/23/12 - NVC Received

08/10/12 - Received NVC Case No. and IIN

08/21/12 - AOS Fee Bill Received

08/27/12 - AOS Fee Bill Paid

09/04/12 - GZO numbers received

09/04/12 - AOS E-Mailed

09/06/12 - IV Fee Paid

09/06/12 - DS-230 E-Mailed

09/18/12 - Case Complete

11/01/12 - Interview - Passed

11/08/12 - Received IR-5 visa

F2-B for Brother & Sister

08/28/13 - NOA1

12/24/13 - NOA2

01/15/19 - Welcome letter

02/28/19 - Case Complete

06/20/19 - Interview letter

07/17-18/19 - Interview - Passed

07/31/19 - Received F2-B visa

yehey!! i received a letter from USDOS on both my parents MNL#!!!

yay congrats!:-) how long it took from the day you sent the petition to the approval?

hi almost 4 months because i mailed the petition in 2/16 then was received by uscis 2/23, my checks were cashed 2/24 then we finally got an approval 6/18 and then MNL number assigned 7/25

You will receive the fee letter with instructions to pay the I-864 fee and DS-230 fee. You will download the I-864 with a bar coded cover letter. The instructions are in the fee letter. You can download the DS-230 and fill it out and send it to your parent for an original signature. (Scan signature do not count - must be an original signature. The US Embassy may send out a DS-230 to your parent.

Hi, I'm a little bit confused about the DS-230. Do we(petitioner) usually download and fill it out or the US embassy will be the one sending them out to the parents? And if we send them out to our parent for an original signature, will our parenst send them back to us so we can fill out? sorry I am not really getting it. Thank you

hi carltrin,

anyway, just to give you update to where i am now:

since the actual letter for "Choice of Agent and Address Form (DS-3032) has not been received by my parents, i emailed them the electronic copy and let them print it in the philippines...

i let them fill out the form by appointing me(their petitioner) as their agent and then let them sign the form....

once we have reviewed everything is correct and ready to be sent...my parents will mail it to the National Visa Center:

National Visa Center

Attention ACL

31 Rochester Ave., Suite 200

Portsmouth, NH 03801

we will keep you posted!

hi carltrin, it is actually confusing... i'm sorry i cannot help with ds-230 questions because i haven't received ours yet... anyway, just to give you update to where i am now: since the actual letter for "Choice of Agent and Address Form (DS-3032) has not been received by my parents, i emailed them the electronic copy and let them print it in the philippines... i let them fill out the form by appointing me(their petitioner) as their agent and then let them sign the form.... once we have reviewed everything is correct and ready to be sent...my parents will mail it to the National Visa Center: National Visa Center Attention ACL 31 Rochester Ave., Suite 200 Portsmouth, NH 03801 Thank you so much Rea. I will always keep this in mind. And if you have any updates, please let me know. Good luck to us! :-) we will keep you posted!

does anybody here know if we only pay just one AOS processing fee of $88 for both parents petitioned?

hohoho123   0

Hey ladies! How much does it cost to petition the parents?

Application fee, visa, medical?

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