Table of Contents
Introduction to the I-130
The I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the form used by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to establish a qualifying family relationship with a relative seeking to immigrate to the United States. It’s the foundational step in family-based immigration, serving as proof of the relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary.
When filing an I-130 Petition for Alien Relatives, every document matters. Missing a single piece of evidence can mean delays, RFEs, or even denials. But with the right guidance, you can submit a strong petition and avoid unnecessary complications.
This guide is here to help. We draw from Pigeon’s years of experience working with immigration law firms and insights from the AILA’s Immigration Law Practice and Procedure Manual: A “Cookbook” of Essential Practice Materials—an invaluable resource for immigration professionals.
We’ll walk you through the supporting documents you need for an I-130 petition, how they differ based on case type, and why optional evidence can strengthen your submission. Whether you’re an immigration attorney helping clients or a client seeking guidance, this breakdown will help you stay organized and confident.
Why Supporting Documents Are So Important
Think of supporting documents as the backbone of your I-130 petition. While the form officially states the petitioner-beneficiary relationship, the documents provide the proof.
Supporting documents serve three key purposes:
Prove eligibility: USCIS needs to verify that the petitioner meets the legal requirements to file the petition.
Validate the relationship or eligibility: Documents confirm that the petitioner and beneficiary meet the relationship or other requirements stated in the petition.
Provide extra assurance: Even optional documents can strengthen your case and preemptively address questions USCIS might raise.
How Pigeon Simplifies Document Collection
If you’re looking to streamline your supporting evidence collection process, check out Pigeon Documents, a platform built to do just that.
Keeping track of dozens of documents for an immigration case can be overwhelming. That’s where Pigeon comes in. Our platform makes the document collection process easier for immigration law firms and their clients.
Here’s how Pigeon helps:
Document Checklists: Create flexible supporting document checklists and save them as templates for each case type.
Simple Client Uploads: Clients receive a custom-branded email or SMS with a secure link to upload files, and they never need to create an account.
Automated reminders: Clients receive reminder notifications to keep them on track.
Track, Manage, and Request Changes: Submissions are organized in a dashboard, with tools to request changes or provide feedback.
With Pigeon, you can save time, reduce errors, and provide a seamless experience for your clients.
Get started with Pigeon today—schedule a demo or start your free trial now!
The Supporting Documents You Need for an I-130
Non-Marriage-Based Standalone I-130 Petitions
This section outlines the documents required for I-130 petitions involving parents, children, siblings, or other family relationships that don’t involve marriage.
For All Cases
Every non-marriage-based I-130 petition must include the following foundational documents:
Proof of the Petitioner’s U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency
U.S. Birth Certificate
Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
Unexpired U.S. Passport
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
I-551 Stamp in Passport
Why It’s Important: These documents confirm the petitioner’s legal eligibility to file an I-130 petition.
Legal Name Change Documents
Documents like marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders reflecting any legal name changes for the petitioner or beneficiary.
Why It’s Important: Consistent names across documents avoid delays or RFEs.
Certified English Translations
Provide certified translations for all non-English documents, along with the originals.
Why It’s Important: USCIS requires strict translation standards. Missing translations can lead to RFEs.
Relationship-Specific Documents
These documents vary depending on the familial relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary.
When the Petitioner is Filing for a Parent:
For the Mother:
Petitioner’s long-form birth certificate listing the beneficiary as the petitioner’s mother.
For the Father:
Petitioner’s long-form birth certificate listing both parents.
Marriage certificate showing the father was married to the petitioner’s mother before the petitioner turned 18.
If born out of wedlock:
Evidence of legitimation under applicable laws (e.g., court orders or affidavits).
If legitimation did not occur, provide evidence of a bona fide parent-child relationship, such as proof of financial support, letters, photos, or affidavits from third parties.
When the Petitioner is Filing for a Sibling:
Birth certificates for both siblings showing at least one shared parent.
If siblings share a parent through marriage, include the marriage certificate of the shared parent and documentation of prior marital terminations (if applicable).
If siblings are related through adoption, include:
Adoption decrees showing legal custody.
Proof that the adoption occurred before the age thresholds required by USCIS.
When the Petitioner is Filing for a Stepparent or Stepchild:
Marriage certificate showing the marriage that created the stepparent-stepchild relationship occurred before the petitioner or beneficiary turned 18.
Proof of termination of any prior marriages for both the stepparent and biological parent (e.g., divorce decrees or death certificates).
Birth certificate of the petitioner or beneficiary listing their biological parents.
When the Petitioner is Filing for an Adoptive Parent or Adopted Child:
Adoption decree showing the adoption took place before the child turned 16 (or 18, if exceptions apply for siblings adopted by the same parents).
Evidence of legal custody and residency for at least two years before or after the adoption.
Additional requirements for children from Hague Convention countries:
Include evidence of compliance with the Hague Convention adoption process.
When the Petitioner is Filing for a Sibling through Adoption:
Follow the same documentation requirements as above, ensuring all adoption decrees and legal custody documentation are included.
Optional Supporting Documents Optional documents can strengthen the petition, particularly if primary evidence is unavailable or incomplete:
Affidavits: Written statements from family members or friends who can confirm the validity of the familial relationship.
DNA Test Results: If the relationship is in question, DNA testing may be submitted as additional evidence.
Additional Photos and Letters: Personal photos or letters that demonstrate the relationship over time.
Why It’s Important: Optional documents provide an extra layer of evidence, helping USCIS process the case more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of delays.
Additional Documentation You May Wish to Include
In certain circumstances, these documents might be necessary or beneficial:
Proof of the beneficiary’s inspection and admission/parole into the U.S.:
Passport with visa stamps.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
Advance Parole Document.
Proof of maintenance of lawful status (if applicable):
I-797 Approval Notices for changes or extensions of status.
I-20s for F-1/F-2 visa holders or DS-2019s for J-1/J-2 visa holders.
Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
Explanation and additional evidence addressing prior denials of I-130 petitions (if applicable).
A Note on Foreign Documents: For documents issued outside the U.S., refer to the DOS Visa Reciprocity Table to ensure you are submitting the correct version for each country.
Marriage-Based Standalone I-130 Petitions
If the petition is for a spouse, proving the marriage is both legally valid and bona fide is critical.
Proof of Marital Relationship
Marriage Certificate: A certified copy is required to establish the legal basis of the marriage.
Divorce Decrees or Death Certificates (if applicable): Provide documents showing the termination of all prior marriages for either spouse.
Why It’s Important: These documents verify the marital relationship and ensure USCIS recognizes it as legally valid.
Proof of Bona Fide Marriage USCIS wants to see evidence that the marriage is genuine and not entered into for immigration purposes. Include as much of the following as possible:
Joint financial accounts (e.g., bank or credit card statements).
Shared leases or mortgage agreements.
Photos of the couple together at significant events, including their wedding.
Letters, emails, or texts between the couple showing ongoing communication.
Affidavits from family or friends attesting to the authenticity of the relationship.
Jointly filed federal income tax returns.
Evidence of shared insurance policies or beneficiary designations.
Birth certificates of children born to the couple.
Why It’s Important: The more varied and detailed the evidence, the stronger the case. This reduces USCIS scrutiny and helps prevent delays.
Two Passport-Style Photos
Same as in non-marriage-based petitions, include two photos for both the petitioner and the beneficiary, labeled as described above.
Optional Documents for Special Situations
For military spouses or cases where the marriage occurred during removal proceedings, additional evidence such as military enrollment forms or bona fide marriage exemption requests may be required.
Why It’s Important: Special situations often come with higher levels of scrutiny. Providing additional documents can save time and address USCIS concerns upfront.
Example Non-Marriage-Based Standalone I-130 with Pigeon
With Pigeon, you can create flexible supporting document checklists and save them as templates for each case type. Already have existing document lists? No problem—we can upload them for you to create your custom Pigeon templates!
Your clients will receive a custom-branded email or text message with a secure link to their upload checklist. Best of all, clients never need to create an account, making the process seamless.
Here’s an example I-130 supporting document list in with Pigeon:
Make Document Collection Easy with Pigeon
Running an immigration practice is stressful enough without all the pains that come with collecting supporting documents from clients. With Pigeon, you can make this process easier for you, your paralegals and your clients.
Automated reminders: Clients receive email notifications to keep them on track.
Mobile-friendly design: Optimized for clients to upload documents directly from their phones.
Photo-to-PDF conversion: Say goodbye to .HEIC files—photos are automatically converted to PDFs.
Submission tracking: Submissions are automatically organized and tracked in your team dashboard.
Provide Feedback: Easily verify or request changes with comments on submissions.
Ready to see how Pigeon can simplify your document collection process? Click here to start your two-week free trial!
AILA’s Immigration Law Practice and Procedure Manual: A “Cookbook” of Essential Practice Materials
While this guide provides a thorough explanation of the supporting documents needed for I-130 petitions, AILA’s Immigration Law Practice and Procedure Manual: A “Cookbook” of Essential Practice Materials includes step-by-step workflows, sample letters, suggested forms and other resources to help immigration professionals manage cases with confidence. Purchase a copy of the full AILA Cookbook here.
Get started with Pigeon today—schedule a demo or start your free trial now!