How to fill out the I-130 form step by step - 2025 guide

Knowing how to fill out Form I-130 is the first step to achieve family reunification in the United States. To complete it properly you must:

Complete every section without leaving blanks.
Attach documents that prove the family relationship (certificates, passports, records).
Include certified translations of any document that is not in English.
Pay the fee of $625 online or $675 on paper.

An error when completing the I-130 can lead to Requests for Evidence (RFE), delays, or denials.

Below you’ll find a clear, up-to-date guide to the I-130 PDF form, its requirements, costs, processing times, and the most frequent questions immigration attorneys receive.

Here you will see step by step how to fill out Form I-130, and what legal strategies can make the difference so that your family petition is approved.

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Table of Contents

What does it mean and how to fill out Form I-130 in 2025?

The Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is USCIS’s official document that establishes the family relationship between a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and the relative who wishes to immigrate.

Although filling out Form I-130 seems straightforward, in practice it requires precision and strong evidence to prove the relationship is bona fide. This form:

Does not grant a Green Card by itself but opens the door for the beneficiary to continue the process to get a Green Card.
Determines the family preference category and sets the priority date, which directly affects wait times according to the Visa Bulletin.
Functions as USCIS’s first filter; a mistake can result in a Request for Evidence (RFE), delays, or denials.

The rules remain strict and approval rates largely depend on the quality of the documentation submitted.

Who can and who cannot file Form I-130?

Form I-130 can only be filed by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents for certain relatives. USCIS clearly defines which relationships qualify and which do not.

Who can file Form I-130

A U.S. citizen may file for:

Spouse (see the detailed requirements to bring your spouse to the U.S as a citizen).
Unmarried children under 21.
Unmarried children 21 or older (see the guide Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a child over 21?).
Married children of any age.
Brothers and sisters, if the citizen is at least 21 (more info: bringing a sibling as a U.S. citizen).
Parents, if the citizen is at least 21 (see the U.S. citizen petition for parents requirements).

A lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) may file only for:

Spouse.
Unmarried children of any age.

Who cannot file Form I-130

Even if there is a family bond, USCIS does not accept petitions for:

Grandparents, grandchildren, nephews/nieces, uncles/aunts, cousins, or in-laws.
Adopted children if the adoption occurred after age 16 (except a limited sibling adoption exception).
Stepchildren if the marriage creating the relationship took place after the child turned 18.
Spouses if the marriage was entered into solely for immigration purposes or while one spouse was in removal proceedings (with very limited exceptions).
Biological parents when the petitioner obtained immigration status through adoption.

2025 update note: These criteria have not changed from prior years. USCIS maintains a closed list of eligible relatives, and there are no active bills expanding these categories.

Required documents and supporting evidence to fill out Form I-130

When filing Form I-130, USCIS requires documentation proving both the petitioner’s identity and the family relationship with the beneficiary.

These documents must be clear and legible and, if not in English, translated with certification.

Basic documents from the petitioner

Copy of a valid U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
If a lawful permanent resident: copy of the Green Card (front and back).
Proof of any name change (court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree).

Basic documents from the beneficiary

Copy of the birth certificate.
Valid passport (biographic pages), not always mandatory but recommended for identity.
Marriage and/or divorce certificates, if applicable.
Government-issued photo ID.

Evidence of the family relationship

Spouse: Marriage certificate plus bona fide relationship proof. For example:
- Joint bank accounts;
- Lease agreements;
- Joint tax returns;
- Family photos, etc.
Children: Birth certificate listing the parents; for adoption, the adoption decree.
Parents: Birth certificate of the petitioner filing for the parent.
Siblings: Birth certificates for both, showing at least one parent in common.

Additional evidence if documents are missing

If an official document does not exist or cannot be obtained, include:

Official letter from the competent civil authority confirming the document is nonexistent or unavailable.
Secondary evidence such as school, religious, census records, or notarized affidavits from witnesses with direct knowledge of the facts (birth, marriage, etc.).

How to fill out Form I-130 step by step

To complete the Form I-130 step by step you must fill in every section without leaving blanks, attach supporting documents, pay the correct fee, and sign the form.

An error in any of these steps can delay or even lead to a denial.

2025 update note: USCIS still requires certified English translations for any documents in another language. This includes a signed statement from the translator that they are competent in both languages and that the translation is accurate.

Form I-130 costs in 2025

Filing Form I-130 involves paying USCIS fees. These fees are mandatory and non-refundable, even if the petition is rejected.

Official fees

Online filing: $625.
Paper filing: $675.
Form G-1450: Required if paying by credit card.

In most cases, fee waivers are not available for the I-130. Exceptions are very limited and only apply in special situations authorized by USCIS.

Possible additional costs

Biometrics: Rarely requested for I-130s, but possible in certain cases.
Certified translations: Cost varies by language and length.
Postal or certified courier services: Recommended to ensure delivery and proof of receipt.
Legal counsel: Hiring an attorney may involve additional fees but helps avoid mistakes and streamline the process.

Payment methods in 2025

Through October 28, 2025: USCIS accepts personal checks, money orders, credit card payments (Form G-1450), and ACH electronic payments (Form G-1650) for applicable filings.
Starting October 29, 2025: USCIS will no longer accept checks or money orders for paper submissions. Only electronic payments are allowed:
- Credit/debit card with Form G-1450.
- ACH debit with Form G-1650.

If a paper form is filed after that date with a check or money order, it will be automatically rejected.

Form I-130 processing times in 2025

The processing time for Form I-130 depends on the family relationship, the USCIS service center, and visa availability limits. Timeframes can vary considerably from case to case.

Current processing estimates

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents): Between 6 and 15 months, with a real-world average near 14 months.
Spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents (F2A): Between 10 and 24 months if visas are available. When they are not, waits can extend to 55–89 months.
Unmarried children 21+ of permanent residents (F2B): The wait can average 8+ years.
Siblings of U.S. citizens (F4): Typically the longest; in 2025 averages around 17 years.

Factors that affect timelines

The USCIS service center assigned.
The beneficiary’s nationality and annual country cap.
How quickly the petitioner responds to RFEs.
Possible administrative delays or additional security checks.

Can processing be expedited?

In general, expediting an I-130 is not possible. However, USCIS may consider urgent requests if there are:

Humanitarian reasons (serious illness or family emergencies).
Significant U.S. government interest.

Any expedite request must include a clear explanation and supporting documentation. Approval is discretionary.

What if USCIS rejects or denies Form I-130?

Although Form I-130 generally has high approval rates, USCIS can still reject or deny petitions. Knowing the difference is crucial:

Common reasons for rejection or denial

Formal errors: Missing signature, incomplete fields, or wrong forms trigger an administrative rejection.
Incorrect fees: Underpayment or using a non-accepted payment method.
Insufficient documentation: Especially in marriage cases, can lead to a denial.
Eligibility problems: Petitioner is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.
Suspected fraud or sham marriage: A serious basis for denial with consequences for future immigration filings.

Options if the I-130 is rejected

Rejected: The filing is returned unprocessed with the payment. The petitioner can correct mistakes and resubmit.
Denied: USCIS issues a notice detailing the reasons.

How to appeal a denial

Appeals go to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA):

File Form EOIR-29 within 30 days of the decision (33 if mailed).
Alternatively, file a motion to reopen or reconsider, providing new evidence or identifying legal errors—also consider the steps in our guide to the immigration appeal process.

What if I’m missing a document when I file the I-130?

USCIS will send an RFE giving you the chance to submit the missing evidence. This delays the process, so it’s best to file a complete package from the start.

How many I-130s are approved each year?

The approval rate is around 99%, especially for immediate relatives. However, family preference cases can be limited by annual caps.

Why legal guidance matters

A setback can significantly delay family reunification. An immigration attorney can:

Identify errors made in the filing.
Prepare a strong appeal.
Explore alternatives (for example, refiling with stronger documentation).

What happens after Form I-130 is approved?

Approval of Form I-130 does not mean the relative automatically gets a Green Card. What happens next depends on the immigration category and whether the beneficiary is inside or outside the U.S.

If the relative is in the U.S.

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents):
- They may apply for adjustment of status using Form I-485, as long as they entered the U.S. lawfully.
- This allows them to obtain permanent residence without leaving the U.S.
Family preference categories (siblings, adult children, spouses of residents, etc.):
- They must wait until their priority date is current in the Visa Bulletin before filing the I-485.

If the relative is outside the U.S.

The case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC), which:

Sends a welcome letter (usually by email) with the case number.
Requests payment of fees and submission of financial documents (Form I-864) and civil documents.
Requires the beneficiary to complete the DS-260 online via the CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center).
Once the case is “documentarily qualified,” the NVC schedules the consular processing interview.
After approval, the beneficiary receives an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. and obtain the Green Card.

For more details on this phase, see: “Form I-130 Approved, What’s Next?”

Wait times

Immediate relatives: Often move forward within months (roughly 6–12 months).
Family preference: Can take years, depending on category and country of origin.

Key points to keep in mind

I-130 approval does not guarantee permanent residence; it only recognizes the qualifying relationship.
USCIS may request additional evidence or the NVC may return the case for incomplete documents.
An error at this stage can delay the process for months—or even years.

FAQs about how to fill out Form I-130

When completing Form I-130, common questions arise that are worth clarifying:

Do I need a lawyer to complete Form I-130?

It’s not mandatory but highly recommended. An attorney ensures the form is correctly completed, the required evidence is attached, and mistakes that could cause rejections or delays are avoided.

Can I file the I-130 and I-485 at the same time?

Yes, if the beneficiary is an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen and is in the U.S. in lawful status.

In these cases, concurrent filing is common, especially in marriage-based Green Card cases.

How long does it take USCIS to schedule the interview?

After I-130 approval, the NVC coordinates with the U.S. embassy/consulate. On average, it can take 6 to 12 weeks to schedule the interview, though timelines vary by country and category.

What if I travel after filing the I-130?

If you are the petitioner, you can travel without issue.
If you are the beneficiary, you must maintain lawful status and avoid long trips that could affect your case.
In some cases, it’s wise to request advance parole before traveling.

How to fill out Form I-130 correctly?

Form I-130 can be downloaded from USCIS, but it must always be completed and filed in English. If your supporting documents are in another language, you must include certified English translations. To do it correctly, review every instruction, attach all required evidence, and consider legal support to avoid rejections.

This Lluis Law guide summarizes how to fill out Form I-130 step by step with practical examples.

Immigration lawyers in Los Angeles for Form I-130

Correctly completing and filing Form I-130 is the first step for a relative to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States.

However, documentation mistakes, insufficient evidence, or mismanaged timelines can delay or even lead to a denial.

At Lluis Law, we have over 60 years of combined experience helping with family-based immigration cases in Los Angeles and nationwide.

Our team will help you confirm eligibility before filing. We’ll also complete Form I-130 and assemble the necessary documentation.

In addition, we have immigration lawyers specializing in deportation to defend you if complications arise:

Our services include:

Verifying eligibility before filing the petition.
Completing Form I-130 and attaching all required documentation.
Responding to RFEs accurately and on time.
Preparing you for consular interviews or adjustment of status.
Representing you in case of complications, denials, or appeals.

Contact us today to receive personalized guidance to ensure your family petition is filed without errors and with the highest chance of success.