What Documents Are Needed in a Form I-130 Petition for a Foreign Spouse?

A USCIS Form I-130 is a Petition for Alien Relative. A U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder) is eligible to petition his or her foreign spouse to immigrate to the United States. 

Along with a Form I-130 and accompanying Form I-130A, supporting documentation is also submitted when the petition is filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These include the following:

• Copy of the U.S. Citizens passport or if the petitioner is a green card holder, a copy of their green card and foreign passport.
• U.S. size passport photos of the petitioner and beneficiary.
• Copy of the foreign spouse's passport.
• Copy of the foreign spouses birth certificate.
• Marriage certificate between the petitioner and foreign spouse.
• Copies of previous marriage terminations from the petitioner or beneficiary (divorce or annulment decrees or death certificates).
• Copies of birth certificates of children born between the petitioner and beneficiary.
• Family photos of the petitioner and beneficiary taken over the course of their relationship. 

All documentation submitted to USCIS must be translated into English if the original document is in a foreign language. For more information or questions regarding the required documentation in petitioning a foreign spouse, contact an immigration lawyer for assistance.




by: Enterline and Partners Consulting

What is a Form I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary?

A Form I-130A is a supplemental form that is submitted with a Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and supplemental documentation to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A Form I-130A is only included when a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) is petitioning his or her foreign spouse. A Form I-130A is not required for all other Form I-130 filings (i.e. parents and children). 

The I-130A asks specific information related to the foreign spouse. This includes the names, place
of birth, and birth dates of his or her parents; previous and current addresses, previous marriages (if any); and other questions which the foreign spouse must answer truthfully. 

Once completed and submitted with the accompanying Form I-130 documentation, USCIS will commence processing. If USCIS determines that any additional information is needed, the agency will send out a Request for Evidence also known as an RFE. 

For more information or questions concerning a Form I-130A, contact an immigration attorney for further assistance.




by: Enterline and Partners Consulting