I-130 Checklist: Documents You Need to Petition for Your Spouse

Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is used to prove a qualifying family relationship between a U.S. citizen or green card holder and a foreign-born relative. When you're petitioning for your spouse, you'll also need to submit the I-130A supplement. Together, these forms tell the U.S. government: “This is my legal husband or wife, and we have a real, qualifying relationship for a green card.”

Understanding the form’s purpose is critical. USCIS uses the petition to verify that your marriage is legally valid and not just for immigration benefits. That’s why it's not enough to simply show you’re married. You must provide documents that demonstrate a genuine, ongoing relationship.

When you understand what Form I-130 is meant to establish, you can provide stronger evidence and reduce the chance of delays or denials.

The beneficiary is the intending immigrant who will apply for permanent residence (green card). The beneficiary must provide details about:

• Address history for the past five years
• Dates that previous marriage(s) ended (if any)
• Employment history for the past five years
• Form I-94 record (if presently in the U.S.)
• Any previous immigration proceedings

• USCIS Filing Fee

  Submit the I-130 filing fee. Use Form G-1450 to pay by credit card or Form G-1650 to pay by ACH transaction.

• Cover Letter (optional)

  USCIS does not require a cover letter. However, a cover letter can help itemize the documents that you are submitting and clarify any extraordinary circumstances that you may have. Review an example I-130 cover letter.

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

  Submit an accurately prepared petition. The best way to keep your case on schedule is to fill out the form correctly and neatly. Don’t forget to sign.

• Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary

  USCIS requires this supplement, only if the beneficiary is a spouse. If your spouse is outside the United States, they are not required to sign Form I-130A.

• Proof of Status

  If you are a U.S. citizen, submit a photocopy of a birth certificate (if U.S. born), U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, or consular report of birth abroad. If you are a lawful permanent resident, submit a photocopy of both sides of your green card or other proof of permanent residence.

• Marriage Certificate

  Include a copy of your marriage certificate to prove that there is a legal spousal relationship recognized by the governmental body where the marriage was performed.

• Proof of Previous Marriages Terminated

  If either you or your spouse were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated such as a divorce decree or death certificate (if the marriage was terminated due to the death of a spouse).

• Passport-Style Photos

  Submit two passport-style color photos of yourself and two passport-style color photos of your spouse taken within 30 days of filing the petition. Must meet photo requirements. (No beneficiary photos are necessary if they are residing outside the United States.)

• Evidence of a Genuine Marriage

  Include evidence that you have a real marriage. (more below)

Always send copies of your documents with the petition package, not originals. Take original documents to the interview in case they are needed again.

USCIS needs to see that your marriage is real — not just for immigration benefits. You’ll need to include evidence of your life together. This is one of the most important parts of your I-130 documents checklist for spouse petitions.

Here are some examples of documents you can include to prove a genuine (bona fide) relationship:

• Joint lease or mortgage
• Utility bills in both names
• Joint bank account statements
• Insurance policies showing each other as beneficiaries
• Photos together over time (with family and friends)
• Travel records (plane tickets, hotel bookings together)
• Birth certificates of children you’ve had together
• Correspondence (emails, messages, letters)

You don’t need to include all of these, but more evidence is better. Choose documents that show shared responsibilities and time spent together. For more extensive information and example evidence, read about evidence of a bona fide marriage to support a spouse I-130 petition.

If either spouse has been previously married, you must include:

• Divorce decree(s)
• Death certificate (if a prior spouse passed away)
• Proof that all prior marriages legally ended

USCIS won’t approve a marriage-based petition unless both spouses were legally free to marry each other.

You will file Form I-130 and I-130A only. After this immigrant visa petition is approved, USCIS will forward your case to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will request additional forms and documents.