There is a USCIS form called Form I-130, which is also known as the Petition for Alien Relative. This one is used to establish a relationship between someone with a U.S. citizenship or someone who holds a green card filling the form with the relative who wants to seek a green card.
Talking about Form I-130, it can be difficult to fill it out as there are a lot of parts. To prevent mistakes from happening, you can follow step by step to fill out this form below:
- First of all, you should type or print legibly in black ink.
- In case you need extra space to complete any item within this petition, feel free to use the space provided in Part 9. Additional Information. Aside from that, another way is to attach a separate sheet of paper. Make sure to type or print your name and A-Number (if any) at the top of each sheet. Besides, you should also indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers. When it is done, sign and date each sheet.
- Now, answer every single question fully and accurately. For the one that does not apply to you, you can type or print “N/A”, unless otherwise directed. Remember to just type or print “None” if the answer which requires a numeric response is zero or none. However, it is a different case if it is directed.
- After answering all the questions, the next thing that you have to do is to enter dates. Please do it in mm/dd/yyyy format. In case there is no way for you to provide an exact date, you can just provide an approximate date in the same format. Don’t forget to explain it in Part 9. Additional Information.
- For anyone who has filed an application, petition, or request using USCIS online filing system in the past, provide the USCIS Online Account Number you were issued by the system, which can be found by logging in to your account and going to the profile page. As for those who filed specific applications, petitions, or requests on a paper form via a USCIS Lockbox facility in the past, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing you a USCIS Online Account Number. Your USCIS Online Account Number can be found at the top of the notice if you have received such a thing. If there is one, enter it in the space provided at Part 2., Item Number 2. Talking about the USCIS Online Account Number, remember that it is different from an A-Number.
- Then, provide the biographic information requested in Part 3., Item Numbers 1. -6. It is better for you to provide this kind of thing as there is a chance for you to minimize the time you spend at your USCIS ASC appointment as described in the Biometric Services Appointment section of these Instructions. In the Ethnicity and Race section, there are some options to choose from, including Hispanic or Latino, White, Asian, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Make sure to choose the box that describes your ethnicity and race. In the Height section, choose the values that match your height in feet and inches. For instance, if you are 5 feet and 5 inches, choose “5” for feet and “05” for inches. Make sure to not enter your height in meters or centimeters. In the Weight section, enter your weight in pounds. In case you have no idea about your weight, just enter “000”. Do the same thing if you need to enter a weight under 30 pounds or more than 699. Remember to not enter your weight in kilograms. In the Eye Color and Hair Color sections, choose the boxes that describe the color of your eyes and hair the best.
- After that, complete Part 4., Item Numbers 46.b. -50., of the petition about the admission or travel document for the beneficiary. If the beneficiary a Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record is issued by U.S Customs and Border Protection or CBP, please provide the beneficiary’s Form I-94 number and date that their authorized period of stay expires or expired. On some versions of Form I-94, the Form I-94 number is also called the Departure Number. Take note that instead of a paper Form I-94, they may have been issued an electronic Form I-94 by CBP if the beneficiary was admitted to the United States by CBP at an airport or seaport after April 30, 2013. In order to get a paper version of their electronic Form I-94, the beneficiary may have to go to the official website of CBP. The same website can also be visited by those who were admitted to the United States at a land border, airport, or seaport after April 30, 2013 with a passport or travel document who were issued a paper Form I-94 by CBP. Everything is free so there is nothing to worry about. In case it can be obtained from the site, try to fill Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record with USCIS. Unlike the previous one, it is not free. If a passport or travel document is used by the beneficiary relative to travel to the United States, don’t forget to enter the information either about the passport or travel document in the appropriate space on the petition. Just do it even if the passport or travel document is expired.
- Next, choose the appropriate box to indicate whether you read the petition by yourself or you were assisted by an interpreter. If you were assisted by someone, choose the box that says that you used a preparer. Then, sign and date your petition and provide your daytime several things such as your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number, and email address. Bear in mind that a signature of the petitioner is a must. Not only that, remember that a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
- If you were assisted by an interpreter when reading the Instructions and questions on this petition to you in a language that you are fluent in, the interpreter that assisted you should fill out the section called Part 7. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. Please provide their name, the name and address of their business or organization, their daytime telephone number, their mobile telephone number, and their email address. Aside from that, they also have to sign and date the petition.
- If someone other than you completed your petition, that person has to give their signature in the section called Part 8. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Petition, if Other Than the Petitioner. If the preparer was the same one as your interpreter, that one has to complete both Part 7 and Part 8. If that one has a business or an organization, make sure to also include the information about their business or organization. Basically, it is a must for everyone who assisted you complete this petition to sign and date this petition. Once again, a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. If the one who assisted you when preparing this petition is an attorney or accredited representative whose representation extends beyond preparation of this petition, it may be needed for them to also submit a completed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, along with your petition.
Once everything is done, you are advised to print or save a copy of your completed petition just in case you need to review it in the future. Besides, it is also good for your records. Before going to your biometric services appointment at a USCIS ASC, it is better for you to complete your review and copy of your completed petition. It is worth noting that you can be permitted to complete the petition process by USCIS if you are able to confirm, under penalty of perjury, that information in your petition is complete, true, and correct. On the other hand, you will be required by USCIS to return for another appointment if you fail to make that attestation in good faith at that time.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
