USCIS Cover Letter (I-130)

FORM I-130 PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE

COVER LETTER

[DATE]

[PETITIONER NAME / LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS LINE 1]
[ADDRESS LINE 2]
[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]
[TELEPHONE]
[EMAIL]

VIA [USPS / FEDEX / UPS / ONLINE FILING]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[USCIS LOCKBOX ADDRESS - SEE FILING ADDRESSES BELOW]
[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]

RE: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Petitioner: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Beneficiary: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Relationship: [SPOUSE / PARENT / CHILD / SIBLING]
Preference Category: [IMMEDIATE RELATIVE / F1 / F2A / F2B / F3 / F4]

Dear USCIS Officer:

Enclosed please find Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed by [PETITIONER NAME], a [United States Citizen / Lawful Permanent Resident], on behalf of [his/her] [RELATIONSHIP], [BENEFICIARY NAME], a native and citizen of [COUNTRY].

I. PETITION SUMMARY

Preference Category Reference:

II. PETITIONER INFORMATION

III. BENEFICIARY INFORMATION

IV. RELATIONSHIP INFORMATION

For Spousal Petitions (I-130 for Spouse):

Prior Marriages:

For Parent/Child Petitions:

For Sibling Petitions:

V. FILING FEE INFORMATION

Payment Method:
☐ Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions (enclosed)
☐ Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions (enclosed)
☐ Online Payment (for online filing)

Note: As of January 1, 2026, USCIS no longer accepts personal checks, money orders, or cashier's checks for paper filings unless an exemption applies.

VI. FORMS ENCLOSED

☐ Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (Edition [DATE])
☐ Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary (if applicable)
☐ Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
☐ Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

VII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - PETITIONER

A. Proof of Petitioner's U.S. Citizenship (Submit ONE):

☐ Copy of U.S. Passport (biographical pages showing photo, name, DOB, passport number, issue and expiration dates)
☐ Copy of Naturalization Certificate (both sides)
☐ Copy of Certificate of Citizenship (both sides)
☐ Copy of U.S. Birth Certificate
☐ Copy of Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240 or DS-1350)

B. Proof of Petitioner's Lawful Permanent Resident Status (if applicable):

☐ Copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) - front and back
☐ Copy of foreign passport with I-551 stamp or MRIV

VIII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE

For Spousal Petitions:

A. Marriage Documentation:
☐ Marriage Certificate (original or certified copy)
☐ Certified English Translation (if not in English)
☐ Translator's Certification

B. Termination of Prior Marriages (if applicable):
☐ Divorce Decree(s) - Petitioner
☐ Divorce Decree(s) - Beneficiary
☐ Death Certificate(s)
☐ Annulment Decree(s)
☐ Certified translations (if applicable)

C. Evidence of Bona Fide Marriage:

The following evidence demonstrates that this marriage was entered into in good faith and not for the purpose of evading immigration laws:

☐ Joint lease or mortgage documents
☐ Joint bank account statements
☐ Joint credit card statements
☐ Joint insurance policies (health, auto, life)
☐ Joint utility bills (gas, electric, water, internet)
☐ Birth certificates of children born to the marriage
☐ Joint tax returns
☐ Photographs of the couple together (various occasions with dates noted)
☐ Evidence of shared travel (boarding passes, itineraries)
☐ Affidavits from family and friends attesting to the relationship
☐ Correspondence/communication records
☐ Social media posts showing relationship
☐ Wedding invitation or program
☐ Receipts/records of wedding expenses

For Parent/Child Petitions:

☐ Child's birth certificate showing petitioner as parent
☐ Certified English translation (if applicable)
☐ Evidence of legitimation (if applicable)
☐ Adoption decree (if applicable)

For Sibling Petitions:

☐ Birth certificates of both petitioner and beneficiary showing common parent(s)
☐ Certified English translations (if applicable)
☐ Parents' marriage certificate (if applicable)

IX. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - BENEFICIARY

☐ Copy of Beneficiary's Passport (biographical page)
☐ Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate
☐ Certified English translation of birth certificate
☐ Passport-style photographs (if required) - 2 photos, 2x2 inches

X. CONCURRENT FILING NOTICE (If Applicable)

☐ This Form I-130 is being filed concurrently with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

☐ The beneficiary is currently in the United States and will seek adjustment of status.

☐ The following additional forms are enclosed:

• Form I-485
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
• Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support

XI. CONSULAR PROCESSING NOTICE (If Applicable)

☐ The beneficiary is outside the United States and will process through a U.S. Consulate.

☐ Preferred Consulate for Interview: U.S. Consulate/Embassy in [CITY, COUNTRY]

XII. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

[USE THIS SECTION TO EXPLAIN ANY ISSUES THAT MAY REQUIRE CLARIFICATION:]

Name Discrepancies:
[If names appear differently on various documents, explain here]

Prior Immigration History:
[If beneficiary has prior immigration issues, briefly note here]

Criminal History:
[If petitioner or beneficiary has criminal history, note disclosure here]

Other Matters:
[Any other relevant information for the adjudicator]

XIII. DOCUMENT INDEX

Total Pages: [NUMBER]

XIV. REQUEST

Based on the foregoing, we respectfully request that USCIS approve this Form I-130 petition, thereby establishing that a qualifying family relationship exists between Petitioner and Beneficiary pursuant to INA § 201(b) / INA § 203(a).

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________
[PETITIONER SIGNATURE]

[PRINTED NAME]
[DATE]

Attorney/Representative (if applicable):

_______________________________
[ATTORNEY SIGNATURE]

[ATTORNEY NAME]
[BAR NUMBER / EOIR NUMBER]
[FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

FILING ADDRESSES (Verify Current Addresses at USCIS.gov)

If Petitioner Lives in:

• AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, SC, OK, PA, PR, RI, TN, TX, VT, VA, USVI, WV

And Filing I-130 Alone (Not Concurrent with I-485):
USCIS Dallas Lockbox
USCIS
PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266-0867

If Petitioner Lives in:

• AK, AZ, CA, CO, GU, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY, MP

And Filing I-130 Alone:
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
USCIS
PO Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

If Filing I-130 Concurrently with I-485:
[Different addresses apply - verify at USCIS.gov]

PROCESSING INFORMATION

Current Processing Time: Approximately 10.5 months (as of January 2026, varies by category)

After Filing:

1. USCIS will send Form I-797C, Receipt Notice
2. USCIS will review the petition
3. If approved, USCIS will send Form I-797, Approval Notice
4. Case will transfer to NVC (consular processing) or continue for adjustment (if concurrent)

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements at www.uscis.gov.