As a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident with family members living outside the United States, you can file petitions to help them immigrate through form I-130.
When doing this, perhaps one of the most critical steps is gathering all the documents to prove the family relationship, so you should know which Form I-130 supporting documents you need.
Which Form I-130 Supporting Documents Are Needed to Prove Your Family Relationship?
There are particular documents for each case. Let’s go over some common issues and which are the documents you will need for each one.
You must remember that U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents have different categories for family members they want to sponsor. Checking this table can help you out.
Filing for Your Spouse:
Suppose you are trying to file a petition for your spouse. In that case, the form I-130 supporting documents you need to attach are a copy of your marriage certificate and proof that any previous marriages (if any) were legally terminated.
You must also submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself and your spouse (if they are in the United States) taken within 30 days of filing the petition.
In addition to the required documentation listed above, you should submit documentation that proves you have a bona fide marriage.
Filing for Your Child:
If you are filing a petition for an alien relative for your child or children and you are the mother, you need to submit a copy of the child’s birth certificate showing your name and your child’s name.
If you are the child’s father, you’ll also need a copy of the child’s birth certificate, but it has to show both parents’ names.
It is also a must to file the marriage certificate of the child’s mother and proof of legal termination of the parents’ prior marriages, if any, issued by civil authorities.
