U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident petitioners residing in the United States must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This can be done either electronically or through the traditional paper process through the mail.
All forms and supporting documents submitted must be single-sided, standard 8½ x 11 letter-size pages.
If you hand write your answers, use black ink. Make sure that everything you write on the form is clear, so we can easily read the information on the scanned image we produce when we process your form.
Even if the original signature on the document is photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced, it is still valid. Regardless of how it is transmitted to USCIS, the copy must come from an original document containing an original handwritten signature unless otherwise specified.
Immigration forms can be ordered directly from the USCIS website or via telephone through the USCIS forms request line at 1-800-870-3676. Bulk form orders must be processed through the Government Printing Office (GPO) online at or by telephone at 1-866-512-1800.
#FilingTipFriday: If you're paper-filing a form & want to write your answers by hand, use black ink. Don't use blue, red or any other color ink pens.
Although you may use black ink to fill in your Form I-130 by hand, it's preferable to file a typed petition. This helps prevent mistakes and may improve intake speed.
We suggest printing this document and having it in hand when completing the Form I-765. Be sure to TYPE the form, do not complete it by hand. The only exception is your signature. Print the form single-sided only and do not staple together.
Immigration forms can be ordered directly from the USCIS website or via telephone through the USCIS forms request line at 1-800-870-3676.