- Filing a petition for an alien relative requires you to download, print and complete the Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and G-325A Biographic Information. Both forms are located at the website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The petitioner, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, must complete the I-130 on behalf of his alien family member and sign the form. Both the petitioner and petitioned must complete separate G-325A forms. The forms must be completed with black ink.
- The required document checklists for I-130 vary depending on the relationship between the petitioner and alien relative. If sponsoring a spouse, I-130 must be accompanied by two color passport-style photos, one of each spouse, a copy of the marriage certificate, copies of birth certificates of any children born to you and your spouse, and proof of shared finances, assets or proof of a common residence. The required document for a mother sponsoring a child or for a child (at least 21 years old) sponsoring a mother is a copy of the birth certificate with both the mother and child's name. The documents required for a father sponsoring a child or for a child (at least 21 years old) sponsoring a biological father are copies of the child's birth certificate and the father's marriage certificate. If sponsoring a brother or sister, copies of birth certificates are required to prove that the petitioner and petitioned share at least one parent. If petitioning for a stepparent, a copy of the marriage certificate for one of the biological parents is required. The marriage must have taken place before the child's 18th birthday.
- The filing fee for I-130 is $420 as of February 2011. The fee must be submitted along with the petition form and documents, or the application will be denied and returned. The fee must be paid in the form of either personal check or postal money order made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- I-130 petitions filed from within the United States or Canada must be postmarked from a U.S. or Canadian location and sent to the Chicago filing center. For a complete address, refer to the Resources section. Petitions filed abroad must be sent to the U.S. Consulate General or embassy that has jurisdiction over your residence.