Submit your I-130 to USCIS by mail or online, depending on your situation and which service center handles your case

The I-130 Petition for Alien Relative goes to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but the exact address depends on whether you are filing by mail or online, and which USCIS service center has jurisdiction over your case. Most petitions filed after March 2023 can be submitted through the USCIS online filing system called myUSCIS. If you file by mail, the address changes based on your relationship to the beneficiary and where you live.

The key rule is straightforward: USCIS routes your I-130 based on where you (the petitioner) live, not where the beneficiary lives. If you live in California, your petition goes to the California Service Center, regardless of whether the beneficiary is in Mexico, the Philippines, or New York. This matters because it determines both the mailing address and the processing timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file I-130 online through myUSCIS or by mail; online filing is faster and gives you a receipt number when ready.
  • The mailing address for your I-130 depends on your relationship to the beneficiary (spouse, parent, sibling, or adult child) and your state of residence.
  • USCIS service centers are regional offices that process I-130 petitions; your case goes to the center that covers your address, not the beneficiary's.
  • You will need your A-number (if you have one), the beneficiary's information, and proof of your relationship before you submit.
  • Filing online through myUSCIS is generally faster than mail and produces a receipt number you can use to track your case.

Filing I-130 Online Through myUSCIS

The USCIS online filing system myUSCIS is now the preferred method for most I-130 petitions. You create an account, fill out the form on the website, upload supporting documents as PDF files, and pay the filing fee by credit card or debit card. Once you submit, you receive a receipt number (also called a case number) when ready, which you can use to check your case status at any time.

Not all I-130 cases can be filed online yet. If you are petitioning for a spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21, you can file online. If you are petitioning for a sibling or an adult child, you may still need to file by mail—check the USCIS website for your specific relationship category. The online system will tell you whether your case type is available before you start.

To file online, go to myUSCIS.uscis.gov, create an account with your email address, and follow the form instructions. You will need the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, country of birth, and passport number (if available). Have your documents ready as image files before you begin, because the system requires you to upload them during the filing process. The entire submission usually takes 30 to 45 minutes once you have gathered your documents.

Mailing Your I-130 by Address

If you must file by mail or choose to do so, the address depends on your relationship to the beneficiary and your state. USCIS publishes a list of service centers and their mailing addresses on the I-130 form instructions (Form I-130 Instructions, available at uscis.gov). The form itself tells you which address to use based on a chart that matches your relationship and your state of residence.

For example, if you are a U.S. citizen petitioning for your spouse and you live in California, your I-130 goes to the California Service Center. If you live in Texas and are petitioning for your adult child, it goes to the Texas Service Center. The beneficiary's location does not matter—USCIS routes the case based on where you (the petitioner) live.

Always use the current mailing address from the official I-130 instructions, because USCIS sometimes changes addresses or consolidates service centers. Do not rely on an address you find elsewhere online. Include a cover letter with your name, the beneficiary's name, and your phone number. Mail the petition with all supporting documents in one envelope, and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Understanding USCIS Service Centers and Their Coverage Areas

USCIS operates four regional service centers that process I-130 petitions: the California Service Center, Texas Service Center, Vermont Service Center, and Nebraska Service Center. Each one covers certain states. Your case goes to the service center that covers your state of residence, not the beneficiary's state or country. The California Service Center covers California, Hawaii, Guam, and several other western states. The Texas Service Center covers Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico. The Vermont Service Center covers most northeastern and midwestern states. The Nebraska Service Center covers the remaining states.

The service center that receives your petition will send you a receipt notice (Form I-797) within two to three weeks if you filed by mail, or when ready if you filed online. This notice includes your case number and tells you which service center is handling your case. You can use the case number to check your case status online at uscis.gov/case-status at any time. Knowing which service center handles your case helps you understand processing times, since each center has different workloads and timelines.

What Documents to Include With Your I-130

Your I-130 petition must include the completed form itself, proof of your relationship to the beneficiary, proof of your U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and the filing fee. The exact documents depend on your relationship. For a spouse, include a marriage certificate. For a parent, include your birth certificate. For a child, include their birth certificate. For a sibling, include both birth certificates and your parents' marriage certificate.

You also need to prove the beneficiary's identity and birth. A copy of their passport, national ID, or birth certificate works. If the beneficiary is married or has been married, include divorce decrees or death certificates as needed. Make copies of everything—send copies to USCIS, not originals. If you are filing online, scan documents as PDF files. If you are mailing, make photocopies. All documents should be clear and readable; blurry or partial copies may cause delays.

Filing Fees and Payment Methods

The I-130 filing fee varies depending on your income and family size. As of 2024, the standard filing fee is $435, but you may be able to request a fee reduction or waiver if your household income is below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. The fee waiver form is Form I-912. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a waiver when you file.

If you file online through myUSCIS, you pay by credit card or debit card during the filing process. If you file by mail, include a check or money order made out to "USCIS" with your petition. Do not send cash. Write your name and A-number (if you have one) on the back of the check. If you are requesting a fee waiver, include Form I-912 with your petition and do not include a payment; USCIS will notify you whether the waiver was approved.

What Happens After You Submit

After USCIS receives your I-130, they will send you a receipt notice within two to three weeks (by mail) or when ready (if you filed online). This notice includes your case number. You can use this number to check your case status on the USCIS website. Processing times vary by service center and current workload, but I-130 petitions typically take several months to over a year to be approved.

Once your I-130 is approved, USCIS will send you a notice of approval. The beneficiary can then move forward with visa processing or adjustment of status, depending on whether they are inside or outside the United States. The I-130 approval does not mean the beneficiary has a visa yet—it is the first step in the family-based immigration process. After approval, the case moves to the National Visa Center (if the beneficiary is abroad) or to a local USCIS office (if the beneficiary is in the United States).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file I-130 online if I live outside the United States?

Yes. If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, you can file online through myUSCIS. You will need a U.S. mailing address to receive notices, so use the address of a family member, attorney, or trusted contact in the United States. If you must file by mail, use the address for the service center that covers the state where your U.S. contact lives.

What if I do not know which service center covers my state?

The I-130 form instructions include a chart that lists all states and their service centers. You can also call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to confirm which service center handles your case. The myUSCIS system will also tell you which service center will process your petition before you submit.

Do I need to send my original documents or copies?

Send copies only. USCIS does not return original documents, so keep your originals. If you file online, scan documents as PDF files. If you mail your petition, make photocopies of all documents. You may be asked to bring originals to an interview later if USCIS needs to verify them.

How do I track my I-130 after I submit it?

Use your case number at uscis.gov/case-status to check the status online. If you filed online, you received your case number when ready. If you filed by mail, wait for the receipt notice to arrive, then use the case number on that notice. You can also call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 with your case number.

What if I made a mistake on my I-130 before I submitted it?

If you have not yet submitted, correct the mistake and file again. If you already submitted and notice an error, do not file another petition. Instead, wait for USCIS to contact you. They may request evidence or an amended form. If the error is serious, you can contact USCIS to ask about correcting it, but do not file a duplicate petition.