It can be challenging to submit Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relatives. The paperwork must be meticulously filled out and delivered to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Depending on the type of petition you are filing and where you are located, you must use a different filing address for Form I-130. You can save time and effort by being aware of the filing addresses before you begin the process.

What Is Form I-130?

Form I-130, commonly known as the Petition for Alien Relatives, is a document used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prove a person’s link to an eligible relative who wants to immigrate to the country. By submitting this form, USCIS will start to process an alien’s application for a Green Card, which is the first step in gaining U.S. permanent residency.

The application must be processed as soon as possible, thus it must be filled out completely and precisely. Additionally, it needs to be filed at the correct address for the state to where it will be sent. The filing addresses are available on the USCIS website as well as other websites that offer self-help resources for anyone wanting to submit Form I-130 applications for Green Cards.

What Are the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-130?

For many people, filing Form I-130 can be a daunting task. Thankfully, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers a variety of direct filing addresses for Form I-130, Petition For Alien Relative.

Individuals filing the form outside the United States may send their petition to USCIS Chicago Lockbox address which is:

• USCIS P.O. Box 805887, Chicago, IL 60680-4120

The Express Mail and Courier address is:

• USCIS ATTN: I-130, PO Box 21700, Phoenix, AZ 85036-1700

Before submitting your petition, it is essential to double-check the relevant direct filing address and shipment mode to prevent processing delays or any other problems brought on by improper filing locations. Furthermore, make sure that all of the information on Form I-130 is current and accurate.

Things to Consider Before Sending Your Petition

Make sure your petition contains all necessary supporting papers before filing your Form I-130. This also covers the beneficiary’s and the petitioner’s biographical data (the alien relative). Additionally, you should confirm that you are using the most recent version of the form since previous versions could not be accepted. It’s also crucial to remember that without any required costs, your petition risked being denied.

Before mailing your petition, there are a few things to consider:

1. Is the beneficiary eligible for this visa classification?
2. Is the petitioner legally able to file a Form I-130 on behalf of the beneficiary?
3. Is there a fee for filing this application?
4. Does the beneficiary need any waivers or other forms of relief along with their petition?
5. Does any additional evidence need to be submitted with Form I-130?
6. Are there any special instructions available regarding sending in Form I-130?

If you have considered all the above and are confident in your petition, you can then ensure that it is sent to the appropriate address based on where you live – either the Chicago Lockbox or Phoenix Lockbox if you live inside of the US – or online if outside US – bearing in mind that all applicable fees must be included before sending out your petition.

What to Include in Your I-130 Packet

You must supply all the required papers and enough proof of the petitioner’s and the foreigner’s familial relationship to ensure that your Form I-130 packet is complete.

When mailing in your Form I-130 packet, make sure you include:

• An original Form I-130 signed and dated by the petitioner
• Your fee payment for processing your application (check or money order)
• Your supporting documentation, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other proof of your familial relationship.
• Evidence shows that you can financially support any relative immigrants you petition for.
• Evidence of legal status if you are not a U.S. citizen
• A separate mailing address and physical address if they are different
  • If filing from outside the U.S., a foreign address must be provided

Once your packet is complete and ready to go, mail it to either the USCIS Attn: I-130 at Phoenix, AZ, or Chicago, IL address depending on what state you’re located in. If sending from abroad, send packets to USCIS Dallas Lockbox Facility P.O. Box 660867 Dallas TX 75266.

Successful Proven Tips on Filing for an I-130

Filing an I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative can be an intimidating process. Thankfully, with a few simple tips and tricks you can successfully navigate through the process.

• Know the Official Name

First and foremost, make sure to use the correct official name: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. With hundreds of different visa forms and categories out on the market it is essential to make sure you’re using the right one.

• Who Can File?

It is only a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can file a visa petition on behalf of a family member. If you are not either of those then you may need to find someone who is to submit your petition for you.

• Finding Your Filing Location

The filing location for an I-130 depends on where you live and if you are filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence, or Adjust Status. Once you find the correct address make sure to double-check it before submitting your documents as they may be sent back if they go to the wrong place—wasting valuable time!

Best Practices for Sending Your Petition to the Right Address

When submitting your petition for an alien relative, it is essential to ensure you send it to the correct address. Failing to do so may delay processing and put your relative at risk of removal from the United States. For this reason, it is important to understand the direct filing addresses for Form I-130.

Domestic petitioners must mail their stand-alone I-130 applications to either the Chicago Lockbox or the Phoenix Lockbox, depending on their residence. Do NOT send the I-130 application to the USCIS Service Center. If filing Form I-130 with Form I-485 and living in the United States, USCIS Chicago Lockbox must be used regardless of which service center has jurisdiction over petitions in that particular area.

Petitioners living outside of the United States should mail their stand-alone Form I-130 application to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility. Note: U.S. embassies and consulates do not accept and process forms or applications for immigration benefits, including those filed by mail at a U.S. lockbox facility or with a U.S. consulate or embassy overseas.

Petitioners must always include their full name, contact information, and return address when mailing their applications or petitions to USCIS for USCIS to contact them in case there is an issue processing their application/petition correctly.

Processing Times and Receipting Procedures

When submitting Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, it is important to note that the processing times vary greatly depending on the type of familial relationship and where the application is being filed. The process can take anywhere from 5-12 months for Immediate Relatives, such as a parent or spouse of a US citizen, and several years for Family Preference Categories such as an unmarried child of a Permanent Resident.

To ensure that your application is received and processed correctly, USCIS should issue you a receipt within 2-3 weeks to acknowledge successful submission. As long as the filing address is correct, and all paperwork and documents are included in the package, you should be able to track your receipt number via the USCIS website. This is an important step in confirming the success of your submission and keeping track of any updates throughout the processing time.

Common Mistakes While Filling Out the I-130 Form

Filling out Form I-130 correctly is critical to the success of the petition. It is important to avoid common mistakes while completing the form.

• Incomplete Forms

• It is essential to make sure that each field on the form is completed, and that all required documents are included in the packet when filing. Failure to submit all necessary documentation may result in processing delays or rejected petitions.

• Wrong Filing Location

• The filing location for Form I-130 depends on where you live in the United States and if you are filing Form I-485 at the same time. Selecting an incorrect filing location can lead to delays in processing and may even result in a denial if a required document is not sent with your application packet.

• U.S. Citizens Petitioners must Come In Person

• If you are a U.S. citizen petitioner, you will need to come in person to file all forms and supporting documents for your relative at USCIS offices and data centers located throughout the country or U.S. embassies abroad.

Common Questions When Filing an I-130

Filing an I-130 can be a complicated process, and it is important to have your paperwork in order. Here are some of the most common questions that arise when filing this form:

• What evidence is required to submit an I-130? To submit Form I-130, you must provide evidence of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence. This may include a birth certificate, naturalization documents, or a passport.
• Can I file my I-130 and I-485 concurrently? Yes, you can file both forms simultaneously at different addresses. Your Form I-130 should be sent to the USCIS office that has jurisdiction over the state where the petitioner resides, while your Form I-485 should be sent to the local USCIS office in the state where your relative lives if they are already in the United States.
• Where can I find filing addresses for Form I-130? The direct filing addresses for Form I-130 can be found on the USCIS website [insert hyperlink. Alternatively, many law offices offer fees for assistance in locating a precise filing address for your case.

Form I-130, Petition For Alien Relatives, is an important form to fill out when seeking to bring a relative from another country to the United States. To facilitate the process, it is important to have the direct filing addresses for the form to ensure proper filing and processing.

Four separate regional offices accept filings for Form I-130:

1. Dallas Lockbox:
   • Must be filed by mail
   • All petitions relating to noncitizens present in the United States must be sent here for processing
2. Phoenix Lockbox:
   • Must also be filed by mail
   • All petitions relating to noncitizens not present in the United States must be sent here for processing
3. Arkansas Service Center:
   • Filings can be mailed or submitted via an approved courier service
4. California Service Center: Filings can also be mailed or submitted via an approved courier service

By knowing and understanding these filing addresses one can easily make sure that their application is properly taken care of and efficiently processed.

It can be challenging to submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relatives. Many people are unaware of the filing procedures, where to mail the necessary paperwork or even the whereabouts of the pertinent addresses. To make the procedure easier, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has supplied email addresses and clear and succinct filing instructions. As USCIS updates frequently, it’s critical to keep an eye out for any changes to the instructions or addresses. Knowing the Form I-130 direct filing addresses gives petitioners the peace of mind that their application will reach the appropriate mailbox, be reviewed, and get the quick response they require.