Navigating the immigration process can feel like a huge puzzle, and getting all the pieces in the right place is super important. One key piece is the cover letter that goes with your I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Understanding what goes into a good I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample can make a big difference in how smoothly your application is processed. This article is here to break it all down for you.
Why a Cover Letter Matters for Your I-130 and I-485
Think of your cover letter as the introduction to your entire immigration application package. It’s your chance to make a great first impression on the USCIS officer who will be reviewing your case. A well-written cover letter, like a solid I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample, clearly states the purpose of your submission and highlights the key information they need to see right away. This helps them understand your case quickly and efficiently, which can speed up the entire process.
Your cover letter should be organized and easy to read. It’s not just about listing documents; it’s about presenting a clear narrative. Here’s what it typically includes:
- Petitioner’s and Beneficiary’s full names and A-Numbers (if applicable).
- The specific forms being submitted (I-130 and I-485).
- A brief statement about the relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary.
- A list of all the supporting documents included in the package.
Here’s a small table showing the basic structure:
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Your Contact Info | So USCIS knows who you are. |
| Date | Shows when you sent it. |
| USCIS Address | To ensure it goes to the right place. |
| Subject Line | Clearly states what the letter is about. |
| Salutation | Formal greeting. |
| Body | Explains the purpose and lists documents. |
| Closing | Formal sign-off. |
| Signature | Your signature. |
I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample: Spousal Petition
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Date] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Address of the USCIS Lockbox Facility - Check USCIS Website for Correct Address] Subject: I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application for [Beneficiary's Full Name] - Relationship: Spouse Dear USCIS Officer, This letter is to accompany the submitted Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, filed by [Petitioner's Full Name] (Petitioner) on behalf of their spouse, [Beneficiary's Full Name] (Beneficiary). We are a legally married couple and are seeking to adjust the Beneficiary's status to that of a lawful permanent resident based on this marriage. We have included all required documentation as outlined by USCIS to support our petition and application. The following documents are enclosed for your review: For Form I-130:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, completed and signed.
- Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Petitioner's U.S. Passport or Driver's License.
- Copy of Marriage Certificate.
- Affidavits from friends/family attesting to our bona fide marriage.
- Photographs of the couple.
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, completed and signed.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Passport Bio-page.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Visa Stamp.
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, completed and signed by Petitioner.
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, sealed by a civil surgeon.
- Passport-style photographs of the Beneficiary.
- Copy of marriage certificate.
- Receipt of USCIS filing fees.
I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample: Parent Petition
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Date] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Address of the USCIS Lockbox Facility - Check USCIS Website for Correct Address] Subject: I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application for [Parent's Full Name] - Relationship: Parent Dear USCIS Officer, Please accept this letter as a cover for the accompanying Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, filed by [Your Full Name] (Petitioner), a U.S. Citizen, on behalf of their parent, [Parent's Full Name] (Beneficiary). The Petitioner is a U.S. Citizen and is filing this petition to allow their parent to immigrate to the United States and adjust their status to that of a lawful permanent resident. We have gathered all required supporting documentation to prove the parent-child relationship and the Beneficiary's eligibility. The following documents are included in this submission: For Form I-130:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, completed and signed.
- Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate proving U.S. Citizenship.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Petitioner's U.S. Passport.
- Copies of birth certificates or other proof of parentage linking the Petitioner to the Beneficiary.
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, completed and signed.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Passport Bio-page and relevant visa pages.
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, completed and signed by Petitioner (if applicable based on income).
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, sealed by a civil surgeon.
- Passport-style photographs of the Beneficiary.
- Receipt of USCIS filing fees.
I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample: Child Petition (Under 21)
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Date] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Address of the USCIS Lockbox Facility - Check USCIS Website for Correct Address] Subject: I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application for [Child's Full Name] - Relationship: Child Dear USCIS Officer, This cover letter accompanies the submitted Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, filed by [Parent's Full Name] (Petitioner), a U.S. Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident, on behalf of their minor child, [Child's Full Name] (Beneficiary). As a [U.S. Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident], the Petitioner is eligible to petition for their unmarried child under the age of 21. We have enclosed all required supporting documents to demonstrate the child's eligibility and the Petitioner's relationship. The following documents are included: For Form I-130:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, completed and signed.
- Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate or Permanent Resident Card.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Petitioner's U.S. Passport or relevant identification.
- Copies of birth certificates or other documentation proving the parent-child relationship.
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, completed and signed.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Passport Bio-page and visa pages (if applicable).
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, completed and signed by Petitioner (if applicable).
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, sealed by a civil surgeon.
- Passport-style photographs of the Beneficiary.
- Receipt of USCIS filing fees.
I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample: Child Petition (Married Child of U.S. Citizen)
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Date] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Address of the USCIS Lockbox Facility - Check USCIS Website for Correct Address] Subject: I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application for [Child's Full Name] - Relationship: Child (Married) Dear USCIS Officer, This letter serves as a cover for the submitted Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, filed by [Parent's Full Name] (Petitioner), a U.S. Citizen, on behalf of their married child, [Child's Full Name] (Beneficiary), who is under the age of 21. As a U.S. Citizen, the Petitioner is eligible to petition for their married child under 21. We have diligently gathered all necessary supporting documents to prove the parent-child relationship and the Beneficiary's eligibility for adjustment of status. The following items are included in this package: For Form I-130:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, completed and signed.
- Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate proving U.S. Citizenship.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Marriage Certificate.
- Copy of Petitioner's U.S. Passport or relevant identification.
- Copies of documentation proving the parent-child relationship.
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, completed and signed.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Passport Bio-page and relevant visa pages.
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, completed and signed by Petitioner (if applicable).
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, sealed by a civil surgeon.
- Passport-style photographs of the Beneficiary.
- Receipt of USCIS filing fees.
I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample: Sibling Petition (U.S. Citizen)
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Date] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Address of the USCIS Lockbox Facility - Check USCIS Website for Correct Address] Subject: I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application for [Sibling's Full Name] - Relationship: Sibling Dear USCIS Officer, This letter accompanies Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, filed by [Petitioner's Full Name] (Petitioner), a U.S. Citizen, on behalf of their sibling, [Sibling's Full Name] (Beneficiary). The Petitioner is a U.S. Citizen and is eligible to petition for their sibling. We have included all necessary supporting documents to prove our sibling relationship. Please note that this is an employment-based preference category and may have a waiting list. The following documents are submitted with this application: For Form I-130:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, completed and signed.
- Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copies of birth certificates of at least one parent to establish common parentage.
- Copy of Petitioner's U.S. Passport or other proof of U.S. Citizenship.
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, completed and signed.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Passport Bio-page and visa pages.
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, completed and signed by Petitioner (if applicable).
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, sealed by a civil surgeon.
- Passport-style photographs of the Beneficiary.
- Receipt of USCIS filing fees.
I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample: Adjustment of Status Based on Marriage to a U.S. Citizen (with previous immigration issues)
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Date] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Address of the USCIS Lockbox Facility - Check USCIS Website for Correct Address] Subject: I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application for [Beneficiary's Full Name] - Relationship: Spouse; Request for Discretionary Review Dear USCIS Officer, This letter serves as a cover for the submitted Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, filed by [Petitioner's Full Name] (Petitioner), a U.S. Citizen, on behalf of their spouse, [Beneficiary's Full Name] (Beneficiary). We are a legally married couple seeking to adjust the Beneficiary's status to lawful permanent resident based on our bona fide marriage. We understand that the Beneficiary has faced certain past immigration challenges, as detailed in the enclosed documents and explanations. We respectfully request your kind consideration and discretionary review of these circumstances in light of our strong and genuine marital relationship. The following documents are enclosed: For Form I-130:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, completed and signed.
- Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Petitioner's U.S. Passport.
- Copy of Marriage Certificate.
- Photographs of the couple.
- Affidavits from friends and family attesting to our bona fide marriage.
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, completed and signed.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.
- Copy of Beneficiary's Passport Bio-page and relevant visa pages.
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, completed and signed by Petitioner.
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, sealed by a civil surgeon.
- Passport-style photographs of the Beneficiary.
- Receipt of USCIS filing fees.
- [Specific documents related to past immigration issues, e.g., previous denial notices, explanation letters, evidence of rehabilitation].
Putting together your I-130 and I-485 applications might seem overwhelming, but having a good I 130 And I 485 Cover Letter Sample as a guide can really help. Remember, the goal is to be clear, organized, and to provide all the necessary information. By taking the time to craft a strong cover letter, you’re giving your application the best possible start and showing USCIS that you’ve done your homework. Good luck with your application!