Hey there! So, you're getting ready to file your I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. That's a big step! To make sure everything goes smoothly, having a solid cover letter is super important. This guide is all about the I-751 Cover Letter Sample 2020 and how you can use it to your advantage.
Why Your I-751 Cover Letter Matters
Think of your cover letter as your introduction to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It's your chance to clearly and concisely explain what you're sending them and why. A well-written cover letter can help the officer reviewing your case quickly understand the purpose of your submission, saving them time and potentially speeding up the process. This document is your opportunity to make a great first impression.
When you're putting together your I-751 application, your cover letter should act as a roadmap for the USCIS officer. It should outline the enclosed documents and briefly state the purpose of your petition. Here’s what it typically includes:
- Your contact information.
- The date.
- USCIS's address.
- The specific form you are filing (I-751).
- A clear statement of your intent (removing conditions on your Green Card).
- A list of all the documents you are including.
Using a template like an I-751 Cover Letter Sample 2020 can be a great starting point. Remember to customize it to your specific situation and ensure all the information is accurate. Here's a quick breakdown of common sections found in these samples:
| Section | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Applicant Information | Your full name, A-Number, date of birth. |
| Beneficiary Information (if applicable) | Your spouse's full name. |
| Purpose of Letter | Clearly stating you are filing Form I-751. |
| List of Enclosures | A numbered list of all supporting documents. |
Letter Example: Standard Joint Petition
Standard Joint Petition Cover Letter
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805601
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
Subject: Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - [Your Full Name] and [Spouse's Full Name] - A-Number: [Your A-Number]
Dear USCIS Officer,
Please accept this letter and the enclosed documents as our joint petition to remove the conditions on my permanent resident status. I, [Your Full Name], was granted conditional permanent resident status on [Date of Conditional Green Card Issuance] based on my marriage to [Spouse's Full Name]. My conditional permanent resident card expires on [Date of Conditional Green Card Expiration].
We are filing this petition together to demonstrate that our marriage is bona fide and that we have met the requirements for removing the conditions. The enclosed documents are organized to support our petition and include evidence of our shared life and commitment.
The following documents are enclosed for your review:
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- Copy of [Your Full Name]'s U.S. Visa Stamp (if applicable)
- Copy of [Your Full Name]'s Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- Copy of [Spouse's Full Name]'s U.S. Driver's License or State ID
- Certified Copy of our Marriage Certificate
- Evidence of Joint Ownership of Property (e.g., Deed, Mortgage Statement)
- Evidence of Joint Finances (e.g., Bank Statements, Tax Returns)
- Affidavits from friends and family attesting to the legitimacy of our marriage
- Photographs of us together over the past two years
We have also included all other required supporting documents as outlined in the I-751 instructions. We are available for an interview at your earliest convenience if required.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our petition. We look forward to your favorable decision.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Spouse's Full Name]
Letter Example: Filing for Waivers (e.g., Divorce or Abuse)
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805601
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
Subject: Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - [Your Full Name] - Waiver Request - A-Number: [Your A-Number]
Dear USCIS Officer,
Please accept this letter and the enclosed documents as my petition to remove the conditions on my permanent resident status, along with a request for a waiver of the joint filing requirement. I, [Your Full Name], was granted conditional permanent resident status on [Date of Conditional Green Card Issuance] based on my marriage to [Former Spouse's Full Name]. My conditional permanent resident card expires on [Date of Conditional Green Card Expiration].
Due to [State the reason for waiver, e.g., the termination of my marriage through divorce, extreme cruelty, or battery], I am unable to file this petition jointly with my former spouse. I am therefore requesting a waiver of the joint filing requirement pursuant to [State the specific waiver basis, e.g., section 216(c)(4)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for divorce, or section 216(c)(4)(A) for abuse].
The enclosed documents provide evidence to support my request for a waiver and demonstrate my eligibility for removal of conditions. The following are key documents included:
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- Copy of [Your Full Name]'s Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- [For Divorce] Certified copy of the final divorce decree.
- [For Abuse] Evidence of abuse, such as police reports, medical records, sworn affidavits, etc.
- Evidence of my good moral character and continued compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
I understand that USCIS may require further information or an interview to evaluate my waiver request and petition. I am available to provide any additional documentation or attend an interview as needed.
Thank you for your consideration of my petition and waiver request. I await your decision.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Letter Example: When Spouse is Deceased
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805601
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
Subject: Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - [Your Full Name] - Waiver Request (Deceased Spouse) - A-Number: [Your A-Number]
Dear USCIS Officer,
Please accept this letter and the accompanying documents as my petition to remove the conditions on my permanent resident status. I, [Your Full Name], was granted conditional permanent resident status on [Date of Conditional Green Card Issuance] based on my marriage to [Deceased Spouse's Full Name]. My conditional permanent resident card expires on [Date of Conditional Green Card Expiration].
Tragically, my spouse, [Deceased Spouse's Full Name], passed away on [Date of Spouse's Death]. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, I am unable to file this petition jointly. I am therefore requesting a waiver of the joint filing requirement pursuant to section 216(c)(4)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as my spouse died during the marriage.
The enclosed documents are intended to support my petition and waiver request, demonstrating the bona fides of our marriage prior to my spouse's death and my continued eligibility. Key documents include:
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- Copy of [Your Full Name]'s Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- Certified copy of the death certificate for [Deceased Spouse's Full Name].
- Evidence of our marriage, such as our marriage certificate.
- Evidence of our life together during the marriage, demonstrating it was a bona fide union.
I understand that USCIS may require additional information or an interview. I am prepared to cooperate fully and provide any necessary documentation.
Thank you for your understanding and careful consideration of my petition and waiver request during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Letter Example: Child Included on the Petition
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805601
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
Subject: Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - [Your Full Name] and Child [Child's Full Name] - A-Number: [Your A-Number]
Dear USCIS Officer,
Please accept this letter and the enclosed documents as our joint petition to remove the conditions on my permanent resident status. I, [Your Full Name], was granted conditional permanent resident status on [Date of Conditional Green Card Issuance] based on my marriage to [Spouse's Full Name]. My conditional permanent resident card expires on [Date of Conditional Green Card Expiration].
We are filing this petition together with our son/daughter, [Child's Full Name], who was also granted conditional permanent resident status based on our marriage. His/Her A-Number is [Child's A-Number]. We are submitting this petition to demonstrate that our marriage is bona fide and that we have met the requirements for removing the conditions for both myself and our child.
The enclosed documents are organized to support our petition and include evidence of our shared life and commitment, as well as evidence of our child's relationship to us and his/her status. The following are key documents enclosed:
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (for myself and my child)
- Copy of [Your Full Name]'s Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- Copy of [Spouse's Full Name]'s U.S. Driver's License or State ID
- Copy of [Child's Full Name]'s Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- Certified Copy of our Marriage Certificate
- [If applicable] Birth Certificate of [Child's Full Name]
- Evidence of Joint Ownership of Property (e.g., Deed, Mortgage Statement)
- Evidence of Joint Finances (e.g., Bank Statements, Tax Returns)
- Photographs of us as a family
We have included all necessary supporting documents for both applications. We are available for an interview if required.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our petition. We look forward to your favorable decision.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Spouse's Full Name]
Letter Example: Filing on Behalf of a Disabled Child
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805601
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
Subject: Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - [Child's Full Name] - Filing by Parent - A-Number: [Child's A-Number]
Dear USCIS Officer,
Please accept this letter and the enclosed documents for the petition to remove conditions on the permanent resident status of my child, [Child's Full Name]. I, [Your Full Name], am the parent of [Child's Full Name], who was granted conditional permanent resident status on [Date of Child's Conditional Green Card Issuance] based on my marriage to [Spouse's Full Name]. My child's conditional permanent resident card expires on [Date of Child's Conditional Green Card Expiration].
Due to [State the reason for filing by parent, e.g., my child's disability, my child's inability to file independently], I am filing this petition on behalf of [Child's Full Name]. We are requesting the removal of conditions for our child, demonstrating that our marriage was bona fide and that our child's status is in order. [If applicable, also state if you are filing your own I-751 concurrently or separately].
The enclosed documents are intended to support this petition and include evidence of our relationship and the child's status. Key documents include:
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (for [Child's Full Name])
- Copy of [Child's Full Name]'s Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- [If applicable] Copy of my Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- [If applicable] Copy of [Spouse's Full Name]'s U.S. Driver's License or State ID
- Certified Copy of our Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate of [Child's Full Name]
- Medical documentation supporting the claim of disability (if applicable).
- Evidence that our marriage is bona fide.
We are prepared to provide any further information or attend an interview as USCIS may require.
Thank you for your careful consideration of this petition.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name] (Parent of [Child's Full Name])
Letter Example: Requesting an Interview
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805601
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
Subject: Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - [Your Full Name] - Request for Interview - A-Number: [Your A-Number]
Dear USCIS Officer,
Please accept this letter and the enclosed documents as our joint petition to remove the conditions on my permanent resident status. I, [Your Full Name], was granted conditional permanent resident status on [Date of Conditional Green Card Issuance] based on my marriage to [Spouse's Full Name]. My conditional permanent resident card expires on [Date of Conditional Green Card Expiration].
We are filing this petition to demonstrate that our marriage is bona fide. We understand that USCIS may require an interview to further assess our petition. We would like to explicitly request an interview to have the opportunity to personally discuss our case and provide any additional information or clarification as needed.
We believe that an interview will allow us to more fully demonstrate the genuine nature of our marriage and our commitment to each other. The enclosed documents are intended to provide a comprehensive overview of our relationship. The following are key documents included:
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- Copy of [Your Full Name]'s Conditional Permanent Resident Card (Front and Back)
- Copy of [Spouse's Full Name]'s U.S. Driver's License or State ID
- Certified Copy of our Marriage Certificate
- Evidence of Joint Finances (e.g., Bank Statements, Tax Returns)
- Photographs of us together over the past two years
We are eager to cooperate with USCIS and are available for an interview at your earliest convenience. Please let us know the procedure for scheduling this interview.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our petition and our request for an interview.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Spouse's Full Name]
Letter Example: Providing Additional Evidence After Submission
[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805601
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
Subject: Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence - Additional Evidence - [Your Full Name] - A-Number: [Your A-Number]
Dear USCIS Officer,
This letter is to supplement the I-751 petition that we, [Your Full Name] and [Spouse's Full Name], submitted on [Date of Original Submission]. Our receipt number for this petition is [Your Receipt Number].
Since filing our petition, we have gathered additional evidence that we believe will further strengthen our case and demonstrate the continued bona fides of our marriage. We have organized this additional evidence for your review.
The following documents are enclosed as additional evidence:
- Updated joint bank statements covering the period from [Start Date] to [End Date].
- New photographs of us together at various events and during our daily lives.
- [Specific item, e.g., Copy of our lease agreement showing joint residency, or a utility bill addressed to both of us].
- Affidavits from individuals who have known us as a couple recently.
We are committed to providing USCIS with all necessary information to support our petition. We kindly request that this additional evidence be included in our case file.
Thank you for your continued attention to our petition. We await your decision.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Spouse's Full Name]
Filing your I-751 is a significant step towards gaining full permanent residency. While these I-751 Cover Letter Sample 2020 examples offer a helpful starting point, always remember to tailor them to your unique circumstances. By clearly presenting your case and all supporting documents, you significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome. Good luck!