Is Birth Certificate of Petitioner Required for I-130

[topawala10 1]

Hi all,

I recently got married in India last month. I was born in India and became a US citizen through my parents about 10 years ago. I am in the process of filing I-130 and was confused on whether my (petitioner) birth certificate is required or can is my certificate of citizenship and copy of US Passport sufficient?

I know it is better to submit as much documents as possible, but the reason why I am asking is because it will take about a week longer for me to get my birth certificate. It has been already a month since I got married and I would rather not delay my process.

Edited January 24, 2014 by topawala10

[Darnell 8,478]

there's a list, in the instructions.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi all,

I recently got married in India last month. I was born in India and became a US citizen through my parents about 10 years ago. I am in the process of filing I-130 and was confused on whether my (petitioner) birth certificate is required or can is my certificate of citizenship and copy of US Passport sufficient?

I know it is better to submit as much documents as possible, but the reason why I am asking is because it will take about a week longer for me to get my birth certificate. It has been already a month since I got married and I would rather not delay my process.

Either your citizenship certificate or valid passport will do as proof of US citizenship.

[topawala10 1]

I have already looked at the list, but it was not clear to me. That is why I wanted to clarify with people who have been through this process before.

[dirk_diggler 107]

From the I-130 instructions:

What Documents Do You Need to Show That You

Are a U.S. Citizen?

1. If you were born in the United States, a copy of your birth

certificate, issued by a civil registrar, vital statistics office,

or other civil authority.

2. A copy of your naturalization certificate or certificate of

citizenship issued by USCIS or the former INS.

3. A copy of Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a

Citizen of the United States, issued by a U.S. Embassy or

consulate.

4. A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport; or

5. An original statement from a U.S. consular officer

verifying that you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport.

7. A spouse, if it has been legally determined that such an 6. If you do not have any of the above documents and you

alien has attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage were born in the United States, see instructions on Page 4,

for the purpose of evading the immigration laws. "What If a Document Is Not Available?"

[mpwhitebird 0]

Your US passport is all you need. We had our I-130 approved Dec. 16, 2013 and I did not include my birth certificate (I was born in Costa Rica) only my US passport.