To sponsor a parent for a green card, you must provide proof of your U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. You also need to submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, along with evidence of your relationship, like a birth certificate linking you to your parent. Financial documents including Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, are required to demonstrate your ability to support your parent without public assistance.
What Documents Are Necessary to Sponsor a Parent for a Green Card?
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) | To sponsor a parent for a Green Card, the primary document required is the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), which proves the sponsor's financial ability to support the immigrant and prevent them from becoming a public charge. This legally binding form must include evidence of the sponsor's income, such as recent tax returns, employment letters, and W-2 forms, ensuring compliance with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) financial requirements. |
| 2 | Civil Birth Certificate (Beneficiary) | A Civil Birth Certificate is a crucial document when sponsoring a parent for a Green Card, as it establishes the biological relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary. This certificate must be an official government-issued document containing the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parent's names to satisfy U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements. |
| 3 | U.S. Citizen’s Passport Bio-Page Copy | A U.S. citizen's passport bio-page copy is a crucial document when sponsoring a parent for a green card as it verifies the petitioner's citizenship status. This copy must clearly display the passport holder's photo, full name, passport number, and expiration date to meet U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements. |
| 4 | Legal Name Change Documentation | To sponsor a parent for a green card, providing legal name change documentation such as court orders or marriage certificates is essential to prove identity consistency across all submitted forms. USCIS requires these records to verify the petitioner's and beneficiary's legal names, ensuring accuracy in the immigration process and preventing delays. |
| 5 | Divorce or Death Certificates (if previously married) | To sponsor a parent for a green card, submitting divorce or death certificates is essential if the parent was previously married, as these documents verify the termination of prior marriages. USCIS requires these certificates to confirm the sponsor's eligibility and ensure all familial relationships are accurately documented during the application process. |
| 6 | Domicile Evidence (Recent Utility Bills, Lease) | To sponsor a parent for a Green Card, evidence of domicile in the United States is crucial, including recent utility bills, lease agreements, or mortgage statements that prove the sponsor resides in the U.S. These documents demonstrate the sponsor's permanent residence and willingness to support the immigrant parent financially. |
| 7 | IRS Tax Transcripts (Most Recent Year) | To sponsor a parent for a Green Card, the petitioner must submit the most recent IRS tax transcripts to prove income and financial stability, ensuring they meet the affidavit of support requirements. These tax transcripts verify the sponsor's income level, demonstrating the ability to financially support the parent without public assistance. |
| 8 | Medical Examination Report (Form I-693) | The Medical Examination Report (Form I-693) is a crucial document required for sponsoring a parent for a green card, verifying the applicant's health status and screening for communicable diseases. This form must be completed by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon and submitted sealed to ensure compliance with immigration health requirements. |
| 9 | USCIS Online Account Access Notice | To sponsor a parent for a green card, the petitioner must provide Form I-130, Proof of U.S. Citizenship, and evidence of the parental relationship, with all submissions tracked through the USCIS online account for timely updates and notices. USCIS Online Account Access Notice ensures sponsors receive critical case status alerts, document requests, and appointment reminders, streamlining the green card application process. |
| 10 | Public Charge Declaration (Form I-944, if applicable) | To sponsor a parent for a green card, the sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to demonstrate financial ability and complete the Public Charge Declaration (Form I-944) if required by current USCIS guidelines, which assesses the likelihood that the applicant will depend on government assistance. The Form I-944 includes detailed information about income, assets, health status, education, and skills to ensure the sponsored parent will not become a public charge. |
Introduction to Parent Sponsorship for a Green Card
| Introduction to Parent Sponsorship for a Green Card | |
|---|---|
| Definition | Parent sponsorship for a Green Card allows U.S. citizens to petition for their parents to become lawful permanent residents in the United States. |
| Eligibility | Petitioner must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, and able to prove the biological or adoptive relationship with the parent. |
| Purpose | To reunite families by enabling parents to live and work legally in the U.S. with permanent resident status. |
| Overview of Process | Includes filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) followed by the parent applying for a Green Card through adjustment of status or consular processing. |
| Necessary Documents for Sponsorship | |
| Proof of U.S. Citizenship | Copy of U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship of the petitioner. |
| Proof of Relationship | Birth certificate showing the parent-child relationship, adoption decree if applicable, or legal documents establishing the relationship. |
| Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | Completed and signed petition to initiate the sponsorship process. |
| Form I-864, Affidavit of Support | Document demonstrating the petitioner's financial ability to support the parent at 125% above the federal poverty guidelines. |
| Evidence of Financial Support | Recent tax returns, W-2 forms, pay stubs, and employment verification. |
| Proof of Legal Entry (if applicable) | Copies of admission and inspection documents, visa stamps, or I-94 arrival/departure record for parents applying through adjustment of status. |
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring a Parent
To sponsor a parent for a green card, you must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old. You will need to provide proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate.
You must also submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) demonstrating your financial ability to support your parent without them relying on public benefits. Evidence of your income, such as recent tax returns and employment verification, is required to meet the eligibility criteria for sponsoring a parent.
USCIS Forms Required for Parent Sponsorship
Sponsoring a parent for a Green Card requires submitting specific USCIS forms that verify eligibility and support the application process. Properly completing these forms ensures timely processing and increases the chance of approval.
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative - This form establishes the family relationship and initiates the sponsorship process.
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status - Used by the parent if they are already in the U.S. to adjust their status to a Green Card holder.
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support - Demonstrates the sponsor's financial ability to support the parent and prevent them from becoming a public charge.
Submitting these USCIS forms accurately is critical for the successful sponsorship of a parent for permanent residency.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency
Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is essential when sponsoring a parent for a green card. These documents establish your legal status, enabling you to petition for your parent's immigration.
- U.S. Passport - A valid, unexpired U.S. passport serves as direct proof of citizenship.
- Naturalization Certificate - This certificate confirms citizenship obtained through the naturalization process.
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) - A current green card shows lawful permanent resident status required for sponsorship.
Supporting Financial Documents for Affidavit of Support
Sponsoring a parent for a green card requires submitting a range of financial documents to demonstrate the sponsor's ability to support the immigrant. The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is a key document requiring proof of income and financial stability.
- Proof of Income - Recent federal income tax returns, typically for the last three years, show the sponsor's consistent earnings.
- Employment Verification - A letter from the sponsor's employer confirming position, salary, and length of employment validates income claims.
- Bank Statements - Recent bank statements provide evidence of available financial resources to meet sponsorship obligations.
Civil Documents Needed from the Parent Applicant
To sponsor a parent for a Green Card, essential civil documents from the parent applicant must be submitted. These documents prove identity, relationship, and eligibility for immigration benefits.
Key civil documents include a valid passport, birth certificate, and marriage certificate if applicable. Evidence of the parent's nationality and legal status in their home country is also required. Medical examination results and police clearance certificates may be necessary to complete the application process.
Evidence of Parent-Child Relationship
To sponsor a parent for a Green Card, providing evidence of the parent-child relationship is essential. This evidence verifies the biological or legal connection between the petitioner and the parent.
Acceptable documents include the child's birth certificate listing the parent's name, adoption decrees, or court orders establishing legal parentage. These documents must be certified copies and, if in a foreign language, accompanied by a certified English translation.
Translation and Certification Requirements
To sponsor a parent for a Green Card, you must provide official documents translated into English if they are in a foreign language. Certified translations require a statement from the translator affirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation. Ensuring your documents meet these translation and certification requirements is essential for a smooth application process.
Additional Documents for Step-Parents or Adoptive Parents
To sponsor a parent for a green card, required documents include proof of the sponsor's U.S. citizenship, a completed Form I-130, and evidence of the family relationship, such as a birth certificate. For step-parents or adoptive parents, additional documentation is necessary, like the marriage certificate showing the relationship between the sponsor's biological parent and the step-parent, or legal adoption papers proving the adoptive status. You must also provide evidence that the marriage or adoption took place before the child turned 18 to meet eligibility requirements.
What Documents Are Necessary to Sponsor a Parent for a Green Card? Infographic
