Family green card forms: I-130, I-485, I-864Checked and more

A couple sits across the desk with a shoebox of documents and one question: "What do we actually file?" The honest answer is "several forms, signed by different people, in the right edition, to the right address." Miss one and the whole package can come back.

This guide lays out the forms in a family-based green card case in the order they're usually prepared, with who signs each and what USCIS says about it. It's general information, not legal advice. An immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative can advise on your case.

What's the core package, and what does each form prove?

Each form answers one question for USCIS. The I-130 proves the family relationship. The I-485 asks for permanent residence for someone already in the US. The I-864 shows the sponsor can support the immigrant. The I-693 covers the medical. The I-765 and I-131 ask for work and travel permission while the case is pending.

Fees for each form are on the USCIS Fee Schedule (G-1055) (opens in a new tab). They change, so check it each time you file.

Which form starts the case?

Form I-130. USCIS says to use it if you're "a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national (who is not a U.S. citizen)" and "need to establish your qualifying relationship" with a relative who wants a green card. Filing it "is the first step", but "does not give your relative any immigration status or benefit."

Three rules from USCIS that shape everything after:

1. One petition per relative. "You must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative unless they can be considered a derivative beneficiary."
2. Spouses need Form I-130A. "If you submit a petition for your spouse, you must also submit Form I-130A." The instructions add that the spouse "must complete and sign" it, but if overseas, it "must still be completed" without their signature.
3. One Part 4 choice. You "must select only 1 option for Part 4 (Question 61 or 62)", either adjustment of status inside the US or consular processing abroad. "Do not complete both questions, and do not leave this section blank."

The I-130 can be filed online or by mail. Our I-130 checklist covers its evidence in detail.

When can you file I-485 at the same time?

When your relative is in the US, is eligible to adjust status, and has an immigrant visa immediately available. USCIS calls filing the I-130 and I-485 together "concurrent filing". For immediate relatives of US citizens, USCIS says, "an immigrant visa is always available," so concurrent filing is common in marriage cases.

Who counts as an immediate relative? The I-864 instructions define them as "spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and parents of U.S. citizens 21 years of age and older."

Everyone else, such as spouses of permanent residents or siblings of citizens, falls into a preference category. USCIS says that "in general, you may not file your Form I-485 until an immigrant visa is immediately available in your category." Check the Visa Bulletin (opens in a new tab) and USCIS's adjustment filing charts before filing.

Which forms ride along with the I-485?

The I-864 affidavit of support (where required), the I-693 medical (where required), and, optionally, the I-765 work permit and the I-131 travel document. USCIS's initial evidence checklist adds photos, ID, a birth certificate and proof of lawful entry. Here's how each fits.

I-864, Affidavit of Support. "Most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants use this form." The petitioner signs it even if a joint sponsor is used, and household members sign I-864A to add income. See our I-864 guide.

I-693, medical exam. "If you are required to submit Form I-693 … you must submit it with your Form I-485. Otherwise, we may reject your Form I-485." For paper filing, it goes in "in the original sealed envelope provided by the civil surgeon." For online filing, you open the envelope, upload the form, and keep the original and envelope until a final decision.

I-765, work permit, category (c)(9). USCIS says to "file Form I-765 together with Form I-485," or, if filing separately, to submit a copy of the I-485 receipt notice. Fees apply separately; see G-1055.

I-131, advance parole. It can be filed with the I-485 or while it's pending. USCIS says that when filing concurrently and requesting advance parole, "select only item 5. A. in Part 1 of Form I-131."

What does the I-485 initial evidence checklist ask for?

For immediate relatives, USCIS lists photos, ID, a birth certificate, proof of lawful entry, evidence of the immigrant category, the I-693 and I-864 if required, and certified criminal records if applicable. Here's a working version of the official checklist (opens in a new tab). It's a tool, not a substitute for the instructions.

• Two passport-style photographs
• Copy of a government-issued photo ID
• Copy of birth certificate (or other evidence plus proof it's unavailable)
• Inspection and admission, or inspection and parole, documentation (unless adjusting under INA 245(i))
• I-130 receipt or approval notice, unless filing the I-130 together
• Form I-693 or partial I-693, if required (with the I-485)
• Form I-864 or I-864EZ, if required
• Certified police and court records of any charges, arrests or convictions, if applicable
• Waivers or other supplements, if applicable (for example I-601, I-212, Supplement A)
• For K-1 entrants: evidence of marriage to the petitioner within 90 days of admission

USCIS also reminds filers: "Do not send original documents unless specifically requested," and foreign-language documents need a full certified English translation.

What is G-28 and who files it?

Form G-28 is filed by an attorney or accredited representative to show they represent you. USCIS says one "must submit Form G-28 … to establish eligibility to represent a client in an immigration matter." It goes in with the related form, online or by mail, and "you and your legal representative must sign."

USCIS's own tips for avoiding G-28 rejections:

• "The most common mistake we see is that the form is not signed or does not have all required signatures."
• Use the client's name "exactly as they appear on the related immigration form."
• Sign in black or blue pen. "We will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a handwritten signature." A photocopy, fax or scan of the original ink signature is acceptable.
• Never use highlighters or correction fluid.

If a G-28 isn't properly completed, USCIS says it "will process the benefit request as if you did not submit Form G-28", so notices go to the client, not the representative.

What is G-1145, and is it worth adding?

Form G-1145 asks USCIS to send a text or email when it accepts your form at a lockbox. It's optional, and USCIS says to clip it "to the front of the application or petition you are filing." In a concurrent package, you can attach one to each form, such as the I-130, I-485, I-765 and I-131.

USCIS notes the alert contains no personal information, just the receipt number and how to check status. USCIS says the service is only available for certain forms filed at its lockbox locations, so it's for paper filings.

Who signs what, and how?

Different people sign different forms, and USCIS rejects unsigned forms. For paper filings, the I-130 instructions and the G-28 page both say USCIS won't accept a stamped or typewritten name; a photocopy, fax or scan of the original handwritten ink signature is fine. Mapping signers early saves a second round of appointments.

A typical marriage case, with the US citizen spouse as petitioner:

How do you make sure every page is the right edition?

Check the edition date printed at the bottom of every page against the form's USCIS page before filing. USCIS says all pages must be "from the same form edition," and that if pages are missing or from a different edition, "we may reject your form." Editions change, sometimes with short or no grace periods.

During 2026, for example, USCIS issued new editions of both the I-485 and the I-864, and stopped accepting older editions after set dates. A package prepared over several weeks can straddle a change. Three habits help:

1. Download fresh on filing day, not from your template folder.
2. Compare edition dates on every page of every form with the "Edition Date" section on each form's USCIS page.
3. Check the filing location on each form's "Where to File" page right before you mail. USCIS has changed filing locations for several family-based forms and posts alerts at the top of each form page.

How do you fill the whole package without retyping it?

Build one record per case: petitioner, beneficiary, addresses, marriages, employment, entries and A-Numbers. Then fill every form from it, so names, dates and addresses match across the I-130, I-130A, I-485, I-864 and I-765. A date that differs between two forms invites questions.

AppliFlo's PDF & Word forms includes the I-130, I-485, I-864, I-864A, I-765, G-28 and G-1145 in its library of 54 official forms. Each is filled from the same client record, with anything uncertain flagged for a person to review. Form memory keeps your corrections for the next case.

Because USCIS wants ink signatures on paper filings, print the filled forms for signing. Sign is useful around the forms: engagement letters, fee agreements and client sign-off on the draft package, each with an audit trail. Law practices can see more on the legal page, and the visa and immigration page covers the wider workflow.

Where should you start?

Start with the I-130 and its evidence, because everything else hangs off it: use the I-130 checklist. Then line up the sponsor side early, since income documents and joint sponsors take the longest to gather: the I-864 guide explains who signs what. And bookmark each form's USCIS page. It's the only place that's always current on editions, fees and filing locations.