Complete I-129F Instructions

When completing Form I-129F, it is important to be extremely accurate. In fact, that’s true for any form offered by the USCIS. If you’re filing Form I-129F for the first time, it may seem intimidating. In this article, we explain everything you need to know to file Form I-129F.

What Is Form I-129F?

Form I-129F is a petition filed to bring your fiance(e) and his/her children into the United States. Officially known as the Petition for Alien Fiance, a U.S.-based citizen files this to start the process.

The person who comes into the U.S. will be classified either as a K-1 or a K-3 nonimmigrant based on the following:

• They will be awarded a K-1 visa if they wish to enter the United States to marry a U.S.-based citizen and later adjust their status to lawful permanent resident.
• They will be awarded a K-3 nonimmigrant visa if the foreign spouse is entering the United States to await the availability of an immigrant visa and later adjust their status. In other words, the alien is a spouse and not a fiance.

The process of bringing in an alien spouse can be lengthy and complicated. This is because the U.S. government needs to verify a lot of things. This includes the fact that the two of you have met in person within the last two years and intend to marry each other. This can be a subjective topic and vary from case to case.

But from your side, you should fill out the form correctly to eliminate unnecessary delays.

Step-by-Step Instructions for I-129F

The first thing you, as a U.S.-based person, should do is download and complete Form I-129F. This is available for free on the USCIS website. The form is a 13-page document, and you must complete all the sections applicable to your case. The USCIS provides an instruction sheet on how to complete the form, which you can also download from the website.

Here, we explain step-by-step how to file Form I-129F. You can also check out the instructions for filing Forms I-129 and I-129S.

Part 1: Information About You

In the first section, you need to identify yourself by answering these questions:

• Alien Registration number
• USCIS Online Account number (if you’ve previously filed an application or petition, you must be having an online account number)
• U.S. Social Security number
• Whether you’re applying for a fiance or a spouse
• Your full name
• Other name used
• Mailing address (the address you’d like to receive mail and written correspondence)
• Address history (provide all the addresses where you have lived over the years)
• Employment history
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• Information about your parents
• Citizenship information (whether you obtained citizenship by birth or became naturalized)
• Previous filings (if you’ve previously filed I-129F)
• Ages of Children (if any)
• Places you have resided (all the places you have lived, including the foreign countries since you reached 18 years of age)

Part 2: Information About Your Beneficiary

In this section, you need to identify the alien fiance(e). The questions you’d be asked are:

• A-number
• U.S. Social Security number (if any)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Marital status
• Place of birth
• Other names used
• Mailing address
• Address history
• Employment history
• Name of a previous spouse
• Form I-94 arrival-departure record
• Children (if any, including those from previous partners)
• Physical address abroad
• Name and address in his/her native alphabet (if they do not use Roman letters)
• The relationship the beneficiary has with you (describe the nature and degree of the relationship)
• If you and the beneficiary have met in person during the two years immediately before filing the petition (this is very important, and you need to detail every aspect of the in-person meeting)
• International marriage broker (IMB) information (if you’ve met via IMB)

If you’re seeking a K-3 visa for your foreign spouse, you must apply in the country where the marriage took place.

Part 3: Other Information

In this section, the USCIS will demand additional information about you, the U.S.-based petitioner. The USCIS will be checking for any past criminal records and whether or not you comply with IMBRA of 2005.

Expect questions like the following:

• Specify crimes committed in the past
• Convictions of homicide, murder, manslaughter, or similar acts
• Convictions for crime related to controlled substance or alcohol not arising from a single act
• Disclosure of all the crimes to the beneficiary in written format
• Fee waiver request (if you’ve never committed any crime, you must show evidence as to why a waiver is appropriate in your case)

Part 4: Biographic Information

In this section, you’d be required to provide biographic information. You’d have to define the following:

• Ethnicity and race (Hispanic, White, Asian, Black, American Indian, Native Hawaiian)
• Height
• Weight
• Eye color
• Hair color

Select the boxes that best describe your biographic information.

Part 5: Petitioner’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature

Read through the paragraphs and check the box for whether you’ve filed the petition yourself or used an interpreter. At the appropriate places, provide your signature and contact information. This essentially confirms that you’ve read through the document and have completed it accordingly.

Part 6: Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

If you’ve used an interpreter, then ask him/her to complete this section. They have to provide their contact information and signature at the appropriate places.

Part 7: Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing This Petition, If Other Than the Petitioner

If someone else completed the form on your behalf, this section is for them to complete. They’ll be asked for their phone number, email address, and signature at the appropriate places.

Part 8: Additional Information

You can use this section if the blanks are insufficient and you need to add additional information. The USCIS encourages you to use as many additional sections as possible that might be useful for the case. But remember to provide a reference to the appropriate section and question number.

I-129F Filing Fees

The filing fee for Form I-129F is $535 that can be paid either by money order or check. You must make it payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” If you’re living outside the United States, you must contact the local U.S. embassy for guidance on this.

I-129F Filing Address

After completing the form, you’re required to send it to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox Facility:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

Conclusion

Before submitting the form, you should cross-check twice or thrice for errors. Even though there are no annual caps on the K-1 or K-3, errors can certainly delay the process. If you have further questions, you should consult an immigration attorney.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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