
Follow this USCIS-aligned walkthrough to package your I-129F filing with zero guesswork—payment, photos, evidence, and intent letters included.
USCIS scans every I-129F packet through high-speed machines.
Your goal? A flat, single-sided stack of pages that flows through the scanner without any hiccups.
No tabs. No sticky notes. No sheet protectors.
Just clean, organized pages with a single binder clip holding everything together.
Think of it like packing a carry-on bag—everything needs to fit perfectly or the whole thing gets flagged for manual review.
USCIS now only accepts electronic payments.
You have two options:
Checks and money orders are no longer accepted.
Your packet should open with these items in order:
USCIS processes thousands of packets daily.
The payment form on top means they can charge your card immediately and get your case into the system faster.
A single-page letter with three key elements:
Contact Information (top-right corner)
Your name, address, phone number, and email.
Filing Statement
Something like: "We are filing Form I-129F to establish our bona fide relationship and intent to marry within 90 days of entry to the United States."
Document Certification
A statement confirming all documents are signed, dated, and unaltered copies.
List everything in your packet:
This helps USCIS officers navigate your packet quickly.
These are the foundation of your packet.
Optional but highly recommended.
Fill this out to receive a text or email confirmation when USCIS accepts your packet.
It's free and gives you peace of mind within 24-48 hours of delivery.
This is the main petition—13 pages plus any continuation sheets you need.
Print single-sided on white paper.
If filling by hand, use black ink only (blue ink can cause scanning issues).
A narrative describing when and where you last met in person (within the past two years).
Keep it concise—one or two paragraphs explaining the location, dates, and purpose of your visit.
Reference the supporting evidence you'll include in the next section.
This section is where you show USCIS your relationship is real.
Create a mini table of contents and a cover page titled "Proof of Relationship".
Then include:
Dated Photos
Label each with location and context (e.g., "Thanksgiving 2024 with Sarah's parents in Ohio").
Photos with family and friends carry more weight than selfies.
Travel Documentation
Boarding passes, hotel receipts, or entry/exit stamps showing you've visited each other.
Both names on a receipt is ideal, but beneficiary passport stamps work too.
Communication Records
Call logs, messaging app screenshots, or email threads showing ongoing contact.
You don't need thousands—just enough to prove regular communication over time.
Engagement or Wedding Planning
Optional but helpful: engagement ring receipts, venue deposits, or invitation drafts.
A dozen well-organized photos with clear labels beat a stack of 500 random selfies.
USCIS officers appreciate evidence that tells a story.
Critical: All documents must be in English or include certified translations.
If you're submitting documents in another language (boarding passes, hotel receipts, text messages), you must include:
The translator can be anyone fluent in both languages—it doesn't have to be a professional service.
However, petitioners and beneficiaries cannot translate their own documents.
These establish who you are and confirm your intent to marry.
Include a copy of your valid U.S. passport (photo page) or birth certificate.
Never send originals—USCIS will not return them.
A copy of their passport photo page is sufficient.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record):
If your fiancé(e) has visited the U.S. before, include their latest I-94 printout.
The I-94 is an electronic arrival/departure record that tracks entries into the United States. You can download it from i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
While not required, including it can speed up background checks and shows USCIS your fiancé(e)'s travel history.
About A-Numbers:
If either of you has an A-number (Alien Registration Number) from previous immigration filings, include it on:
This helps USCIS link your new filing to any existing records.
Both you and your fiancé(e) need to write separate signed statements confirming your intent to marry within 90 days of their U.S. entry.
Keep each letter to one page.
Include:
If you're writing these together, a joint letter works too—just make sure both sign it.
Before you seal the envelope, double-check this list:
Use our interactive checklist tool to track your progress as you assemble everything.
Payment & Cover
Letters & Forms
Evidence & Supporting Documents
You're almost done. Here's how to seal the deal.
Use a binder clip to hold everything together—no staples, binders, tabs, or sheet protectors.
Print everything single-sided on standard 8.5" × 11" white paper.
USCIS scans packets through high-speed machines, and anything double-sided or odd-sized causes delays.
This is critical—don't skip it.
Create a full copy of your packet (physical or digital) before mailing.
Why? You'll need these documents for:
Keep your backup in a safe place—you'll reference it multiple times throughout your K-1 journey.
Use tracked shipping with signature confirmation.
Recommended services:
Your packet contains sensitive personal information, so signature confirmation ensures it reaches USCIS safely.
Lockbox Addresses:
Check the USCIS I-129F page for the current address, but as of 2025:
The address depends on where you live, so always verify on the official USCIS website before mailing.
After Mailing:
Save your tracking receipt and monitor delivery status daily.
Once delivered, you should receive confirmation within 2-4 weeks (text/email if you filed G-1145, otherwise by mail).
Our K-1 Visa Wizard walks you through every form and document requirement step-by-step.
No guesswork. No missing documents. Just a complete, USCIS-ready packet.
These walkthroughs share tags or adjacent steps so you can keep momentum.

Lock down every fee, form, and shipping step—from the new G-1450/G-1650 payment rules to the final binder clip—before you mail your I-129F packet.

Use this evidence blueprint to show USCIS your engagement is bona fide—photos, travel, chats, and intent letters mapped to the I-129F checklist.

Step-by-step walkthrough of every question on the K-1 visa petition form—from petitioner info to meeting requirements—with examples and common mistakes to avoid.