How to Assemble the K-1 Visa Packet (2025 Edition)

📦 The Big Picture

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.

What That Means for You

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.

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💳 Front Cover & Payment

Payment Forms (2025 Update)

USCIS now only accepts electronic payments.

You have two options:

• Form G-1450 for credit card payments
• Form G-1650 for debit card payments (must be tied to a U.S. bank)

Checks and money orders are no longer accepted.

What Goes on Top

Your packet should open with these items in order:

1. Payment authorization form (G-1450 or G-1650) - signed and dated
2. Two 2×2 passport photos in a ziplock bag (write names lightly in pencil on the back)
3. Title page listing "Form I-129F" with both names and A-numbers (if applicable)

Why This Order Matters

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.

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📝 Cover Letter & Table of Contents

Your Cover Letter Should Include

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.

Table of Contents

List everything in your packet:

• Payment authorization (G-1450 or G-1650)
• G-1145 e-notification (optional)
• Form I-129F + continuation pages
• Proof of in-person meeting
• Proof of relationship evidence
• Identity documents
• Letters of intent to marry

This helps USCIS officers navigate your packet quickly.

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📄 Core Forms

These are the foundation of your packet.

G-1145 (e-Notification)

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.

Form I-129F

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).

Meeting Statement

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.

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💕 Proof of Relationship

This section is where you show USCIS your relationship is real.

What to Include

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.

Quality Over Quantity

A dozen well-organized photos with clear labels beat a stack of 500 random selfies.

USCIS officers appreciate evidence that tells a story.

Translation Requirements

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:

1. The original document (or a copy)
2. A complete English translation
3. A certification statement from the translator confirming:
   • They are competent in both languages
   • The translation is complete and accurate

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.

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🪪 Identity & Intent Documents

These establish who you are and confirm your intent to marry.

Petitioner Identity Proof

Include a copy of your valid U.S. passport (photo page) or birth certificate.

Never send originals—USCIS will not return them.

Beneficiary Identity Proof

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:

• Cover pages
• Headers or footers of each section
• Your Form I-129F

This helps USCIS link your new filing to any existing records.

Letters of Intent to Marry

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:

• Full names of both parties
• Date you met and how
• Confirmation you intend to marry within 90 days
• Signatures and dates

If you're writing these together, a joint letter works too—just make sure both sign it.

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✅ Final Assembly Checklist

Before you seal the envelope, double-check this list:

Use our interactive checklist tool to track your progress as you assemble everything.

Payment & Cover

• Payment authorization form (G-1450 or G-1650), signed and dated
• Two 2×2 passport photos in a small clear bag
• Title page listing "Form I-129F" with both names

Letters & Forms

• Cover letter with contact info and document certification
• Table of contents listing all enclosed items
• G-1145 e-notification form (optional)
• Completed Form I-129F with continuation sheets

Evidence & Supporting Documents

• Meeting statement narrative
• Proof of relationship evidence pack (photos, travel, communication)
• Petitioner citizenship proof (passport or birth certificate copy)
• Beneficiary ID (passport copy, optional I-94)
• Signed letters of intent to marry (petitioner + beneficiary)

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📦 Packaging & Mailing

You're almost done. Here's how to seal the deal.

Packing Rules

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.

Make a Backup

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:

• Reference during your visa interview
• Responding to any USCIS requests for additional evidence
• Filing your Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) after marriage
• Answering questions that reference your original application

Keep your backup in a safe place—you'll reference it multiple times throughout your K-1 journey.

Shipping

Use tracked shipping with signature confirmation.

Recommended services:

• USPS Priority Mail with tracking
• FedEx with signature required
• UPS with signature confirmation

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:

• USCIS Phoenix Lockbox (for most filers)
• USCIS Dallas Lockbox (check USCIS.gov for your specific address)

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).

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🧙‍♂️ Ready to Build Your Packet?

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.