How to Fill Out Form I-129F: Complete Field-by-Field Guide (2025)

📋 Before You Start

Form I-129F is 13 pages long and asks detailed questions about you, your fiancé(e), and your relationship.

Download the latest version from USCIS.gov and check the edition date in the footer—USCIS updates the form periodically, and old versions get rejected.

What You'll Need

Gather these documents before you begin:

For You (Petitioner):

• Valid U.S. passport or birth certificate
• Social Security Number
• Complete address history (last 5 years)
• Employment history
• Previous marriage records (if applicable)

For Your Fiancé(e) (Beneficiary):

• Passport information
• Full legal name (as it appears on passport)
• Date and place of birth
• Current address
• Previous marriage records (if applicable)

About Your Relationship:

• Date and location of your first in-person meeting
• All dates you've met since then
• Your engagement date

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🖊️ Filling Method: Hand vs. Typed

You have two options:

Option 1: Type Into PDF (Recommended)

Pros:

• Cleaner, more legible
• Easy to correct mistakes
• Faster processing (USCIS scanners read typed text better)

Cons:

• May not work on all PDF readers
• Some fields might not be fillable

Option 2: Print and Write by Hand

Pros:

• Works for everyone
• Can be done anywhere

Cons:

• Must use black ink only (blue ink causes scanning issues)
• Handwriting must be extremely legible
• Harder to correct mistakes

Critical Rule: Never mix both methods. Choose one and stick with it.

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Part 1: Information About You (The Petitioner)

This section collects your basic information as the U.S. citizen sponsor.

Questions 1-5: Your Full Legal Name

1a. Family Name (Last Name)

Write your last name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport.

Example: SMITH or GARCIA-LOPEZ (if hyphenated)

1b. Given Name (First Name)

Your legal first name.

Example: JOHN or MARIA

1c. Middle Name

Your middle name, if you have one. If you don't have a middle name, leave this blank.

2. Other Names Used

List any other names you've used, including:

• Maiden names
• Previous married names
• Nicknames used on legal documents
• Name changes

If you've only ever used your current legal name, check "N/A" or leave blank (depending on form version).

3-5. Other Names (if more than one)

Use these fields if you've had multiple name changes. Most people leave these blank.

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Questions 6-9: Mailing Address

Where USCIS will send official notices.

6. In Care Of Name

Only fill this if your mail goes to someone else's attention.

Example: If living with parents, you might write their name here.

Most people leave this blank.

7a. Street Number and Name

Your full street address.

Example: 123 Main Street, Apt 4B

Do not use PO Box—USCIS may need to send physical documents.

7b. Apt/Ste/Flr

Check the box and provide number if applicable.

8. City or Town

Example: New York or Los Angeles

9. State and 10. ZIP Code

Use official 2-letter state abbreviations (CA, NY, TX, etc.)

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Questions 11-12: Physical Address (If Different)

Only fill this if your physical address differs from your mailing address.

Most people leave this section blank.

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Questions 13-16: Contact Information

13. Daytime Phone Number

Format: (212) 555-0123

14. Mobile Phone Number

Your cell phone where USCIS can reach you.

15. Email Address

Use an email you check regularly—USCIS sends important updates here if you file Form G-1145.

16. Province (Foreign Address)

Leave blank unless you live outside the U.S. (rare for petitioners).

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Questions 17-20: Biographical Information

17. Country of Birth

For most U.S. citizens born in the U.S., write: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

If born abroad, list the country where you were born.

18. Country of Citizenship

For U.S. citizens: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

19. Date of Birth

Format: MM/DD/YYYY

Example: 03/15/1990

20. Gender

Check Male or Female.

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Questions 21-24: Immigration Status

21. A-Number (if any)

Most U.S. citizens by birth don't have an A-Number. Leave blank if you don't have one.

If you naturalized, your A-Number is on your naturalization certificate.

22. Social Security Number

Required. Format: 123-45-6789

23. U.S. Military Service

Check Yes or No.

If Yes, provide branch and dates of service.

24a-24b. Marital Status

Check your current status:

• Never Married
• Married
• Divorced
• Widowed
• Legally Separated
• Marriage Annulled

If you're currently married to someone else, you cannot file for a K-1 visa for your fiancé(e). Divorce must be finalized first.

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Part 2: Information About Your Fiancé(e) (The Beneficiary)

This section mirrors Part 1 but collects information about your foreign fiancé(e).

Questions 1-5: Beneficiary's Full Legal Name

Use the exact name from their passport.

1a. Family Name

Last name as it appears on passport.

Example: YAMAMOTO or AL-RAHMAN

1b. Given Name

First name from passport.

1c. Middle Name

Middle name from passport (if they have one).

Many countries don't use middle names—leave blank if not applicable.

2-5. Other Names Used

Include maiden names, previous married names, or any legal name changes.

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Questions 6-12: Beneficiary's Address

This is where your fiancé(e) currently lives.

Follow the same format as Part 1, but use their address in their home country.

Important: If they're currently visiting you in the U.S., still use their foreign home address.

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Questions 13-16: Beneficiary's Contact Info

13-14. Phone Numbers

Include country code.

Example: +44 20 1234 5678 (UK number)

15. Email Address

Your fiancé(e)'s email. USCIS may contact them directly.

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Questions 17-20: Beneficiary's Biographical Info

17. Country of Birth

Where they were born.

Example: JAPAN or BRAZIL

18. Country of Citizenship

Their current nationality.

Example: UNITED KINGDOM or PHILIPPINES

19. Date of Birth

Format: MM/DD/YYYY

20. Gender

Male or Female.

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Questions 21-24: Beneficiary's Immigration Details

21. A-Number (if any)

Most foreign nationals won't have one unless they've previously applied for U.S. immigration benefits.

22. U.S. Social Security Number (if any)

Leave blank unless they've worked legally in the U.S. before.

23. Passport Information

Passport Number: Example: N1234567

Country of Issuance: Where passport was issued

Expiration Date: Format: MM/DD/YYYY

Critical: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended U.S. entry date.

24a-24b. Marital Status

Your fiancé(e)'s current marital status.

Must be single (never married, divorced, or widowed). If currently married, they must divorce first.

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Part 3: Other Information

This section covers relationship details, meeting requirements, and special circumstances.

Section A: Information About Your Relationship

1. When and where did you and your fiancé(e) first meet in person?

Be specific. USCIS verifies this against your proof of meeting evidence.

Date: MM/DD/YYYY - Example: 07/15/2023

City/Town: Example: London

Country: Example: UNITED KINGDOM

2. Have you met your fiancé(e) in person within the last 2 years?

Check Yes (required for K-1 visa).

If you check No, you must qualify for an exemption (extremely rare—requires proof that meeting would violate cultural customs or cause extreme hardship).

3. If you answered Yes to question 2, provide details of all in-person meetings:

List every time you've physically been together.

Format:

Date: 07/15/2023 - 07/30/2023
Location: London, United Kingdom
Purpose: Vacation/Visit

Date: 12/20/2023 - 01/05/2024
Location: New York, USA
Purpose: Family visit

Use continuation sheets if you need more space.

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Section B: Information About Prior Marriages

Complete this section if either you or your fiancé(e) was previously married.

For each prior marriage, provide:

1. Name of Prior Spouse

Full legal name.

2. Date of Marriage

Format: MM/DD/YYYY

3. Date Marriage Ended

Format: MM/DD/YYYY

4. How Marriage Ended

• Divorce
• Death
• Annulment

5. Country Where Marriage Ended

Example: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA or MEXICO

Critical: You must include certified copies of divorce decrees, death certificates, or annulment papers with your petition.

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Section C: Information About Children

List all children (under 21 and unmarried) from you or your fiancé(e), even if they won't immigrate.

For each child:

1. Full Name

2. Date of Birth

3. Country of Birth

4. Relationship (check one)

• Your child
• Your fiancé(e)'s child
• Child of both

Note: Children listed here may be eligible for K-2 visas to accompany your fiancé(e).

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Section D: Additional Questions

1. Have you or your fiancé(e) ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?

Check Yes or No.

If Yes, provide details on continuation sheet:

• Date of arrest/conviction
• Nature of offense
• Outcome/sentence
• Certified court documents required

2. Has your fiancé(e) ever been in the United States?

Check Yes or No.

If Yes, provide:

• Most recent arrival date
• Length of stay
• Immigration status during visit
• I-94 number (if available)

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Part 4: Statement of Intent to Marry

This is the critical section where you declare your intention to marry within 90 days of your fiancé(e)'s U.S. arrival.

Statement:

"I certify that I am legally able and willing to marry my fiancé(e) named in Part 2 of this petition within 90 days after he or she is admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant."

Check the box and provide:

Date you plan to marry: You don't need an exact date—just a planned timeframe within 90 days.

Example: Within 90 days of arrival

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Part 5: Petitioner's Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

This section is your legal certification that everything you've stated is true.

Statement (Choose One)

Option 1: Check if you can read and understand English and prepared this petition yourself.

Option 2: Check if someone helped you (interpreter or preparer).

If Option 2, the preparer must complete Part 6.

Certification Statement

Read this carefully before signing:

You're certifying under penalty of perjury that:

• All information is true and correct
• You reviewed the petition
• Supporting documents are true copies

Signature: Sign in black ink (if paper form)

Date: Format: MM/DD/YYYY

Daytime Phone Number: In case USCIS has questions

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Part 6: Interpreter's and/or Preparer's Certification

Only complete if someone helped you prepare the form.

If you used an interpreter, attorney, or friend to help, they must:

• Provide their full name and contact info
• Sign and date
• Indicate whether they're an attorney/accredited representative

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✅ Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Outdated Forms

Always download the latest version from USCIS.gov. Old forms get rejected, wasting months.

2. Incomplete Addresses

Don't use abbreviations USCIS might not recognize.

❌ Wrong: Apt or #4
✅ Right: Apartment 4

3. Missing Signatures

The petition is invalid without your signature in Part 5.

4. Inconsistent Names

Names must match passports exactly. Double-check spelling.

5. Vague Meeting Details

"Summer 2023" isn't specific enough. Provide exact dates.

6. Missing Prior Marriage Documents

If either of you was married before, certified divorce/death certificates are required.

7. Illegible Handwriting

If writing by hand, print clearly. Messy handwriting causes delays.

8. Not Keeping Copies

Make complete copies before mailing. You'll need them later.

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📦 What Happens After You Submit

Once your completed I-129F is assembled with supporting documents:

1. Mail to USCIS lockbox (see our packet assembly guide)
2. Receipt notice arrives in 2-4 weeks (text/email if you filed G-1145)
3. USCIS processes petition (6-12 months average)
4. Approval or RFE (Request for Evidence if something's missing)
5. Case forwarded to NVC (National Visa Center)
6. Embassy schedules interview with your fiancé(e)

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🧙‍♂️ Organize Your Documents with Our Wizard

Filling out Form I-129F is tedious and stressful—but you don't have to do it alone.

Our K-1 Visa Wizard helps you:

• Gather all required information before you start the form
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The wizard doesn't fill out Form I-129F for you (only you can legally do that), but it ensures you have everything you need to complete it accurately.

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