I-129F: Petition for Fiancé(e) or Spouse (K-1/K-3)

TITLE: I-129F: Petition for Fiancé(e) or Spouse (K-1/K-3)

WHAT IT IS:

Form I-129F is a petition filed by a U.S. citizen. It is used to ask permission to bring a foreign fiancé(e) (K-1 visa) and their children (K-2) to the United States so you can get married. You can also use it to bring a foreign spouse (K-3 visa) and their children (K-4) to the U.S. while you wait for USCIS to approve a separate family petition (Form I-130) for that spouse.

WHO NEEDS IT:

You must be a U.S. citizen. You cannot use this form if you are a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). You need it if you want to:

- Bring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry you within 90 days of their arrival (K-1/K-2), or

- Bring your spouse to the U.S. while a Form I-130 you already filed for them is still waiting for a decision (K-3/K-4).

HOW TO FILE:

1. Get the current form and instructions from the official USCIS website (edition date 01/20/25).

2. Prepare evidence of your U.S. citizenship. Provide one of the following:

- A copy of your U.S. birth certificate,

- A copy of your naturalization or citizenship certificate,

- A copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240),

- A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport, or

- An original statement from a U.S. consular officer confirming your citizenship.

3. If you or your fiancé(e)/spouse had a previous marriage, include proof it ended:

- Final divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate of the former spouse.

4. Provide one color passport-style photograph of you and one of your fiancé(e)/spouse, taken within 30 days before you mail the petition.

5. For a K-1 fiancé(e) case, you must also include:

- Evidence of a genuine (bona fide) intention to marry,

- Evidence that you plan to marry within 90 days of their U.S. admission,

- Evidence that you met in person within the two years before filing.

(If you did not meet in that timeframe, you must submit documents supporting an exemption—follow the official instructions carefully.)

6. If any document is in a foreign language, attach a full English translation with a signed statement from the translator certifying the translation is accurate and that they are qualified.

7. Do not send original documents unless the instructions specifically ask for them.

8. Include Form G-28 only if you have an attorney or accredited representative.

9. Pay the filing fee (see FEES below).

10. Mail your complete package to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox. Use the correct address for your delivery method:

- U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

Attn: I-129F

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266-0151

- FedEx, UPS, DHL:

USCIS

Attn: I-129F (Box 660151)

2501 South State Highway 121

Business Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

FEES:

The specific filing fee is not shown on this page. Find the current fee by visiting the USCIS Fee Schedule page. (check the official fee schedule)

CURRENT EDITION & DEADLINES:

The only acceptable form edition is 01/20/25 (mm/dd/yy). This edition date is printed at the bottom of each page of the form and instructions. Always visit the USCIS webpage to confirm you are using the most current version before you file—no separate “use by” date is listed here.

COMMON MISTAKES:

- Using an outdated form edition. Make sure every page in your packet shows 01/20/25 at the bottom.

- Forgetting to include the passport-style photographs, or using photos that are older than 30 days.

- Failing to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, or not including documents that show a previous marriage was legally ended.

WHERE TO GET THE FORM:

Always download the form and instructions directly from the official USCIS website: [https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f](https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f). Do not use forms from unofficial sources—outdated editions can cause rejection.

SOURCE: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

DISCLAIMER: General info from USCIS, not legal advice — always verify on the official page and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case. English is authoritative.