I am a U.S. citizen and want to petition my spouse: which form is it and what does it cost?

The I-130 is the “Petition for Alien Relative”. The citizen (the petitioner) signs it to show that the marriage is real.

USCIS says a separate I-130 is filed for each relative. If you have children together, each child gets an I-130 of their own.

Families in this situation normally file this form. Paso Libre does not decide whether it applies to you.

USCIS fee for the I-130: $675 on paper ($625 online). It is paid directly to USCIS, never to Paso Libre.

If the I-485 is filed too, USCIS charges its own fee: $1,440 on paper ($1,390 online).

Paso Libre charges $149 to prepare the I-130 with you. You fill it in free and pay only when you finish your answers. USCIS fees are paid separately.

If your spouse is inside the country, some families file the I-485 (the green-card application) together with the I-130. The official instructions allow it.

If your spouse is abroad, USCIS approves the I-130 first and the case continues at the consulate, with the Department of State.

Which path is yours depends on how your spouse entered and on their history. We do not guess that: it is a question for a lawyer.

The official I-130 page lists, for a spouse: