Question
I want to petition my child: which form is it and what does it cost?
Short answer
A citizen or permanent resident files one Form I-130 for each child. The USCIS fee is $675 on paper, paid separately to USCIS. If the child is 21 or older, married or adopted, the requirements change: a legal question.
Paso Libre editorial team
Reviewed September 29, 2026 · Educational information, not legal advice
Which form it is
The I-130 can be filed by a citizen or a lawful permanent resident. It is one I-130 per child, each with its own fee.
USCIS describes a citizen's unmarried child under 21 as an “immediate relative”. Other ages and marital statuses fall into other categories.
Families in this situation normally file this form. Paso Libre does not decide whether it applies to you.
What it costs
USCIS fee for the I-130: $675 on paper ($625 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.
What you will be asked for
The official page asks for a copy of your child's birth certificate. For an adopted child it also asks for the adoption decree and proof of custody.
If the child is abroad, the case continues at the consulate after approval. If the child is inside the country, which path applies is a legal question.
If your question needs legal advice
This question needs legal advice. To protect you, we do not want to guess. Here is how to find a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.
Official sources
- Form I-130 — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
- Form G-1055, fee schedule — USCIS ↗ · Read on October 10, 2026
- Find legal services — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
- Accredited representatives — Department of Justice ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026