I-130 cover letter for a spouse: sample
Published October 27, 2026
A cover letter is optional for Form I-130, but it makes a spousal petition easier to review: it lists what is enclosed and points the officer to the evidence that the marriage is bona fide. This page gives a sample and a template. It is general information, not legal advice; the I-130 instructions list the documents that must be included.
What goes in it
- Who is petitioning for whom, and the relationship: a US citizen or permanent resident petitioning for a spouse.
- Every enclosure in order: the fee, Form I-130, Form I-130A for the spouse, and the documents the instructions list, such as evidence of the petitioner's status, the marriage certificate and documents showing that any earlier marriages ended.
- The evidence of a bona fide marriage, as lettered exhibits.
- If the spouse is filing Form I-485 at the same time, say so.
Sample
[Date] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [Address from the I-130 filing instructions] RE: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (spouse) Petitioner: Daniel Reyes, U.S. citizen Beneficiary: Ana López Castro Dear Officer, I am filing the enclosed petition for my wife, Ana López Castro. We married on July 20, 2024 in Hillsboro, Oregon. Enclosed: 1. Filing fee 2. Form I-130, signed by the petitioner 3. Form I-130A, signed by the beneficiary 4. Copy of the petitioner's U.S. passport 5. Copy of our marriage certificate 6. Copy of the divorce decree ending the petitioner's prior marriage Evidence of a bona fide marriage: Exhibit A. Lease in both names, 2024 to 2026 Exhibit B. Joint bank account statements, sampled across 2025 Exhibit C. Photos together with family, 2023 to 2026, dated and captioned Exhibit D. Message history: monthly calendar and dated sample, with English translations and translator's statement Exhibit E. Travel records for visits before the marriage Exhibit F. Affidavits from two people who know us as a couple Sincerely, Daniel Reyes
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Tips
- Use the exact names as they appear on the forms and IDs.
- Keep the letter short; the exhibits do the work.
- Number the pages of long exhibits so the letter can refer to them.
- Anything not in English needs a full translation with the translator's statement: see USCIS translation requirements.
For the evidence itself, see evidence of bona fide marriage. Proof of Relationship builds the photo and message exhibits from your chat export and photos, with an index, as one PDF under 4 MB.
Common questions
Do I need a cover letter for an I-130?
It is not required, but it helps the officer review the petition and is standard practice.
What evidence of marriage goes with a spousal I-130?
Documents showing a shared life, such as a joint lease, joint finances, children's birth certificates, insurance, plus photos, messages and affidavits. See the bona fide marriage evidence list.
Should I include our whole chat history?
No. A monthly summary and a dated sample spread across the relationship is far easier to read than a printed chat.
Who signs the I-130 cover letter?
The petitioner, or the attorney if one represents you.
Turn your chat export and photos into an organized evidence PDF →More guides: K-1 visa evidence: proof of relationship · I-751 evidence · Affidavit of bona fide marriage: sample and template · Evidence of bona fide marriage: the full list · I-130 request for evidence on the marriage · How to print WhatsApp messages with dates · USCIS translation requirements · I-751 cover letter: sample · K-1 visa interview: questions and documents · Download Messenger chat history · Relationship evidence apps compared