Petition for Parents: Reuniting Families Across Generations
U.S. citizens age 21 and older may petition for their mother or father as immediate relatives. Unlike sibling or married-child petitions, parent cases have no annual visa cap and no years-long backlog — making this one of the fastest paths to a green card in the entire immigration system.
Attorney Goncalves handles parent petitions for clients throughout Connecticut, including cases involving step-parents, adoptive parents, and parents adjusting status from visitor visas.
Proving the Parent-Child Lineage
You (Petitioner)
U.S. citizen, age 21 or older
Documentation: U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization
Your Parent (Beneficiary)
Mother or father — biological, adoptive, or step-parent
Documentation: Parent's birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate (if step-parent)
Relationship Link
Your birth certificate showing parent's name
Documentation: Long-form birth certificate with both parents' names listed
Biological, Adoptive & Step-Parents
Biological parents qualify if your birth certificate lists them as your parent. Legitimation may be required for fathers of children born out of wedlock, depending on country law.
Adoptive parents qualify if the adoption occurred before you turned 16 and you resided with and were in legal custody of the adoptive parent for at least two years.
Step-parents qualify only if the step-parent married your biological parent before you turned 18, and the marriage is still valid at the time of filing.
In the U.S. vs. Abroad
If your parent is already in the United States in lawful status, they may adjust status concurrently with your I-130. If they are abroad, the case proceeds through consular processing after I-130 approval.
Parent Petition Document Checklist
- ✓Form I-130 with filing fee
- ✓Your U.S. citizenship proof (passport or naturalization certificate)
- ✓Your birth certificate showing parent's name
- ✓Parent's birth certificate and passport
- ✓Marriage certificate (if petitioning for father and parents were married)
- ✓Step-parent marriage certificate (if applicable)
- ✓Adoption decree (if applicable)
- ✓Certified translations of all foreign-language documents
- ✓Form I-864 Affidavit of Support
- ✓Form I-693 Medical exam (if adjusting in U.S.)
The 90-Day Rule & Visitor Visa Concerns
Parents who enter the U.S. on B-2 visitor visas and immediately file for adjustment of status face scrutiny under the 90-day rule. USCIS may presume they misrepresented their intent at the port of entry. We advise on timing, evidence of changed circumstances, and whether consular processing is the safer path.
Parent Petition FAQs
Can permanent residents petition for parents?+
Can I petition for both parents at the same time?+
What if my parent's name on my birth certificate is different?+
How long does a parent petition take?+
Attorney Jacquelyn R. Goncalves personally handles every case — Connecticut and nationwide.