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Instructions for Form I-730, Refugee / Asylee Relative Petition

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OMB No. 1615-0037; Expires 02/28/2027  
Department of Homeland Security  
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services  
Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition  
a. If the person you are filing for is a child who was  
conceived but not yet born on the date you were admitted  
to the United States, the relationship will be  
considered to exist as of the date you were admitted to  
the United States (See NOTE 2).  
Who May File Form I-730?  
If you have been admitted to the United States as a refugee or  
if you have been granted status in the United States as an  
asylee, and you were the principal applicant for your family,  
you may file Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition  
provided that your refugee admission or asylum grant  
occurred within the past two years. Approval of Form I-730  
for a relative abroad does not guarantee visa issuance. A  
separate Form I-730 must be filed for each qualifying family  
member for whom you are petitioning.  
b. The mother of such child is not an eligible relative  
unless the mother was married to you, the principal  
refugee, when you were admitted to the United States.  
NOTE 2: If your child was physically born in the United  
States, then the child is a U.S. citizen, and you do not need to  
file this form. You should obtain documentation of the child's  
citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport.  
Who May Not File Form I-730?  
You are not eligible to file this petition if:  
If you are a principal asylee  
1. The relationship between you and your relative must  
have existed on the date you were granted asylum in the  
United States and must continue to exist.  
1. You were granted status as an accompanying or following-  
to-join derivative refugee or asylee;  
2. You were admitted to the United States as a refugee more  
than two years ago (see NOTE 1 );  
a. If the person you are filing for is a child who was  
conceived but not yet born on the date you were granted  
asylum in the United States, the relationship will be  
considered to exist as of the date you were granted  
asylum in the United States (See NOTE 3).  
3. You were granted status in the United States as an asylee  
more than two years ago (see NOTE 1); or  
4. You became a naturalized U.S. citizen prior to filing Form  
I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. If you are  
currently a U.S. citizen, you may also file Form I-130,  
Petition for Alien Relative, to petition for your spouse or  
children at any time. (NOTE: If you previously filed  
Form I-730 for your relative when you were a principal  
refugee or principal asylee or a Lawful Permanent  
Resident (LPR) who acquired such status after being  
admitted to the United States as a principal refugee or  
being granted asylum as a principal asylee, and have since  
become a naturalized U.S. citizen, United States  
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may  
continue to process your Form I-730 if it has not been  
adjudicated).  
b. The mother of such child is not an eligible relative  
unless the mother was married to you, the principal  
asylee, when you were granted asylum in the United  
States.  
NOTE 3: If your child was physically born in the United  
States, then the child is a U.S. citizen and you do not need to  
file this form. You should obtain documentation of the child's  
citizenship such as a birth certificate or passport.  
Children who have reached 21 years of age  
1. For asylees, a child who is under 21 years of age on the  
date the Form I-589, Application for Asylum and  
NOTE 1: The two-year limitation may be waived by USCIS  
for humanitarian reasons. Explain in Part 3 of the form why  
you could not file within two years of being granted status.  
USCIS will make a decision based upon the explanation.  
Withholding of Removal, is received by USCIS will  
continue to be classified as a child for purposes of  
determining asylum eligibility and related benefits. For  
refugees, a child who is under 21 years of age on the date  
the principal alien is first interviewed by USCIS will  
continue to be classified as a child for purposes of  
determining refugee eligibility and related benefits. In both  
cases, in order to be considered a derivative child, the  
principal alien must have listed the child on Form I-589,  
Registration for Classification as Refugee, as appropriate,  
prior to the derivative's 21st birthday and prior to  
adjudication of the application. If your Form I-589 or Form  
I-590 was filed before August 6, 2002, and your child  
turned 21 years of age prior to that date, that application  
must still have been pending on August 6, 2002, in order  
for your child to continue to be classified as a child.  
Who Is Eligible to Receive Accompanying or  
Following-to-Join Benefits?  
Your spouse and/or your unmarried child(ren) under the  
age of 21, whether living inside or outside of the United  
States, are eligible for accompanying or following-to-join  
benefits provided that the family member(s) qualify under  
the conditions described below.  
If you are a principal refugee  
1. The relationship between you and your relative must have  
existed on the date you were admitted to the United States  
as a refugee and must continue to exist.  
Form I-730 Instructions (02/02/24) Page 1  
this form must include his or her name, address, telephone  
number, and sign the petition where indicated in Part 7.  
Failure of the preparer to sign will result in the petition being  
returned to you as an incomplete petition. If USCIS later  
learns that you received assistance from someone who  
willfully failed to sign the petition, this may result in an  
adverse ruling against you.  
In all cases, your child must be unmarried on the date you  
filed this petition, and at the time it is decided by USCIS in  
order to receive derivative asylum or refugee status.  
2. A spouse or child of a principal refugee must not have  
ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the  
persecution of another (see INA Section 207(c)(2)(A)) and  
must be otherwise admissible as an immigrant. A spouse or  
child of a principal asylee must not be subject to the  
mandatory bars of 8 CFR Section 208.21.  
Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1546(a),  
provides in part:  
NOTE: If the spouse or child of a principal asylee is  
otherwise inadmissible as an immigrant, this fact may be  
considered in determining whether USCIS will exercise  
favorable discretion to grant accompanying or following-to-  
join asylee benefits to such spouse or child.  
Whoever knowingly makes under oath, or permitted  
under penalty of perjury under Section 1746 of Title  
28, United States Code, knowingly subscribes as  
true, any false statement with respect to a material  
fact in any application, affidavit, or other document  
required by the immigration laws or regulations  
prescribed thereunder, or knowingly presents any  
such application, affidavit, or other document  
containing any such false statement shall be fined in  
accordance with this title or imprisoned not more  
than 10 years, or both.  
A petition may not be approved for the following  
persons  
1. A spouse or child who has previously been granted  
refugee or asylee status;  
2. An adopted child, if the adoption took place after the  
child became 16 years of age, or if the child has not been in  
legal custody and living with the adoptive parent(s)  
for at least two years;  
If aggravating factors exist, the maximum term of imprisonment  
for a conviction under 18 U.S.C. Section 1546(a) could reach 25  
years.  
If you knowingly provide false information on this petition,  
you or the preparer of this petition may be subject to criminal  
penalties under Title 18 of the U.S.C. and to civil penalties  
under section 274C of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1324c.  
3. A stepchild, if the marriage that created this relationship  
took place after the child became 18 years of age;  
4. A husband or wife, if each was not physically present at the  
marriage ceremony, and the marriage was not  
consummated;  
General Instructions  
5. A husband or wife, if it is determined that such alien has  
attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage for the  
purpose of evading immigration laws; and  
Type or print legibly in blue or black ink.  
If you need extra space to complete any item, attach a separate  
sheet of paper, indicate the item number, date, and sign each  
sheet of paper.  
6. A parent, sister, brother, grandparent, grandchild,  
nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, cousin, or in-law.  
Answer all questions fully and accurately. Portions left  
unanswered may result in a Request for Evidence. If a  
question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never  
been married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your  
current spouse”), type or print “N/A,” unless otherwise  
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a  
numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many  
children do you have” or “How many times have you departed  
the United States”), type or print “None,” unless otherwise  
directed.  
Warning: If your alien relative is in the United States  
illegally, he or she is subject to removal if Form I-730 is  
not granted by USCIS. Any information provided in  
completing this petition may be used as a basis for  
initiating, or as evidence in, removal proceedings, even if  
the petition is later withdrawn. Unexcused failure of your  
alien relative to appear for an appointment to provide  
biometrics (such as fingerprints) and other biographical  
information within the time allowed may result in  
dismissal of the petition. See 8 CFR Section 103.2(b)(13).  
In Part 2, on Page 1, supply the current residential and  
mailing addresses (include the mailing address if it is different  
from the residential address) of your alien relative and indicate  
whether your alien relative is living inside or outside of the  
United States. If your alien relative is outside of the United  
States, indicate at which USCIS Office or U.S. Embassy or  
consulate your alien relative will apply for travel authorization.  
Penalty for Perjury. All statements in response to questions  
contained in this petition are declared to be true and correct  
under penalty of perjury. You and anyone who assists you in  
preparing the petition must sign the petition under penalty of  
perjury. Your signature is evidence that you are aware of the  
contents of this petition. Any person assisting you in preparing  
Form I-730 Instructions (02/02/24) Page 2  
In Part 2 on Page 2, supply the current mailing address of  
your alien relative written in the language of the country  
where he or she now resides, in order for him or her to receive  
an interview notice or other correspondence from USCIS.  
Part 7. Contact Information, Certification, and Signature  
of the Person Interpreting this Petition, if Other Than the  
Petitioner or Beneficiary. If you used anyone as an  
interpreter to read the instructions and questions on this  
petition to you in a language in which you are fluent, the  
interpreter must fill out this section, provide his or her name,  
the name and address of his or her business or organization (if  
any), his or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile  
telephone number (if any), and his or her email address (if  
any). The interpreter must sign and date the petition.  
Failure to provide your relative's mailing address in the  
language of the country where he or she resides may result  
insignificant delays in interviewing your relative and  
processing this petition.  
If your alien relative is inside the United States, both you  
and your alien relative, if 14 years of age or older, must sign  
the petition at the time of filing.  
Part 8. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature  
of the Person Preparing this Petition, if Other Than the  
Petitioner or Beneficiary. This section must contain the  
signature of the person who completed your petition, if other  
than you, the petitioner. If the same individual acted as your  
interpreter and your preparer, that person should complete  
both Part 7 and Part 8. If the person who completed this  
petition is associated with a business or organization, that  
person should complete the business or organization name and  
address information. Anyone who helped you complete this  
petition MUST sign and date the petition. A stamped or  
typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. If  
the person who helped you prepare your petition is an attorney  
or accredited representative, he or she may be obliged to also  
submit a completed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of  
Page 3, Part 2. Information About Your Alien Relative,  
the Beneficiary (continued). Complete all sections.  
Regarding the Admission/travel document. Provide the I-94  
admission number which may have been received from U.S.  
Customs and Border Protection in connection with arrival and  
admission to the United States, or from U.S. Citizenship and  
Immigration Services if immigration status was granted within  
the United States. The I-94 number is on the Form I-94  
Arrival-Departure Record, which may be noted as the  
Departure Number on some versions. If CBP did not provide  
a Form I-94 upon arrival/admission to the United States, a  
print out of the Form I-94 may be obtained according to the  
instructions provided by CBP. Also, provide the date of  
admission and the date that the authorized stay expired or  
will expire.  
Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, or  
Form G-28I, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney In  
Matters Outside the Geographical Confines of the United  
States, along with your petition.  
If a passport or other travel document was used at the last  
admission to the United States, enter the number in the space  
provided even if the document is now expired. Provide the  
country of issuance and expiration date as well.  
If your alien relative is outside of the United States, only  
you are required to sign the petition at the time of filing.  
Part 5. Petitioner's Statement, Contact Information,  
Declaration, Certification, and Signature. Select the  
appropriate box to indicate whether you read this petition  
yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. If  
someone assisted you in completing the petition, select the  
box indicating that you used a preparer and/or interpreter.  
Further, you must sign and date your petition and provide your  
daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any),  
and email address (if any). Every petition MUST contain the  
signature of the petitioner. A stamped or typewritten name in  
place of a signature is not acceptable.  
Regardless of the location of your alien relative, he or she will  
be required at the time of the interview to review the  
information on this petition, verify that it is accurate, and sign  
it.  
Submission of Documents. You must submit one readable  
photocopy of each required document to USCIS. Do not  
submit original documents unless you are asked to provide  
them. For example, USCIS may require that you provide the  
original document of any copy you submit.  
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a  
foreign language, you must also submit a full English  
Part 6. Beneficiary's Statement, Contact Information,  
Declaration, Certification, and Signature if in the United  
States. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you  
(the beneficiary) read this petition yourself or whether you had  
an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted you in  
completing the petition, select the box indicating that you used  
a preparer and/or interpreter. Further, you must sign and date  
the petition and provide your daytime telephone number,  
mobile telephone number (if any), and email address (if any).  
Every petition MUST contain the signature of the beneficiary,  
if applicable. (Note: If the beneficiary is not currently in the  
United States, or is not 14 years of age or older, this section  
should be left blank.) A stamped or typewritten name in place  
of a signature is not acceptable.  
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the  
English language translation is complete and accurate, and that  
he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language  
into English. The certification must include the translator's  
signature. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)  
recommends the certification contain the translator's printed  
name and the date and the translator's contact information.  
Form I-730 Instructions (02/02/24) Page 3  
c. Income tax returns in which you claim the child as a  
What Documents Do You Need to Prove Eligibility  
and A Family Relationship?  
dependent and a member of your household;  
d. Medical or insurance records that include the child as  
Certain documents are required to be submitted with this  
petition to show that you are eligible to file Form I-730 and to  
show that a relationship exists between you and your relative.  
(If the documents described below are not available, see the  
sections of these instruction entitled "What If a Document Is  
Not Available?" and "What If Secondary Evidence Is Not  
Available?")  
a dependent;  
e. School records for the child;  
f. Correspondence between you and the child; or  
g. Notarized affidavits of reliable persons who are  
knowledgeable about the relationship. Evidence of any  
legal name change must also be submitted, if applicable.  
1. In all cases, submit evidence of your status as a refugee or  
asylee in the United States.  
6. If you are petitioning for your stepchild, submit the child's  
birth certificate and the marriage certificate between you and  
the child's natural parent. If you or the child's natural parent  
were ever previously married to other people, submit  
evidence of the legal termination of the previous marriage(s).  
Evidence of any legal name changes must also be submitted,  
if applicable.  
2. In all cases, submit a recently taken clear photograph of  
the family member for whom you are filing. The  
photograph must be a full frontal picture of your family  
member, and meet passport specifications. For more  
information on photographs, you may call the USCIS  
National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.  
For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.  
7. If you are petitioning for your adopted child, submit a  
certified copy of the adoption decree and evidence that you  
resided together with the child for at least 2 years. If you  
were granted legal custody of the child prior to the  
adoption, submit a certified copy of the court order  
granting custody. Evidence of any legal name changes  
must also be submitted, if applicable.  
3. If you are petitioning for your husband or wife, submit  
your marriage certificate and the birth certificate of your  
spouse. If you or your spouse were previously married to  
other people, submit evidence of the legal termination of  
the previous marriages such as a divorce or death  
certificate. Evidence of any legal name change must also  
be submitted, if applicable.  
What If A Document Is Not Available?  
4. If you are petitioning for your child and you are the  
natural mother, whether the child was born in or out of  
wedlock, submit the child's birth certificate showing both  
the child's name and your name. Evidence of any legal  
name change must also be submitted if the names on the  
birth certificate do not match the names on the petition.  
If the documents described above are not available from the  
civil authorities, you must submit the following, as secondary  
evidence, along with a statement from the appropriate civil  
authority certifying that the required document(s) is (are) not  
available.  
1. Religious institution record: A certificate under the seal  
of the religious institution where the baptism, dedication, or  
comparable rite occurred within 2 months after birth,  
showing the date and place of the child's birth, the date of  
the religious ceremony, and the names of the child's  
parents.  
5. If you are petitioning for your child and you are the  
natural father, submit the child's birth certificate showing  
both the child's name and your name. If you were married  
to the child's mother, submit your marriage certificate. If  
you or the child's mother were previously married to other  
people, submit evidence of the legal termination of the  
previous marriages.  
2. School record: A letter from the authorities of the  
school(s) attended, showing the date of admission to the  
school, the child's date and place of birth, and the names of  
both parents, if shown on the school records.  
If you were married to the child's mother, submit evidence  
that the child was legitimated by civil authorities and  
submit evidence that a bona fide parent/child relationship  
exists or existed between you and the child. Evidence of a  
bona fide parent/child relationship should provide that you  
have emotional and financial ties to the child, and that you  
have shown genuine interest in the child's general welfare.  
Such evidence may include (but is not limited to) the  
following:  
3. Census record: State or Federal census record showing  
name, place of birth, and date of birth, or the age of the  
person(s) listed.  
a. Money order receipts;  
b. Canceled checks showing financial support of the child;  
Form I-730 Instructions (02/02/24) Page 4  
What If Secondary Evidence is Not Available?  
Where To File?  
If the secondary evidence described above is not available,  
you can submit affidavits. If you submit affidavits, they must  
overcome the absence of primary and secondary evidence.  
Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/I-730 or call the  
USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283  
for the most current information about where to file this  
benefit request. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call:  
1-800-767-1833.  
Affidavits  
Submit written statements sworn to or affirmed by two  
persons who were living at the time and who have personal  
knowledge of the event you are trying to prove; for example,  
the date and place of birth, marriage, divorce, or death. The  
persons making the affidavits do not have to be U.S. citizens.  
Interview Process  
If your alien relative is living in the United States, USCIS  
may request that he or she appear for an interview. A written  
notice of the date, time, and place (address) of the scheduled  
interview will be sent to your relative. (In addition to your  
alien relative, you, the petitioner, may be asked to appear for  
an interview.) See 8 CFR Section 103.2(b)(9) ("[A]  
petitioner... [or] a beneficiary...may be required to appear...for  
an interview."). Your alien relative generally will be required  
to appear at an ASC for biometrics collection before the  
interview will take place (See Biometrics (Fingerprints and  
Photographs) section of the instructions).  
Each affidavit should contain the following information  
regarding the person making the affidavit: his or her full name,  
address, date, and place of birth and his or her relationship to  
you, if any; full information concerning the event; and  
complete details concerning how the person acquired the  
knowledge of the event.  
What Additional Documents Must You Submit?  
If your alien relative is in the United States, please submit a  
copy of both sides of his or her Form I-94, Arrival-Departure  
Record, if any.  
USCIS suggests that your alien relative bring a copy of your  
Form I-730 to the interview. An immigration officer will  
interview your alien relative under oath and make a  
determination concerning your petition. Your alien relative  
may receive notification of the decision in the case on the day  
of the interview, or he or she will in some cases be notified of  
the decision on a date after the interview. Your alien relative  
has the right to legal representation at the interview, at no cost  
to the United States Government. Your alien relative also may  
bring witnesses to the interview to testify on his or her behalf.  
Biometrics (Fingerprints and Photographs)  
Identity, background, and security checks are required on your  
alien relative before he or she may be granted derivative  
asylum or refugee status. For example, USCIS must check the  
records of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and  
other information, including all relevant databases of the U.S.  
Government before derivative asylum or derivative refugee  
status may be granted to your relative. To facilitate these  
checks, USCIS may require your alien relative to provide  
biometrics. Where applicable, this means that if your relative  
is 14 years of age or over, he or she must be fingerprinted and  
photographed. Your alien relative will be given instructions  
on how to complete this requirement. If your alien relative is  
living in the United States and is subject to biometrics  
collection, he or she will be notified in writing of the  
appointment time and the location of the Application Support  
Center (ASC), or the designated Law Enforcement Agency  
where he or she must go to be fingerprinted and photographed.  
If your relative is living outside of the United States, he or she  
will be given instructions, if applicable, for fingerprinting and  
photographs by DHS, the Department of State (DOS), or  
Overseas Processing Entities (OPEs) (that is, organizations  
who assist the U.S. government).  
If your alien relative, who resides in the United States, is  
unable to proceed with the interview in fluent English and  
you are applying for derivative asylum status for your  
relative, he or she must provide at no expense to USCIS a  
competent interpreter fluent in both English and a  
language that your alien relative speaks fluently. See  
8 CFR 208.9(g). (See NOTE 4 if you are applying for  
derivative refugee status for your relative). The interpreter  
must be at least 18 years of age. The following persons cannot  
serve as the interpreter: you or your alien relative's attorney or  
representative of record; a witness testifying on your alien  
relative's behalf at the interview; or a representative or  
employee of your country. Quality interpretation may be  
crucial to your petition. Assistance must be obtained at your  
expense prior to the interview.  
Failure without good cause to bring a competent  
interpreter to the interview may be considered an  
unexcused failure to appear for the interview. Any  
unexcused failure to appear for an interview may result in  
dismissal of your petition (See NOTE 4).  
Your relative's unexcused failure to appear for a scheduled  
appointment or to provide biometrics where required,  
including fingerprints and photographs, or to provide other  
biographical information within the time allowed may result in  
the denial of your Form I-730.  
Form I-730 Instructions (02/02/24) Page 5  
If you are hearing-impaired and require the services of a sign-  
language interpreter in your language, one will be provided for  
you. Contact the asylum office with jurisdiction over your  
case as soon as you receive a notice for your interview to  
notify the office that you will need a sign-language interpreter  
in your language, so that accommodations can be made in  
advance.  
information provided by your relative beneficiary, including  
biometrics, may also be disclosed to other Federal, State,  
local, and foreign law enforcement and regulatory agencies  
during the course of the investigation by USCIS or for other  
lawful purposes, subject to applicable confidentiality  
provisions. You do not have to give this information.  
However, if you refuse to give some or all of it, your petition  
may be denied.  
NOTE 4: Although current regulations only require  
individuals seeking asylum to bring competent interpreters to  
the interview in the United States, USCIS strongly suggests  
that individuals seeking derivative refugee status bring an  
interpreter for the interview in accordance with these  
instructions.  
USCIS Forms and Information  
To ensure you are using the latest version of this petition, visit  
the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can obtain  
the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information.  
If you do not have internet access, you may order USCIS  
forms by calling the Forms Request Line at 1-800-870-3676.  
You may also obtain forms and information by calling the  
USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.  
For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.  
If available, your alien relative must bring some form of  
identification to the interview, including any passport(s), other  
travel or identification documents, or Form I-94 (Arrival-  
Departure Record). Your alien relative may bring to the  
interview any additional available items in support of the  
petition that have not already been submitted with your  
petition. All documents must be submitted in triplicate.  
Instead of waiting in line for assistance at your local USCIS  
office, you can schedule an appointment online at  
www.uscis.gov. Select “Schedule an Appointment ” and  
follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment. Once  
you finish scheduling an appointment, the system will  
generate an appointment notice for you.  
If your alien relative is living outside of the United States,  
he or she will be interviewed by an appropriate U.S.  
Government official in accordance with DHS and DOS  
procedures for refugee and asylee derivative interviews in the  
specific country. Your relative will be notified of the  
date,time, and place for his or her interview.  
NOTE: If you have a question regarding a petition in the  
jurisdiction of an Asylum Office, you should contact the  
National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or  
visit our Internet website at www.uscis.gov. For TTY (deaf  
or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.  
Penalties  
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material  
fact or submit a false document with your Form I-730, we will  
deny your Form I-730 and may deny any other immigration  
benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties provided  
by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.  
USCIS Compliance Review and Monitoring  
By signing this petition, you have stated under penalty of  
perjury (28 U.S.C. section 1746) that all information and  
documentation submitted with this petition are complete, true,  
and correct. You also authorize the release of any information  
from your records that USCIS may need to determine your  
eligibility for the immigration benefit you are seeking and  
consent to USCIS verifying such information.  
What Are the Penalties for Committing Marriage  
Fraud?  
1. Title 8, United States Code, Section 1325, states that any  
person who knowingly enters into a marriage contract for  
the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration  
laws shall be imprisoned for not more than five years, or  
fined not more than $250,000, or both.  
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the  
authority to verify any information you submit to establish  
eligibility for the immigration benefit you are seeking at any  
time. USCIS' legal authority to verify this information is in  
8 U.S.C. sections 1103, 1155, and 1184, and 8 CFR Parts 103,  
204, 205, and 214. To ensure compliance with applicable  
laws and authorities, USCIS may verify information before or  
after your case is decided.  
2. Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, states that  
whoever willfully and knowingly falsifies a material fact,  
makes a false statement, or makes use of a false document  
will be fined up to $10,000 or imprisoned up to five years,  
or both.  
What Is Our Authority for Collecting This  
Information?  
USCIS requests the information on Form I-730 to carry out the  
immigration laws contained in Title 8, United States Code,  
Sections 1157(c)(2) and 1158(b)(3). USCIS needs this  
information to determine whether a person is eligible for  
immigration benefits. The information you provide and the  
Form I-730 Instructions (02/02/24) Page 6  
Agency verification methods may include, but are not limited  
to: review of public records and information; contact via  
written correspondence, the Internet, facsimile, or other  
electronic transmission, or telephone; unannounced physical  
site inspections of residences and locations of employment;  
and interviews. Information obtained through verification will  
be used to assess your compliance with the laws and to  
determine your eligibility for the benefit sought.  
Paperwork Reduction Act  
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information  
collection, and a person is not required to respond to a  
collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid  
OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this  
collection of information is estimated at 40 minutes per  
response, including the time for reviewing instructions,  
gathering the required documentation and information,  
completing the petition, attaching necessary documentation,  
and submitting the petition. Send comments regarding this  
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of  
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden,  
to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of  
Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900  
Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD  
20588-0009. OMB No. 1615-0037. Do not mail your  
completed Form I-730 to this address.  
Subject to the restrictions under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(16), USCIS  
will provide you with an opportunity to address any adverse  
or derogatory information that may result from a USCIS  
compliance review, verification, or site visit after a formal  
decision is made on your case or after the agency has initiated  
an adverse action which may result in revocation or  
termination of an approval.  
DHS Privacy Notice  
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this petition  
and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration  
and Nationality Act, 8 United States Code sections 1103, 1158,  
1225, 1228, and Title II of Public Law 105-100.  
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested  
information on this petition is for a refugee or asylee to  
request follow-to-join benefits for his/her spouse and/or  
unmarried children under 21 years of age. DHS uses the  
information you provide to grant or deny the immigration  
benefit you are seeking.  
Check List  
1. Did you answer each question on Form I-730  
according to the instructions on the petition?  
2. Did you sign and date Form I-730?  
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary.  
However, failure to provide the requested information,  
including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any  
requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in  
denial of your petition.  
Did you submit proof of your status as a refugee or  
asylee in the United States?  
3.  
4. Did you submit documented proof of relationship,  
including copies and translations?  
5. Did you submit the beneficiary's photo?  
ROUTINE USES: DHS may, where allowable under relevant  
confidentiality provisions, share the information you provide  
on this petition and any additional requested evidence with  
other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies  
and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine  
uses described in the associated published system of records  
notices [DHS/USCIS/ICE/CBP-001 Alien File, Index, and  
National File Tracking System, DHS/USCIS-017 Refugee  
Case Processing and Security Screening Information System of  
Records, DHS/USCIS-010 Asylum Information and Pre-  
screening System, and DHS/USCIS-018 Immigration  
Biometric and Background Check] and the published privacy  
impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-016a Computer Linked  
Application Information Management System and Associated  
Systems and DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity  
Management for International Operations] which you can find  
at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share this  
6. Did you provide the beneficiary's address where he  
or she is residing now?  
Did you provide the beneficiary's name and address  
as written in the language of his or her country of  
residence?  
7.  
8.  
9.  
If your beneficiary is currently residing in the  
United States, did he or she review the information  
on this petition for accuracy?  
If your beneficiary is currently residing in the  
United States, did he or she read the certification  
statement, sign it, and date it?  
information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in  
the interest of national security.  
Form I-730 Instructions (02/02/24) Page 7