What Was Form I-131F?

What Was Form I-131F?

Form I-131F (officially called “Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens”) was an electronic form introduced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as part of the “Keeping Families Together” Parole in Place (PIP) expansion.

How Much Did Form I-131F Cost?

Form I-131F (Application for Parole in Place)

• Filing Fee: $580
• Method: Online filing only through your myUSCIS account
• Fee Waiver: Not available for this form

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Eligibility

You were eligible for this form if you were a noncitizen spouse or stepchild of a U.S. citizen and met the following criteria:

• Presence in the U.S.: You had to have been in the United States without lawful admission or parole.
• Continuous Presence:
  • For spouses: Continuously physically present in the U.S. since June 17, 2014 through the date you filed your request.
  • For stepchildren: Continuously physically present in the U.S. since June 17, 2024 through the date you filed your request.
• Relationship:
  • Spouse: Legally married to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
  • Stepchild: A noncitizen parent was legally married to a U.S. citizen before your 18th birthday and on or before June 17, 2024.
• Criminal History: You should not have had a significant criminal history or be considered a threat to national security. The following made you ineligible:
  • Any pending criminal charges as well as offenses including firearms, sexual abuse, domestic violence or exploitation and most drug offenses, regardless of whether it is classified as a felony. However, if you have a criminal record that does not include any of the above, you may potentially qualify for PIP.

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Supporting Documents

When applying for PIP, you needed to provide various supporting documents to prove to the government you were eligible to apply.

Below is the information and supporting evidence you needed to provide:

1. Personal Information:
   • Full name and any other names used.
   • Current mailing and physical addresses.
   • Phone number and email address.
   • Birth date.
   • Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if applicable.
   • Country of birth and citizenship.
   • Gender, marital status (including the date of marriage), and U.S. Social Security number (if any).
   • USCIS online account number (if any).
   • Biographical details: height, weight, hair and eye color, race, and ethnicity.
2. Evidence of Identity (foreign spouse):
   • A valid government-issued driver’s license 
   • The identity page of your passport
   • A national ID card from your home country with your photo
   • A school ID card with your photo or
   • Any other official ID with a photo
   • Make sure the copy clearly shows your picture and personal details. Expired documents are accepted.
3. Evidence of Spouse’s/Stepparent’s Citizenship:
   • U.S. birth certificate
   • Naturalization certificate
   • Certificate of citizenship,
   • Consular report of birth abroad or
   • U.S. passport.
4. Evidence of Relationship:
   • Marriage certificate
   • Documentation of termination of previous marriages (if applicable)
   • Birth certificate with noncitizen parent’s name (for stepchildren) or
   • Death certificate of U.S. citizen spouse/stepparent (if applicable).
5. Evidence of Physical Presence:
   • INS or DHS documents
   • Rent receipts
   • Utility bills
   • Tax returns
   • School records
   • Medical records
   • Religious records or
   • Other relevant documents showing continuous presence since the required dates.
6. Evidence Regarding Criminal Charges:
   • If you’ve been arrested or charged with any felony or misdemeanor in the U.S. or a crime in another country, you must provide evidence showing the outcome of the arrest or charges. However, you do not need to submit documentation for minor traffic violations, like driving without a license, unless they involve alcohol or drugs.
   • If you were arrested but no charges were filed, include an official statement from the arresting agency that no charges were filed. If you do not have this document, include an explanation as to why you don’t have this document and explain your efforts for obtaining one. 
   • If you were charged or convicted, include an original or court-certified copy that shows the final outcome of the criminal charge. If you do not have this document, include an explanation as to why you don’t have this document and explain your efforts for obtaining one. 
   • If you have ever had an arrest or conviction vacated or otherwise removed, include an original or court-certified copy showing this or an original statement from the court confirming that no record exists of the arrest or conviction.
7. Additional Evidence (if applicable):
   • Evidence of significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons for granting parole, and any and any other details you want USCIS to consider

USCIS also required that you included a personal statement explaining why you were applying for PIP.

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How to File

Form I-131F had to be filed online through the USCIS website. Each person applying for parole in place had to file a separate Form I-131F.

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