← Part of the American Visa Guide

Master Document Checklist

All documents needed across I-130, NVC, medical, and interview stages: organized by document type to eliminate duplication.

✓ Required at this stage
* Conditional (scenario-dependent)
n/a Not required

Civil & Identity Documents

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
Passport (Beneficiary) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Original required at all stages. Biographic page for NVC. At interview, London asks for a passport valid for six months beyond your intended date of entry to the US.
Birth Certificate (Beneficiary) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Certified copy. If UK-issued, provide translation if not in English.
Birth Certificate (Petitioner) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Certified copy. Establishes petitioner identity.
Marriage Certificate ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Certified copy. Required for all spouse petitions at all stages.
Divorce Decrees / Death Certificates ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ For any prior marriage. Required at all stages if either party previously married.
Name Change Deed * * * * Required at all stages if name changed (marriage, deed poll, etc.)
Adoption Documents * * * * Required at all stages if applicable (IR2/CR2 children).

Financial Documents (I-864 Affidavit of Support)

All financial documents are for NVC stage and beyond. Primary sponsor + any joint sponsors must each complete I-864, and each must separately meet the US domicile requirement. A joint sponsor cures insufficient income only: where the petitioner fails domicile, the joint sponsor cannot be accepted and the applicant is refused. Additional US domicile and public charge evidence required for medical and interview.

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
I-864 (Affidavit of Support) n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Wet-signed (not digital). Each sponsor completes separately.
I-864A (Joint Sponsor / Household Member) n/a * * * Required for any household member aged 18+ contributing income to support beneficiary.
IRS Transcript (All Sponsors) n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Via IRS.gov with ID.me. Most recent tax year required for every sponsor (Form I-864 instructions, 08/24/26). Last 3 years strongly recommended.
Tax Return Complete (All Sponsors) n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Full return with all schedules if self-employed (C/E/F/SE). Most recent year required; last 3 years strongly recommended.
Employment Letter (Current Job) n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Confirming employment, job title, and income for all sponsors.
US W2s and/or 1099s n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Last 3 years strongly recommended, to match the returns. Establishes US employment history. Posts list the most recent W-2 on public charge 221(g) checklists.
US Bank Statements * ✓ ✓ ✓ Recent statements showing US domicile and financial capacity. 3-6 months recommended. Opening a US account and transferring funds are both named in State Department guidance as evidence of establishing domicile.
US Lease or Mortgage/Deed n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Supports US domicile, but evidences an address rather than residence. Never submit it as the only domicile evidence: pair it with utility bills, US tax filings showing domestic earned income, or a US job contract.
US Household Utility Bills n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Recent bills (electricity, gas, water) showing US address. Last 3 months.
Business Bank Statements (12 months) n/a * * * If self-employed only. Shows business viability and cash flow.
Business Registration / EIN n/a * * * Proof of business establishment if self-employed.
Intent to Re-Domicile (If Applicable) n/a * * * Treat as required, not optional, wherever the petitioner lives abroad: a joint sponsor cures income but cannot cure the petitioner's domicile, and a petitioner who fails it does not qualify as a sponsor. Moving contract, job contract, job applications, school/childcare inquiries, rental property contracts, US bank account opened or funds transferred, Social Security number application, dated statement of intent. The petitioner must be resident in the US, or arriving, no later than the date the beneficiary immigrates.
Public Charge Statement & Evidence n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Written statement (treat as required, even where the embassy calls it voluntary) plus evidence of US housing, US healthcare plan (employer, private, ACA marketplace), how housing and insurance are paid for, and the beneficiary's professional qualifications/evidence of ability to work in US. See the statement template.

Relationship & Supporting Evidence

Most relationship evidence is submitted with I-130. For spouse cases, this is especially critical.

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
Relationship Timeline ✓ n/a n/a n/a Narrative: how you met, key milestones, cohabitation start.
Photos (Wedding & Together) ✓ n/a n/a n/a Multiple dated photos with locations. Essential for spouse cases.
Travel Records ✓ n/a n/a n/a Evidence of joint travel. Booking confirmations, hotel receipts.
Communication Logs ✓ n/a n/a n/a Emails, text messages, call logs over time.
Joint Financial Accounts * n/a n/a n/a Bank statements with both names. Strong evidence if available; not required if spouses live in different countries.
Joint Lease or Mortgage * n/a n/a n/a Proof of shared residence with both names. Strong evidence if available; not required if spouses live in different countries.
Insurance Policies ✓ n/a n/a n/a Life, health, auto insurance naming spouse as beneficiary.
Affidavits from Friends/Family * n/a n/a n/a Notarized statements. Helpful if evidence sparse.

Police & Background Documents

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
ACRO Police Certificate (UK) n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Required if beneficiary aged 16+. Original only (never placeholder). Valid 12 months.
Foreign Police Certificate n/a * * * For any country lived 12+ months after age 16 and/or where beneficiary is a citizen. Original required.
Military Records n/a * * * If applicable (military service history).
Court / Prison Records n/a * * * If applicable (any criminal history or court proceedings).

Medical & Vaccination Documents

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
Vaccination Records n/a n/a ✓ n/a Required for all beneficiaries. Original booklet/records. Bring to medical exam.
GP Summary (Medical History) n/a n/a ✓ n/a Required for all beneficiaries. Summary of medical history from GP.
Additional Medical Information n/a n/a * n/a If applicable (documentation for complex chronic conditions).
Glasses/Contact Lenses n/a n/a * n/a If worn regularly. Required at medical exam.
Pink Medical Checklist Slip n/a n/a ✓ ✓ Received from medical exam. REQUIRED to bring to embassy doc check and interview. Proves medical completed.

Passport Photos & Biographic Documents

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
US-Style 2x2" Passport Photo n/a n/a ✓ ✓ 1 per beneficiary. Submitted at embassy document check. Used for sealed interview packet.
Passport Biographic Page n/a ✓ n/a n/a Photocopy for NVC upload.
Photocopies of All Civil Documents n/a n/a ✓ ✓ Photocopies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, passports. Bring originals and copies.

Forms & Applications

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
Form I-130 ✓ n/a n/a n/a Petition for Alien Relative. Petitioner signs. Beneficiary does not sign if outside US.
I-130A (Beneficiary Supplement) ✓ n/a n/a n/a Required for all spouse visas (CR1/IR1). Unsigned if completed outside the US.
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Wet-signed for primary sponsor (petitioner). Each sponsor completes separately.
I-864A (Joint Sponsor / Household Member) n/a * * * For any household member aged 18+ contributing income to support beneficiary.
Form DS-260 (Visa Application) n/a ✓ n/a n/a Online to NVC. All fields required. Prepare answers in advance (form times out).
DS-260 Confirmation Page n/a ✓ ✓ ✓ Printed from CEAC after submitting DS-260. Bring to medical exam and interview.
IV18a Questionnaire n/a n/a ✓ n/a Download from the U.S. Embassy London website (not CEAC), complete and print. Bring to medical exam.

Interview Packet & Day-of Documents

Document I-130 NVC Medical Interview Notes
Interview Letter n/a n/a ✓ ✓ Printed from email. Bring to medical exam and interview.
Sealed Interview Packet n/a n/a ✓ ✓ From embassy document check. Contains passport photo + medical results. Do not open before the interview. No document check? There is no packet: bring all originals and one passport photo to the interview (details).
Pink Medical Checklist Slip n/a n/a ✓ ✓ Received from medical exam and taken to embassy. REQUIRED at interview. Proves medical was completed.
Any Requested Documents n/a n/a n/a * Any additional documents specifically requested by embassy in interview letter.
About this checklist: This consolidated master checklist combines requirements from all four stages (I-130, NVC, medical, and interview) organized by document type to eliminate duplication. Requirements vary by visa category and individual circumstances, always refer to the stage-specific checklists and official USCIS/State Department guidance for your specific case.

Stage-Specific Checklists & Resources

This master checklist provides a consolidated view. For stage-specific guidance and detailed forms: