How to File a Petition Yourself

Important: this page is for informational purposes only. We are not lawyers, we share information from open sources and do not provide any legal or immigration advice or consultations. The full liability disclaimer is located at the bottom of the page.

If you're considering preparing petition materials on your own, these texts from public sources can help you better understand the process structure. That means our Knowledge Center was created for a reason. We appreciate your attention and trust, and hope that links to real approved petitions will serve not just as a good example but also as a reward for your diligence. However, in complex cases, USCIS recommends consulting a licensed attorney.

You can view and download real approved petitions on this page or in the menu.

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But don't celebrate too early — petitions sometimes consist of thousands of pages, so this is not simple work either.

If self-preparation seems too complex, you can always consider working with professionals who have signed the Approach of Caring for a Person's Destiny. Their list is in the open section " Verified Specialists." The choice of provider and all risks remain entirely with you.

The algorithm described in this section is a generalized summary of public USCIS materials, not an official action guide. Before any filings, be sure to check current requirements at uscis.gov and, if needed, consult a licensed U.S. immigration attorney. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of these steps on the date of your filing.

These professionals have publicly declared their adherence to the ethical Approach of Caring for a Person's Destiny. We receive no compensation for mentions and bear no responsibility for their services.

USCIS explicitly states in its instructions that EB-1A applicants may file a petition themselves (self-petition). This is not legal advice — we are merely referring to the official instruction text.

You can reach out to them at any stage — meaning if you compile the case and text yourself, the specialists can share their perspective or experience working with materials, identify possible errors, share their own experience, or help draw attention to common technical mistakes and, as they say nowadays, make it more powerful.

Read about services and their cost here link.

And for true samurai, there is only the path they have chosen. So forward — to knowledge!

So the procedure, viewed from above, consists of several stages. Information about the official filing process can be found on the USCIS website.

Applicants often start by familiarizing themselves with the rules for accepting paper petitions (and you may be filing in paper form) on the official USCIS website Link

Or simply read the translation from us:

How to Format the Petition Text

The tips below are purely organizational and formatting in nature and are not legal recommendations

• Text is typed in a standard, classic Times New Roman font, size 12–14 pt — it's easy to read and looks professional.
• Bold text highlights the most important points so the officer, flipping through pages, immediately sees the key moments. But not too often, so the page doesn't turn into a Christmas tree.
• Italics are convenient for subpoints, internal explanations, or quotes — but don't overuse them, as on printed pages they're harder to read than regular text.
• Quotes are set in italics with slightly larger margins on both sides — this immediately creates a sense of structure and neatness.

For O-1, the basis is Form I-129; for EB-1A (extraordinary ability) — Form I-140 (self-petition is allowed)

All forms can be found here Link

Or download for review right here. For filling out, it's better to download from the official website, in case the forms on the site are updated and we don't catch up

Forms are usually submitted in paper form unless instructions specify otherwise. Filing details are on the official USCIS page.

For EB-1A (extraordinary ability) — Form I-140 (self-petition allowed), and in both cases everything starts with the official form page and its instructions. On the I-129 and I-140 pages you'll find "Where to file," current fees, premium processing options, and typical evidence requirements; this is your basic guide, which we build upon below.

You can start by downloading the form instructions and reading the "Evidence," "Translations," and "Where to File" sections. USCIS explicitly states: do not send originals unless specifically requested — clear copies are sufficient, and any document in a foreign language must be accompanied by a full English translation with translator certification. For I-140, there's even a separate "Checklist of Required Initial Evidence," which prominently states: originals only when required by instructions or regulations.

Layout and Material Submission

The tips below are purely organizational and formatting in nature and are not legal recommendations

USCIS doesn't mandate a specific font, but common sense is our friend: standard 12pt size, readable font, normal margins, and numbered pages. Inside the package, create a cover letter: who is filing, what is being filed, a brief executive summary of the case, list of sections, and a table of contents with numbered "Exhibits." On each exhibit, place a heading and a brief context line so the officer doesn't have to guess "why is this here." For EB-1A and O-1, be sure to align the narrative with the criteria: explain which criteria you are "covering" and clearly tie evidence to them.

Paper Formatting: What to Do and What Not to Do

USCIS now mass-scans paper packages, so they have specific advice on how not to slow down your case during digitization. The latest "Tips for Filing Forms by Mail" and the alert about avoiding scanning delays explicitly say: don't hole-punch, don't staple, don't bind, don't clip documents together, don't use tab dividers, albums, CD/DVD/flash drives, don't fold documents, and don't print on colored paper. Better — clean sheets, neatly arranged, complete set, without "office creativity." This is no joke: "beautiful" folders cause real delays in scanning.

Where and How to Send

Physical packages are sent to the USCIS Lockbox or service center, depending on the form and category; the official guide "Five Steps to File at the USCIS Lockbox" — provides a concise checklist: what to submit, when, how to pay, how to assemble, and where to send. Verify the address on your specific form's page under "Where to File" — addresses change from time to time.

Payment and Receipts

To track package acceptance, add Form G-1145 on top — you'll receive an SMS/email as soon as the package is accepted and a receipt number is generated. The most convenient way to pay for paper filing now is by card using Form G-1450; USCIS officially asks to place G-1450 on top of the package. If the bank declines the transaction — the package will be rejected, so notify your bank about a large transaction. Starting November 2025, payment is accepted online from your account.

Premium Processing (optional). For I-129 (O-1) and most I-140s, I-907 is available. Can be filed together with the petition or "upgraded" later; the I-907 fee is paid separately from the main fee. This doesn't replace evidence requirements but guarantees a fast decision from USCIS.

Online Filing, if available. Some forms USCIS allows filing online via a myUSCIS account; if your category is supported, review "Tips for Filing Forms Online" regarding file formats and size limits. But even online files must meet the same completeness and scan/translation quality requirements.

Originals vs. Copies and Translations. The rule is simple: copies are sufficient unless instructions require an original. Translations must be complete and certified (translator's certification), submitted without "abbreviations." This is a universal USCIS requirement.

After Sending. With G-1145, you'll quickly receive a notification, followed by a paper I-797C with your case number. Check status in your online account. If you filed I-907 — expect a response within the premium timeline; if not — patiently track your file's progress.

Tone and Structure of Materials

From public sources, it's known that bold is used to highlight things the officer needs to "catch with their eyes" during a quick review: for example, media coverage, circulation, reader metrics. Italics — for quotes, publication names, minor remarks. But don't turn the package into a formatting carnival: impress not with brightness but with logic, evidence, and clean presentation. For O-1 and EB-1A, a simple formula works: clear narrative → mapped criteria → labeled exhibits. And if you want to go 110% — add a compact 1–2 page executive summary so the officer immediately "sees" the case.

Legal accuracy instead of legal advice. We don't provide legal consultations — we're about process and procedure. The applicant is responsible for content: you honestly describe facts, don't embellish, and don't get "creative." USCIS directly values clarity and neatness of the package, as well as the fact that you don't create scanning "quests" with clips and albums.

See real petitions on a separate page Link

Please note: these examples are provided exclusively for educational and illustrative purposes. They are not a template, legal advice, or a guarantee of approval of any petition or visa. Every case is individual, and USCIS evaluates your own evidence and circumstances.