Printable document checklist

U visa and VAWA document checklist

A printable list of the documents the official USCIS instructions ask for in a U visa petition (Form I-918 with Supplement B and Supplement A) and in a VAWA self-petition (Form I-360), with the form instruction or regulation behind each item.

Reviewed by Carlos Maury, former U.S. Immigration Judge. Last reviewed: October 6, 2026.

Download this checklist as a PDF to print or share.

How to use this checklist

This is a printable checklist. To print it, use your browser's Print command (Ctrl+P, or Command+P on a Mac), or download the PDF linked above. Tick each box as you gather the document. Each item notes which official form instructions or regulation asks for it, so you can check it against the source. Not every item applies to every person, and the instructions allow other credible evidence in many places.

Part A. U visa: Form I-918 for the victim

The Form I-918 instructions list the "Required Initial Evidence" below. One document may support more than one point.

Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, completed and signed — Form I-918 instructions; USCIS rejects an unsigned petition. If home is not safe for mail, the form has a space for a safe mailing address.
Original Form I-918 Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification, signed by a certifying official — Form I-918 instructions, item 1 ("an original, properly and timely executed Supplement B"). Under 8 CFR 214.14(c)(2)(i) it must be signed within the six months immediately before you file, and the Supplement B instructions say it is valid for six months from the date of signature. USCIS does not accept a photocopy of its signature page. People who received U interim relief are not required to file it.
Proof that the signer was designated, if the head of the agency did not sign — Supplement B instructions: attach evidence of the agency head's written designation of the certifying official.
Personal statement — Form I-918 instructions, item 7: a narrative describing the nature of the crime, when it happened, who was responsible, the events around it, how it came to be investigated or prosecuted, and the substantial physical or mental abuse you suffered. A parent, guardian or next friend may submit it for a victim under 16, incapacitated or incompetent.
Evidence that you are a victim of a qualifying crime — item 2, for example police reports, court documents, trial transcripts, news articles, affidavits or orders of protection.
Evidence of substantial physical or mental abuse — item 3, for example reports or affidavits from medical personnel, social workers, school officials, clergy or court officials; orders of protection; photos of visible injuries supported by affidavits; and affidavits from people who know the facts. If the abuse was a pattern, document the pattern.
Evidence that you have information about the crime — item 4, such as reports and affidavits from police, judges and other court officials.
Evidence of helpfulness to the authorities — item 5, for example trial transcripts, court documents, police reports, copies of reimbursement forms for travel to and from court, and affidavits of other witnesses or officials.
Evidence that the crime qualifies and happened in the United States or violated U.S. law — item 6, for example a copy of the criminal statute showing the elements of the offense; for a crime abroad, the statute giving extraterritorial jurisdiction and proof it is prosecutable in federal court.
Age, incapacity or incompetence records, if a parent, guardian or next friend acts for the victim — items 4 and 5, for example a birth certificate, court documents recognizing the next friend, or medical records.
Your passport or travel document, even if expired — the Form I-918 instructions ask for its information on the petition if you used it to travel to the United States.
Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant, if you are inadmissible — Form I-918 instructions, item 8, and 8 CFR 214.14. It may be filed together with Form I-918. See the Form I-192 page.
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, if you live in the United States and want a work permit while you wait — the USCIS Form I-918 page says principal petitioners and qualifying family members may file it under category (c)(14) with their initial filing for a bona fide determination work permit. Do not file it for a family member who lives outside the United States.

Part A (continued). Qualifying family members: Form I-918 Supplement A

Family members are included with a separate supplement, filed with Form I-918 or later. The Form I-918 instructions ask for:

One completed and signed Form I-918 Supplement A for each family member — Form I-918 instructions, "Supplement A and Evidence to Support Supplement A".
Proof of the relationship — for a spouse, a civil marriage certificate and proof that any prior marriage of either spouse ended (divorce decree or death certificate); for a child, the child's birth certificate showing the parent's name; for a parent or an unmarried sibling under 18, the birth certificates the instructions list; for stepchildren and adopted children, the marriage certificate or adoption decrees the instructions describe.
Secondary evidence, if a required document does not exist — a statement explaining why, plus records such as church, census or school records, or two sworn affidavits from people with personal knowledge of the event.
Legal proof of a name change — if a name differs from the supporting document, for example a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.
Family member's passport or travel document information, even if expired — Supplement A asks for it if the family member used it to travel to the United States.

Part B. VAWA self-petition: Form I-360

A spouse, child or parent abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident family member files Form I-360 alone, without the abuser. The Form I-360 instructions (VAWA section) say you may file with any credible relevant evidence, and encourage the documents below; 8 CFR 204.2(c)(2) sets the same rule.

Form I-360, completed and signed — Form I-360 instructions. If home is not safe for mail, give an alternate or safe mailing address in Part 1.
Evidence of the abuser's U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status — Form I-360 instructions, evidence item 1.
Evidence of your legal relationship to the abuser — item 2: marriage and divorce decrees, birth certificates or other evidence. A spouse may still file within two years after the marriage ended if the end of the marriage is connected to the abuse, or within two years of a U.S. citizen abuser's death.
Proof that you lived with the abuser — item 3: one or more documents such as employment records, utility receipts, school records, hospital or medical records, children's birth certificates, mortgages, rental records, insurance policies or affidavits.
Evidence of battery or extreme cruelty — item 4: reports and affidavits from police, judges and court officials, medical personnel, school officials, clergy, social workers and social service agencies; copies of any order of protection or other court papers you filed to end the abuse.
Evidence of a good-faith marriage (spouses) — item 6: proof that one spouse was listed as the other's spouse on insurance policies, property leases, tax forms or bank statements; your own affidavit and affidavits of people who know about the courtship, wedding, shared home and life together.
Your affidavit of good moral character, if you are 14 or older — item 5.
Police clearances, if you are 14 or older — item 5 and 8 CFR 204.2(c)(2)(v): a local police clearance, state criminal background check or similar report from each place, in the United States or abroad, where you lived for six months or more during the three years immediately before filing. If one is not available, the regulation allows an explanation and other evidence with your affidavit.

Information in a VAWA or U visa case is protected by federal law: 8 U.S.C. 1367 bars officials from making an adverse admissibility or deportability decision using information furnished only by the abuser or perpetrator, and limits disclosure of information about the case. The Form I-360 instructions note this protection.

Translations, copies and originals

A full English translation of every foreign-language document, with the translator's certification — 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) and the I-918 and I-360 instructions: the translator certifies that the translation is complete and accurate and that he or she is competent to translate, with signature, printed name, date and contact information.
Translations for anything filed in immigration court — 8 CFR 1003.33: a foreign-language document must come with an English translation and the translator's signed certification of competence and accuracy.
Legible photocopies, not originals — both sets of instructions: send copies unless the instructions ask for an original; USCIS may request originals at any time and may destroy originals sent without being asked. The Supplement B certification is the exception: it must be the original.

Before you file

Forms change. Before you file, open the official Form I-918 and Form I-360 pages and check the current edition of the form and its instructions; USCIS may reject a form from the wrong edition. Check the mailing address on the form page itself, under "Where to File", on the day you file: this checklist does not list addresses. Have an attorney review the full packet before it is sent; our U visa and VAWA lawyer page explains how we help.

Frequently asked questions

How recent must the Supplement B certification be?

Under 8 CFR 214.14(c)(2)(i), Form I-918 Supplement B must be signed by the certifying official within the six months immediately before Form I-918 is filed. The Supplement B instructions say that if the victim does not file within six months, a new Supplement B is needed from the certifying agency.

Can I send a copy of the Supplement B?

No. The Form I-918 instructions require an original, properly and timely executed Supplement B, and the Supplement B instructions say USCIS will not accept a photocopy of its signature page or a typewritten name in place of a signature.

Do I need a police report for a VAWA self-petition?

No single document is required. The Form I-360 instructions and 8 CFR 204.2(c)(2) allow any credible relevant evidence. Police reports, protection orders, medical records and affidavits from people who know about the abuse are among the examples the instructions give.

Which police clearances does a VAWA self-petitioner need?

If you are 14 or older, the Form I-360 instructions ask for your affidavit of good moral character with a local police clearance, state criminal background check or similar report from each place in the United States or abroad where you lived for six months or more during the three years before filing. If one is not available, 8 CFR 204.2(c)(2)(v) allows an explanation and other evidence.

Do my documents need to be translated?

Yes, if they are in a foreign language. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) and the form instructions, USCIS needs a full English translation with the translator's certification of completeness, accuracy and competence. In immigration court, 8 CFR 1003.33 sets a similar rule.

Will the abuser find out about my VAWA or U visa case?

Federal law, 8 U.S.C. 1367, limits the disclosure of information about these cases and bars officials from making an adverse admissibility or deportability decision using information furnished only by the abuser or perpetrator. Both forms let you give a safe mailing address.

Where do I mail the forms?

Check the Where to File section of the official Form I-918 or Form I-360 page at uscis.gov on the day you file. Addresses change, so this checklist does not list them.

Official sources

Related services: U visa & VAWA lawyer

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