How to file an I-130 petition for your spouse in Tallinn

The Department of Homeland Security has delegated authority to Consular officers to approve petitions for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who have their principal residence in the Estonia and have maintained that residence for at least six months or more.

To file an I-130 immediate relative petition with the Consulate General in Tallinn for your spouse, you will have to prepare and bring the following (forms are available at www.uscis.gov):

1. A Form I-130 immediate relative petition;
2. One copy of Form G-325A filled out and signed by each party. Please fill out the forms as completely as you can. The Consulate will assist you where necessary, when you come in to file;
3. Attach one photograph of yourself and one of your spouse to your G-325A.
4. Original of your marriage certificate
5. Original of all divorce certificates/decrees, if applicable;
6. Original of death certificate(s) if applicable;
7. Original of Estonian residence permit(s). If dual national bring both U.S. and Estonian passports. If military bring originals of your military ID card and orders stationing you in the Estonia;
8. Originals of passport of both petitioner and beneficiary. If military and you do not have a U.S. passport, please bring the original of your U.S. birth certificate;
9. Original of official translations into English of all documents;
10. The appropriate filing fee, currently $355, payable in cash (Kroons or US dollars) or by major credit card.

The U.S. citizen must come in and file in person during the immigration service opening hours. Please contact the Consular Section at 668-8100 to make an appointment.

It is recommended that the beneficiary accompany petitioner but it is not a strict requirement, as long as the petitioner brings all original documents.

Apostilles are not required for immigration purposes.

The Consular officer will initially accept the petition but cannot approve until the petitioner has been screened by the DHS, a law enforcement agency, as required by the provisions of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act ("Adam Walsh Act"), Pub. L. No 109-248, amended section of the Immigration and Nationality Act. As this is a new procedure the Consulate General cannot indicate how long this will take. Once approved the beneficiary of your petition will receive detailed application instructions. An application processing fee of $ 355 plus immigrant visa security surcharge of $ 45 will be charged (in addition to the $ 355 petition fee). A typical application for a spousal immigrant visa will not have to exceed 10 weeks.

*If the beneficiary is not Estonian the Consulate may ask for proof he/she has permission to reside in the Estonia long enough to process the immigrant visa application. An Estonian residence permit is preferred but you may demonstrate this in other ways.