Immigrants & Immigration

You will need to provide proof you qualify for VAWA, along with filing the Form I-360. Gather documents to show the following:

• Your legal relationship to the abuser,
• That you resided with the abuser at some point, 
• That you’ve suffered battery or extreme cruelty at the hands of your abusive family member,
• That you have been a person of “good moral character” for the past three years, and,
• Proof of the abuser’s death, or your divorce (if applicable).

Read more details about gathering evidence to prove your eligibility for VAWA.
 

Your statement should include details about your relationship with the abuser, including, if applicable, how you met. You should also include details about when the abuse started, and specific examples of what happened. You should also talk about your good moral character, such as being a good parent or helping your community.

Learn about writing your personal statement.

Download a copy of the Form I-360 from the USCIS website. Always make sure you go directly to the USCIS website to download the latest form edition. If you use an old one by accident, your application will be rejected.

You may download and print a blank form, and handwrite your answers. Your handwriting must be clear and legible. USCIS requires that the form is completed with black ink. You can also download the form, and fill it out using a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat Reader. Then you can print out the filled in form. You must sign and date the form. Electronic signatures are not accepted for paper-filled forms.

It’s highly recommended that you review the instructions for Form I-360. They are available as a separate file from the USCIS website. The Form I-360 is used for several types of petitions. The instructions for VAWA self-petitioners begin on Page 6 of the January 20, 2025 version of the form instructions.

In Part 1, Question 6, you will need to fill out your actual mailing address. If you do not feel safe receiving mail about your case at this address, then you can provide an alternative “safe address” that is different from where you live. You will provide your safe address in Part 1, Question 7. The government allows this for self-petitioners’ safety, and so they only send mail to a place where the abuser cannot find it. This address may be a post office box, the address of a friend, your attorney, a community-based organization that is helping you, or any other address where you can safely and punctually receive mail. 

In Part 2. Classification Requested, select box I, J, or K, depending on whether you are the spouse, child or parent of an abusive US citizen or LPR. Select only one box.

For Part 3, include your information. You will enter your address a second time.

If you currently live in the US, leave Part 4, question 1 blank. Provide the last city or town you lived in outside of the US in Part 4, question 2. Complete the rest of Part 4 with your information. If you are applying for a green card at the same time, check “Yes” for Part 4, question 7.

Skip Parts 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Complete Part 10. This asks you for information about the abuser.

Complete and sign Part 11. If you do not sign the application, USCIS will reject it.

Print out a completed copy of your Form I-360. This should be at the top of your application packet. The rest of your evidence should go after your Form I-360, with your personal statement first. Be sure all documents are in English. If they are not, also include a certified English translation along with the non-English document.

Make a physical copy of the entire application packet for your records. Also, scan the entire packet so you have a digital copy. Keep these copies in a safe place.

The Form I-360 and all other documents should be paper clipped or binder clipped together. Do not use staples. If you are also filing a Form I-485, you will include the form and any other applicable forms and evidence with your Form I-360.

Put all documents in one large envelope or box if they are large enough. Ensure the correct mailing address is listed and a return address is included.

Where you mail your self-petition depends on where you live. The USCIS website lists where someone should file their Form I-360 based on a VAWA self-petition.

If you are also filing a Form I-485, you will mail the form and any other applicable forms and evidence together with your Form I-360 to the same address.

If you live in Illinois, you must mail your VAWA self-petition to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. Check the USCIS page for the most up-to-date filing addresses. Be sure to mail your packet using a service with some kind of certified tracking. This is so you can make sure your packet is delivered. Keep all mailing receipts. Print or download any records showing when your application was delivered to the Chicago Lockbox.

Note that there are two different addresses for the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. One address is for people who plan to mail using the U.S. Postal Service (the regular post office). The other is for someone who is going to use a private mailing service like FedEx or UPS. Be sure to use the correct address for the service you are using.