245(i) Grandfathering Filing Evidence

What this is

The older filing records used to prove that a qualifying petition or labor-certification filing created 245(i) grandfathering in the first place.

Case-specific: Whether this document matters depends on category, facts, or relationship to the case.

Who usually needs it

Applicants relying on 245(i) need it because the later adjustment filing depends on proving the old qualifying filing history, not just current hardship or convenience.

When it usually appears

Usually before or alongside the later adjustment packet, once the case is testing whether a grandfathering theory is even available.

What changes by process, path, or post

The main issue is tracing the old filing date, filer, and qualifying relationship to the current applicant, often through incomplete historical records.

Common format or evidence traps

• Assuming family lore about an old filing is enough without documentary proof.
• Proving that an old filing existed but not that it creates grandfathering for this applicant.

Related pages

• Adjustment of status guideSee the USCIS route inside the United States.
• Pathway explorerUse pathway families if you still need the legal route.

Related glossary terms

Pathway family · Inadmissibility

Examples from current exact-support flows

Coverage posture: Current public exact-support flows attach only one direct example to this document. Treat that example as narrow context, not as proof that the document only matters in that one scenario.

• Usually needed

  Provide evidence of the qualifying immigrant petition or labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001, that grandfathers you under INA 245(i). This is the primary eligibility anchor. The filing must have been approvable when filed. Acceptable evidence includes the original receipt notice, the approved or pending petition, or the approved labor certification. If the original petition record is lost or aged, gather secondary evidence as described in the Supplement A instructions and the 245(i) regulation. (Sources: uscis_245i_page, uscis_i485_supplement_a_instructions, ecfr_8_cfr_245_10)

  Shown when: scope.green_card_path: other · scope.processing_context: adjustment-of-status · other.subcategory: 245i-overlay