What are the Basic Requirements for a VAWA petition?
The self-petitioning spouse must be legally married to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident batterer. A self-petition may be filed if the marriage was terminated by the abusive spouse’s death within the two years prior to filing. A self-petition may also be filed if the marriage to the abusive spouse was terminated, within the two years prior to filing, by divorce related to the abuse. You must have been battered in the United States unless the abusive spouse is an employee of the United States government or a member of the uniformed services of the United States.
