Change
of Address with USCIS
Notifying USCIS
of a Change of Address Is Important
It is the sole
responsibility of the applicant/petitioner to ensure USCIS has the correct
address information on file. Adjudication of filings can result in Requests for
Evidence (RFEs), and most correspondence sent by USCIS is not forwarded even if
a change of address was filed with the U.S. Postal Service. Generally, USCIS denies
cases as abandoned when a customer fails to timely respond to an RFE. To
ensure that USCIS correspondence is sent to the right address, those seeking
benefits must take affirmative steps to notify the agency of address changes.
Change of
Address Requirements: Differences between U.S. citizens and
non-U.S.
citizens
U.S. Citizens
Not required by
law, but it's important that you report a change of address for pending cases.
Online: USCIS Online Change of Address https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa OR By phone:
1-800-375-5283.
Non-U.S.
Citizens
By law, you must
complete Form AR-11 to report any change in permanent address within 10 days of
your move. Online: USCIS Online Change of Address https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa (recommended)* OR By mail: Download Form
AR-11 and Instructions http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf .
Note penalty: Willful failure
to give written notice to USCIS of a change of address within 10 days is a
misdemeanor crime, and could also jeopardize the ability to obtain a future
immigration benefit.
*The Ombudsman
recommends reporting changes of address online. U.S. citizens will be brought
directly to the page where they may update their address for any pending USCIS
applications or petitions. Non-U.S. citizens will first be required to report
changes of address by completing an electronic Form AR-11 http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf , and
thereafter may separately update their address for pending cases.
Pending Cases
with USCIS
U.S. and non-U.S. citizens can report a change of address online via USCIS Online Change of Address https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa or by calling 1-800-375-5283. Non-U.S. citizens will still need to complete the AR-11 form noted above. Be sure to have the case number(s) ready. Please note that the U.S. Postal Service does not forward most USCIS correspondence.