Instructions for How to Inform USCIS of a Change of Address

If you are a non-citizen living in the United States, you generally must inform U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of an address change. In fact, certain U.S. citizens should also submit a USCIS change of address form when they are involved with a pending case. It’s easy, and it’s free. So, there really is no reason not to keep your address up-to-date.

You are not required to seek approval for a change in residence. You’re free to move to a different home while in the United States as a permanent resident and other immigration status. But it is necessary to inform USCIS of your new location. Only the following types of non-citizens are not required to submit a USCIS change of address notification:

• Foreign diplomats (A visa)
• Government representatives to international organizations (G visa)
• Certain non-immigrants who do not possess a visa and who are in the U.S. for fewer than 30 days

Why Notify USCIS of an Address Change

Submitting a USCIS change of address form is essential to make sure the agency has your contact information for communication and because it’s the law.

USCIS may need to contact you regarding a pending application or important information regarding your status. For example, if you have a pending green card application, USCIS may deny the case if they don’t get a response to mailed communications. They will not call you to find out why you’re not responding.

What’s more, the obligation to provide a current address is law. For non-citizens, willfully failing to give USCIS your new address is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail. In fact, the government can even deport a permanent resident for failing to provide USCIS a new address, unless the green card holder can prove that: (1) the failure to report a change of address was “reasonably excusable” or (2) the failure was not “willful.” While it is rare that the government enforces this, it’s always best to be on the right side of the law.

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How to Do a USCIS Change of Address

Foreign nationals in the United States should notify USCIS of an address change within 10 days of the change. That means you should submit your address change no more than 10 days after moving to your new address.

You may notify USCIS using Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address). Submit the form electronically or by mail. Before getting started with Form AR-11, you’ll need to have your new address, old address, A-number (if applicable), and an email address. If you have any pending forms, you will also need the receipt number from each case.

If you file through the USCIS website, you’ll be able to fulfill your obligation and update any pending applications or petitions at the same time. Be sure to list the receipt number for every form that’s pending. For example, a green card applicant may need to submit a USCIS change of address for I-485, I-130, I-864, I-765 and I-131. If the petitioner has a new address, he or she would only need to submit an address change for the I-130. However, if there are multiple intending immigrants, the petitioner should be sure to list each I-130 receipt number.

Pending Petitions at the National Visa Center

If you file Form AR-11 online, USCIS indicates that they update your pending applications or petitions. However, cases that have moved on to the National Visa Center (NVC) require that you contact them directly.

If USCIS approved a Form I-130 or Form I-129F, it’s likely that they transitioned your case to the National Visa Center. The NVC is part of the State Department. (USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security.) Therefore, you’ll need to update your address with the NVC.

To provide your new address to the NVC, use their Public Inquiry Form. Additionally, you should advise them if your email address or phone number changes.

U.S. Citizens Should Inform USCIS of an Address Change in These Cases

There are at least a couple of situations that U.S. citizens and any petitioner should want to inform USSIC when there is a change of address.

Petitioning an Immigrant

As already mentioned, USCIS needs your current address to communicate with you regarding pending petitions. If you have filed Form I-130 or Form I-129F and the case continues to be pending, submit a USCIS change of address as soon as you know your new address. Or, contact the NVC with your new address.

Already Sponsoring an Immigrant

If at any time in the past you completed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, to sponsor an immigrant, you are required to report your change of address within 30 days of the change if the sponsorship agreement is still in force. However, do not use Form AR-11. If you, as a sponsor, change your address, you must submit a completed and signed Form I-865 (Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address) to USCIS.

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Victims of Crime

If you are the victim of domestic violence, trafficking, or other crime, do not use the online AR-11 to file an address change notification. Individuals in these categories generally include anyone that has filed for or received approval using VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), T or U non-immigrant status.

USCIS recommends individuals covered by these provisions use certified, registered, or return receipt mail to send Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address. Mail the form to:

U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Humanitarian Division
Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden St.
St. Albans, VT 05479

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