Changing your Address with USCIS
While living in the United States most foreign nationals are required by law to report a change of address to USCIS. This is very important because not only is failure to report your change of address a misdemeanor, but you could miss important communication regarding your status if USCIS mails you something to an old address.
When do I need to change my address with USCIS by?
If you have a temporary visa, such as an H-1b, you must update your address with USCIS within 10 days of moving to a new home.
If you are a permanent resident, you also must notify USCIS within 10 days of changing your address. This is true whether you have a 10-year or conditional 2-year green card.
If you are a U.S. citizen who has sponsored an immigrant by filling out Form I-864, officially known as an “Affidavit of Support,” you should notify USCIS within 30 days of any change in address. This isn’t a legal requirement, so you won’t face prosecution if you fail to notify USCIS, but it could cause delays or other problems for the immigrant.
Sponsor requirements remain in effect until the sponsored immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, receives credit for 40 quarters of work, formally leaves the United States and abandons resident status, loses resident status another way, or dies.
How to Update your Address with USCIS
There are 2 ways to submit a change of address to USCIS:
Online
The easiest way to change your address on file with USCIS is to use the “Enterprise Change of Address” (E-COA) online tool. You can access the tool via your USCIS online account.
By Mail
You can also register a change in address by submitting Form AR-11, officially known as an “Alien’s Change of Address Card”, by mail. Be sure to use black ink and to sign the form, or it may be rejected. The form includes instructions on where to mail it.
If you are have submitted an application for a VAWA, T-Visa, U-Visa, or an I-751 Abuse Waiver, there are special procedures for you to change your address. This is so that USCIS can comply with confidentiality protections as required by law. Check out this page of the USCIS website to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to update my address with USCIS both online and via the AR-11?
No- if you update your address online, you do not need to also mail in form AR-11.
Does every member of my family need to submit a separate change of address or can I submit one change of address for the whole family?
If you have non-citizen dependents or other family members, you’ll need to file a separate address-change notification for each member of your household.
What information do I need to provide to change my address with USCIS?
You will need to provide your new address, your old address, and your green card receipt number if you are a permanent resident
What if I didn’t update my address within the required timeframe?
If you didn’t update your address on time, you could theoretically face a fine, a jail sentence, or even deportation. That rarely happens, but you should update your address with USCIS immediately, and continue to update your address promptly following any future relocations.
What if I move after my naturalization interview has been scheduled?
You should still update USCIS within 10 days of changing your address, even if you have an interview scheduled. That way, USCIS will know to send any further correspondence to your current address.
What if I move out of the country?
You should still let USCIS know within 10 days of moving. If your immigration case is now being handled by the National Visa Center, it’s worth contacting them directly too in order to make sure they know your new address.
What if I temporarily don’t have an address?
You should update USCIS within 10 days even if you are moving from one temporary address to another. If you have no address whatsoever, you should update USCIS as soon as you resolve your situation and have even an address, even if it’s just a temporary one.
Does USCIS get notified if I use a USPS change of address form?
No, you will need to notify USCIS separately. Your USPS change of address form only covers the mail you receive, and won’t have any effect on the address that USCIS keeps on file for you. Also, USCIS correspondence isn’t typically forwarded by the USPS, even if you’ve filed a postal change of address form, so you will likely miss important correspondence unless you keep USCIS updated.
Still have questions or need help changing your address with USCIS? Please contact us! We are happy to help!