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Change of Address Information
Most non-U.S. citizens must report a change of address within 10 days of moving within the United States or its territories. Exceptions include:
- Diplomats (visa status A);
- Official government representatives to an international organization (visa status G); and
- Certain nonimmigrants who do not possess a visa and who are in the U.S. for less than 30 days.
How Do I Report My Change of Address?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, and do not belong to one of the three excepted groups listed above, please refer to the following table:
| If you | Then you must |
|---|---|
Have no pending petitions or applications; NOTE: See Special Instructions below if you previously filed a:
| If you use our Online Change of Address, you do NOT need to file a paper Form AR-11. |
Have pending applications or petitions, you need to complete two steps: NOTE: See Special Instructions below if you previously filed a:
|
Use our convenient Online Change of Address system to complete steps 1 and 2 at the same time. Once you complete Form AR-11 online - the system will also provide you the opportunity to change your address on any pending or recently approved applications. If you use our Online Change of Address to complete Form AR-11, you do NOT need to file a paper Form AR-11. |
Special Instructions Have a pending or approved:
NOTE: If you previously filed a VAWA Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant, Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (“T visa”), Form I-918, Petition for U nonimmigrant Status (“U visa”), Form I-765V, Application for Employment Authorization for Abused Nonimmigrant Spouse, or Form I-485, Application to Adjust status as an abused spouse under the Cuban Adjustment Act, you must file a change of address with the Vermont Service Center for subsequent applications, including Forms I-90, I-131, I-192, I-485, I-601, I-765, I-929 or N-400. | File your AR-11 change of address request at: USCIS You may NOT change your address online or over the phone. |
NOTE: If you previously filed for a waiver of the I-751 joint filing requirement because you and/or your conditional resident child were abused, you must file a change of address with the USCIS office that originally processed your I-751, even for subsequent applications, including Forms I-90, I-131, I-192, I-485, I-601, I-765, I-929 and N-400. | File your AR-11 change of address request at the USCIS office that originally handled your I-751. You can find this by looking at the receipt number from your Form I-751. If the receipt notice for your I-751 begins with "EAC", submit your request to: USCIS Vermont Service Center If the receipt notice for your I-751 begins with "SRC", submit your request to: USCIS Texas Service Center If the receipt notice for your I-751 begins with “LIN”, submit your request to: OR If the receipt notice for your I-751 begins with “WAC”, submit your request to: USCIS California Service Center You may NOT change your address online or over the phone. |
Completing the process online:
- You can change your address online and update your address on pending applications and petitions at the same time using our Online Change of Address system.
- The Online Change of Address system will first prompt you to complete Form AR-11 electronically.
- Once you complete Form AR-11, the system will prompt you to complete the second step and update your address on any pending or recently approved applications and petitions.
-
If you have outstanding applications or petitions and do not complete this second step, you will still need to update your address by calling 1-800-375-5283 or by returning to the online system at a later time. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.
- NOTE: If you previously filed a VAWA-based Form I-360, Form I-914, Application for T nonimmigrant Status (“T visa”), Form I-918, Petition for U nonimmigrant Status (“U visa”), Form I-765V, Application for Employment Authorization for Abused Nonimmigrant Spouse, Form I-485 for an abused spouse under the Cuban Adjustment Act, or a waiver of the Form I-751 joint filing requirement because you and/or your conditional resident child were abused, you may NOT change your address online or over the phone.
If you mail a paper Form AR-11:
- We strongly recommend using certified, registered or return receipt mail. This will give you documentation that you did mail the form to USCIS, in case there should ever be a question.
- You must still update your address on any pending or recently approved applications by calling 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.
What Should I Include?
For the Form AR-11: Complete the information requested on the form, including present address, last address (most recent only), alien or registration number, country of citizenship, date of birth, and your signature.
You do not need to include temporary addresses as long as you maintain your present address as your permanent residence and continue to receive mail there.
When sending us a change of address, you do not need to include numerous last addresses; only the most recent last address is needed.
Be sure to also indicate in the appropriate block on the Form AR-11 your current employment and school, where applicable.
U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens are not required to file a Form AR-11 and can make a change of address on pending cases via our Online Change of Address page or by calling 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833. U.S. Citizens who do not have an application or petition pending with USCIS are only legally required to notify USCIS of a change of address if they have previously submitted a Form I-864 on behalf of someone who has become a permanent resident. If you have previously submitted a Form I-864 for someone who immigrated to the U.S., you must complete a Form I-865 within thirty days of the completion of your move.
Civil Surgeons
USCIS-designated civil surgeons are not required to file a Form AR-11 and should go to www.uscis.gov/i-910 for information on how to make a change of address. Civil surgeons must notify USCIS within fifteen days of the change.
Additional Information
The address reporting requirement should not be confused with renewal or replacement of lawful permanent resident cards (Form I-551) or replacement of other evidence of alien registration, such as the Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record; I-186, Nonresident Mexican Border Crossing Card; I-688, Temporary Resident Card; or, I-766, Employment Authorization Document.
Background
All non-U.S. citizens (aliens) who are required to be registered are also required to keep the USCIS informed of their current address. This is particularly important when you have filed an application or petition for a benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and expect notification of a decision on that application, petition, or request. In addition, the USCIS may need to contact you to provide other issued documents or return original copies of evidence you submitted.
Where Can I Find The Law?
The INA is a law that governs immigration in the United States. For the part of the law concerning reporting of your address and for the penalties if you do not comply, please see INA Parts 265 and 266. The specific requirements for reporting your change of address are federal regulations found in 8 CFR Part 265 and 8 CFR Section 264.1(f)(6), concerning designated special registrants.
Penalties for Failure to Comply
A willful failure to give written notice to the USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of moving to the new address is a misdemeanor crime. If convicted, you (or the parent or legal guardian of an alien under 14 years of age who is required to give notice) can be fined up to $200 or imprisoned up to 30 days, or both. The alien may also be subject to removal from the United States. (INA Section 266(b)). Compliance with the requirement to notify the USCIS of any address changes is also a condition of your stay in the United States. Failure to comply could also jeopardize your ability to obtain a future visa or other immigration benefit.
