How Do I Report a Change of Address to the USCIS?
Background
Where Can I Find the Law?
Who Must Comply?
How Do I Report?
What Should I Include?
Additional Information
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 and expect notification of a decision on that application. In addition, the USCIS may need to contact you to provide other issued documents or return original copies of evidence you submitted. It is also mandatory for any alien who has been designated as a “special registrant” under
8 CFR § 264.1(f)(as amended by 67 Federal Register 52585 (August 12, 2002) to inform the USCIS whenever he or she has a change of address, employment or school. The special registrant rule is effective as of September 11, 2002.
In the past, our predecessor, the INS, required every alien in the United States to report his or her address annually, in January. They eliminated this requirement in 1980 and no longer requires annual reporting. However, the USCIS still requires reporting of any address change within 10 days of the change.
Where Can I Find The Law?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (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 § 265 and 266. The specific requirements for reporting your change of address are federal regulations found in
8 CFR Part 265 and at
67 Federal Register 52584, 52592 (to be codified at 8 CFR § 264.1(f)(6)(concerning designated special registrants)).
Who Must Comply?
All aliens in the United States who are required to be registered under the law (INA
§ 262 and 261) must keep the USCIS informed of their changes of address. The only aliens exempt from this requirement are 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 fewer than 30 days
(INA § 263).
How Do I Report?
All aliens changing their address must file Form AR-11 with the USCIS address listed on the form. That address is:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
USCIS
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134
For commercial overnight or fast freight services, only:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
USCIS
Change of Address
1084-I South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744