Applicants should recall that Case Status Service Online (CSSO) does not provide case status on all applications filed with USCIS: only on those filed at and adjudicated by a USCIS Service Center. CSSO can provide information on only those applications filed and adjudicated at a USCIS Service Center (you will have received a receipt with a 13-character identification number on it: 3 letters, followed by 10 numbers). Those applications filed and adjudicated at a USCIS District or Sub-Office are not in this CSSO system. You still need to contact them in person or in writing. Please see http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/finding.htm.

No Access to Case Status Online - Security Not High Enough

Your Internet browser does not support 128-bit encryption. The Case Status Online system requires users to have 128-bit encryption installed on their computer. 128-bit encryption allows for the highest available security and privacy for your personal information to be transmitted to and by USCIS.

Internet Explorer Users
If you are using Windows 95, 98, ME or NT, you will need Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher. You can download the latest versions of Internet Explorer at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/default.asp.

If you are using Windows 2000 and Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, you will still need to install the Windows 2000 High Encryption Pack, which is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/128bit/default.asp.

Netscape Users
If you are using Netscape, you should have version 4.7 or higher. You can download the latest version of Netscape at http://home.netscape.com/download/index.html

Connection or Session Timeout Error

In order to prevent your computer from being connected to the Case Status Online system after you are no longer using the system, we automatically disconnect you from the system after 15 minutes of no activity. This deters someone else from accessing information about your application or status. If you need to access Case Status Online again, you will have to log back into the system.

500 Servlet Exception java.lang.NullPointerException

Your Internet browser does not permit Session Variables ("Cookies").

The Case Status Online system uses Session Variables, which are treated as "Cookies" by your browser. A "Cookie" is a small file, stored on your computer, that allows the system to remember information about you during your use of the system. Our system uses "Session Cookies" which are erased from your computer after you disconnect from the system.

Internet Explorer Users
In order to allow for use of Session Variables, the Security Setting of your browser must be set to "Allow Trusted Cookies" or "Allow Per-Session Cookies (Not Stored)". You do this by selecting Tools/Internet Options, then clicking on the "Security" tab. Change the security settings for the Internet zone to "Medium-High" or "Medium". Both "High" and "Blocked" settings will prevent you from accessing the Case Status Online system.

Netscape Users
You must select Edit/Preferences, then click on "Advanced". In the bottom part of the dialog window, you will find an area labeled "Cookies". This cannot be set to "Disable".

Denied Access

Case Status Online is designed to let customers and their representatives easily check the status of their individual case, not as an analytic tool to derive case processing trends. To ensure the integrity of this process and response time to individual requests, if the system receives an overly large number of requests from a customer, it will temporarily block that customer's access. This is to ensure that other customers have undisturbed access to check individual case status.

If you've been denied access because you've made a very large number of requests, your access will resume automatically after the service blockage expires. The duration of the blockage will vary. This is another way of ensuring that Case Status Online is always available for customers to check on their own individual status.