[Michu]

How Do I Report a Change of Address to the USCIS?

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 nonimmigrant 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, KY40742-7134

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

http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/ar-11.pdf



The USCIS has created an additional procedure and recommends additional notifications for those aliens who are also applicants for benefits. An applicant for naturalization may comply with the law by filing a Form AR-11 AND telephoning the NationalCustomerServiceCenter * to advise that office of the change of address. Applicants and petitioners for any other benefits should file a Form AR-11 AND notify ** in writing the local office *** processing their case of any change of address. Please see Change of Address (found under Contacting Us) on your local office About Us page.

* http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/ncsc.htm

** http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/finding.htm#ChangeofAddress

*** http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/statemap.htm

You may choose the method of mailing your Form AR-11. Using certified, registered or receipt mail is not currently a USCIS requirement. However, it is advisable to send the AR-11 with a Return Receipt or some other method (see "Adding Extra Services")* that will give you documentation that you did indeed mail the form to the USCIS, in case there should ever be a question.

* http://usps.com/customersguide/dmm100.htm#AddingExtraServices

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 AR-11 your current employment and school, where applicable.

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.

Penalties for Failure to Comply
A willful failure to give written notice to the USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of the change is a misdemeanor crime. If convicted, the alien (or parent or legal guardian of an alien under age 14 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 § 266(b)). Compliance with the requirement to notify the USCIS of any address changes is also a condition of an alien’s stay in the United States. Failure to comply could also jeopardize the alien’s ability to obtain a future visa or other immigration benefit.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/address.htm

Gruss
Michael

[Michu]

USCIS Introduces Change of Address Online Function to Web
Phase One Streamlines and Improves Services for More than a Million Customers a Year
January 12, 2007

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today launched a new web-based service allowing USCIS customers to submit change of address information online.

All non-citizens in the United States are legally required to keep USCIS informed of any change of address within 10 days of their move by completing an Alien Change of Address Card (Form AR-11). Individuals with a pending immigration case should also notify USCIS of any change of address. This will ensure that customers receive notices or decisions related to their case in a timely manner.

“Not only is this a terrific service for our customers, in the long run it is a great cost and time saver,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. “USCIS is continuing to retool the agency to get as much efficiency from automation as possible.”

USCIS processes more than one million change of address requests each year. The new online service will reduce processing time and improve customer service by providing immediate confirmation that USCIS has received the updated address information. Overall, test users found the new online form convenient and simple to use.

This is the first phase of this online system. Phase two, which is projected to launch sometime in May, will include additional customer service features, including allowing applicants with a pending naturalization application to report their change of address online. Until then, those individuals should continue to contact USCIS by telephone at 1-800-375-5283 to report their change of address.

Before using the online change of address tool, users should have the following information available:

- USCIS receipt number (If you have a pending case with USCIS),
- New and old addresses,
- Names and biographical information for family members for whom you have filed a petition, and
- Date and location (port of entry) of your last entry into the United States.

USCIS will continue to accept change of address cards through the mail.
Change of Address online is available on the UCSIS web site at:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf


– USCIS –

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/OnlineCoA.pdf

Gruss
Michael

[Michu]

USCIS Online Change of Address

Introduction

Customers who have an application and/or petition which have been filed with USCIS but has not yet been decided (also known as a 'pending' case) should notify USCIS of an address change as soon as possible after moving.
The law requires nearly all non-U.S. Citizens1 to report a change of address within 10 days of moving by completing a Form AR-11. Abiding by these legal requirements and completing the necessary forms does not update an address on any applications or petitions pending with USCIS. Non-citizens with pending cases must do both.
Most customers can now notify USCIS to change their address on a pending case online here on our website. Non-citizens can also now complete the Form AR-11 online here on our website.
If you choose to change your address online using our Online Change of Address Notification tool, you will need to have some information available. Please have the following information available before you begin:

• Your receipt notice or other notice we sent you showing your receipt number (if you have a pending case with USCIS).
• Your new address
• Your old address
• If you have filed a petition for a family member, please have the names and biographical information for that person.
• When you last entered the United States (if you cannot remember this information please fill in an approximate date)
• Where you last entered the United States (through what port of entry you entered - whether by land, sea or air)

1. The only persons exempt from this requirement are nonimmigrants currently in A or G status (e.g. foreign government officials and international organization aliens) and certain nonimmigrants who do not possess a visa and whose current stay in the U.S. has not exceeded or will not exceed 29 days.

https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa

https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms

Fact Sheet about "How Do I Change my Address with USCIS?"

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/G3_English.pdf


Gruss
Michael