Updating Your Address With Immigration Services
We've written about the subject of updating addresses before, but we get this question asked so many times we're going to revisit the situation.
On January 12, 2007, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a new program that allows U.S. immigrants to update their addresses online. Currently, all non-citizens in the U.S. are required to keep Immigration Services updated as to their most current addresses. Immigration Services must be notified within ten days of any change in address. Previously, this was done either by calling USCIS or completing a change of address card (Form AR-11), which was mailed to USCIS.
USCIS now accepts change of address information online. This new service reduced processing times, since Immigration Services typically receives over one million change of address requests each year. Additionally, this new service is convenient and easy to use.
It is vital that you continually notify Immigration Services of any change in 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.
You should include the following information in your change of address request:
• For the change of address 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 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.
You can find and print the change of address form online at this USCIS page. If you would prefer to update your address automatically through the USCIS Eeb site, please visit this change of address page.
