Change of Address While I-485 Is Pending

What should I do after moving with a pending Form I-485?

The general 10-day reporting rule

Most noncitizens in the United States who are required to register must notify USCIS of each change of address within 10 days.

The statutory reporting requirement generally does not apply in the same manner to:

• A visa holders;
• G visa holders; and
• Certain Visa Waiver Program visitors.

USCIS strongly recommends the online change-of-address tool

Most applicants can update their address through a USCIS online account using the Enterprise Change of Address, or E-COA, tool.

Advantages include:

• Faster USCIS processing of the address change;
• Ability to identify pending cases;
• Electronic confirmation;
• Reduced risk of paper AR-11 processing delay; and
• Ability to update cases originally filed on paper.

An applicant can generally use the online account even if Form I-485 itself was mailed to USCIS rather than filed electronically.

Enter every pending receipt number

USCIS instructs applicants using the online change-of-address process to provide the receipt number for each pending benefit request.

An adjustment applicant may have separate receipts for:

• Form I-485;
• Form I-765;
• Form I-131;
• Form I-130;
• Form I-140;
• Form I-601;
• Form I-212;
• Form I-290B;
• Derivative applications; and
• Other pending USCIS requests.

Paper Form AR-11

USCIS also permits a paper Form AR-11 change-of-address filing.

However, USCIS currently encourages the online process because a paper AR-11 does not provide the same automated case-update process.

USPS forwarding does not update USCIS

USCIS expressly warns that changing an address with the U.S. Postal Service does not change the address with USCIS.

USCIS also warns that USPS may not forward USCIS mail.

The applicant should therefore:

• Update USCIS;
• Update USPS separately;
• Monitor the USCIS online account;
• Retain access to the old address when possible during transition; and
• Check case status for newly issued notices.

Why an address error can be serious

USCIS can send time-sensitive documents such as:

• Biometrics appointment notice;
• Interview notice;
• RFE;
• NOID;
• Medical request;
• Transfer notice;
• Decision;
• Employment Authorization Document;
• Advance-parole document; and
• Permanent Resident Card.

See Biometrics for Form I-485 and I-485 RFE and NOID.

Moving can change the USCIS field office

USCIS generally schedules adjustment interviews based in part on geographic jurisdiction.

A move can therefore cause:

• Transfer to another field office;
• Cancellation or rescheduling of an interview;
• Processing delay;
• Change in interview location; and
• Movement of the physical or electronic case file.

The applicant should not continue using the old address merely to avoid a field-office transfer.

When the new residence falls within another USCIS field office's geographic area, the case may need to move with the applicant. See Moving to a Different USCIS Field Office.

Update each family member separately

Family members can have separate immigration files and separate receipt numbers.

For a family adjustment case, review the address for:

• Principal applicant;
• Derivative spouse;
• Derivative children;
• Petitioner;
• Sponsor;
• Other pending applicants; and
• Any related petition or waiver.

The petitioner may need a separate address update

In a family-based case, the immigrant applicant and petitioning relative are different parties.

If both move, review whether USCIS has:

• Applicant's new address;
• Petitioner's new address;
• Form I-130 case address;
• Form I-485 case address;
• Form I-864 sponsor address; and
• Any separately pending related filing.

Attorney address changes are separate

An attorney's office move does not automatically update the client's residential address, and the client's move does not automatically change counsel's address.

USCIS instructs attorneys and accredited representatives to separately update their representative information, including through a new Form G-28 or other USCIS procedure for affected pending matters.

Protected and humanitarian cases can have special procedures

Certain applicants subject to confidentiality protections or specialized immigration programs may need to follow program-specific change-of-address procedures.

This can be particularly important in matters involving:

• VAWA;
• T nonimmigrant matters;
• U nonimmigrant matters;
• Abuse-related filings;
• Humanitarian programs; and
• Other cases where disclosure of the applicant's address raises safety concerns.

Use the specific USCIS instructions applicable to the protected case rather than assuming the ordinary online process is appropriate in every circumstance.

If removal proceedings are pending

A person with a case in immigration court can have separate address-reporting obligations to EOIR.

Updating USCIS alone does not necessarily update:

• Immigration court;
• Board of Immigration Appeals;
• ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor; or
• Other DHS components involved in the proceedings.

If an interview is already scheduled

A move after USCIS schedules an interview requires careful monitoring.

Possible outcomes include:

• Interview remains at the original office;
• Interview is canceled;
• Case is transferred;
• New interview is scheduled at the new office; or
• USCIS requests additional information.

Do not skip the scheduled interview merely because the applicant has moved unless USCIS has canceled or rescheduled it.

See Adjustment of Status Interview.

If biometrics is already scheduled

Changing an address does not necessarily cancel an existing biometrics appointment.

The applicant should:

• Review the appointment notice;
• Update the address;
• Attend as scheduled if reasonably possible and USCIS has not canceled the appointment; or
• Use the USCIS rescheduling process if attendance is not possible.

If a notice was mailed to the old address

Act immediately if the applicant discovers that USCIS sent a notice to a former residence.

Potential steps include:

• Check the online account for a notice copy;
• Check Case Status Online;
• Submit or confirm the change of address;
• Contact USCIS where necessary;
• Use the USCIS non-delivery inquiry process;
• Determine whether a deadline has passed;
• Preserve evidence showing when the applicant learned of the notice; and
• Respond immediately if biometrics, interview, RFE or NOID was missed.

Green card delivery after approval

An address change near final adjudication can affect delivery of the permanent resident card.

The applicant should monitor:

• I-485 case status;
• Approval notice;
• Card-production status;
• USPS tracking where available;
• Current USCIS mailing address; and
• Any returned-mail notice.

Updating the address as early as possible reduces the risk that an expensive secure document is mailed to the wrong residence.

Example: applicant moves and updates only USPS

Example: applicant has four pending receipt numbers

Change-of-address checklist

• Report the move promptly and generally within 10 days.
• Use USCIS online change-of-address tool where appropriate.
• Enter Form I-485 receipt number.
• Enter Form I-765 receipt number.
• Enter Form I-131 receipt number.
• Enter related petition or waiver receipt numbers.
• Update each derivative applicant.
• Update petitioner separately where necessary.
• Update USPS separately.
• Save electronic confirmation.
• Monitor online USCIS account.
• Review scheduled biometrics.
• Review scheduled interview.
• Use EOIR-33 separately if immigration court proceedings are pending.
• Follow special protected-person procedures where applicable.
• Verify delivery address before card production.

Common address-change mistakes

Primary authorities

Related INA245.com guides

Frequently asked questions