Submit your green card process to USCIS, but the exact office depends on whether you're adjusting status inside the US or going through consular processing abroad

If you're already in the United States, you file Form I-485 (process to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) with USCIS at a local field office or by mail to the address listed on the form for your state. If you're outside the US, you file at a US embassy or consulate in your home country, which then forwards your case to USCIS for a decision. The location you submit to is determined by where you physically are and which visa category you're using, not by where you want to live after approval.

The filing address is not optional—USCIS will reject applications sent to the wrong lockbox or office. You can find your correct address in minutes using the USCIS website, and doing so before you prepare your documents saves weeks of delay if something goes to the wrong place.

Key Takeaways

  • Adjustment of status applications (filed inside the US) go to your local USCIS field office or a designated lockbox address that depends on your state.
  • Consular processing applications (filed abroad) go to the US embassy or consulate in your country of residence, which handles the interview and forwards documents to USCIS.
  • You can find your correct USCIS field office or lockbox address on the USCIS website by entering your ZIP code.
  • Some cases are filed by your employer or sponsoring organization, not by you directly, so confirm who is responsible for submission before you prepare documents.
  • Mailing addresses change and lockbox facilities vary by state, so always verify the current address on the official USCIS website before sending anything.

Adjustment of Status: Filing Inside the United States

If you are physically in the US and have an when ready relative sponsor, an employer sponsor, or another basis for a green card, you file Form I-485 with USCIS. The form itself lists the mailing address for your state—do not guess or use an old address. Go to the USCIS website, enter your ZIP code in the "Where to File" tool, and it will tell you whether your state uses a lockbox (a centralized mail facility) or a local field office.

Some states route I-485 forms to a lockbox in Texas, others to one in Arizona or Nebraska. The lockbox address is the only address USCIS will accept for mail-in filing in that state. If you file to the wrong address, USCIS will reject your process and send it back. You can also file online through USCIS online services if you are may be able to access, which bypasses the mailing address question entirely. Your local USCIS field office handles your biometrics appointment and interview after the lockbox receives your case, but you do not submit the initial process there. The field office location is determined by your address, and USCIS will notify you which one to report to.

Consular Processing: Filing at a US Embassy or Consulate Abroad

If you are outside the US and pursuing a green card through consular processing, you do not file with USCIS directly. Instead, your sponsoring relative or employer files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) or Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS in the US. Once USCIS approves that petition, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), which then sends it to the US embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

You will receive instructions from the NVC telling you which embassy or consulate to contact and what documents to submit. You do not choose the location—it is determined by where you are living when the case reaches the NVC. If you move to a different country before your interview, you must notify the NVC so they can transfer your case to the correct embassy. The embassy or consulate schedules your visa interview, collects your documents, and conducts the medical examination. After your interview is approved, the consulate issues your immigrant visa, which you use to enter the US. You then become a permanent resident when you arrive at a US port of entry.

Employment-Based Green Cards: Who Files and Where

If your green card is sponsored by an employer, your employer (or their immigration attorney) files Form I-140 with USCIS on your behalf. You do not submit the petition yourself. Your employer's attorney will know the correct USCIS address for filing based on the type of petition and your location.

After I-140 approval, the case goes to the NVC if you are abroad, or you file Form I-485 with USCIS if you are in the US adjusting status. Either way, your employer or their attorney will guide you through the next steps and tell you where documents need to go. Do not assume you know the filing address—confirm with your employer's immigration team before you send anything. Keep copies of all approval notices, because you will need them to show the next office where to send your process.

Family-Sponsored Green Cards: Petition and process Addresses

Family-sponsored green cards start with Form I-130, filed by your US citizen or permanent resident relative. Your relative files I-130 with USCIS at the address listed on the form for their state. Again, use the USCIS "Where to File" tool to find the correct lockbox or field office address.

Once I-130 is approved, your case moves to the NVC if you are abroad, or you file I-485 if you are in the US. Your relative should receive approval notices that explain the next steps and where to send your documents. If you are the petitioner (the relative sponsoring the green card holder), keep all approval notices and correspondence, because you will need them to show the next office where to send the process. The approval notice will include instructions for the next step and the correct mailing address.

when ready Relative Petitions: Faster Processing and Filing

If you are the spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen, you are an when ready relative and do not need to wait for a visa number to become available. Your US citizen relative files Form I-130 with USCIS, and once approved, you can file Form I-485 right away if you are in the US, or proceed to consular processing if you are abroad.

The filing addresses are the same as for other family-sponsored cases—use the USCIS website to find your correct lockbox or field office. The main difference is timing: when ready relatives can move to the adjustment or consular processing step much faster than other family categories, sometimes within weeks of I-130 approval. Your relative's approval notice will specify where to send your I-485 or which embassy to contact for consular processing.

Verifying the Correct Address Before You File

USCIS updates filing addresses and lockbox locations periodically. Before you mail anything, go to uscis.gov and use the "Where to File" tool. Enter your ZIP code and the form number (I-485, I-130, I-140, or whichever applies to you), and the website will display the current mailing address. If you are filing online, the system will direct you to the correct portal.

If you are filing through consular processing, the NVC will send you a detailed instruction packet that includes the embassy or consulate address and a list of documents to submit. Do not rely on an old instruction packet or a website from a previous year. The NVC address and procedures change, and submitting to an outdated address will delay your case. If you are unsure whether you should be filing with USCIS, the NVC, or an embassy, contact the USCIS customer service line or the embassy directly. A few minutes on the phone now prevents weeks of delay if your process is sent to the wrong place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my green card process at any USCIS office, or does it have to go to a specific one?

You must file at the specific lockbox or field office address for your state. USCIS will reject applications sent to the wrong address. Use the USCIS "Where to File" tool on their website to find the correct mailing address for your state and form type.

What happens if I mail my process to the wrong USCIS address?

USCIS will return your process to you with a notice explaining the correct address. This delays processing by several weeks. Always verify the address on the official USCIS website before mailing anything.

If I move to a different state after I file, do I need to resubmit my process?

No. Once USCIS receives your process at the correct lockbox, it stays in the system even if you move. You will be assigned to the USCIS field office in your new state for your biometrics appointment and interview. Notify USCIS of your address change using Form AR-11 or through your USCIS online account.

Do I file my green card process at the same place I filed my visa petition?

Not necessarily. The petition (I-130 or I-140) goes to one address, and the process (I-485 or consular processing) goes to another. Your sponsoring relative or employer will receive approval notices that explain where the next step goes. Follow those instructions rather than assuming the address stays the same.

Can I hand-deliver my green card process instead of mailing it?

USCIS lockbox facilities do not accept walk-in deliveries. If you are filing by mail, you must use the postal service or a delivery service like FedEx or UPS. If you are filing online through USCIS online services, there is no mailing step. Check whether your case type is may be able to access for online filing on the USCIS website.