Where to report your address change

USCIS requires you to report a new address within 10 days of moving. You have three ways to do it: online through your USCIS account, by mail using Form I-865 (if you are a permanent resident), or by submitting Form AR-11 if you do not have an online account. The online method is fastest — you can update it the same day you move — and USCIS will send you a confirmation email.

If you have a pending case (asylum, green card, work permit, or any other immigration matter), updating your address in your USCIS account automatically updates it for that case. You do not need to file a separate form. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one at uscis.gov using your receipt number from any USCIS notice.

The 10-day window matters because USCIS mails notices to the address on file. If you move and do not update it, you may miss an interview, a decision on your case, or a request for more documents. Missing a notice can result in your case being denied or your process being treated as abandoned.

Key Takeaways

  • You must report your address change to USCIS within 10 days of moving, or you risk missing important notices about your case.
  • The fastest way is to log into your USCIS account online and update it there — no form needed and you get confirmation the same day.
  • If you do not have an online account, you can mail Form AR-11 to the address listed on the form itself, which varies by region.
  • Updating your address in your USCIS account automatically updates it for any pending immigration case you have.
  • Permanent residents can also use Form I-865, though the online method is simpler and faster.

Updating your address online through your USCIS account

Go to uscis.gov and click "Sign in to your account" in the top right. Enter your username and password. If you do not have an account, you will need your receipt number (the number on any USCIS notice you received) to create one. Once you are logged in, look for "Update your address" or "Manage your account" — the exact wording changes, but it is always in the account settings area.

Enter your new street address, city, state, and ZIP code. USCIS will ask you to confirm the address and may ask whether you are moving temporarily or permanently. Select "permanently" unless you are moving back within a few weeks. After you submit, USCIS will send a confirmation email to the email address on file. Save this email or take a screenshot — it proves you reported the change on time if there is ever a question later.

This method works even if your case is still pending. USCIS updates the address in their system when ready, and any future notices will go to your new address. You do not need to call USCIS or file any additional paperwork.

Mailing Form AR-11 if you do not have an online account

Form AR-11 is the paper form for reporting an address change. You can read it from uscis.gov or request it by phone. Fill in your name, date of birth, USCIS receipt number (if you have one), your old address, and your new address. Sign and date it. Do not notarize it — USCIS does not require that.

The mailing address depends on where you live. USCIS has regional addresses listed on the form itself. If you live in California, you mail it to one address; if you live in Texas, you mail it to another. Check the form carefully to find the correct address for your state. Mail it first class — you do not need certified mail, but you may want to keep the receipt for your records.

USCIS typically processes Form AR-11 within two to three weeks. You will not receive a confirmation in the mail, so if you want proof that you reported the change on time, keep your mailing receipt or send it certified mail and request a return receipt.

Using Form I-865 if you are a permanent resident

Permanent residents (green card holders) can report an address change using Form I-865, the Immigrant's Affidavit of Support. This form is normally used when someone sponsors an immigrant, but it also serves as an address change form for permanent residents. You can read it from uscis.gov, fill in your information, and mail it to the same regional addresses used for Form AR-11.

However, most permanent residents find it simpler to use the online method or Form AR-11 instead, since I-865 is longer and designed for a different purpose. The online method is still the fastest option for any permanent resident who has internet access.

What happens if you miss the 10-day important date

If you move and do not update your address within 10 days, USCIS can still process your case, but any notices will go to your old address. If you miss a notice, your case may be denied, your interview may be marked as a no-show, or your process may be treated as abandoned. You can still update your address after the important date — there is no penalty for being late — but you should do it as soon as you realize you have moved.

If you missed an interview or notice because your address was not updated, contact USCIS as soon as possible. Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or visit your local USCIS office. Bring proof of your new address (a lease, utility bill, or bank statement) and explain that you moved and did not receive the notice. USCIS may reschedule your interview or reopen your case, depending on the situation.

Proof of address USCIS will accept

When you update your address online, USCIS does not ask for proof — your account update is the record. If you mail Form AR-11 or I-865, you do not need to include proof either. However, if USCIS later questions whether you actually moved to that address, they may ask you to provide documentation. Keep one of these documents for your records: a signed lease or rental agreement, a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) dated after you moved, a bank or credit card statement showing your new address, or a government-issued ID with your new address.

You do not need to send these documents with your address change form. USCIS only asks for them if they have a reason to verify your move.

Updating your address if you are outside the United States

If you are living abroad temporarily (for work, school, or family reasons) but still have a U.S. immigration case pending, you can update your address to a foreign address. Use the online method if possible — log into your USCIS account and enter your address in the country where you are living. If you are mailing Form AR-11, write your foreign address in the same format you would use for mail: street address, city, country, and postal code.

USCIS will mail notices to your foreign address, but international mail can take longer than domestic mail. If you are abroad for an extended time, consider having a trusted family member or attorney in the United States receive mail on your behalf and forward it to you, or ask USCIS if you can receive notices by email instead. Call 1-800-375-5283 to ask about email notification options for your specific case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my address if I am just moving within the same city?

Yes. USCIS requires you to report any address change, even if you are moving to a different apartment in the same neighborhood. The rule is any change to your street address, city, state, or ZIP code must be reported within 10 days.

What if I do not have my receipt number to create an online account?

You can still mail Form AR-11 without a receipt number — just leave that field blank. You can also call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 and ask them to look up your receipt number using your name and date of birth. Once you have it, you can create an online account and update your address that way.

How long does it take USCIS to process an address change?

Online updates are processed when ready and you receive a confirmation email the same day. Mailed forms (AR-11 or I-865) typically take two to three weeks. During that time, USCIS may still mail notices to your old address, so update as soon as you move.

Can I update my address if I have a pending asylum case?

Yes. Updating your address in your USCIS account automatically updates it for your asylum case. You must report the change within 10 days, just as you would for any other case. If you have an attorney, notify them of your move as well so they have your correct contact information.

What if USCIS sent me a notice to my old address and I never received it?

Contact USCIS when ready at 1-800-375-5283 or visit your local office. Bring proof of your new address and explain that you moved and did not receive the notice. USCIS can reschedule an interview or reopen a case in some situations, but the sooner you contact them, the better your chances of fixing the problem.