Tell USCIS about your move using Form AR-11 or online

When you move to a new address, USCIS needs to know where to send you notices about your case. You can report your new address three ways: by mailing Form AR-11 (Alien's Change of Address), by using the online form at the USCIS website, or by calling USCIS. The fastest method is the online form, which takes about five minutes. Mailing the form takes one to two weeks to process. Calling is slower and should be your last option.

You must update your address if you have a pending case with USCIS — whether you are waiting for a green card decision, asylum hearing, work permit renewal, or any other immigration matter. If USCIS sends a notice to your old address and you do not receive it, you may miss a important date or appointment, and your case can be denied or dismissed.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change form at USCIS.gov is the fastest method and requires only your receipt number and date of birth.
  • Form AR-11 can be mailed to the address listed on the form itself, and you should keep a copy for your records.
  • You must report your move as soon as possible after you relocate, even if your case is not yet pending.
  • If you have a work permit, green card, or other USCIS document, the address on that document does not automatically update when you change your address with USCIS.
  • Updating your address with USCIS is separate from updating your address with your state's driver's license or voter registration.

Using the USCIS online form (fastest option)

Go to USCIS.gov and search for "change of address" or navigate to the online form directly. You will need your receipt number (the number on any USCIS notice you received) and your date of birth. The form asks for your old address, new address, phone number, and email. You do not need to print or mail anything.

After you submit the form, USCIS sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Save this email. The address change usually takes effect within one to two weeks. If you do not have a receipt number because you have never filed with USCIS before, you cannot use the online form — use Form AR-11 instead.

Mailing Form AR-11 (if you have no receipt number)

read Form AR-11 from USCIS.gov or request it by phone. The form is one page and asks for your name, date of birth, old address, new address, and signature. You do not need to fill in every field — the required sections are your name, date of birth, old address, new address, and signature.

Mail the completed form to the address printed on the form itself. This address changes depending on your state, so check the form before you mail it. Include a copy of your green card, work permit, or any USCIS document if you have one. Keep a photocopy of the form and any documents you send. Mailing takes one to two weeks to process, plus mail delivery time.

What happens after you report your address change

USCIS updates its records and will send future notices to your new address. If you have a pending case, the next notice about your case will go to the new address. If USCIS had already mailed a notice to your old address before you reported the change, that notice will not be forwarded — you will not receive it. For this reason, report your move as soon as possible.

If you are worried you may have missed a notice, contact USCIS by phone or visit a local USCIS office to ask whether any notices were sent to your old address. Bring a photo ID and proof of your new address (a lease, utility bill, or bank statement dated within the last two months).

Updating your green card or work permit address (separate process)

Changing your address with USCIS does not change the address printed on your green card or work permit. Those documents show the address you had when you received them and do not update automatically. You do not need to replace them just because you moved.

However, if you are renewing your green card or work permit, USCIS will print your current address on the new document. If you want to update the address on your document before renewal, you can file Form I-90 (for a green card) or Form I-765 (for a work permit) with the address change included, but this is optional and costs a filing fee. Most people wait until renewal time.

Reporting your move if you do not have a USCIS case yet

If you are planning to file with USCIS but have not yet submitted an process, you do not need to report your address in advance. When you file your process, use your current address on the form. USCIS will use that address for all notices related to that case.

If you move after you file but before USCIS receives your process, report the address change right away using Form AR-11 or the online form. Include your receipt number if you have one. If you move after USCIS receives your process, report the change within 10 days of moving.

What to do if you miss a notice or important date

If you did not receive a notice from USCIS and missed a important date or appointment, contact USCIS when ready by phone or visit a local office. Bring your receipt number, photo ID, and proof of your new address. Explain that you moved and did not receive the notice. USCIS may reopen your case or reschedule your appointment, but this is not may provide — it depends on how long ago the important date passed and the reason for your case.

Do not ignore a missed important date. The longer you wait to contact USCIS, the harder it becomes to fix the problem. Some cases are denied or dismissed automatically if you miss an appointment or important date, and reopening them requires filing a motion and paying a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to report my address change if I am a U.S. citizen?

No. Once you become a U.S. citizen, USCIS no longer tracks your address. You should update your address with your state's driver's license, voter registration, and the U.S. Postal Service, but you do not need to notify USCIS.

What if I move multiple times before USCIS processes my first address change?

Report each move to USCIS as soon as it happens. You can submit multiple address changes, and USCIS will use the most recent one. There is no penalty for reporting multiple moves.

Can I report my address change by email or in person at a USCIS office?

USCIS does not accept address changes by email. You can report your move in person at a local USCIS office, but this is slower than using the online form or mailing Form AR-11. Call ahead to confirm the office is open and what documents to bring.

What if my new address is outside the United States?

You can report an address outside the U.S. using Form AR-11 or the online form. However, if you are a permanent resident (green card holder), living outside the U.S. for more than one year may affect your status. Consult an immigration attorney before moving abroad if you hold a green card.