What If I Forgot to Tell USCIS of My Change of Address?

It's perfectly okay and normal for U.S. immigrants with a green card to move around to different addresses in the United States. Perhaps, for instance, they get a new job assignment or need more living space. In addition, nonimmigrants who are in the United States for extended time periods might also change their addresses during their temporary stay. Unfortunately, it's easy to forget that, if you are not a U.S. citizen and you remain in the United States for 30 days or more, you must tell U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) every time you move to a new address. Let's look at how to follow this rule, and the potential consequences of failing to timely notify USCIS of a change in address (which include possible removal, fines, and jail time).

U.S. Law Requires Green Card Holders to Advise USCIS of New Addresses

First, the law itself. Almost all non-U.S. citizens who are in the U.S. for 30 days or more are required to give USCIS their new address within 10 days of moving. (See 8 U.S.C. § 1305.) Filing a change of address form with the U.S. post office is not sufficient. You must notify USCIS directly of your new address.

Only a few people do not have to give USCIS their address after moving, including:

• diplomats (A visa)
• foreign government representatives to international organizations (G visa), and
• some nonimmigrants without visas who are in the U.S. for fewer than 30 days.

How to Tell USCIS Your Address Has Changed

USCIS strongly encourages people to submit their change of address online, because the agency is able to almost immediately update its records. In order to change your address online, you will first need to set up a myUSCIS account.

If you need to submit a change of address while you still have a petition or application pending with USCIS, it is imperative that you include the receipt number(s) for your pending petition or application(s). The online change of address process includes questions for these receipt numbers.

Another possibility is to complete and print out Form AR-11 and then mail it to the address listed on the second page of the form. However, a Form AR-11 sent by mail will not result in an automatic address update, as in the case of an online address change. If you change your address by mailing a Form AR-11, it is a good idea to also send a letter to the government office processing any pending petition or application, to separately advise it of the new address.

If filing an AR-11 by mail, be sure to use a carrier that offers tracking, such as the U.S. Postal Service with certified mail and a return receipt requested. That way, you will have proof that you submitted it to USCIS, in case it gets lost in the system (as is not uncommon).

Special Instructions for Victims of Crimes

If you are a victim of domestic violence, trafficking or other crimes, USCIS uses special rules to protect your privacy as you update your address. The special procedures include calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-767-1833, sending USCIS a secure message through a myUSCIS account, and mailing a Form AR-11. These special rules are also available on the USCIS website on Change of Address Procedures for VAWA/T/U Cases and Form I-751 Abuse Waivers.

Penalties for Failing to Notify USCIS of Change of Address

What if you were required to give USCIS your new address, and you haven't? According to the law, failing to advise USCIS of a new address is a misdemeanor. It can be punished by a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail.

The law also says that people who have been admitted to the United States, whether as a temporary visitor or as a permanent resident, can actually be removed from the U.S. (formerly known as "deported") for failing to give USCIS a new address, unless the individual can prove:

1. that the failure to report a change of address was "reasonably excusable," or
2. that the failure was not "willful."

While this practice has not in the recent past been utilized a lot by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on April 11, 2025, the DHS Secretary issued a statement that there will be "no sanctuary" for foreign nationals who fail to register their presence in the U.S. and requiring them to update USCIS of address changes. See also, Should I Sign Up for Trump's "Alien Registration" Program?".

Better Late Than Never When Advising USCIS of an Address Change

Given the possible penalties for failing to timely update your address with USCIS (if you are not a U.S. citizen), it is better to update your address late rather than not at all.

Or, if you meet all of the eligibility requirements, consider applying for naturalized U.S. citizenship. Once you are a U.S. citizen, you will never have to give USCIS your latest address again. For more information, see Who Can Apply for U.S. Citizenship.