Address Changes and Other Updates for Green Card Holders

1. What documents do I need to update my address on my green card?

To update your address on your green card, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. Form AR-11: This is the official form used to update your address with the USCIS. You can either fill out and submit this form online, or print and mail it to the appropriate USCIS office.

2. Form I-865: If you are a sponsor for another individual’s green card application, you will also need to submit Form I-865 along with Form AR-11.

3. A copy of your current green card: This will serve as proof of your current address.

4. A copy of a government-issued identification: This could include a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.

5. Proof of new address: This can be in the form of a lease agreement, utility bill, or other official document showing your new address.

2. Can I change my address online?

Yes, you can change your address online by submitting an electronic version of Form AR-11 through the USCIS website. However, if you have sponsored someone else’s green card application (Form I-865), this form cannot be submitted electronically and must be mailed to the appropriate USCIS office.

3. Is there a deadline for updating my address on my green card?

USCIS recommends that you update your address within 10 days of moving to a new residence in order to comply with their regulations. However, there is no specific deadline for updating your address on your green card.

4. Do I need to pay a fee to update my address?

No, there is no fee required for updating your address on your green card.

5. Do I need to provide biometrics when updating my address?

No, biometrics are not typically required when updating your address on your green card unless specifically requested by USCIS.

2. How do I report a change of address if I’m a green card holder?


If you are a green card holder (also known as a permanent resident), you must report any change of address within 10 days of the change. You can report your change of address by completing and submitting Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Here are the steps to report a change of address as a green card holder:

1. Download Form AR-11 from the USCIS website or request a paper copy by calling USCIS at 1-800-375-5283.

2. Fill out the form completely with accurate information. Make sure to include your A-number, which is located on your green card and other immigration documents.

3. If there are other family members who are also permanent residents and have changed their addresses along with you, they should be listed on the form as well.

4. Sign and date the completed form.

5. You can submit your completed form online through the USCIS Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) or mail it to:
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: Change of Address
1344 South Flores Street
San Antonio, TX 78204

6. If you choose to mail in your form, make sure to use certified mail so that you have proof that you submitted it.

7. Once USCIS receives your updated address information, they will update your records accordingly and send a confirmation notice to your new address.

It is important to keep your address up-to-date with USCIS as failure to do so may result in delays or complications with important immigration processes such as renewing your green card or applying for citizenship in the future.

3. How long do I have to notify USCIS of a change of address after moving?


USCIS requires that you notify them of a change of address within 10 days of moving to your new address. Failure to update your address with USCIS may result in delays or complications with any pending immigration applications or petitions. It is important to keep your address updated with USCIS so that you can receive important notifications and updates related to your case.

4. What information is required to update my green card with a new address?


To update your green card with a new address, you will need the following information:

1. Form AR-11: This is the official form used to notify the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of a change in address. You can fill out this form online or mail it to USCIS.

2. Alien Registration Number: This is the unique number assigned to you by USCIS when you first received your green card. It can be found on your green card itself, any immigration documents, or previous notices from USCIS.

3. New Address: You will need to provide your new residential address, including street number and name, apartment/unit number (if applicable), city/town, state/province/region, country, and postal code.

4. Old Address: You will also need to provide your old residential address as listed on your current green card.

5. Contact Information: This includes your full name, email address (if applicable), phone number (optional), and any alternative names you have used in the past.

6. Social Security Number (SSN): If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), you should include it on the Form AR-11.

7. Date of Birth: Provide your date of birth in month/day/year format.

8. Signature: The form must be signed and dated by you. If you are under 14 years old or unable to sign, a parent or legal guardian may sign for you.

9. Supporting/Documents Evidence: In some cases, you may also be required to provide additional documents as evidence of your new address, such as a copy of a lease agreement or utility bill in your name at the new address.

It is important to keep your green card information up-to-date at all times, as failure to do so could result in delays or complications with future immigration processes.

5. How do I update my address with USCIS if I am an international student or worker?


If you are an international student or worker with a pending application or petition with USCIS, it is important to update your address whenever you move. This will ensure that you receive any important notices or documents related to your case in a timely manner.

To update your address with USCIS, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Log into your online account: If you filed your application or petition online, log into your USCIS online account and go to the “My Account” page. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by visiting the USCIS website and clicking on the “MyUSCIS” tab.

2. Go to the “Change of Address” section: Under the “My Account” tab, click on the “Change of Address” option. This will bring up a form where you can enter your new address information.

3. Enter your new address: Fill out all of the required fields in the form with your new address information, including street address, city, state/province, zip code/postal code, and country.

4. Choose a delivery option: You can select how you want to receive notifications from USCIS regarding your change of address. The options include email notification, physical mail notification, or both.

5. Submit the form: Once you have completed all of the required fields and selected your delivery option(s), click on the “Submit” button at the bottom of the form.

6. Print confirmation receipt: After submitting the form, a confirmation receipt will appear on screen. You should print this out for your records as proof that you have updated your address with USCIS.

7. Update other government agencies: In addition to updating your address with USCIS, it is important to also update any other government agencies that may have your information such as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS).

Please note that if you have a change of address pending with USCIS, you must still file a Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, even if you have an online account. Additionally, if your case is at a local office, you may also need to contact that office directly to update your address.

Overall, it is important to keep your address updated with USCIS and other government agencies to ensure that you receive any important updates or documents related to your immigration status. Failure to do so may result in delays or missed deadlines for your case.

6. Do I need to file a separate form for each address change or can I make multiple changes at once?


You can make multiple address changes at once on the same form. There is no need to file a separate form for each address change. However, if the addresses correspond to different types of tax returns (e.g. income tax, property tax), you may need to file separate forms for each type of return.

7. How can I update my name on my green card if I recently got married/divorced/changed my name?


If you have recently been married/divorced/changed your name and need to update your green card, you will need to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Follow these steps to update your name on your green card:

1. Fill out Form I-90: Download and complete Form I-90 from the USCIS website. Make sure to fill out all sections accurately and completely.

2. Gather required documents: Along with the completed form, you will need to submit evidence showing the legal basis for changing your name, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

3. Pay the filing fee: The current filing fee for Form I-90 is $540, which includes the $455 application fee and an $85 biometric services fee.

4. Submit Form I-90: Once you have filled out the form and gathered all necessary documents, submit them by mail or online through the USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS).

5. Wait for notification: After submitting your application, you will receive a notice of receipt from USCIS indicating that they have received your application. This notice will include a receipt number, which you can use to track the status of your application.

6. Attend Biometrics Appointment: After submitting your application, you may be required to attend a biometrics appointment where USCIS will take your fingerprints and photograph for their records.

7. Receive Green Card: If everything goes smoothly and if there are no further needs for additional documentation or information, you should receive your new green card within 6-8 months after submitting form I-90.

It is important to note that you must continue using your current green card until you receive the updated version with your new name on it. Failure to notify USCIS of any name changes may result in delays or complications in future immigration processes.

8. Can I update my green card online or must I submit a paper form?


Currently, you must submit a paper form to update your green card. However, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is in the process of implementing an online filing system that will allow applicants to submit certain forms, including green card updates, electronically. Once this system is fully implemented, updating your green card may be able to be done online. You can check the USCIS website for updates on when this option becomes available.

9. How do I notify USCIS of a change in marital status if I am a green card holder?

As a green card holder, you are required to report any change in marital status to USCIS within 10 days of the change. This includes getting married or divorced.

To notify USCIS of your change in marital status, you can do one of the following:

1. Submit Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card) online or by mail to update your address and marital status at the same time.
2. Submit Form I-865 (Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address) if you are currently sponsoring a family member for a green card.
3. Update your marital status when filing for your next application or petition with USCIS, such as Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).

If you fail to report a change in marital status to USCIS, it could result in immigration consequences such as delay or denial of future applications, revocation of your green card, or even deportation proceedings. It is important to keep your immigration records updated and accurate.

10. Does my employer need to be notified of any changes to my green card information?


Yes, it is important to keep your employer updated on any changes to your green card information, such as expiration dates or changes in employment authorization. This will help ensure that your employer has the most up-to-date information and can properly verify your work eligibility status. Additionally, some employers may require you to provide proof of legal permanent resident status on a regular basis, so keeping them informed will also help avoid any potential issues with employment verification.

11. What happens if I forget to report an address change to USCIS?

If you forget to report an address change to USCIS, it could potentially result in delays or complications with your immigration case. If USCIS sends important notices or requests for further information to your old address and they are not forwarded to your new address, you may miss deadlines or fail to provide necessary information.

Additionally, failing to update your address with USCIS could also result in issues with receiving a decision on your case. USCIS may continue to send correspondence to your old address and if you do not respond, they may assume that you are no longer interested in pursuing your case.

In extreme cases, failure to update your address could lead to the denial of your application for failure to provide necessary information or timely respond to requests from USCIS.

It is important to ensure that any changes in address are promptly reported to the appropriate authorities, including USCIS. You can update your address online through the USCIS website or by filling out and submitting a Change of Address form (Form AR-11) by mail.

12. Do I need to report any travel outside the United States on my green card application?


Yes, you will need to report all international travel outside of the United States when completing your green card application. This includes both short trips and extended stays abroad. You will need to provide details such as dates of travel, countries visited, and reasons for the trips. Failure to accurately report this information can result in delays or denial of your green card application.

13. How can I renew or replace my green card if it has expired or been lost or stolen?

To renew your green card, you can file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The form can be filed online or by mail, and will require a filing fee. It is recommended to file for renewal at least six months before the expiration date on your green card.

If your green card has been lost or stolen, you should also file Form I-90 to replace it. In addition, you should contact local law enforcement to report the loss or theft and obtain a police report if possible. You may also need to notify USCIS of the loss or theft by calling their customer service line at 1-800-375-5283.

If your green card was issued more than 10 years ago, it may no longer be valid. In this case, you will need to apply for a new green card by filing Form I-90 and paying the applicable fee.

If your green card was issued less than 10 years ago but is about to expire soon, you can still apply for a new one using Form I-90. However, if more than one year has passed since its expiration date, you may be required to provide evidence explaining the delay in filing and pay an additional fee.

If your expired green card was issued as a conditional resident (through marriage), you will need to file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence instead of Form I-90.

14. If I move, can I keep the same mailing address for my green card even if it is different than my new residential address?

No, you will need to change your mailing address for your green card if it is different from your new residential address. It is important to update all of your personal information with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure proper delivery of any important documents related to your green card. You can update your mailing address by completing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, and filing it with USCIS.

15. If my name has changed since receiving my green card, do I need to notify USCIS of this change?

Yes, it is important to notify USCIS of any changes in personal information, including name changes. You can do so by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and providing the necessary documentation to support your name change.

16. Is there a fee associated with updating or replacing my green card?


Yes, there is a fee associated with updating or replacing your green card. As of 2021, the filing fee for Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) is $455, which includes the biometric services fee. Additional fees may also apply for expedited processing or other services.

17. Can I change the gender marker on my green card?


Yes, it is possible to change the gender marker on your green card. You will need to provide documentation showing that you have legally changed your gender and request for a change of gender on your green card by submitting a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card with the appropriate documentation. It is recommended to consult with an immigration attorney for assistance with this process.

18. How can I make sure that all of the data contained on my green card is up-to-date and accurate?


The best way to ensure that your green card data is accurate and up-to-date is to regularly review and update your information as needed. This can include keeping your address up-to-date with the USCIS, reporting any change in employment or marital status, and renewing your green card when necessary.

You can also periodically check your information by contacting the USCIS or accessing your online account. You may also request a copy of your immigration file from the USCIS to review all the documents and data related to your green card. If you notice any errors or discrepancies, you should immediately contact the USCIS for assistance in correcting the information.

19. What should I do if the biographical information on my current green card is incorrect or out-of-date?

If there are errors or outdated information on your current green card, you should contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request a replacement card with correct biographical information. You will need to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and submit any necessary supporting documentation. It is important to have accurate and up-to-date biographical information on your green card for identification purposes.

20. Can I update the expiration date on my green card if it is incorrect or has been altered by someone other than me?


Generally, the expiration date on your green card is automatically updated when you file a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. It is important to ensure that the information on your green card is correct and matches the information in your immigration records.

If you believe that the expiration date on your green card is incorrect or has been altered by someone other than yourself, you should take steps to have it corrected as soon as possible. This could potentially be an issue if you are attempting to travel internationally or apply for certain benefits or documents.

To update the expiration date on your green card, you will need to file a Form I-90 and provide evidence of the correct expiration date. This could include a copy of your original application or approval notice, a copy of your passport with entry stamps showing when you first entered the US with your permanent resident status, or other relevant documents.

It is important to note that altering the information on your green card without proper authorization is considered fraud and can result in serious consequences. If you suspect that someone else may have altered your green card, you should contact USCIS immediately for guidance on how to proceed.