Tips for Filing Forms Online

Online filing isn’t available for all forms. In some cases, we may require you to file the paper version of a form that is available for online filing. For example, you cannot file online if you are requesting a fee waiver. See what forms are available by visiting our Forms Available to File Online page.

The filing fee may vary depending on whether you file online or by mail or whether an exemption applies. For more information about filing fees, including exemptions, please see our Fee Schedule and Filing Fees pages.

Step 1: Sign in to your USCIS online account or create a USCIS online account, if you do not already have one.

Go to our Sign Up page. If you need help creating a USCIS online account, please visit our How to Create a USCIS Online Account page.

You must provide a valid email address and password to create a USCIS online account. The email address you provide will also be the username for your USCIS online account. The USCIS online account uses a two-factor authentication process. This means that in addition to entering your username and password, you must also enter a one-time verification code that we will send you by email, text message, or authentication app, each time you sign into your account. When you create your USCIS online account, you can select how you want to receive the one-time verification code. If you select text message, enter your U.S. mobile phone number in the Mobile Number box (standard SMS/text messaging rates may apply). If you select the app option, the system will generate a code that you can scan or type into an authentication app that you have installed on your mobile device (such as Google Authenticator).

To sign in to your USCIS online account using two-factor authentication:

1. Enter your email address and password and select “Sign In.” Every time you sign in to your USCIS online account you will be required to provide this information.
2. A verification code will be sent by email, text, or authentication app based on what you chose when you created your account. (You may change your delivery preference within your account.) Please allow a few minutes for delivery. If you selected the email option but you do not see a verification email in your inbox, make sure to check your junk mail or spam folder.
3. Enter your one-time verification code in the box and select “Submit.”
4. If you have not received your verification code after 10 minutes, select “please request a new verification code.”

Step 2: Select “File a Form Online.”

Step 3: Select the form you want to file.

Step 4: Select “Fill Out Form Fields Online.”

Step 5: Complete all sections of your form.

Fill out all sections of the form as completely as possible. 

Read the form instructions for information on completing fields when your answer is “zero” or “not applicable (N/A).”

Step 6: Upload evidence.

You may need to provide evidence when you file to support your application, petition, or request. These documents help us evaluate your form and verify information you have provided.

Use these tips when uploading evidence:

• Use a scanner or photograph each document. Make sure each image you attach is clear and that all text is readable.
• Files must not be larger than 12MB.
• Files generally must be PDFs, JPGs, or JPEGs. For some forms, we also accept files in TIF or TIFF format.
• Do not encrypt or password-protect your files.
• If your documents are in a foreign language, upload the original document, a certified English translation, and the translator’s certificate for each document.
• If we require passport-style photos, you must either scan them or take a picture with your phone.

Step 7: Review and digitally sign your form.

• Review the summary of the information you provided in your application, petition, or request. You may save and print a copy for your records.
• To digitally sign your application, petition, or request, enter your full legal name (first, middle, and last names) in the space provided. The system will affix your signature and the date to your online application. After you submit your application, petition, or request, you cannot make any changes.

Step 8: Pay the filing fee, if applicable.

• You must pay with a valid credit or debit card or provide your bank routing and checking account numbers to have money taken directly from your U.S. bank account.
• After you make your payment, your form will be submitted. If there is no fee associated with your application, petition, or request, then the form will be submitted directly to USCIS.
• For most forms, you will immediately receive a receipt notice that contains your receipt number. For some forms, it may take up to 3 days to receive a receipt number.  A receipt number is a unique number that applies to your specific case with USCIS. You can find your receipt number on your online account home page, and you can find a copy of your receipt notice under the Documents or Notices tab, as applicable.

Step 9: View appointment notices.

• We may schedule you for a biometric services appointment at an application support center. Log in to your USCIS online account for more information about your appointment.
• You must attend this appointment and provide biometric information, which may include your photograph, signature, and fingerprints.
• If you need to attend an interview, you will also receive an interview appointment notice in your account.

Step 10: Respond to Requests for Evidence and upload unsolicited evidence.

• We will notify you by text message or email (based on your preference) if you need to respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE).
• Log in to your USCIS online account and go to the “Documents or Notices” tab, as applicable, to view notices and respond to the RFE.
• While your case is pending, you may provide additional information, including evidence we did not specifically request, about your case. If you do not have an open RFE, you can do this in the “Documents or Evidence” tab, as applicable. Look for the additional evidence uploader at the bottom of the tab.

Step 11: Check the status of your case.

Log in to your USCIS online account for details on the status of your case.

Step 12: Send and receive secure messages.

After you file a form, you will have access to a secure inbox to send messages to USCIS and receive responses to your questions.

Step 13: Receive a decision.

Log in to your USCIS online account to read details of the decision we made on your case. For information on processing times for all forms, please visit our USCIS Processing Time Information page.

Step 1: Download the form you need.

1. Download the form you need, then complete, sign, and date the PDF form according to the specific form instructions. You can also digitally sign the PDF form when you submit it, if you are not filing as an attorney or accredited representative. Find forms on the USCIS Forms page.
2. Make sure the name, date of birth, and alien number on the PDF application exactly match the name, date of birth, and alien number in your online account, when applicable.
3. Save the completed PDF form to your device, and give it a clear, descriptive title.

USCIS forms are optimized for Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10.0 or higher (PDF Version 1.7) to ensure full compatibility. Using older PDF software or viewers or third-party applications may result in incomplete or unusable forms, particularly when submitting through PDF Upload. If you experience issues such as lost data, incomplete forms, or error messages, please ensure you are opening and completing the form in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Using other PDF software may not support the latest PDF features required for proper form completion and submission.

Some PDF submissions allow you to also submit Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Be sure to refer to the instructions for the fee waiver and remember to sign your form.

Step 2: Sign in to your USCIS online account or create a USCIS online account if you don’t already have one.

Go to our Sign Up page. If you need help creating a USCIS online account, please visit our How to Create a USCIS Online Account page.

You must provide a valid email address and password to create a USCIS online account. The email address you provide will also be the username for your USCIS online account. The USCIS online account uses a two-factor authentication process. This means that in addition to entering your username and password, you must also enter a one-time verification code that we will send you by email, text message, or authentication app. When you create your USCIS online account, you can choose how you want to receive the one-time verification code.

To sign in to your USCIS online account using two-factor authentication:

1. Enter your email address and the password you created. Then select “Log in.”
2. Every time you sign in to your USCIS online account, you must enter your email address and password.
3. Enter your one-time verification code in the box and select “Submit.” (If you selected the authentication app, it may take a few minutes to receive your verification code. If you selected the email option, make sure to check your junk mail or spam folder in addition to your inbox.)
4. If you have not received your verification code after 10 minutes, select “request a new one-time verification code.”

Step 3: Select “File a Form Online.”

Step 4: Select the form you want to file.

Step 5: Select “Upload a Filled-Out PDF Form.”

Step 6: Follow the prompts, reading them carefully.

Step 7: Request a Fee Waiver (if applicable).

• If you are requesting a fee waiver, answer questions about your ability to pay the filing fee, then upload the Form I-912 or your statement when prompted.
• Upload evidence to support your request for a fee waiver. You can upload as many files as you need.
• If you do not upload all the evidence required for your fee waiver, we will reject your form.

Step 8: Upload a PDF of your form.

Step 9: Upload Evidence

You may need to provide evidence to support your application, petition, or request. These documents help us evaluate your form and verify information you have provided. You can upload evidence while you are waiting for the system to accept your uploaded Form PDF.

When you upload evidence:

• Use a scanner or photograph each document. Make sure each image you attach is clear and that all text is readable.
• Files must not be larger than 12MB.
• Files generally must be PDFs, JPGs, or JPEGs. For some forms, we also accept files in TIF or TIFF format.
• Do not encrypt or password-protect your files.
• If your documents are in a foreign language, upload the original document, a certified English translation, and the translator’s certificate for each document.
• If we require passport-style photos, you must either scan them or take a picture with your phone.

Step 10: Review your filing and ensure you have provided all forms and evidence.

Step 11: Review and sign your form (Upload Completed PDF Online).

• If you are filing for yourself, your form PDF must contain an original wet ink signature at the time of upload, or it must be digitally signed from your USCIS online account. If there is an original wet ink signature on the uploaded form PDF, you do not need to do anything else to sign. If you are filing for yourself and no signature is detected on the uploaded PDF, you will be prompted to digitally sign. 
• To digitally sign your application, petition, or request, you must be logged in to your USCIS online account. Enter your full legal name (first, middle, and last names) in the space provided. The system will affix your signature and the date to your online application. This system-generated signature from your USCIS Online Account is the only type of electronic signature that complies with USCIS regulations and policies. After you submit your application, petition, or request, you cannot make any changes.
• If you are an attorney or accredited representative filing for someone else, the applicant, petitioner, beneficiary, or requestor must provide a wet ink signature on the PDF.  They will not be able to digitally sign the form. Before pressing the "SUBMIT" button, ensure the applicant’s, petitioner’s, beneficiary’s, or requestor’s handwritten signature provided on the PDF complies with USCIS regulations and policies. After you submit the application, petition, or request, you cannot make any changes.

Step 12: Submit the PDF upload and payment (if required).

• You will receive confirmation that your PDF was submitted successfully. Note that the confirmation will not include a receipt or receipt number. We will send that to you later, if we accept your application. 
• If you did not request a fee waiver or the fee was paid elsewhere, you will be taken to Pay.gov to make your payment.

After payment:

• It might take up to 30 days for USCIS to accept your form.
• You will see a case card in your online account while you wait for USCIS to accept your form.
• If we reject your case, you will see an update in the “Case Status” tab. You will receive a notice explaining why we rejected your case.  You may resubmit your form when you are ready.
• If we accept your form, you will see the receipt number at the top of the case card. USCIS will mail you a receipt notice to the address you provided in your application. For some PDF upload filings, you will only receive a notice by mail. All other notices will appear in your case card in the Documents or Notices tab, as applicable.

Step 13: View appointment notices.

• We may schedule you for a biometric services appointment at an application support center. Log in to your USCIS online account for more information about your appointment.
• You must attend this appointment and provide biometric information, which may include your photograph, signature, and fingerprints.
• If you need to attend an interview, you will also receive an interview appointment notice in your account.

Step 14: Respond to Requests for Evidence and upload unsolicited evidence.

• We will notify you by text message or email (based on your preference) if you need to respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE).
• Log in to your USCIS online account and go to the Documents or Notices tab, as applicable, to view notices and respond to the RFE.
• While your case is pending, you may provide additional information, including evidence we did not specifically request, about your case. If you do not have an open RFE, you can do this in the Documents or Notices tab, as applicable. Look for the additional evidence uploader at the bottom of the tab.

Step 15: Check the status of your case.

Log in to your USCIS online account for details on the status of your case.

Step 16: Send and receive secure messages.

After you file a form, you will have access to a secure inbox to send messages to USCIS and receive a response to your question.

Step 17: Receive a decision.

Log in to your USCIS online account to read details of the decision we make on your case. For information on processing times for all forms, please visit our USCIS Processing Time Information page.

We designed your online account to work with all mobile and desktop browsers. If you have technical issues related to browser compatibility, we recommend downloading the latest version of Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Internet Explorer 11. If problems continue, you can request technical support from the help page within your USCIS online account. If technical issues prevent you from signing in to your account, send us a message by using our online help form.

You can reset your password by going to the Sign In page and selecting the Forgot your password? link.

Enter your primary email address and click on the “Email Reset Instructions” button. We will send password reset instructions to both your primary and recovery email addresses (if you have one on record).

To confirm your request, please click on the link provided in the email, or copy and paste the entire link into your browser. This confirmation link expires in six hours.

We strongly encourage you to update your address with USCIS to ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits from us in a timely manner and avoid possible delays related to your case.

Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service will not change your address with USCIS. Please update your information with both USCIS and USPS.

Most individuals can change their address in two ways:

• Through your existing USCIS online account if you filed your form online; or
• Filing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, online using the Change of Address webpage. Filing Form AR-11 online will update your address on all pending applications, petitions, or requests that you include on the form. You do not need to mail Form AR-11 if you use the change of address webpage.

Please visit our Change of Address page if you:

• Are a victim of domestic violence, trafficking, and other crimes;
• Filed a Form I-751 abuse waiver;
• Are a U.S. citizen;
• Are a civil surgeon; or
• Are an attorney or registered representative.

To update your address through your USCIS online account:

1. Log in to your USCIS online account.
2. Select the Profile tab.
3. Select Edit next to Mailing Address to update the address where you receive your mail.
4. Select Edit next to Physical Address to update where you currently live.
5. Select Save. (During certain periods of the adjudication process, you may not be able to update your address information.)

Q: As a representative, can I delete my account?

A: The answer to this question depends on the status of your account, as described in the bullets below.

• If a profile does not exist, then you can delete your account. If the representative account does not have an associated profile, you can delete your account by following these steps:
  • Step 1: Go to myaccount.uscis.gov and enter your email address and password.
  • Step 2: Enter your email address and click “Sign In.”
  • Step 3: Enter your verification code.
  • Step 4: When selecting your Representative Account Type, click the “delete the account” link at the bottom of the screen.
  • Step 5: On the Edit Account page, click “Delete Your Account.”
  • Step 6: Verify your account with existing email and password with verification code.
  • Step 7: On the Delete Account screen, type in the word “Delete” and click “Delete Account.”
  • Step 8: You will receive a “Your Account Was Successfully Deleted” message.
• If there is a profile, then you cannot delete. If the representative account has a profile, the account is not eligible for deletion. Follow these steps to update or change the email address:
  • Step 1: Go to myaccount.uscis.gov and enter your email address and password.
  • Step 2: Enter your email address and click “Sign In.”
  • Step 3: Enter your verification code.
  • Step 4: Welcome to your USCIS online account. You can choose the USCIS service you want to log into. In this case, select “Edit My Account Profile.”
  • Step 5: Click on the “Edit” button next to the Primary Address field.
  • Step 6: Insert the new email address on the “Change Your Email” page, enter the existing password, and click on the “Update Email” button. A banner will appear stating, “Your request to update your account was processed successfully, but we need to verify your new email address”.
  • Step 7: Check the primary email that was used to create the account and select the confirmation link. Once the account is confirmed, the new email address will appear as the primary email address.
  • Step 8: Click “Sign Out” in the top right-hand corner. A new account can be created with the desired email address.

Q: As an applicant, can I delete my account?

A: The answer to this question depends on the status of your account, as described in the bullets below.

• If there is no data in your account, then you can delete. If there is an account but no case data associated with it, you can delete your account by following these steps:
  • Step 1: Go to myaccount.uscis.gov and enter your email address and password.
  • Step 2: Enter your email address and click “Sign In.”
  • Step 3: Enter your verification code.
  • Step 4: Welcome to your USCIS online account. You can choose the USCIS service you want log into. Select “My Account.”
  • Step 5: Under the My Account tab, click on settings and select the “View all settings” link.
  • Step 6: On the Edit Account page, click “Delete Your Account.”
  • Step 7: Verify your account with existing email and password with verification code.
  • Step 8: On the Delete Account screen, type in the word “Delete” and click “Delete Account.”
  • Step 9: You will receive a “Your Account Was Successfully Deleted” message.
• If there is a draft case, then you can delete. If the applicant account has any draft cases, follow these steps to make the account eligible for deletion:
  • Step 1: Go to myaccount.uscis.gov and enter your email address and password.
  • Step 2: Enter your email address and click “Sign In.”
  • Step 3: Enter your verification code.
  • Step 4: Welcome to your USCIS online account. You can choose the USCIS service you want to log into. In this case, select “myUSCIS.”
  • Step 5: Click the “Delete” button for all draft cases within the “Your Drafts” section on the account homepage.
  • Step 6: Click “Yes, delete this case” and you will be returned to the account homepage.
  • Step 7: Under the My Account tab, click on settings and select the “View all settings” link.
  • Step 8: On the Edit Account page, click “Delete Your Account.”
  • Step 9: Verify your account with existing email and password with verification code.
  • Step 10: Type in the word “Delete” and click “Delete Account.”
  • Step 11: You will receive a “Your Account Was Successfully Deleted” message.
• If there is a submitted case, then you cannot delete. If a submitted case exists in the account, the account is not eligible for deletion.
• If there is a submitted case and a draft case, then you cannot delete. If the account has an existing draft case and a submitted case within the account, the account is not eligible for deletion because there is a submitted case associated with the account.

Q: As a registrant, can I delete my account?

A: The answer to this question depends on the status of your account, as described in the bullets below.

• If there is no data in the account, then you can delete. If there is an account but no registration data associated with it, you can delete the account by following these steps:
  • Step 1: Go to myaccount.uscis.gov and enter your email address and password.
  • Step 2: Enter your email address and click “Sign In.”
  • Step 3: Enter your verification code.
  • Step 4: Welcome to your USCIS online account. You can choose the USCIS service you want to log into. In this case, select “myUSCIS.”
  • Step 5: Click the “Delete Registration” button for all draft registrations (if any) on the H-1B Registrations page. All drafts must be deleted to be eligible for account deletion.
  • Step 6: Click “Delete” to confirm your decision and you will be returned to your account homepage.
  • Step 7: Go to the Account Settings tab.
  • Step 8: Click “Delete this account” located in the note section of the page.
  • Step 9: On the Edit Account page, click “Delete Your Account.”
  • Step 10: Verify your account with existing email and password with verification code.
  • Step 11: Type in the word “Delete” and click “Delete Account.”
  • Step 12: You will receive a “Your Account Was Successfully Deleted” message.
• If there are only draft registrations, then you can delete. Follow these steps to delete your account:
  • Step 1: Go to myaccount.uscis.gov and enter your email address and password
  • Step 2: Enter your email address and click “Sign In.”
  • Step 3: Enter your verification code.
  • Step 4: Welcome to your USCIS online account. You can choose the USCIS service you want to log into. In this case, select “myUSCIS.”
  • Step 5: Click the “Delete Registration” button for all draft registrations (if any) on the H-1B Registrations page. All drafts must be deleted to be eligible for account deletion.
  • Step 6: Click “Delete” to confirm your decision and you will be returned to your account homepage.
  • Step 7: Go to the Account Settings tab.
  • Step 8: Click “Delete this account” located in the note section of the page.
  • Step 9: On the Edit Account page, click “Delete Your Account.”
  • Step 10: Verify your account with existing email and password with verification code.
  • Step 11: Type in the word “Delete” and click “Delete Account.”
  • Step 12: You will receive a “Your Account Was Successfully Deleted” message.
• If there is a submitted registration, then you cannot delete. If there is a submitted registration in the account, the account is not eligible for deletion.
• If there is a submitted registration and draft registration, then you cannot delete. If there is an existing draft registration and a submitted registration, the account is not eligible for deletion because there is a submitted registration associated with the account.

For technical support with your online account, you can send us a secure message. If you did not file your case online but have a receipt number that begins with “IOE,” you can create a USCIS online account to send secure messages.

Visit our Tools page to see all our self-help tools that may get you answers to common immigration questions.