How do I find out what address the USCIS has for us?
January 9, 2010 3:52 PM Subscribe
How do I find out what address the USCIS has for us?
This question has put the fear of god into me. My husband and I are both green card holders; have been since 2005 some time. In 2006 we moved to another state. But I don't remember changing our address with USCIS -- or even thinking this was something we had to do. How can I find out if we did? And if we didn't, what should we do to remedy the situation without triggering some kind of horrific lost-in-the-system saga?
Posting anonymously because, well, it's immigration.
This question has put the fear of god into me. My husband and I are both green card holders; have been since 2005 some time. In 2006 we moved to another state. But I don't remember changing our address with USCIS -- or even thinking this was something we had to do. How can I find out if we did? And if we didn't, what should we do to remedy the situation without triggering some kind of horrific lost-in-the-system saga?
Posting anonymously because, well, it's immigration.
IANAL either, but I would be very, very surprised if sending in the form Faint of Butt mentions raised any flags. Of course, you did send one when you first moved and now are just making triple sure, right?
If you just want to see what address they have, call the number they give on the website, wait an hour or two on hold, and if you're lucky enough to ever get an actual human on the line, give them your A-number and ask.
I'm pretty cautious and paranoid where USCIS is concerned (see my posting history!), but I don't think you should be freaking out about this at all.
posted by crabintheocean at 5:27 PM on January 9, 2010
If you just want to see what address they have, call the number they give on the website, wait an hour or two on hold, and if you're lucky enough to ever get an actual human on the line, give them your A-number and ask.
I'm pretty cautious and paranoid where USCIS is concerned (see my posting history!), but I don't think you should be freaking out about this at all.
posted by crabintheocean at 5:27 PM on January 9, 2010
You can also file a change of address over the internet.
You just triggered a panic attack for me too, so I just filed one. Again.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:21 PM on January 9, 2010
You just triggered a panic attack for me too, so I just filed one. Again.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:21 PM on January 9, 2010
If you are not otherwise currently interacting with USCIS failing to officially change your address has historically been unlikely to cause issues, even if it is legally required. In these days of heightened scrutiny I can't guarantee that there could never be repercussions, but showing good faith now by correcting the omission should be enough (follow ROU_Xenophobe's link).
I know of someone who managed not to file any change of address over a period of about 25 years (a holder of a non-expiring green card) before finally filing an AR-11, without repercussions despite repeated trips abroad before and afterwards. I don't recommend following that example, but it is at least an indication that you are probably safe from dire consequences if you don't otherwise draw attention to yourself. As always, if you have specific worries about your particular circumstances or have unusual details an immigration lawyer is the place to go to find reliable advice rather than anecdote.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 9:44 PM on January 9, 2010
I know of someone who managed not to file any change of address over a period of about 25 years (a holder of a non-expiring green card) before finally filing an AR-11, without repercussions despite repeated trips abroad before and afterwards. I don't recommend following that example, but it is at least an indication that you are probably safe from dire consequences if you don't otherwise draw attention to yourself. As always, if you have specific worries about your particular circumstances or have unusual details an immigration lawyer is the place to go to find reliable advice rather than anecdote.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 9:44 PM on January 9, 2010
My better half is a LPR and experienced the loss of a permanent resident card about three years. An application for card renewal was filed without any change of address form being filed and this was after at least three moves (all within the same state). The newly renewed PR card arrived in short order without any fuss.
You should be fine. From our experience, there's not much short of three felony convictions or doing other loudly stupid things that will result in the loss of a valid permanent residency visa. You're "in the system" with a valid visa. Half the time USCIS can't figure out the paperwork it wants you to file, much less admonish you for filling out something optional.
If your address was that important, it'd be on the PR card, eh?
posted by fireoyster at 4:37 AM on January 10, 2010
You should be fine. From our experience, there's not much short of three felony convictions or doing other loudly stupid things that will result in the loss of a valid permanent residency visa. You're "in the system" with a valid visa. Half the time USCIS can't figure out the paperwork it wants you to file, much less admonish you for filling out something optional.
If your address was that important, it'd be on the PR card, eh?
posted by fireoyster at 4:37 AM on January 10, 2010
I forgot to file that form until 3 months before beginning citizenship applications, after 4 years in a new address. USCIS/DHS didn't give a peep, and now I'm a citizen. This was in late '08.
YMMV, of course, and you should file that form as soon as you can.
posted by subbes at 6:15 AM on January 15, 2010
YMMV, of course, and you should file that form as soon as you can.
posted by subbes at 6:15 AM on January 15, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Faint of Butt at 3:57 PM on January 9, 2010