Form AR-11: How to File Your USCIS Change of Address

If you are not a U.S. citizen and you move, federal law gives you 10 days to tell USCIS your new address using Form AR-11. You can file it online through your USCIS account in a few minutes, or fill out the paper PDF and mail it in. This guide covers both, but focuses on the paper form, since most guides only explain the online portal and leave the PDF version as an afterthought.

Who Has to File Form AR-11 and When

Under 8 U.S.C. 1305, almost every noncitizen physically present in the United States for more than 30 days must report a change of address within 10 days of moving. That includes lawful permanent residents (green card holders), most visa holders, and people with pending applications at USCIS. It does not apply to holders of A and G visas (foreign government and international organization representatives) or visa waiver visitors staying under 30 days.

The 10-day clock starts the day you move into the new address, not the day you get around to filing. There is no fee to file AR-11, whether online or on paper.

A separate deadline if you have a case in immigration court

If you are currently in removal proceedings, AR-11 alone is not enough. You must also notify the immigration court directly using Form EOIR-33 (EOIR-33/IC if your case is with an immigration judge, or EOIR-33/BIA if it is on appeal), and that deadline is tighter: five business days, not 10. Filing AR-11 with USCIS does not update your court record, so treat these as two separate steps if you have an open case.

Online vs Paper: Which to Use

USCIS strongly encourages filing your change of address online through your USCIS online account, and for good reason: it updates your address across all your pending cases almost immediately, which matters if USCIS is about to mail you a request for evidence or an interview notice.

The paper Form AR-11 still legally satisfies the requirement, and it is often the better option if you do not have (or cannot easily set up) a USCIS online account, you are filing on behalf of a family member, or you want a signed, dated document you can keep as your own proof of filing, separate from a website confirmation screen that is easy to lose track of. USCIS does not publish a guaranteed processing time for mailed AR-11 forms, so build in a buffer before any deadline that depends on USCIS having your current address on file.

Step by Step: Filling Out the PDF

Download the current version of Form AR-11 directly from uscis.gov/ar-11. It is free; never pay a third-party site for the blank form.

1. Open the PDF in a fillable editor. Upload the downloaded form to PDF Editify's fill tool in your browser. You do not need to print a blank copy first or install any software.
2. Enter your identifying information. Fill in your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) if you have one, your USCIS Online Account Number if you have one, your full legal name exactly as it appears on your immigration documents, date of birth, country of birth, and country of citizenship.
3. Enter your previous address and your new address. Double-check apartment or unit numbers and ZIP codes. A mismatched unit number is one of the most common reasons a mailed notice never reaches someone who filed correctly.
4. Add a phone number and email if you have one. These fields are optional but make it easier for USCIS to reach you if there is a problem with your filing.
5. Sign and date the certification. Use PDF Editify's signature tool to add your signature directly in the browser, then download the completed PDF.
6. Print and mail it. Send the signed form to the mailing address listed in the form's own instructions (it varies), using certified mail with a return receipt so you have a delivery record.

If you would rather keep a permanent digital copy of everything you have ever filed with USCIS in one place, a fillable form workflow also works well for family members handling multiple AR-11s at once, such as a household that all moved together.

What to Do After You Move (Keeping Proof)

Whichever method you use, keep evidence that you filed on time:

• Paper filers: Save the completed, signed PDF on your device, plus the certified mail receipt and tracking number. Screenshot or print the delivery confirmation once USPS shows it as delivered.
• Online filers: Save the confirmation screen as a PDF or screenshot immediately after submitting; USCIS online accounts do not always make old confirmations easy to find later.

This matters more than it sounds like it should. USCIS mails important notices, such as requests for additional evidence or interview appointments, to whatever address is on file. If a notice goes to an old address and you miss a deadline as a result, having proof that you filed AR-11 on time is often the only way to show the failure was not your fault.

What Happens If You Miss the 10-Day Window

Failing to report an address change within 10 days is technically a federal misdemeanor under 8 U.S.C. 1305, carrying a fine of up to $200, up to 30 days in jail, or both. In practice, USCIS rarely prosecutes a single late filing on its own. The more common civil penalty allows for a fine of more than $5,000, and, more importantly, missing the deadline can be used as a factor in removal (deportation) proceedings unless you can show the failure was reasonably excusable and not willful.

The practical risk is usually smaller but still costly: a missed notice, a missed biometrics appointment, or a missed interview because it was mailed to an address you no longer live at. If you are late, file as soon as you realize it rather than waiting. A late filing is better than no filing, and it starts updating your record going forward.

If You're Also Updating Your Address With the IRS

A USCIS address change does not update your tax records. If you also need to notify the IRS after a move, that is a separate form; see our guide to IRS Form 8822 for the steps.

A Faster Way to Handle One-Off Government Forms

If AR-11 is the only PDF you need to fill out this month, paying for a full month of a PDF subscription for one form is hard to justify. PDF Editify's One Week Plan is a $3 one-time payment. It gives you seven days of full access to fill, sign, and download forms like AR-11, and it simply expires on its own, there is nothing to remember to cancel. If you expect to handle more paperwork over the coming months (renewals, other USCIS forms, tax documents), the Standard plan at $10/month or $100/year, or a Lifetime plan starting at $99 one-time, works out cheaper per use. Compare all of it on the pricing page before you decide.

FAQs

Do green card holders need to file Form AR-11?

Yes. Lawful permanent residents must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving, the same as most other noncitizens.

Is there a fee to file Form AR-11?

No. Filing AR-11 is free whether you submit it online through your USCIS account or by mail on paper.

What is the difference between AR-11 and EOIR-33?

AR-11 updates your address with USCIS for immigration benefits and applications. EOIR-33 is a separate form that updates your address with the immigration court, and it is only required if you have a pending case in removal proceedings. You may need to file both after one move.

Can I file AR-11 if I don't have a pending USCIS application?

Yes. The 10-day reporting requirement applies to nearly all noncitizens present in the U.S. for more than 30 days, regardless of whether you currently have an open application.

How do I prove I filed AR-11 on time if USCIS says they never received it?

Keep the completed PDF you filled out, plus a certified mail receipt with tracking if you mailed it, or a saved confirmation screen if you filed online. These records are what you would present if USCIS disputes the filing date later.