Form AR-11: How to Change Your Address With USCIS
- Form AR-11 is the free USCIS form used by non-citizens to report a change of address.
- You must file it within 10 days of moving to stay compliant with immigration requirements.
- Filing online through your USCIS account is faster and automatically updates your address.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sends interview notices, requests for evidence, and case decisions by mail. If your address on file is out of date, you can miss documents critical to your case.
Federal law requires most non-citizens to report a new U.S. address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. The form for this is AR-11.
| 🧑‍⚖️Clear guidance, without the legal jargon. This article is informed and reviewed by Manifest Law’s experienced immigration attorneys—and written to make the law make sense. Because you deserve to understand the system, not fight it. Check out our editorial policy for more info. |
What is Form AR-11?
Form AR-11 is the official USCIS form non-citizens use to report a new U.S. address to the federal government. The current edition of the form is dated Nov. 2, 2022, but USCIS will also accept the Aug. 31, 2021 edition. There is no filing fee.
| Note: Form AR-11 does not serve as proof of identity, age, or immigration status. |
Who needs to file an AR-11 change of address with USCIS?
Most non-citizens living in the U.S. must report a new address within 10 days of moving. This includes:
- Green Card holders: Both conditional (2-year) and permanent (10-year) residents must notify USCIS within 10 days of any move.
- Nonimmigrant visa holders: If you’re in the U.S. on a temporary visa, like H-1B or F-1, the same 10-day rule applies.
| Exemptions: Some visitors aren’t required to file. This includes foreign diplomats and government officials on A visas, representatives to international organizations on G visas, and tourists or visa waiver visitors. |
If you sponsored an immigrant through Form I-864
Form AR-11 is not the right form for you. If you submitted an Affidavit of Support for another person, you must submit Form I-865, Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address, within 30 days of your move. Failure to comply could lead to a civil fine reaching more than $5,000.
If you’re a Green Card holder who also sponsored an immigrant, both deadlines apply: AR-11 within 10 days and Form I-865 within 30 days.
What information do you need to file Form AR-11?
The current form requires the following:
- Full name (first, middle, and last)
- Date of birth
- Present physical address (no P.O. boxes permitted)
- Previous physical address
- Mailing address (if different from your physical address)
- Alien registration number (A-number) if you have one
- Signature and date
| Your A-number is a unique ID assigned by USCIS. You can find it on your Green Card, Employment Authorization Document, or other official USCIS notices. |
How to file an AR-11 change of address
There are two ways to file.
Online
USCIS strongly encourages using the self-service tool in your online account.
Log in to your USCIS online account and use the Enterprise Change of Address tool, found under the “My Account” dropdown. Filling online provides near-immediate confirmation and updates your address in USCIS systems automatically.
By mail
Download the current edition of Form AR-11 from uscis.gov, complete all required fields, and mail it to:
USCIS Attn: Change of Address
1344 Pleasants Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Mail processing takes longer than online filling and doesn’t trigger an automatic system update.
Two limitations
- You need to separately update your address on pending applications through your USCIS online account, even if you originally filed by mail. You’ll need the receipt number for each pending case.
- If you’re in removal proceedings, you can’t use AR-11 to update the immigration court. You must notify the court of your new address separately.
How long does it take to process Form AR-11?
Online filing is faster. When you submit through your USCIS online account, your address is updated almost immediately.
Mail is slower. USCIS doesn’t publish a processing timeframe for paper AR-11 submissions. The time will depend on postal transit and USCIS internal processing.
Do you need help updating your address with USCIS?
For most people, filing AR-11 is straightforward. But if you have a pending application, a complex immigration history, or are unsure which form applies to your situation, a small mistake can have real consequences.
The immigration attorneys at Manifest Law are experienced in guiding clients through address changes and the broader immigration process. Request a consultation today.
Frequently asked questions
I’ve updated my address with the U.S. Postal Service. Do I still need to file Form AR-11?
Yes. USPS will not forward mail from USCIS, and updating your address with the post office doesn’t update your immigration records.
What if I move again after filling Form AR-11?
You must file a new AR-11 each time you move.
Do I need to file Form AR-11 if I move temporarily?
Yes. The 10-day requirement applies whether the move is permanent or temporary.
Can I use a P.O. box for my USCIS mailing address?
You can list a P.O. box as your mailing address, but you must also provide a physical residential address. USCIS requires a physical address for all non-citizens and Green Card holders.
Can I file a Form AR-11 on behalf of my family members?
Each noncitizen in your household should file their own AR-11 if they’re subject to USCIS’ registration requirements.
