Do I have to tell USCIS when I move to a new address in the US?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Yes. The law requires foreign nationals in the US who must register to report each new address in writing within 10 days of moving. USCIS accepts the change through your USCIS online account or on paper Form AR-11. A and G visa holders and Visa Waiver visitors are exempt. Failing to report is a misdemeanor.

Key facts

What	The source says	Source
Deadline	Within 10 days of the change of address	8 U.S.C. 1305(a); USCIS, AR-11
Who must report	Every alien in the US who is required to be registered; USCIS says this excludes A and G visa holders and Visa Waiver visitors	8 U.S.C. 1305(a); USCIS, AR-11
How	Through your USCIS online account, or by mailing Form AR-11; both meet the legal requirement	USCIS, AR-11
Children	The parent or legal guardian gives the notice when they are responsible for the child’s registration	8 U.S.C. 1305(c)
Penalty	Misdemeanor: fine up to $200, up to 30 days in prison, or both; possible removal unless the failure was reasonably excusable or not willful	8 U.S.C. 1306(b)

What the law requires

Section 265 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1305) says every foreign national in the US who is required to be registered must give written notice of each change of address, and the new address, within ten days of moving. USCIS’s guidance puts it the same way: report any change of address within 10 days of moving. It adds that the requirement does not apply to A and G visa holders or to Visa Waiver visitors.

How to report

USCIS strongly encourages using the change-of-address tool in your USCIS online account. It says this meets the legal requirement, replaces the paper form and updates your address in its case systems almost immediately. You can also mail a paper Form AR-11; that also meets the legal requirement, but it does not update your address in USCIS systems automatically. USCIS’s fee schedule lists the fee for Form AR-11.

If you have an application or petition with USCIS, USCIS asks you to tell it about any move as soon as possible so you receive all correspondence. Violence Against Women Act self-petitioners and T or U applicants follow a separate procedure that USCIS describes on its website.

What happens if you don’t

The law makes a failure to report a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $200, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both. Whether or not you are convicted, the law also allows you to be taken into custody and removed, unless you show the failure was reasonably excusable or not willful.

Sources

8 U.S.C. 1305 (INA § 265), Notices of change of address (US Code, 2024 edition, GPO) checked 2026-10-25
8 U.S.C. 1306(b) (INA § 266(b)), Failure to notify change of address (US Code, 2024 edition, GPO) checked 2026-10-25
USCIS: AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card checked 2026-10-25

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.