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How Do I Report a Change of Address to the CIS?BackgroundAll non-U.S. citizens (aliens) who are required to be registered with the CIS are also required to keep the CIS informed of their current address. This is particularly important when you have filed an application or petition for a benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act and expect notification of a decision on that application. It is also mandatory for any alien who has been designated as a "special registrant" to inform the CIS whenever he or she has a change of address, employment or school. The special registrant rule went into effective on September 11, 2002. Special Registrants must use Form AR-11SR. Who Must Comply?All aliens in the United States must notify the CIS of each change of address. The only aliens exempt from this requirement are diplomats (A Visa Holders), official government representatives to an international organization (G Visa Holders), and certain nonimmigrants who do not possess a visa and who are in the U.S. for fewer than 30 days. How Do I Report?All aliens changing their address must mail the original Form AR-11 to the CIS at the address listed on the form. Special Registrants must use Form AR-11SR. You may hand write (legibly) or type the information onto Form AR-11 or Form AR-11SR. You should keep a copy of the completed form for your records, noting thereon the date that you mailed the original to the CIS. You should also send a copy of the completed Form AR-11 to your K&C Immigration Team. The CIS has created an additional procedure and recommends additional notifications for those aliens who are also applicants for benefits. An applicant for naturalization may comply with the law by filing a Form AR-11 AND telephoning the National Customer Service Center (800 -375-5283) to advise that office of the change of address. Applicants and petitioners for any other benefits should file a Form AR-11 AND notify in writing the CIS office processing their case of any change of address. You may choose the method of mailing your Form AR-11. Using certified, registered or receipt mail is not currently a CIS requirement. However, it is advisable to send the AR-11 with a Return Receipt or another delivery method that will enable you to prove that you did indeed mail the form to the CIS, in case there should ever be a question. What Should I Include?For the Form AR-11: Complete the information requested on the form, including present address, last address (most recent only), alien or registration number, country of citizenship, date of birth, current employment or school (if none, write "None") and your signature. You do not need to include temporary addresses as long as you maintain your present address as your permanent residence and continue to receive mail there. Penalties for Failure to ComplyA willful failure to give written notice to the CIS of a change of address within 10 days of the change is a misdemeanor crime. If convicted, the alien (or parent or legal guardian of an alien under age 14 who is required to give notice) can be fined up to $200 or imprisoned up to 30 days, or both. The alien may also be subject to removal from the United States. Compliance with the requirement to notify the CIS of any address changes is also a condition of an alien’s stay in the United States. Failure to comply could also jeopardize the alien’s ability to obtain a future visa or other immigration benefit. |
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