AR-11

[pandawars 7]

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid but I've been a GC holder since 2001(almost 11 years) and I finally applied for N-400 this month. As I've been browsing the internet, there's a lot of talk about the AR-11 and how we should have been notifying USCIS of our address changes. In the past 11 years, I've gone to college, moved into an two different houses, got married and bought a house. I've never once filed an AR-11. Is this a problem? Should I file one now online to reflect the same address that was on my N-400 application? Thanks for your input.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid but I've been a GC holder since 2001(almost 11 years) and I finally applied for N-400 this month. As I've been browsing the internet, there's a lot of talk about the AR-11 and how we should have been notifying USCIS of our address changes. In the past 11 years, I've gone to college, moved into an two different houses, got married and bought a house. I've never once filed an AR-11. Is this a problem? Should I file one now online to reflect the same address that was on my N-400 application? Thanks for your input.

If you received your NOA at your current home address then I wouldn't worry about it. They have your address down correctly. Yes, you should have been filing AR11's each time you moved but it's kind of a moot point now, isn't it? It could come up at the interview...but not very likely. You listed you previous addresses on the N400 application, correct?

I wouldn't give it any more thought for now - it would be more confusing for them to receive an AR11 with your current address on it (which they already have from the N400 app).

[nwctzn 55]

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid but I've been a GC holder since 2001(almost 11 years) and I finally applied for N-400 this month. As I've been browsing the internet, there's a lot of talk about the AR-11 and how we should have been notifying USCIS of our address changes. In the past 11 years, I've gone to college, moved into an two different houses, got married and bought a house. I've never once filed an AR-11. Is this a problem? Should I file one now online to reflect the same address that was on my N-400 application? Thanks for your input.

Filing an AR-11 now would only confuse things. So I would not do that. The likelihood may be low for this happening during the interview, but be prepared to answer a question why you did not file AR-11 every time you moved since it is the law. Did you simply forget, did you not know, did you just ignore it or why?

[pandawars 7]

Filing an AR-11 now would only confuse things. So I would not do that. The likelihood may be low for this happening during the interview, but be prepared to answer a question why you did not file AR-11 every time you moved since it is the law. Did you simply forget, did you not know, did you just ignore it or why?

I didn't know...it's not like I'd ignore that. Seems like from reading other people's experience it's not that big of a deal. Thanks anyways...

[nwctzn 55]

I didn't know...it's not like I'd ignore that. Seems like from reading other people's experience it's not that big of a deal. Thanks anyways...

Well, if you did not know then if asked at the interview you can answer with a straight face that you did not know.

I disagree though with the comment that the AR-11 is not a big deal. It is a big deal. Read the below info printed on the AR-11 form:

AR-11 ALIEN'S CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARD

This card is to be used by all aliens to report change of address within 10 days of such change.

The collection of this information is required by Section 265 of the I&N Act (8 U.S.C. 1305). The data used by the

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service for statistical and record purposes and may be furnished to

federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement officials. Failure to report is punishable by fine or imprisonment

and/or deportation.

Edited January 18, 2012 by nwctzn

[ingucis78 1]

i will admit to be guilty on that as well.and we learned that the hard way.we were station in Germany(i was still on my 2 year GC).we were there for little over 3 years.my GC exp while we were in Germany.we were told that i will not get new GC until we are back in US.i was almost 7 month preggo when we came back.got a letter from US embesy in Germany.did not really have any problems coming back in US.when we went to local INS office we found out my file was shreded(just like that).everything got fixed fast.Thank God.but i wonder as never informing them about the move had somthing to do with that.

and believe me ...i bin living in US since 2002(we went back to germany once).i just now found out about the change of adress thing.

my hubby to said he had no idea about that.when we went to INS office after coming back from Europe..we were never told about it or asked WHY we did not do it.i just have that nice stamp in my passport...military dependant or somthing like that.

i am freeking out now over this.

[arvinb 17]

Oh, these new informations just keep popping up.

I only now learned about this concept of the AR-11... I'd been a GC holder for almost 10 years and since I had just turned 18 and still living with parents (I needed it for college applications), all the immigration stuff was handled by my parents. I was never told about the AR-11 and did not know when I applied for my N400 in November. I've moved multiple times in the past 10 years since that's normal for a college student (from New Jersey to Los Angeles, to several addresses in Los Angeles). My parents still live at the original address.

My interview is in two weeks and I never once filed for an AR-11, and it was never mentioned in the NOA's or the yellow letter, or white letter (all of which were sent to my current address no problem).

This far down the line do you think it would be an issue? I have proof of my last 3 addresses via an old driver's license, and my tax returns.

SPECIFICALLY: Should I file an AR-11 now two weeks away from my interview, would that help or hurt the situation?

Edited February 24, 2012 by arvinb