Changing address

[collegeboard 0]

I have applied for AOS in April. Have NAO1 and a biometrics appt. I also have a new job offer in Wash, DC.

How difficult is it to change address and still receive all mail from USCIS?

I do not want to be one of the people who write about horror stories of not receiving an interview letter and then getting denied for not showing up.

Anybody do this successfully?

Do I need to turn down promotions to manage the USCIS computer system?

[scooby06 0]

Well I have changed my address and in a way it was successful. We moved in January. I send in an AR-11 and then called USCIS to make all the changes on my AOS application forms. They told me that I should receive within 45 days notification from the MBC and the VSC regarding the changes on all of my Forms. Within 10 days these letter came to my new address. Oh yah, I also send an I- 865 to the new local Service center and received a notification letter back as well. All seemed to be well.

Know that is the good part of the story. Now to the bad one.

After all this and making sure they did it all right my Iinterview letter still came to the old address.

In my case I was lucky that my old address was that of my relatives where we stayed and so my Mother in law called me right a way when the letter came. Unfortunately if you leave your place with no way making sure the letter will find its way to you it could be a risky business. Good luck to you.

[misa 2]

You can file a change of address online now at uscis.gov. From what I've heard from others, the system works without any delays. Bear in mind that your sponsor will need to file an I-865 paper form to change their address (for legal reasons) if your sponsor is moving with you.

[collegeboard 0]

You can file a change of address online now at uscis.gov. From what I've heard from others, the system works without any delays. Bear in mind that your sponsor will need to file an I-865 paper form to change their address (for legal reasons) if your sponsor is moving with you.

Well, here is the deal. One post explains that all was done properly and the letter was sent to the wrong address!!!!!!!!!!!

The other suggests using online system, which is convenient, but will it make any difference?

I can't believe changing an address could be that difficult. If only credit card companies were so pathetic we could move, disappear and never pay a bill!

Any body do this successfully? I found a note titled overkill from meaxana with lots of advice but no assurance.

Thanks!

[misa 2]

The people that I've seen do the change of address online received notification in the mail a week later at their new address. Don't bother calling USCIS to change your address and don't bother filing it by mail as it won't get done.

I'm moving next week so I'm doing the change of address online. I don't have a choice as I'm moving so...

Edited May 11, 2007 by misa

[misa 2]

Well I have changed my address and in a way it was successful. We moved in January. I send in an AR-11 and then called USCIS to make all the changes on my AOS application forms. They told me that I should receive within 45 days notification from the MBC and the VSC regarding the changes on all of my Forms. Within 10 days these letter came to my new address. Oh yah, I also send an I- 865 to the new local Service center and received a notification letter back as well. All seemed to be well.

Know that is the good part of the story. Now to the bad one.

After all this and making sure they did it all right my Iinterview letter still came to the old address.

In my case I was lucky that my old address was that of my relatives where we stayed and so my Mother in law called me right a way when the letter came. Unfortunately if you leave your place with no way making sure the letter will find its way to you it could be a risky business. Good luck to you.

Good to know that this could happen. I wonder why it did happen though if all the paperwork had the correct new address...

I'm moving next week and have no way of making sure any USCIS mail is at the old address after June 1st and I have heard that USPS doesn't forward USCIS mail.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

it will not make any difference if you file on-line or by mail.... you still can not guarantee that your address will be updated and you will get your mail at your new address....

You can write to your local office both new and old.... you can call the 0800 and check.... but again no guarantee you are going to get your mail at you new address....

We did all the above and still we did not get mail we were waiting for...... if fact if anyone has my original Greencard let me know..... because it has never to this day turned up.....

Kez

[kim&james 0]

We moved States and fortunately have been successful with the change of address using the online AR-11. I received snail mail notification that it had changed but I had also phoned the misinformation line and had a infopass.

I put our names in big letters on the mail box and notified the postie to keep a watch for any of the letters from the USCIS for me.

Everyone is different but it will either be smooth sailing or a huge cluster......

[Emancipation 2]

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I'm moving next week and have no way of making sure any USCIS mail is at the old address after June 1st and I have heard that USPS doesn't forward USCIS mail.

We asked our Postmaster at our old address (small town) about that.. told them our situation and for any reason would USPS NOT forward official gov. mail. She said.. the only reason that we would NOT forward any mail, is if it said right on the front of the letter "DO NOT FORWARD"..

So.. I dunno if we've been told mis-information from USPS... or if when a greencard comes if it has that message on the envelope.. perhaps someone else could let me know on both.

[collegeboard 0]

[

I'm moving next week and have no way of making sure any USCIS mail is at the old address after June 1st and I have heard that USPS doesn't forward USCIS mail.

We asked our Postmaster at our old address (small town) about that.. told them our situation and for any reason would USPS NOT forward official gov. mail. She said.. the only reason that we would NOT forward any mail, is if it said right on the front of the letter "DO NOT FORWARD"..

So.. I dunno if we've been told mis-information from USPS... or if when a greencard comes if it has that message on the envelope.. perhaps someone else could let me know on both.

Good point. Has anyone noticed on mail received from USCIS if the envelope is marked "do not forward"? It seems that it is assumed that it will not be forwarded, but I think unless the envelope is marked not to forward, it would be forwarded automatically.

Also, another confusion. Some seem to say the AR-11 does nothing to change address. But here it says that on-line AR-11 form resulted in mailing address being changed. Some say calling and sending letters is ineffective.

I think a certified letter or some other proof that a change of address WAS mailed would be an important document if a letter, say informing of interview date, was missed and USCIS decided that one had given up on the process when no one showed up.

How long is reasonable to wait for the interview date letter? We filed in April and have a May biometrics date. Will move in early July, so perhaps that letter could be expected to arrive before the move date? Or if not, when does one start calling to make sure the letter was not lost?

Is this worth an infopass appt. to talk to someone here, before moving, in order to have an address change?

[collegeboard 0]

it will not make any difference if you file on-line or by mail.... you still can not guarantee that your address will be updated and you will get your mail at your new address....

You can write to your local office both new and old.... you can call the 0800 and check.... but again no guarantee you are going to get your mail at you new address....

We did all the above and still we did not get mail we were waiting for...... if fact if anyone has my original Greencard let me know..... because it has never to this day turned up.....

Kez

Wow! How did you get the replacement green card? What did you have to go through? Did USCIS believe you with a phone call and mail a substitute?

[no name 1]

I think a certified letter or some other proof that a change of address WAS mailed would be an important document if a letter, say informing of interview date, was missed and USCIS decided that one had given up on the process when no one showed up.

Which is exactly what it says to do on the sponsor's form (I-865). Always important to CYA.

How long is reasonable to wait for the interview date letter? We filed in April and have a May biometrics date. Will move in early July, so perhaps that letter could be expected to arrive before the move date? Or if not, when does one start calling to make sure the letter was not lost?

Could be months. Depends on your consulate. Search the timelines for an idea. Also, how far away are you moving? If you do not stay in the same area, you would have to travel back for your appt.

Is this worth an infopass appt. to talk to someone here, before moving, in order to have an address change?

No! Do it online (or by mail), at usps.com & that's all you can do. There's really no need to discuss it to death. Lots of people have done it before you & will continue to do it after you.

Edited May 12, 2007 by devilette

[Kez/JWolf 6]

No I had to pay for a replacement greencard at a cost of $290.00 and a wait of 8 months for it to be processed... (see my signature below for exact dates).

As far as USCIS is concerned once they have mailed the card it is no longer there responsibility and if it goes to the wrong address or is lost in the mail then you have to pay for a new one.... The reply that they gave my Congressman was that the AR-11 form with done on-line or by mail does not guarantee a change of address in there system and does not update any pending applications you may have....

My advice to anyone would be that if you can delay your change of address while you are doing AOS then do so.... if you can not delay a change of address then do the AR-11 and call the 0800 number and make an infopass at your local office and ensure that they update your mailing address on your pending application... then at your interview check what address they hold on file for you so that hopefully you will get your mail at your new address....

Kez

[Kez/JWolf 6]

No! Do it online (or by mail), at usps.com & that's all you can do. There's really no need to discuss it to death. no0pb.gif Lots of people have done it before you & will continue to do it after you.

There is a need for this to be discussed.... the OP was asking about the effects of changing address and while there are some who have done this and not had any issues there are many like me who have had major issues over the change of address...

Any information that can be shared to help people not have the issues that I and many other have had can only be a good thing.....

Kez

[misa 2]

Niagaenola, thanks for the tips.

Unfortunately I couldn't delay my moving since it was unexpected. We've met the new tenant so maybe I'll ask him to email us to let us know if anything from USCIS comes this way after I change my address. We're moving 3 blocks away.

I'll do all of the above you suggested, AR-11 online, calling USCIS and making an infopass AND checking with my local office if/when I get an interview.