Change mailing address only (out of state address)

[shallot343 116]

Hi everyone, 

 

I received NOA1 (via text, still waiting on physical letter) on the 29th of March; I know I have quite a while to wait until further communications from USCIS. Currently I live in an apartment with a cluster mailbox in an insecure mailroom, and recently we have had trouble receiving mail.

 

 

I am worried about receiving mail from USCIS so I am considering changing my mailing address only to my mother's house, where I know mail will definitely be received. (I know I probably should have entered her address as the mailing address when I filed; i stupidly hadn't thought about this enough!). She is out of state (in PA; I am in NY)

 

I called USCIS to ask about this because the online address change option seems to be for changing physical address as well. The agent I spoke to said I needed to send a physical letter to my service center (Texas) requesting a mailing address change. my questions are as follows:

 

1/ Has anyone changed their mailing address only via physical letter before? If so, do you know where I can find a template for this letter?

 

2/ Is it likely that changing my mailing address to a different state than my physical address will cause delays/further questions/RFEs?

 

3/ If my physical address changes during the process I will update this online; am I able to maintain the separate mailing address?

 

I would also consider getting a P.O. box for a year if that is preferable but I recall reading that USCIS does not like delivering to PO boxes? (I may be misremembering!)

 

Anyone have experience with changing their mailing address only in this way?

 

thank you!!