USCIS Account Lost?

[Coleman21 6]

Hi everyone,

 

It's been a while since I used My USCIS, and now that I want to log in again, it doesn't let me. Right now, I want to use My USCIS to file for citizenship. The last time I used My USCIS account is when I moved to my current address 3 years ago, to file address change. 

 

I tried "forgot password" and tried with multiple emails too, although I do know which one I used before because I have some past emails from USCIS. 

Every time I try the "forgot password" link and get an "instruction" email, it says this:

"This address does not have an associated account. If you previously accessed your USCIS myAccount account online, you may have used a different email address.

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE" And that's it. 

 

So I messaged them using the contact form on the website last week. No response. So I tried calling USCIS today. I cannot get to a human. The robot sends me email instructions that I've already gone through (leads me to send them a message on the website). I tried "speak with representative" multiple times and then it would end the call.

 

What should I do? Has this happened to anyone before? What could be the reason? Does our account get terminated after a certain period of inactivity? Should I just make a new account??

 

I'm wondering if I need to go through Infopass? If I could resolve this issue without going to USCIS in person, I'd love that. Please help!!

 

Thanks!!

 

[OldUser 6,491]

11 minutes ago, Coleman21 said:

What could be the reason? Does our account get terminated after a certain period of inactivity? Should I just make a new account??

Yes, seems like accounts get deleted after some time of inactivity' I'm not able to access my account that got created in 2019.

 

I'd just create a new account. Not a big deal.

[Coleman21 6]

Oh, really!? I wish that USCIS told us that on their website. I thought I had to use the same account throughout my life! 

Have you also created a new account?

[OldUser 6,491]

38 minutes ago, Coleman21 said:

Oh, really!? I wish that USCIS told us that on their website. I thought I had to use the same account throughout my life! 

Have you also created a new account?

No

[VJ0617 21]

On 11/7/2023 at 6:09 PM, Coleman21 said:

Oh, really!? I wish that USCIS told us that on their website. I thought I had to use the same account throughout my life! 

Have you also created a new account?

Looks like USCIS doesn't care. I have two accounts now due to a situation similar to yours.

 

If you file your N-400 by mail, USCIS will create a new online account for you and will send instructions how to access and activate it. Your will receive a letter with your Online account number and access code.

 

[Coleman21 6]

12 hours ago, VJ0617 said:

Looks like USCIS doesn't care. I have two accounts now due to a situation similar to yours.

 

If you file your N-400 by mail, USCIS will create a new online account for you and will send instructions how to access and activate it. Your will receive a letter with your Online account number and access code.

 

Thank you for your reply! Yesterday, I was able to connect with a human! I tried saying "Infopass". He said my question will be handled higher up and someone will email me within 7 days, and he also gave me a number to call in case I don't hear from anyone. So I guess I'll wait for that first, but.. in case this fails, I was wondering if you tried making a new account yourself and if that didn't work either? I'm worried that if I file my application by mail, the process would slow down. Did you file your N-400 by mail? How long did it take to hear from them?

[OldUser 6,491]

5 hours ago, Coleman21 said:

Thank you for your reply! Yesterday, I was able to connect with a human! I tried saying "Infopass". He said my question will be handled higher up and someone will email me within 7 days, and he also gave me a number to call in case I don't hear from anyone. So I guess I'll wait for that first, but.. in case this fails, I was wondering if you tried making a new account yourself and if that didn't work either? I'm worried that if I file my application by mail, the process would slow down. Did you file your N-400 by mail? How long did it take to hear from them?

It costs $0 to create a new USCIS account. No rules forbid creating a new one. Going through USCIS to do this may be counterproductive.

Edited November 9, 2023 by OldUser

[VJ0617 21]

6 hours ago, Coleman21 said:

Thank you for your reply! Yesterday, I was able to connect with a human! I tried saying "Infopass". He said my question will be handled higher up and someone will email me within 7 days, and he also gave me a number to call in case I don't hear from anyone. So I guess I'll wait for that first, but.. in case this fails, I was wondering if you tried making a new account yourself and if that didn't work either? I'm worried that if I file my application by mail, the process would slow down. Did you file your N-400 by mail? How long did it take to hear from them?

No, I did not try to create a new online account. Actually, somehow I was able to access my old account after spending considerable amount of time and doing some tricky things. Sorry, I don't remember now how exactly I was able to re-gain access to my old account. The thing was that we used that account to monitor AOS cases for two different applicants (me and my wife). USCIS's recommendation now is to not mix cases of different applicants using the same account. At least, that was the case in August when we filed our N-400 apps. That is why we decided to get new accounts, one for myself, and one for my wife.

 

We were planning to file our naturalization papers by mailing them anyway because we had some complicating things related to continuous residence requirements. We attached a lot of evidence. It took about three days for papers to be delivered to USCIS lockbox and get accepted. The timer starts from the day USCIS accepts the application. Then it took about five days for USCIS to charge our credit card and issue receipt letter and biometrics reuse letter. So it's only about 3-4 days difference between filing online and mailing an application. Not much in larger scheme of things. Actually, gaining access to your account may take longer, if you wait for USCIS's help in doing it.

 

If you don't have to mail the application, the most efficient option is what OldUser said. Just try to open a new online account and file online. Should be fine to have two accounts.

 

Edit: I used different email for my second account.

Edited November 10, 2023 by VJ0617

[VJ0617 21]

There is a thing called USCIS Online Account Number. N-400 has a box for this number to fill (Item 6 of the form).  We didn't have these numbers, so left that box blank. When we filed by mail, USCIS assigned each of us a new Online Account Number, so now we have them. Probably not that important thing to have, but I guess it might be helpful in verifying or reactivating a dormant account.

 

I am not sure if you get assigned this number while opening a new online account yourself.

 

 

[Coleman21 6]

Wow, thank you so much for the details!! I really appreciate it. 

Having read all of your responses here, I've just gone ahead and made a new account. So far so good! Thank you, guys!!

And wow, My USCIS looks so different now! Maybe they lost my account when they updated their website...