Just got approved green card but not home when it arrives

[steve-phuket 10]

Hi,  my wife just got approved, yeah!!!! So I guess the USCIS sends the actual green card USPS registered mail, signature required right?

 

Problem is we not going to be home for a few months, wintering down south but in the US.

 

I don't want to register a new address since it's not a permanent move. What do you think I should do? Should I ask the post office to forward my mail to my current address? Thanks 

[OldUser 6,633]

15 minutes ago, steve-phuket said:

Should I ask the post office to forward my mail to my current address? Thanks 

Neither forwarding or Hold Mail works. I tried myself.

 

Signature is often not required. But if something goes wrong, either the mail will be returned back to USCIS and GC destroyed or it will get lost. Then it's the painful I-90 with potentially months of wait.

 

I'd make an effort to actually go home for few days and receive it.

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

We did not have to sign for Adil's GC

but i don't think the PO can forward it

Do u have a responsible person to get your mail? if so,  i would go that route 

[Dashinka 24,488]

We did not have to sign for the GC, but I agree, the mail cannot be forwarded.

 

Good Luck!

[appleblossom 2,479]

Is your mail put through your door or in a mailbox? If the latter do you have a friend that could pop by and pick it up? You can use Informed Delivery so you know when it's on its way and delivered (it shows up as a special delivery parcel). I just wouldn't risk leaving it sat in a mailbox for weeks/months. 

[steve-phuket 10]

I have a tenant in my house can in theory send it to me but he's pretty flaky. 

 

Maybe I should just file a change of address then?

 

 

[powerpuff 6,697]

2 minutes ago, steve-phuket said:

Maybe I should just file a change of address then?

I really wouldn’t, not this late in the process when the card is about to be mailed. It takes a while for them to register it and a lot of times it still goes to the old address 

[OldUser 6,633]

5 minutes ago, steve-phuket said:

Maybe I should just file a change of address then?

 

 

It likely won't work.

 

5 minutes ago, steve-phuket said:

I have a tenant in my house can in theory send it to me but he's pretty flaky. 

No, it's increased risk of getting it lost in transit.

 

Plus as you say the tenant is flaky.

 

I think the entire situation is flaky and can fire back at ROC stage... You have an address registered where you and your LPR spouse allegedly live, but instead there's some other tenant. If USCIS finds out somehow, you'll have to explain.

Edited December 7, 2023 by OldUser

[appleblossom 2,479]

15 minutes ago, steve-phuket said:

I have a tenant in my house can in theory send it to me but he's pretty flaky. 

 

Maybe I should just file a change of address then?

 

 

 

Not sure what you mean by 'flaky', surely he'll just gather your mail for you and put it to the side? As long as he's not likely to pinch it then I wouldn't worry.

[steve-phuket 10]

10 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Not sure what you mean by 'flaky', surely he'll just gather your mail for you and put it to the side? As long as he's not likely to pinch it then I wouldn't worry.

He's trustworthy but very busy and I worry he might forget something, but I think it will be ok. So long as my wife's signature not needed I guess it will be fine. Thanks 

[appleblossom 2,479]

Just now, steve-phuket said:

He's trustworthy but very busy and I worry he might forget something, but I think it will be ok. So long as my wife's signature not needed I guess it will be fine. Thanks 

 

I've never heard of a signature being required, they're just left in the mailbox. But do get Informed Delivery if you don't already have it, then you'll know when it's arriving and can flag it to him to make sure he puts it somewhere safe. 

[Sam Burns 155]

10 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

Hi,  my wife just got approved, yeah!!!! So I guess the USCIS sends the actual green card USPS registered mail, signature required right?

 

Problem is we not going to be home for a few months, wintering down south but in the US.

 

I don't want to register a new address since it's not a permanent move. What do you think I should do? Should I ask the post office to forward my mail to my current address? Thanks 

No signature is required

[SalishSea 17,818]

12 hours ago, steve-phuket said:

Hi,  my wife just got approved, yeah!!!! So I guess the USCIS sends the actual green card USPS registered mail, signature required right?

 

Problem is we not going to be home for a few months, wintering down south but in the US.

 

I don't want to register a new address since it's not a permanent move. What do you think I should do? Should I ask the post office to forward my mail to my current address? Thanks 

Neither of my husband’s GCs required a signature for delivery.

Edited December 8, 2023 by SalishSea

[Lemonslice 4,836]

1 minute ago, SalishSea said:

Neither of my husband’s GCs required a signature for delivery.

Third card for me, still no signature.  

[SalishSea 17,818]

Personally, I’d prioritize getting it in hand over the vacation or whatever.   We have seen soooo many stories on VJ of what a huge pain it is when GC delivery backfires.  

Edited December 8, 2023 by SalishSea