USCIS Ends Paper Checks and Money Orders: Electronic Fee Payment Required (Executive Order 14247)

Status: In effect now — USCIS Transition to Electronic Payments (Executive Order 14247) (USCIS Policy Alert, Transition to Electronic Payments (Aug. 29, 2025); Exec. Order 14247)

In effect. Under Executive Order 14247 (signed March 25, 2025) and a USCIS policy update, effective October 28, 2025 USCIS accepts only electronic payments for filing fees. Forms filed online are paid through Pay.gov; forms mailed to USCIS must be paid by ACH debit from a U.S. bank account using Form G-1650 or by credit, debit, or prepaid card using Form G-1450. Paper checks and money orders are no longer accepted unless USCIS approves a limited exemption filed on Form G-1651.

Next step: The requirement is fully in effect and no court proceeding is pending. Watch for USCIS updates to the Fee Schedule, the Policy Manual, or the Form G-1651 exemption criteria.

Verified against the primary source as of 2026-07-25 — status can change with a single court ruling. Official source.

What’s happening

In effect. Under Executive Order 14247 (signed March 25, 2025) and a USCIS policy update, effective October 28, 2025 USCIS accepts only electronic payments for filing fees. Forms filed online are paid through Pay.gov; forms mailed to USCIS must be paid by ACH debit from a U.S. bank account using Form G-1650 or by credit, debit, or prepaid card using Form G-1450. Paper checks and money orders are no longer accepted unless USCIS approves a limited exemption filed on Form G-1651.

Who it affects

Anyone paying a USCIS filing fee by mail — for example applications and petitions such as N-400, I-485, I-765, I-130, I-129, or I-539. Paper checks and money orders can no longer be used to pay these fees. Mailed filings must include Form G-1650 (ACH debit, which requires a U.S. bank account) or Form G-1450 (credit, debit, or prepaid card); online filings are paid through Pay.gov. Requestors who cannot use electronic payment may request an exemption on Form G-1651 by certifying, for example, that they lack access to banking or that electronic payment would cause undue hardship; if approved, USCIS will accept a personal or business check, money order, bank draft, or cashier’s check.

How it got here

  1. Mar 25, 2025 President signs Executive Order 14247, "Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account," requiring electronic payment of federal fees, with limited exceptions.
  2. Aug 29, 2025 USCIS issues its Policy Alert "Transition to Electronic Payments" and introduces Form G-1650 for ACH debit from a U.S. bank account, announcing that fee payments will move to electronic-only as of October 28, 2025.
  3. Oct 28, 2025 The electronic-payment requirement takes effect: USCIS accepts only electronic payments for filing fees (Pay.gov for online filings; Form G-1650 ACH debit or Form G-1450 card for mailed filings). Paper checks and money orders are no longer accepted except with an approved Form G-1651 exemption.

What to watch next

The requirement is fully in effect and no court proceeding is pending. Watch for USCIS updates to the Fee Schedule, the Policy Manual, or the Form G-1651 exemption criteria.

Official sources

This page is general information about ongoing litigation, not legal advice. A case’s status can change with a single ruling, and outcomes can turn on facts specific to each person. For advice on a specific situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.