How to change your address with USCIS, the immigration court, and ICE

When you move, updating your address with one immigration agency does not update it with the others. USCIS, the immigration court (EOIR), and ICE are three separate systems, each with its own form, its own deadline, and its own records. Telling USCIS your new address with Form AR-11 does not tell the immigration court, and it does not tell ICE. You must update each system that applies to you, separately. The most dangerous one to miss is the immigration court: if you are in removal proceedings and the court mails a hearing notice to your old address, the judge can hold the hearing without you and order you removed in absentia. Keeping the court’s address current is one of the most important things you can do to protect your case. This is general information, not legal advice.

USCIS — Form AR-11 (within 10 days)

Most noncitizens must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. This requirement comes from INA §265 (8 U.S.C. §1305) and applies to most noncitizens, with narrow exceptions for A and G visa holders and visa-waiver (ESTA) visitors.

  • File online (recommended). Through a USCIS online account, use the Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) self-service tool (in the My Account dropdown). It meets the legal requirement, updates USCIS systems almost immediately, and eliminates the need to mail a paper AR-11. Start at uscis.gov/addresschange.
  • Paper option. You can also mail Form AR-11. This meets the legal requirement, but it does not automatically update your USCIS case records the way the online tool does, so online is strongly preferred. The form and instructions are at uscis.gov/ar-11.
  • Penalty for not reporting. Failing to report a change of address is punishable by fine or imprisonment and/or removal from the United States; willful failure is a misdemeanor under INA §266(b).
  • What AR-11 does not do. The AR-11 updates your address for USCIS case purposes. It does not forward your mail — file a separate change of address with the U.S. Postal Service — and it does not, by itself, reschedule a biometrics appointment or interview.

If you have a pending case with USCIS, see USCIS forms.

Special rule below: If you have a VAWA, T, U, or I-751 abuse-waiver case, do not use the online tool — see the confidentiality procedure further down.

Immigration court — Form EOIR-33/IC (within 5 days)

This is the step people miss. If you are — or were — in immigration court (removal) proceedings, you must separately tell the court you moved by filing Form EOIR-33/IC within 5 days of the change, as required by 8 C.F.R. §1003.15(d)(2).

  • Your AR-11 does not reach the court. EOIR only changes your address when you send it this form. The address you gave USCIS does not transfer to the immigration court.
  • Where to file. File with the immigration court that has your case, and serve a copy on DHS ICE OPLA (the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor) — complete the Proof of Service on the form. You can file online through EOIR Respondent Access at respondentaccess.eoir.justice.gov, by mail, or in person.
  • Case on appeal. If your case is on appeal at the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), use Form EOIR-33/BIA instead.
  • Why the 5-day rule matters. The court mails every hearing notice to the address on file. If notice goes to an old address and you miss a hearing, the judge may hold the hearing in your absence and order you removed (an in-absentia removal order), and DHS may detain you.

To find your court and check your next hearing date, see how to check your immigration court date and case status and immigration court by state.

ICE — if you are on supervision or check-ins

ICE is a third, separate system. If you are on ICE supervision — for example, regular check-ins, the ISAP/ATD program, an order of supervision, or release on bond — you must also keep ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) updated with your current address. This is separate from your AR-11 to USCIS and your EOIR-33 to the court. Because the method varies, follow the instructions from your ERO field office or your check-in officer.

For more on supervision and reporting, see ICE check-ins and ISAP.

Special procedure for VAWA, T, U, and I-751 abuse-waiver cases

If you have a pending or approved VAWA self-petition (Form I-360), T or U nonimmigrant status, or an I-751 abuse waiver, do not use the standard online change-of-address tool. These cases have confidentiality protections so that your address is not disclosed to an abuser. Instead, follow USCIS’s special VAWA/T/U procedure: mail Form AR-11 or a signed written notice to the service center handling your case, or call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). The full instructions are on the USCIS page covering change-of-address procedures for VAWA/T/U cases and Form I-751 abuse waivers.

Quick checklist

Update every system that applies to you — in this order:

  1. USCIS: File Form AR-11 within 10 days of moving — online unless you have a VAWA/T/U or I-751 abuse-waiver case.
  2. Immigration court: If you have a court case, file Form EOIR-33/IC within 5 days and serve a copy on DHS ICE OPLA (use Form EOIR-33/BIA if your case is on appeal at the BIA).
  3. ICE: If you are on ICE supervision or check-ins, update ICE ERO.
  4. USPS: File a mail-forwarding change with the U.S. Postal Service — this is a backstop, not a substitute for any of the steps above.

If you are not sure whether a step applies to you, a licensed immigration attorney can confirm — never a notario.

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Last verified: 2026-06-27. General information, not legal advice. Change-of-address deadlines, forms, and the rules governing in-absentia removal orders vary by case and jurisdiction. For any specific situation, contact a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative — never a notario. This page has no compensated or affiliate links.