UPDATE AS OF APRIL 10, 2025
Federal Court in DC denied the motion for a stay/preliminary injunction on the Alien Registration Rule Interim Final Rule. This means the IFR takes effect tomorrow, April 11, 2025 as scheduled.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE ALIEN REGISTRATION AND ADDRESS UPDATE REQUIREMENTS
DISCLAIMER: The New Rule was published on March 12, 2025, and since this is an ongoing development, the FAQ only reflects our current understanding as of April 4, 2025. Please keep this in mind as you read through this material.
BRAVLIN PC provides this info for educational purposes. IT IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Use any information herein at your own risk. Given the complexity of the law and the serious consequences to one's immigration status, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to address your case-specific questions before you file G-325R. Additionally, since the law criminalizes those who violate the ARR, you should consult with an experienced criminal lawyer. NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP is established through this website or this communication.
USCIS Alien Registration Requirement
How To Update/Change Address Using Your USCIS Account
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Interim Final Rule (New Rule), informing the public that it intends to enforce an old law called the Alien Registration Act of 1940, starting April 11, 2025. The New Rule requires every alien (non-US citizen) who is physically present in the US for at least 30 days to apply to register and to be fingerprinted. The New Rule does not apply to US citizens and those aliens who hold A and G visas.
What are the requirements under the New Rule?
There are three requirements for the New Rule, and they are:
- Every alien (non-US citizen) physically present in the US for at least 30 days must register and be fingerprinted (See Who is already registered? to see if you are already registered)
- Every registered alien 18 years of age and over must at all times carry and have in their personal possession evidence of their registration (See #2 Evidence of Registration Requirement)
- Every alien must update their physical address with the USCIS within 10 days from the date of such change per instructions as provided by the USCIS (See #3 Address Update Requirement).
NOTE: We highly recommend that you read through the FAQ below to gain more understanding of the New Rule
Penalties for Willful Failure to Comply?
- An alien's willful failure or refusal to apply to register or to be fingerprinted is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. 8 U.S.C. 1306(a).
- Failure to carry evidence of the registration is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both. 8 U.S.C. 1304(e); 18 U.S.C. 3559(a)(8), 3571(b)(6).
- Failure to update the address is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both. 8 U.S.C. 1306(b); 18 U.S.C. 3559(a)(8), 3571(b)(6). In addition, any alien who has failed to comply with the change-of-address notification requirements is deportable unless the alien establishes that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful. See 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(3)(A).
#1: Registration Requirement
Who is already registered?
Anyone who has been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b) has already registered. Also, anyone who submitted one of the forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and provided fingerprints (unless waived) and was not issued one of the pieces of evidence designated at 8 CFR 264.1(b), has complied with the registration requirement of INA 262.
Aliens who have already registered include:
- Lawful permanent residents (including conditional permanent residents);
- Aliens paroled into the United States under INA 212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired;
- Aliens admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired;
- All aliens present in the United States who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival;
- Aliens whom DHS has placed into removal proceedings;
- Aliens issued an employment authorization document;
- Aliens who have applied for lawful permanent residence using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, and provided fingerprints (unless waived), even if the applications were denied; and
- Aliens issued Border Crossing Cards.
Who is not registered?
Anyone who has not applied to the Department of State for a visa, been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b), or has not submitted one of the forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and provided fingerprints (unless waived) is not registered.
Aliens who have not registered include:
- Aliens present in the United States without inspection and admission or inspection and parole who have not otherwise registered (that is, aliens who crossed the border illegally);
- Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration; and
- Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed in 8 CFR 264.1(b). If you applied for a benefit such as TPS and DACA and were not issued one of the items as we will list under “List of Acceptable Evidence of Registration”, you will be required to register even if you have already been fingerprinted. Please consult with an experienced immigration lawyer to determine whether you must register.
Who must register?
If you fall into the “Who is not registered?” section above, then you must register. This includes:
- All aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days;
- The parents or legal guardians of aliens less than 14 years of age: Parents or legal guardians must apply for the registration of aliens less than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, before the expiration of those 30 days; and
- Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.
Note: American Indians born in Canada who entered the United States under section 289 of the INA, and members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas who entered the United States under the Texas Band of Kickapoo Act, are not required to register.
If you have already complied with your duty to register and been fingerprinted (if required) in connection with your current stay in the United States of 30 days or more and have not reached your 14th birthday in the United States since registering, do not submit G-325R.
Who may submit Form G-325R?
Only the following people may submit Form G-325R:
- An alien, on their own behalf; or
- A parent or legal guardian, on behalf of an alien who is less than 14 years of age.
Anyone who makes a false statement on Form G-325R, including submitting a false or fictitious registration, may be subject to criminal penalties.
How to register
Step 1: Create a USCIS Online Account
To register, you must first create a USCIS online account. See our How to Create a USCIS Online Account page for more information.
Each alien submitting Form G-325R must have their own individual USCIS online account. This includes aliens under the age of 14. If you are the parent or legal guardian of an alien under the age of 14 who needs to register, you will need to set up an individual USCIS online account on your child's behalf and in their name.
Step 2: Submit Form G-325R
Once you create your or your child's (if you are the parent or legal guardian of an alien under 14 years of age) USCIS online account, fill out an electronic version of Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration). Form G-325R must be filed online through a USCIS online account. It cannot be filed by mail or in person.
Each alien who needs to register must submit Form G-325R from the alien's individual USCIS online account. Form G-325R can only be submitted by the named owner of the USCIS online account. If you are the parent or legal guardian of an alien under the age of 14 who needs to register, you will need to submit Form G-325R on the alien's behalf through their individual USCIS online account.
As you fill out Form G-325R, please carefully consider whether you have already registered. For example, if you have an Arrival-Departure Record number to provide in response to the question “What is your Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number,” then DHS already issued you evidence of registration. Anyone issued Form I-94 or I-94W upon their admission or parole to the United States is already registered. Only aliens who were previously registered but were not previously fingerprinted and who attained their 14th birthday in the United States should submit Form G-325R within 30 days of attaining their 14th birthday.
Step 3: USCIS review of Form G-325R
Once you have submitted Form G-325R, USCIS will review the information you provided and any DHS records that are available about you. If it appears that you have already complied with the registration requirements in some other way and do not need to submit Form G-325R, USCIS will notify you that you have already complied with the registration requirement. If you have already registered as required under INA 262, USCIS will not schedule you for a biometric services appointment or provide you with evidence of registration. If it appears that you are required to register, USCIS will review your Form G-325R to determine if you are required to appear for a biometric services appointment. If you are not required to appear for a biometric services appointment (for example, Canadian visitors and aliens under 14 years of age), USCIS will provide you with evidence of registration (see Step 5 below).
Step 4: Attend appointment for biometrics collection
If you are required to register and provide biometrics, USCIS will schedule you for a biometric services appointment at one of our Application Support Centers (ASCs). Registrants are not required to pay a biometric services fee under the Interim Final Rule.
See USCIS Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment for more information about what to expect.
A willful failure or refusal to attend your biometric services appointment (if required) may result in a determination that you have failed to register under INA 266(a), 8 U.S.C. 1306(a), and may result in criminal penalties.
Step 5: Receive registration documentation
Once you have registered and provided your biometrics (if required), the USCIS will post a notice (USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration) that provides proof of your registration to your USCIS online account. In your USCIS online account, you will be allowed to download a PDF version of the notice and can print it.
Criminal Penalties for Willful Failure or Refusal to Register or Provide Biometrics (if required)
NOTICE: Any alien who willfully fails or refuses to apply to register or be fingerprinted (if required), and any parent or legal guardian who is required to apply for the registration on behalf of an alien less than 14 years of age and who willfully fails or refuses to file an application for the registration of such alien, will be guilty of a misdemeanor and will, upon conviction, be fined not to exceed $5,000 or be imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
Because of the complexity of the law, it is advised that you consult with an experienced immigration lawyer to guide you in the registration process.
#2: Evidence of Registration Requirement
Every registered alien 18 years of age and over must at all times carry and have in their personal possession evidence of their registration.
List of Acceptable Evidence of Registration
Below is a list of acceptable evidence of registration which you will need to carry with you in person at all times.
- Form I-551, Lawful Permanent Residency Card or Conditional Residency Card
- Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record – noncitizens admitted as nonimmigrants; noncitizens paroled into the US under 212(d)(5) of the INA; noncitizens who claimed to have entered prior to July 1, 1924; and noncitizens granted permission to depart without the institution of deportation proceedings;
- Form I-95, Crewmen's Landing Permit;
- Form I-184, Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card;
- Form I-185, Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card;
- Form I-186, Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card;
- Form I-221, Order to Show Cause and Notice of Hearing;
- Form I-221S, Order to Show Cause, Notice of Hearing, and Warrant of Arrent of Aliens;
- Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD);
- Form I-862, Notice to Appear, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted;
- Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted;
- Valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport;
- Proof of Registration upon submission of Form G-325R and completion of biometrics
NOTICE: Failure to carry evidence of the registration is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both. 8 U.S.C. 1304(e); 18 U.S.C. 3559(a)(8), 3571(b)(6).
#3: Address Update Requirement
Each alien required to be registered under the alien registration requirements of the INA who is within the United States must notify DHS in writing of each change of address and new address within ten (10) days from the date of such change and provide the address change pursuant to the instructions as provided by USCIS. 8 CFR 265.1.
The address reporting requirement does not apply to A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors.
The USCIS directs that every alien must update the address change by submitting a Form AR-11. See https://uscis.gov/ar-11. The USCIS encourages you to submit your change of address through a USCIS online account.
You also may submit a paper Form AR-11 by mail to report your change your address. This meets the legal requirement to notify USCIS of a change of address. However, because filing a paper-based Form AR-11 does not provide an automated update to your address in USCIS systems, the USCIS strongly encourages aliens to use the self-service change of address tool available in their USCIS online account when reporting a change of address.
You can find detailed information about how to change an address, including special instructions for specific populations, on the How to Change Your Address page.
If you have already updated your address using AR-11 or online via your USCIS online portal, no further action is required. However, if you do not remember if you had ever submitted AR-11, or updated your address through your USCIS online account, it may be prudent to update your address just in case. When you update the address using AR-11, you should keep a copy of the AR-11 and the mailing for your record. If you do update your address at uscis.gov account, you should save a copy for your record.
NOTE: Failure to update the address is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both. 8 U.S.C. 1306(b); 18 U.S.C. 3559(a)(8), 3571(b)(6). In addition, any alien who has failed to comply with the change-of-address notification requirements is deportable unless the alien establishes that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful. See 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(3)(A).
FAQ
Q. I am a US citizen. Am I required to register with the USCIS, carry the evidence of my citizenship and update my address with the USCIS?
A. The New Rule does not apply to US citizens or those aliens who are A and G visa holders. Therefore you are not required to register and carry the evidence of your citizenship around. You also do not need to register your address with the USCIS. However, if you are sponsoring any family member for immigration benefit, you must always update your address with the USCIS to ensure that you will get the correspondence concerning your sponsorship. Moreover, if you have submitted an affidavit of support (Form I-864) to sponsor anyone, you will need to submit your address update with the USCIS by using Form I-865. See https://uscis.gov/I-865
Q. I am a US citizen, and I am sponsoring my relative who resides overseas for an immigrant visa, is my relative required to register?
A. No, the New Rule only applies to aliens who are physically present in the US for at least 30 days. The requirements will apply to your relative when your relative is admitted to the US with their immigrant visa.
Q. I am a lawful permanent resident/conditional resident. Am I required to register?
A. If you were over the age of 14 when you received your lawful permanent residency and you had been fingerprinted, you are not required to register. However, if you received your lawful permanent residency when you were under the age of 14, whether you were fingerprinted or not, you are required to submit G-325R within 30 days after your 14th birthday so that the DHS could fingerprint you.
Q. I am presently in the US with valid nonimmigrant status (e.g., E-2, F-1, H-1B, O-1, etc.) and I was fingerprinted by US Embassy at the time when I applied for my visa, am I required to register?
A. No. You are already registered, provided that you were at least 14 years old when you applied for your visa and that you were fingerprinted by US Embassy. In other words, if you got your nonimmigrant visa before you turned 14, and you are now over 14 years of age, you will be required to submit G-325R for you to be fingerprinted.
Q. If I am registered, does my registration cover my family?
A. No. Your family members must each satisfy the alien registration and address update requirements on their own.
Q. I am presently in the US under F-1 status, and I have always updated my address with my school DSO. Am I required to update my address per instructions provided by the USCIS?
A. Yes, every registered alien is required to update their address per instructions by the USCIS. The USCIS requires address update by submitting an AR-11 or updating the address by creating a USCIS online account at https://uscis.gov and update the address from there.
Q. My family and I are in the US under H status. My child is under the age of 14. Is my child required to register?
A. With your child's I-94 showing H-4 status, your child is already registered. However, the New Rule states that "any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday". You must remember to submit a G-325R on behalf of your child within 30 days after their 14th birthday so that your child can be fingerprinted.
Q. Same question above but my child entered the US when they were under 14 but now they are over 14 years old, what do I need to do?
A. Your child will need to register by filing Form G-325R through their own USCIS online to schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted.
Q. My I-485 application is currently pending, and I have already been fingerprinted, do I have to register?
A. No. You do not need to register because filing an I-485 application is a recognized form of registration. You will however need to comply with two more requirements - carry the evidence of your registration (e.g., Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document OR another acceptable evidence as listed under #2 – Evidence of Registration Requirement) in your possession at all times and update your address with the USCIS if you haven't done so (see #3 – Address Update Requirement).
Q. I filed an I-485 application and was fingerprinted, but my application was denied. Do I have to register?
A. No. You are not required to register again. You will however need to comply with two more requirements - carry the evidence of your registration (e.g., Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document OR another acceptable evidence as listed under #2 – Evidence of Registration Requirement) in your possession at all times and update your address with the USCIS if you haven't done so (see #3 – Address Update Requirement). If you do not have any document that is listed under #2 – Evidence of Registration Requirement, you must consult with your immigration lawyer about this.
Q. I filed my I-485 application, and I have not been fingerprinted, do I have to register?
A. Please review Item #1, Registration Requirement, Who is already registered? to see if you have another form of registration that applies to you. If you do not have any document that is listed under #2 – Evidence of Registration Requirement, you must consult with your immigration lawyer about this.
Q. I am a US citizen, and I have filed an I-130 visa petition for my family member (i.e., spouse, child, parent, sibling) and they are in the US without inspection. Is filing an I-130 visa petition considered an acceptable form of registration?
A. No. Filing an I-130 visa petition does not count as a registration for your family member. Your family member will need to review Item #1, Registration Requirement, Who is already registered? to see if they have another form of registration that applies to them. You will also need to ask them if they are in possession of one of the acceptable evidence of registration (see List of Acceptable Evidence of Registration). Given the complexity of the law, you must consult with your immigration lawyer about this.
Q. I am already registered, am I in compliance with the New Rule?
A. Even if you are already registered, this would only satisfy one of the three requirements. You will still need to comply with two more requirements - carry the evidence of your registration in your possession at all times (see #2 – Evidence of Registration Requirement) and update your address with the USCIS if you haven't done so (see #3 – Address Update Requirement)
Q. I am being sponsored by my family or my employer for an immigrant visa and I am not in the US as I reside abroad, am I required to register and update my address?
A. No, the alien registration and address update requirements only apply to aliens who are physically present in the US for at least 30 days.
Q. I entered without inspection. I have been fingerprinted when I filed my I-601A application, am I required to register?
A. Once the USCIS has fingerprinted you and issued you an Alien Registration Number, you are technically registered. However, filing an I-601A does not give you evidence of registration under List of Acceptable Evidence of Registration. Therefore, it appears that you may be required to submit G-325R to obtain the evidence of registration. Given the complexity of the law, we recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer before you file G-325R.
Q. I entered without inspection. I have filed a U visa application, and I have been fingerprinted, am I required to register?
A. The answer to this will depend on where you are with your U visa application. While a U visa application is not a recognized form of registration under Who is already registered?, if you have already been fingerprinted and an I-766 Employment Authorization Document has been issued to you, then you are considered registered and you do not need to submit G-325R. Given the complexity of the law, we recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer.
Q. I am currently in removal proceedings. Am I required to register?
A. Aliens in removal proceedings are already registered. You, therefore, are not required to register again. You however will need to carry the evidence of your registration and update your address with the USCIS per its instructions by using AR-11 or address update in your USCIS online account. You will also need to update your address with the ICE and EOIR by filing Form EOIR-33.
Q. I lastly entered the US without inspection, and I am now under TPS. Am I required to register?
A. As a TPS, you are already registered. You will still need to comply with two more requirements - carry the evidence of your registration in your possession at all times (e.g., Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document OR another acceptable evidence as listed under #2 – Evidence of Registration Requirement) and update your address with the USCIS if you haven't done so (see #3 – Address Update Requirement)
Q. I have TPS and I lastly entered the US with TPS travel permission. Do I have to register?
A. No. The I-94 that you received when you last entered as TPS serves as evidence of your registration. You will still need to carry the evidence of your registration in your possession at all times (e.g., I-94, Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document OR another acceptable evidence as listed under #2 – Evidence of Registration Requirement) and update your address with the USCIS if you haven't done so (see #3 – Address Update Requirement)
Q. How do I retrieve my I-94?
A. Please https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home and click “Get Most Recent I-94”