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USUSCISRev. 06/20/24

Official form guide

Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Form I-485 is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used by eligible non‑citizens already in the U.S. to request a green card without leaving the country.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Form I-485 is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used by eligible non‑citizens already in the U.S. to request a green card without leaving the country.

It captures personal data, immigration history, family relationships, employment, criminal background, and any prior immigration benefits.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single missing signature can cause a complete denial of the application.
  • 2Missing signature on the applicant’s declaration
  • 3Incorrect fee amount or payment method
  • 4Submitting outdated edition of the form
  • 5Omitting required supporting evidence

Plain English

If you’re in the United States and qualify to become a lawful permanent resident, you fill out I‑485. The form tells USCIS who you are, why you qualify, and what supporting evidence you’re attaching.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File I‑485 after an underlying petition (I‑130, I‑140, etc.) is approved or when a visa number becomes available; no specific deadline except the visa‑bulletin date.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

permanentfamily

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when you are already in the U.S. and have an approved underlying petition or a visa number.
  • Do not use if you are applying from abroad; file a Consular Processing packet instead.
  • If you are a refugee or asylee, check Form I‑730 or I‑589 guidance before filing.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Family‑based petition approved

Adjust status after I‑130 approval

✓ Verify visa‑bulletin date first

I‑485

Employment‑based priority date current

Adjust status after I‑140 approval

✓ Confirm PERM labor certification is valid

I‑485

Asylee seeking status

Adjust status after asylum grant

✓ May need Form I‑589 receipt

I‑485

Refugee adjustment

Adjust status after refugee designation

✓ Check I‑730 filing requirements

I‑485

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed filing deadline for I‑485, but you must file after an approved petition or when a visa number becomes available according to the Visa Bulletin. Filing too early can result in a denial, and filing after a status change (e.g., loss of lawful status) may affect eligibility.

  • —Filing fee + biometric fee | Sum | Total payment amount | Verify fee schedule on USCIS site

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Personal Information

Completed I‑485 form · Form itself

⚠ Typos in name/DOB✕ High
2

Birth Certificate

Certified copy with translation if needed · Applicant’s country records

⚠ Missing translation✕ Medium
3

Proof of Eligibility

Approved I‑130/I‑140, or visa number notice · USCIS approval notice

⚠ Wrong notice attached✕ High
4

Medical Examination

Form I‑693 sealed envelope · USCIS‑approved civil surgeon

⚠ Envelope opened or expired✕ High
5

Photos

Two 2x2 inch passport photos · Photo studio

⚠ Incorrect size or background✕ Medium
6

Criminal Records

Police certificates, court documents · Local law enforcement

⚠ Omitted minor offenses✕ Medium
7

Financial Support

Affidavit of Support (I‑864) if required · Sponsor’s tax returns

⚠ Incomplete sponsor info✕ High
8

Proof of Continuous Residence

Lease, utility bills, school records · Applicant’s files

⚠ Gaps >180 days unexplained✕ Medium

Before you submit

  1. 1Use the latest edition of Form I‑485.
  2. 2Verify the filing fee amount and attach the correct payment method.
  3. 3Sign and date every required signature block.
  4. 4Include a completed Form I‑693 medical exam sealed envelope.
  5. 5Attach the approved underlying petition or visa‑number notice.
  6. 6Provide two compliant passport photos.
  7. 7Add all required supporting documents listed in the Instructions.
  8. 8Print legible copies of all pages for your records.
  9. 9Mail to the correct USCIS Lockbox address or upload via your USCIS account.
  10. 10Retain the receipt notice (Form I‑797C) and tracking number.
  11. 11Check that the address on the form matches your current mailing address.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the current I‑485 PDF and Instructions from USCIS.gov.
  2. 2Complete the form on a computer; print and sign in ink.
  3. 3Assemble supporting documents in the order shown in the Instructions.
  4. 4Calculate total fees and attach payment (check, money order, or credit‑card receipt).
  5. 5Place the packet in a sturdy envelope, label with the correct Lockbox address.
  6. 6Send via USPS certified mail with tracking, or submit electronically through your USCIS Account.
  7. 7Record the tracking number and receipt notice for future reference.

Known limitations

  1. 1USCIS does not provide real‑time validation of every field before submission.
  2. 2Online filing is only available to applicants meeting specific criteria (e.g., certain categories, no prior denials).
  3. 3The form does not capture every possible immigration nuance; additional forms may be required.
  4. 4Processing times are estimates; actual adjudication can vary widely.
  5. 5Fee waivers are only available for limited categories and require separate Form I‑912.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

9 fields

Part 1

5 items

Full Legal Name

Your current legal name as it appears on your passport.

Requiredtext
Other Names Used

All former names, maiden names, aliases.

text
Date of Birth

MM/DD/YYYY as shown on your birth certificate.

Requireddate
Country of Birth / Citizenship

Country where you were born and current citizenship.

Requiredtext
A-Number

If you have an existing Alien Registration Number.

text

Part 2

1 items

Application Type / Eligibility Category

Select the immigrant category: family-based, employment-based, refugee/asylee, diversity visa, etc.

Requiredselect

Part 3

1 items

Address History

All addresses for the past 5 years.

Requiredtext

Part 4

1 items

Employment History

All jobs for the past 5 years (employer, address, dates, position).

Requiredtext

Part 8

1 items

Signature

Certifies all answers are complete and correct under penalty of perjury.

Requiredsignature

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Current form status
USCISRev. 06/20/24

USCIS updates the status of an I‑485 filing on the online case status portal. Processing times vary by service center and eligibility category.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – confirm the form edition matches the date on the USCIS website.
  • Fee – verify current filing and biometric fees; fees change annually.
  • Mailing address – use the address listed for your filing category (family‑based, employment, etc.).
  • Signature block – ensure the applicant signs in ink (or electronic signature if filing online).
  • Biometric instructions – follow the notice for appointment scheduling.

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Quick Facts

The applicant (or a legal representative on the applicant’s behalf) files I‑485.
It captures personal data, immigration history, family relationships, employment, criminal background, and any prior immigration benefits.
File I‑485 after an underlying petition (I‑130, I‑140, etc.) is approved or when a visa number becomes available; no specific deadline except the visa‑bulletin date.
Submit the completed form, filing fee, and supporting documents to the USCIS Lockbox address listed in the current Instructions, either by mail or online through USCIS Account (if eligible).
Errors or missing signatures can lead to a Request for Evidence, denial, or delayed processing, which may affect your ability to stay in the U.S.
1. Review the latest I‑485 Instructions for edition date and fee. 2. Gather required documents (photos, birth certificate, proof of eligibility). 3. Complete the form online or on paper, double‑check every field. 4. Pay the filing fee and biometric fee, attach the receipt. 5. Mail or upload the packet to the correct USCIS address. 6. Keep copies of everything and the receipt notice.

Downloads

Blank Form I-485↗Instructions↗

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After you file

  1. 1Save the receipt notice (I‑797C) and tracking confirmation.
  2. 2Create a digital folder with all submitted documents for easy reference.
  3. 3Monitor case status online using the receipt number.
  4. 4Attend the biometric appointment when the notice arrives.
  5. 5Respond promptly to any Request for Evidence (RFE).
  6. 6Keep copies of all correspondence until you receive the approval notice (I‑797).
  7. 7Update your address with USCIS within 10 days of any change (Form AR‑11).
  8. 8Once approved, request the green‑card physical card if not mailed automatically.

Sources

  • SRCUSCIS Form I‑485 official PDFdescription and purpose
  • SRCUSCIS Instructions for Form I‑485fee schedule, mailing address, edition date
  • SRCUSCIS Fee Schedule pagecurrent filing and biometric fees
  • SRCUSCIS Lockbox address listwhere to mail the form
  • SRCUSCIS Case Status Onlinehow to track after filing
  • SRCUSCIS Visa Bulletintiming for visa‑number availability
  • SRCUSCIS Form I‑693medical exam requirements
  • SRCUSCIS Form I‑864affidavit of support requirements
  • SRCUSCIS AR‑11address change filing
  • SRCUSCIS Form I‑290Bappeal/motion process

Common confusion points

Eligibility category

Applicants often think any visa number works

→ Verify the specific category listed on the Visa Bulletin

Medical exam timing

Some think it must be submitted with the form

→ I‑693 can be submitted later, but must be sealed and unexpired

Fee amount

Fees change yearly

→ Check the USCIS Fee Schedule on the filing date

Signature requirement

Electronic signatures are accepted online only

→ Paper filing requires a wet ink signature

Address change

USCIS may send notices to the old address

→ File Form AR‑11 within 10 days of moving

Duplicate filing

Filing I‑485 before an approved petition can cause denial

→ Ensure petition approval or visa‑number availability first

Photograph specs

Size and background rules are strict

→ Use a professional passport‑photo service familiar with USCIS standards

Biometric fee

Often omitted because it’s not on the main fee line

→ Add the separate biometric fee as instructed

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form I‑130 (Family Petition) or Form I‑140 (Employment Petition)

Current

I-485

After

Form I‑797 (Notice of Action) confirming receipt, then biometric appointment notice

Often used with

Form I‑693 (Medical Examination) and Form I‑864 (Affidavit of Support) when required

⚠ If something goes wrong

  • Form I‑290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion) to challenge a denial

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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