Q : I filed my Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) at a Service Center, but received a receipt notice from the Chicago Lockbox. Why is that?

This internal procedure was implemented by USCIS to improve efficiency and does not adversely affect your case. The return address on the mailing envelope will be from the Chicago Lockbox, but the receipt notice will identify the Service Center that will process your case. Please pay close attention to the receipt number to ensure all future communication is directed to the actual processing location. If the receipt number begins with “VSC,” your case will be processed by the Vermont Service Center; likewise, if the receipt number begins with “CSC,” your case will be processed by the California Service Center.   

If the Service Center forwarded your case to the Chicago Lockbox for receipting, but it was rejected, the reject notice will be issued by the Chicago Lockbox. If you believe your petition was rejected in error, resubmit your original petition with supporting documentation, your original check or money order, the cover letter that was included with your returned petition, and an explanation of the reason why you believe the rejection was in error. The resubmission should be sent to the Chicago Lockbox, using the address indicated on the rejection notice