Change of Filing Location for Form I-817, Application for Family Unity Benefits

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing an Application for Family Unity Benefits (Form I-817) under Section 301 IMMACT 90. The new form is dated 4/21/10.  This is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of benefit forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities.  Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment allows USCIS to provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

Beginning Aug. 3, 2010, those applicants filing to request initial benefits or an extension of Family Unity Benefits under Section 301 of IMMACT 90, should mail their application to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.  Applicants submitting Form I-817 and filing under section 1504 of Public Law 106-554, LIFE Act, to request initial benefits or an extension of previously acquired Family Unity Program benefits, should continue to mail their application to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox.  The filing addressess can be found in the Form I-817 Instructions at  www.uscis.gov/forms. 

The Service Centers will forward Form I-817s received to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility for 45 days until Sept. 17, 2010.  After Sept. 17, 2010, applications incorrectly filed at the Service Centers will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location. USCIS will issue a receipt upon receiving a properly filed Form I-817 in accordance with the revised filing instructions.

Applicants filing a Form I-817 at a USCIS Lockbox facility may elect to receive an e-mail and/or text message notifying them that their application has been accepted.  They must complete an E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of their application.

For more information on USCIS programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.