Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment
After you file your application, petition, or request, we will schedule your biometric services appointment at a local application support center (ASC) if you need to provide your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature. We have the general authority to require and collect biometrics from any applicant, petitioner, sponsor, beneficiary, or other individual residing in the United States for any immigration and naturalization benefit. See 8 CFR 103.2 (b)(9).
Your appointment notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) will include the date, time, and location for your ASC appointment. The biometrics you provide during your ASC appointment allow us to confirm your identity and run required background and security checks.
You may obtain a copy of your own FBI identification record using the procedures outlined within Title 28 C.F.R., Section 16.32. The procedures to change, correct, or update your FBI identification record are outlined within Title 28, C.F.R., Section 16.34. For additional information, please visit the Identity History Summary Checks and Privacy Act Statement pages on the FBI's website.
For certain forms, you must submit a digital signature to reaffirm the contents of your application, petition, or request, even if you already signed the certification on the paper or electronic form. By signing, you reaffirm that:
- You reviewed your application, petition, or request;
- You provided the information contained in the application, petition, or request; and
- The content of your application, petition, or request, and supporting documents that you filed (or your legal representative filed on your behalf) with USCIS were complete, true, and correct when you filed them
If you have submitted a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, (also known as a Green Card), we also use your digital signature, photo and fingerprint to produce your replacement Green Card. If you have submitted a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, we also use your digital signature, photo, and fingerprint to produce your Employment Authorization Document.
If You Do Not Provide a Signature at Your ASC Appointment
We will not waive the signature requirement unless you have a physical disability or mental impairment that prevents you from providing a digital signature or making a physical mark. We will not waive the signature requirement simply because you cannot write in English or your native language.
If an attorney, accredited representative, preparer, or interpreter helped you complete or prepare an application, petition, or request that requires you to provide biometrics, they should have already reviewed the “Acknowledgment of Appointment at USCIS Application Support Center” paragraph with you and made sure that you understood what would be required when you appeared for your ASC appointment.
If you choose not to sign the attestation during your ASC appointment, we will deny your application, petition, or request. If you choose not to provide a signature, we cannot collect your biometrics and, as a result, cannot complete the required background and security checks.
If you do not understand the attestation that appears on the screen at your appointment, you may ask us to reschedule your biometrics appointment; however, this may delay the processing of your application, petition, or request.
We will not refund the biometric services fee if you do not provide the required biometrics. You may call the USCIS Contact Center if you need any additional information about the ASC process.
Your attorney or an accredited representative does not need to go with you to the ASC, even if they submitted your application, petition, or request to USCIS. Your notice will provide specific instructions on what you should bring to your ASC appointment.
You must also bring:
- Your ASC appointment notice (Form I-797C). If you received multiple biometrics appointment notices, please bring all notices to your appointment at the application support center; and
- Valid photo identification (such as your Green Card, passport, or driver’s license)
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed application, petition, or request for your records. We also recommend that you review this copy before you come to your ASC appointment. We cannot provide you with a copy at your appointment.
When you appear for your appointment, we will capture your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature with machines designed to collect these biometrics. When you provide your digital signature, you will also be attesting that the information in your application, petition, or request was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
We will only allow you to complete your biometric services appointment if you can reaffirm, under penalty of perjury, that all of the information in your application, petition, or request was complete, true and correct at the time of filing.
If you are 14 years old or older, you must provide a signature on an application, petition, or request filed with USCIS. We do not require children under age 14 to provide a signature on an application, petition, or request, but they may choose to sign their name during their ASC appointment if they are capable of signing. A parent or legal guardian may also sign the application, petition, or request on the child’s behalf.
If you need language help during your ASC biometrics appointment, we have information and instructions available in several languages in the PDFs below. You should review this before your ASC appointment.
If you do not understand spoken English, you should bring someone with you who can translate for you. You may bring someone with you such as family member, attorney, or accredited representative.
At your appointment, you will be signing your name on a biometrics machine under the attestation called the "Acknowledgement of Appointment at USCIS Application Support Center." This statement will be in both English and Spanish. If you need another language, please refer to the documents below:
To request a disability accommodation:
- Go to our disability accommodations webpage to make your request online; or
- Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Representatives are available in English and Spanish. If you are an asylum or NACARA 203 applicant, you must call to make your request.
We generated your ASC appointment notice based on the information you provided on your application, petition, or request. We cannot change your name or other personal information during your ASC appointment.
If you need to reschedule your USCIS biometrics services appointment for good cause before your scheduled appointment date, you must follow the instructions on the biometrics appointment notice.
To reschedule your appointment, please make a copy of your appointment notice for your records, then mail only the original appointment notice to:
Biometrics Processing Unit (BPU)
Alexandria ASC
8850 Richmond Hwy, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22309-1586
Do not mail any other document with your original appointment notice.
We will review your request and, if appropriate, will mail a new ASC appointment notice to the address listed on your original appointment notice.
If you need to change your address, please follow the instructions provided on our website. The BPU cannot process any change of address requests.
If you have a serious ongoing medical condition and you cannot leave your home/hospital, you may request a mobile biometrics/homebound appointment by following the instructions in the Notice for People with Disabilities section of your appointment notice.
If you need to reschedule your appointment because you feel sick please follow the instructions above.
For biographic information related to your race and ethnicity, the ASC staff may need to limit the information to a single race or ethnic category due to system limitations. However, the race and ethnicity you selected on your application, petition, or request will remain a part of your permanent record.
For general information and to find the ASC closest to you, see the USCIS Service and Office Locator webpage. You can also call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Representatives are available to help in English and Spanish.