USCIS to Use Secure Mail Delivery Service

Starting from April 30, 2018, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) Signature Restricted Delivery service to mail out Green Cards, Employment Authorization Cards, Travel Documents, and other secure documents. As part of the new delivery method, applicants must be present and present their identification to sign for their documents upon delivery. Applicants also have the option to designate an agent to sign on their behalf by completing USPS’ PS Form 3801, Standing Delivery Order or PS Form 3801-A, Agreement by a Hotel, Apartment House, or the Like. Applicants can also sign up for USPS’ Informed Delivery system to receive delivery status notification. Applicants will also have the option to arrange for pickup at a post office at a convenient date and time by going to the USPS website and selecting “hold for pickup”.

The first phase will affect documents that need to be re-mailed because they were returned to the agency as non-deliverable. These documents include Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards), Employment Authorization Cards (work permits), and Travel Booklets (travel documents). Application who have changed mailing addresses during the course of the application process are more likely to have their secure documents sent with the new delivery method. USCIS states that it will eventually to expand this service to include all secure documents in the future. Please click here to learn more Permanent Residency, Employment Authorization Cards, and travelling while a Green Card or immigrant application is pending.