Entire Site Just this section

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Purpose of Form :

To apply to adjust your status to that of a permanent resident of the United States.

Number of Pages :

Instructions: 11; Form: 4.

Edition Date :

12/16/08. Previous editions accepted.

Where to File :

Where you file your Form I-485 depends on what eligibility category you are part of.

If you are filing under one of the following categories:

Spouse, parent, unmarried son/daughter under age 21 of a U.S. citizen with an approved or concurrently filed Form I-130;
Beneficiary of an approved Form I-130 filed by a qualifying relative;
Qualifying derivative, family-based beneficiary;
K-1 Fiancé(e) (and K-2 dependents) whose Form I-485 is based on an approved Form I-129F;
Applicants who are beneficiaries of an approved Form I-360, as a battered spouse or child;
Applicants eligible under the Cuban Adjustment Act of November 2, 1965;
Diversity lottery winner eligible to file Form I-485;
Public Interest Parolees from certain former Soviet and Southeast Asian countries filing Form I-485 under Public Law 101-167 (the "Lautenberg Amendment");
Registry applicant filing Form I-485 based on birth in the U.S. to a foreign diplomatic officer;
Former diplomat filing Form I-485 under Section 13 of the Immigration and Nationality Act;
Registry applicant filing Form I-485 based on continuous residence in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972, or
Applicants who are beneficiaries of Private Bills.

File at:

USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

For courier/express delivery:

USCIS
Attn: AOS
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5520

If Form I-485 is based on an underlying Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Form I-485 based on a concurrently filed, pending or approved Form I-140 must be filed with the Nebraska Service Center or the Texas Service Center, depending on where you live.

If you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming, file at:

USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87485
Lincoln, NE 68501-7485

If you live in any other state, U.S. territory, or Washington, D.C., file at:

USCIS
Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 851804
Mesquite, TX 75185-1804

If your Form I-485 is based on an underlying Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant

If your Form I-485 is based on a concurrently filed or pending Form I-360 religious worker petition:

File at:

California Service Center
P.O. Box 10485
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-1048

If your Form I-485 is based on a concurrently filed, pending or approved Form I-360 for International Organization Employee or eligible family member:

File at the Nebraska Service Center (see address below).

If your Form I-485 is based on an approved Form I-360 for Afghan and Iraqi Translators.

File at the Nebraska Service Center (see address below).

If your Form I-485 is based on an approved Form I-360 for any other classification:

And you live in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming, send your application to the Nebraska Service Center.

USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87485
Lincoln, NE 68501-7485

If you live in any other state, U.S. territory, or Washington, D.C., send your application to the Texas Service Center.

USCIS
Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 851804
Mesquite, TX 75185-1804

If your Form I-485 is based on an underlying Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, file at:

USCIS
California Service Center
P.O. Box 10526
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0526

If your Form I-485 is based on asylum status, your application is filed at either the Nebraska or Texas Service Centers, depending on where you live.

USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87485
Lincoln, NE 68501-7485

If you live in any other state, U.S. territory, or Washington, D.C., send your application to the Texas Service Center.

USCIS
Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 852211
Mesquite, TX 75185-2211

If your Form I-485 is based on Refugee status:

File with the Nebraska Service Center at:

USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87209
Lincoln, NE 68501-7209

If your Form I-485 is based on a HRIFA Dependent:

File with the Nebraska Service Center at:

USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87245
Lincoln, NE 68501-7245

Filing Fee :

$930 plus a biometrics fee of $80; the fee total is $1,010. Exceptions listed below. There is no fee for applicants who are filing Form I-485 based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee. Applicants 80 years of age or older are not charged a biometric fee; the fee total is $930. Applicants under 14 years of age: - Filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $600 - Not filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $930

Special Instructions :

Please note that, if you file Form I-485 to adjust your status as a permanent resident on or after July 30, 2007, no additional fee is required to also file an application for employment authorization on Form I-765 and/or advance parole on Form I-131. You may file these forms concurrently. If you choose to file the I-765 and/or I-131 separately after July 30, 2007, you must also submit a copy of your I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt as evidence of the filing of an I-485. If you filed your Form I-485 prior to July 30, 2007, you must pay the fees associated with Forms I-765 and/or I-131 when you file.

Download Instructions for Completing Form I-485 (253KB PDF)
Download I-485 (272KB PDF)

Last updated:06/26/2009