Finding a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon
In general, when you file Form I-485 seeking to adjust your status to that of a lawful permanent resident (get a Green Card), you must complete an immigration medical examination. However, some aliens applying for a Green Card only need the vaccination portion of the immigration medical examination.
The immigration medical examination must be performed by certain doctors designated by USCIS (known as civil surgeons) to perform the immigration medical examination most Green Card applicants need.
We consider all military physicians designated civil surgeons to perform immigration medical examinations at military treatment facilities in the United States for U.S. veterans, members of the U.S. military, and designated dependents.
Refugees may visit their state or local health department to complete the vaccination requirements. We recognize all state and local health departments as civil surgeons, and they are authorized to complete the vaccination assessments for refugees seeking adjustment of status. This is called a blanket designation, and you can read more about it in the USCIS Policy Manual Part C - Civil Surgeon Designation and Revocation.
What To Bring to Your Immigration Medical Examination
Bring the following to your immigration medical examination:
- Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record;
- Government-issued photo identification, such as a valid passport or driver’s license. If you are 14 years old or younger, bring identification that shows your name, date and place of birth, and parent’s full name. Possible forms of identification include your birth certificate (with an English translation) or an affidavit;
- A record of your vaccinations or immunizations (such as DT, DTP, DTaP, Td, Tdap, OPV, IPV, MMR, Hib, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Pneumococcal, Influenza, Rotavirus and Meningococcal disease);
- Your health insurance card. You should ask if the civil surgeon accepts your medical plan for immigration medical examinations. Many health insurance plans do not cover all portions of this examination; and
- Payment. Check with the civil surgeon’s office about acceptable forms of payment. It may be helpful to call a few civil surgeons to find out how much they charge for the immigration medical examination. The cost of an immigration medical examination can vary significantly.
During the Immigration Medical Examination
The immigration medical examination includes a review of your medical history and a physical examination by the civil surgeon.
The civil surgeon will also test for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea, depending on age, as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC sets the requirements for the immigration medical examination in the Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons.
After the immigration medical examination, the civil surgeon will complete Form I-693 and seal the form in an envelope for you to submit to USCIS. Make sure you get a copy of the completed Form I-693 for your personal records before the civil surgeon seals the envelope. We will not accept your Form I-693 if the envelope has been opened or altered.
For full details, please go to uscis.gov/i-693.
Questions
If you have questions about Form I-693, email OPSCivilSurgeons@uscis.dhs.gov.
Reporting a Problem
If you have any concerns about a civil surgeon’s behavior or actions, contact your state medical board or email OPSCivilSurgeons@uscis.dhs.gov. If you believe that the civil surgeon's behavior or actions could be criminal, you should also contact law enforcement.
