Author: Amy Waller, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS Website)
Last updated: October 2005

There are four easy ways to check the status of your Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS" the new name for the Immigration and Naturalization Service or "INS") case or pending application. You can check by telephone, mail, computer or by visiting a USCIS office.

For applications filed with a USCIS Service Center, you can write, phone or check the status of your application online. USCIS has an online Case Status Service on its website. The online Case Status Service gives people a way to find out what is going on with USCIS cases filed with a USCIS Service Center.

For applications filed at a local USCIS office, you can check on your case by phoning the National Customer Service Center, writing the office or by visiting the local field office.

For asylum applications, you can write or visit the local asylum office to get an update on the status of your case.

How to Check By Phone

Applications Filed With A USCIS Service Center

For applications filed with a USCIS Service Center, you can call the 24-hour, toll-free number at the National Customer Service Center. If you have an application receipt number, you can get an automated update on the status of your application. The National Customer Service Center gives information in English and Spanish. The automated system also provides information about the service center's mailing addresses, hours, service areas, and forms. The number is 1-800-375-5283. This number replaces the toll Service Center number that used to be on receipt notices. To check the status of your case, just follow the telephone menu directions. You can find more information about the National Customer Service Center, including the hours that you can speak to a customer service representative, by visiting their website.

Applications prepared for people living in Illinois are sent to the Nebraska Service Center. For more information about the Nebraska Service Center, including how the service center processes your case, visit their website.

If you do not live in Illinois, check the USCIS Field Office Homepage to find out which USCIS Service Center you should call to get information about the status of your case.

Applications Filed At A Local CIS Office

If your application is pending longer than the processing time shown on your application receipt, and you have not recently received any notice or update from USCIS, you can call the USCIS National Customer Service Center for information on your case. The phone number is 1-800-375-5283.

When you call, have available your alien number (A-number), application receipt number, and the most recent notice you have received about your case. The customer service representative you talk to can answer questions about your case status and processing times for your application.

How to Check By Computer-- USCIS Case Status Service

For Applications Filed With A USCIS Service Center Only

To check the status of your case online, you must have an "application receipt number." The application receipt number should have 3 letters and 10 numbers. You can find this number on the application notice that you receive from USCIS after you submit your application. You cannot use this service if you have not yet received your application receipt number from USCIS. 

The online Case Status Service is available for all applications submitted to USCIS Service Centers. The USCIS Case Status Center shows you what types of applications may be checked online.

At the USCIS Case Status Center, you can check the status of your case online, using your application receipt number. You will be prompted to enter your application receipt number, excluding any dashes which appear in that number. Then you will click on the search button. The status of your case should appear on the screen. 

Only the most recent actions taken in your case will appear on the screen. You will not be able to view the history of all actions taken in your case. If you have a question about the case status information that is available online or if your case status is not available, call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (see above "By Phone" instructions).

Case status can be checked through the online Case Status Service at anytime. The results of your search will appear immediately. You can check the status of your case at any computer with internet access. All information on the Case Status Service is private and secure.

Even if you check the status of your case using the computer, USCIS recommends that you call for a status update if you move while your application is pending, or if you don’t hear from USCIS within the processing time shown on your receipt notice, or if you have other questions about case processing.

The USCIS online Case Status Service also offers status information in Spanish.

How to Check By Mail

Applications Filed With A USCIS Service Center

Checking case status online or by phone are the fastest ways to get an update on case status. However, you can also ask for an update by writing to the Service Center.

If you choose to write to the service center, you must include the following information in your letter:

• Your current name and address, and your name as it is shown on your application if it is a different name
• Your A-number (the number assigned to you by CIS, it starts with A, followed by 8 or 9 digits)
• Your date of birth
• The date and place where your application was filed
• Your application receipt number (the number that you received from CIS by mail after filing your application, it is 3 letters and 10 digits)
• If you received notices, a copy of the most recent notice sent to you by CIS
• If you were fingerprinted or interviewed, the date and office where you were fingerprinted and where you were interviewed
• The applicant must sign the letter

You must also mark your envelope: "ATTN: Status Inquiry."

To check the status of applications sent to the Nebraska Service Center, write to the following address:

USCIS Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 82521
Lincoln, NE 68501-2521. 

If you do not live in Illinois, you can go to the USCIS Field Office Homepage to find out which USCIS Field Office you should visit to get information about the status of your case.

Applications Filed At A Local USCIS Office

If you choose to write to the local office, you must include the following information in your letter:

• Your current name and address, and if it is different, your name as it is shown on your application
• Your A-number (the number assigned to you by CIS, it starts with A, followed by 8 or 9 digits)
• Your date of birth
• The date and place where your application was filed
• Your application receipt number (the number that your received from USCIS by mail after filing your application, 3 letters and 10 digits)
• If you have received notices, a copy of the most recent notice sent to you by USCIS
• If you were fingerprinted or interviewed, the date and office where you were fingerprinted and where you were interviewed
• The applicant must sign the letter

You must also mark your envelope: "ATTN: Status Inquiry."

The Local USCIS Field Office for Illinois residents is in Chicago. If you choose to check the status of your case by mail, send your letter to the following address:

USCIS Chicago District Office
10 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604

If you do not live in Illinois, you can go to the USCIS Field Office Homepage to find out which USCIS Field Office you should visit to get information about the status of your case.

Asylum Applications

If you choose to write to the Asylum Office, you must include the following information:

• Your A-number (the number assigned to you by CIS, starts with A, followed by 8 or 9 digits)
• Applicant or petitioner's date of birth
• Applicant's current legal name and the name as it is shown on the application if it is different
• Applicant's current address and the address as it is shown on the application if it different
• If you have been interviewed, the date of your interview
• The applicant or petitioner must sign the letter

You must also mark your envelope: "ATTN: Status Inquiry."

For Illinois residents, the Asylum Office is in Chicago. If you choose to check the status of your asylum application by mail, send your letter to the following address:

USCIS Chicago Office of Asylum
401 S. La Salle St., 8th Floor
Chicago, IL 60605

If you do not live in Illinois, you can go to the USCIS Field Office Homepage to find out which USCIS Asylum Office you should write to get information about the status of your case.

By Visiting the USCIS Office

Applications Filed At A Local USCIS Office

The local offices prefer that you make an appointment to obtain any information from Immigration Officers, including case status. Appointments can be scheduled by going to the USCIS website and using the new INFOPASS system. Walk-in visits are discouraged, except for emergencies.

If you choose to visit the local USCIS Office that is processing your application, you need to bring:

• The A-number (the number that is assigned to you by CIS, starts with A, followed by the 8 or 9 digits)
• The date and place where your application was filed
• The receipt number from the receipt notices issued by the USCIS for your application (3 letters followed by 10 digits)
• If you have received any notices, a copy of the most recent notice sent to you by USCIS about your case
• If you have been fingerprinted or interviewed, the date and office where you were fingerprinted and where you were interviewed

For Illinois residents, the local USCIS field office is in Chicago. It is located at 10 West Jackson Blvd., at the corner of Jackson Blvd. and State St. The Chicago Service Center has directions on how to get to the Chicago field office.

If you do not live in Illinois, you can go to the USCIS Field Office Homepage to find out which USCIS Field Office you should visit to get information about the status of your case.

Asylum Applications

You can visit the USCIS Asylum Office to check the status of your pending application. You must bring photo identification and your A-number (starts with A, followed by 8 or 9 digits). For Illinois residents, the local Asylum Office is in Chicago. It is located at 401 S. La Salle Street, 8th Floor, at the corner of La Salle Street and Van Buren Street. The Chicago Service Center has directions on how to get to the Chicago Asylum Office.

If you do not live in Illinois, you can go the USCIS Field Office Homepage to find out which USCIS Asylum Office you should visit to get information about the status of your case.