Alien Registration and Change of Address Requirements FAQs

Registration and Change of Address Requirements for Non-Citizens

U.S. immigration law requires all non-citizens who are 14 years of age or older and who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa to “apply for registration and fingerprinting” if they will be staying in the U.S. for 30-days or longer. Parents of non-citizen children below the age of 14 must also ensure that their children are registered. All previously registered non-citizen children must apply for re-registration and fingerprinted upon turning 14-years old. Non-citizens are also required to carry proof of this registration at all times while in the U.S. Although the registration and fingerprinting requirement is not new – it was established under the Smith Act of 1940 – it has not regularly been enforced under previous Administrations.  The Trump Administration announced by Executive Order on January 20, 2025 (Protecting the American People Against Invasion) that it would begin vigorously enforcing this law. On April 11, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reiterated this intention, stating that it may impose criminal and civil penalties for non-compliance.

Non-Citizen Registration FAQs

Does the Registration Requirement Apply to me?

The vast majority of non-citizens who are in the U.S. legally will have already registered upon admission to the U.S., and do not need to take proactive steps to register.  Foreign nationals who are present in the United States and who have been issued any one of the following documents are not required to apply for registration:

  • Green card or endorsed I-551 immigrant visa stamp  

  • Form I-94 arrival departure card,

  • Nonimmigrant visa stamp (e.g., H-1B, L-1, F-1, O-1, etc.)  issued prior to arrival

  • Parole or Advance Parole document

  • EAD card (employment authorization card)

  • Evidence of green card application filing  (e.g. USCIS I-485 receipt notice)

  • Canadian and Mexican border crossing cards

  • Notice of Deportation  / Removal Proceedings (NTA)

Who Must Proactively Register with the Department of Homeland Security?

As noted above, the vast majority of non-citizens in the U.S. will have already been registered upon admission to the U.S.  There are some classes of non-citizens, however, who may not have met the registration requirement upon admission, and would need to proactively take steps to register. These include:

  • Canadian citizens who entered the U.S. lawfully, without being issued an I-94 arrival departure record. In most cases, Canadians are not required to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. When crossing a land-border port of entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sometimes ‘waive’ Canadians in without issuing an I-94 arrival departure record. In these situations, the Canadian must proactively register if they will be staying in the U.S. for more than 30-days. Individuals may verify online whether an I-94 record has been issued, and obtain a copy of their I-94 record. 

  • Persons entering the U.S. without being issued a visa, other travel document, or I-94 arrival departure record. In some cases, a non-citizen may have entered without being properly inspected by the U.S. and without proper documents, either intentionally (“entry without inspection”), or, in rare situations, inadvertently due to their error, and/or the error of a CBP officer. It is extremely important that anyone who entered in this manner speak to a qualified immigration attorney immediately, and prior to registering with the DHS.

  • Children present in the U.S.  after their 14th birthday.  As noted above, parents are required to register on behalf of their Children under the age 14. Once the child turns 14, they must re-register, and be fingerprinted. Note: Children born within the United States are U.S. citizens at birth, and are not required to register.  

How do I Proactively Register?

If you (or your child under the age of 14) have not already met the registration requirement through any of the means listed above, you may file Form G-325R electronically through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) website. You will be required to set up an online account before submitting the registration. As noted above, the vast majority of non-citizens living in the U.S. will have already met the registration and fingerprinting requirement, and are not required to submit this form. Please contact our office if you are unsure whether the requirement applies to you.

Do I Need to Carry Evidence with me that I am ‘Registered’?

Yes. All non-citizens, 18 years or older, are required to carry evidence of their registration at all times. On April 11, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security announced the Trump Administration’s intention to enforce this requirement, stating “there will be no sanctuary for noncompliance.” While the Secretary’s directive is clearly focused on non-citizens who are present in the U.S. without valid authorization, as noted above, the registration requirement applies to all non-citizens. 

Can I carry a digital copy of my registration documents on my smart phone or other electronic device?

The DHS has not indicated whether this will be considered acceptable.  We recommend carrying hard-copy documents. 

I am working in the U.S. in nonimmigrant status (e.g., H-1B, L-1, F-1, O-1, etc.) What documents should I carry with me while in the U.S.?

For temporary workers and their dependent family members in nonimmigrant status, the most recent I-94 arrival departure record should be carried with proof of identity to demonstrate that the individual has met the registration requirement, and is in valid status.

I have filed an I-485 green card application. What documents should I carry with me while in the United States?

The I-485 receipt notice is sufficient evidence that the registration requirement has been met where an I-485 application has been filed.

I am a student in F-1 status. What documentation should I carry with me while in the United States?

Students in F-1 status should carry their I-94 record with proof of identity or passport with visa to show that the registration requirement has been met. We also recommend carrying a copy of the I-20 certificate of eligibility to demonstrate valid status.

I am a J-1 Exchange Visitor. What documentation should I carry with me while in the United States?

J-1 Exchange visitors should carry their I-94 record with proof of identity or passport with visa stamp to show that the registration requirement has been met. We also recommend carrying a copy of the DS-2019 certificate of eligibility to demonstrate valid status.

What do I do if I am stopped by an immigration officer and do not have registration evidence?

As noted above, we strongly recommend that you carry physical copies of your ‘registration’ documents. If you forget to do so, and are stopped by an immigration officer, you may offer to show them an electronic copy on your mobile phone or saved in cloud storage. The I-94 arrival departure record, if applicable, can also be downloaded through the DHS website using your passport details. If you are not able to show electronic copies of documents, and you are an existing client of Goeschl Law Corporation, you may contact our firm. We can provide you a copy via secure email.  The immigration officer may also be willing to verify your registration and valid status by looking up your information through their own system, although there is no guarantee that they will do this.

I am entering the U.S. on a visa waiver (ESTA). Am I required to register?

No. You will have met the registration requirement upon admission. However, you must carry a copy of your I-94W arrival-departure card as evidence of registration.

What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance with the Registration Requirement?

The Trump Administration has stated that it will impose criminal penalties, including imprisonment, and civil penalties of up to $5,000 for non-compliance with the registration requirements. DHS Secretary Noem has indicated that these penalties may even be imposed on non-citizens who have properly registered, but failed to carry evidence of registration. While we believe that the legal authority to impose such severe penalties for merely failing to carry documents is doubtful, it is nonetheless imperative that all non-citizens present in the U.S. ensure thorough compliance. As has been widely reported in the press, the DHS under Trump has demonstrated on several occasions its willingness to undertake immigration enforcement actions and impose penalties that appear to exceed its statutory authority, even when doing so contravenes the clear directives of Federal court orders.

Change of Address Requirement

In addition to the registration requirement, U.S. immigration law requires that all non-citizens report a change of residential address within 10-days of moving. Although this requirement has almost never been enforced under previous administrations, like the registration requirement, the DHS has recently indicated its intention to impose penalties for noncompliance.

How do I report my Change of Address?

A change of residential address must be made by submitting Form AR-11. This can be done through the USCIS website, or by submitting a paper version of the form by mail. Given the uncertainty of how paper-versions of the forms are being processed, it is strongly recommended to submit the form through electronic means, and keep a record of this submission.

I have just entered the country for the first time. Do I have to report my address?

No, provided your initial address is the same as the one indicated on your arrival card (CBP Home), or ESTA registration. If you move to an address that is different from the address you gave upon entry, you must file the Form AR-11.

Does each of my family members have to submit a change of address separately?

Although you may submit the AR-11 on behalf of your dependent family members, a separate form must be submitted for each of them.

What do I do if I have not previously reported by change of address within 10-days?

If you have not filed your change of address form within the required time-period, we recommend that you do so now, or as soon as possible. Note: non-citizens who are not present in the U.S. in legal status should speak to an immigration lawyer prior to submitting the change of address form.

I am entering the U.S. on a visa waiver (ESTA), or on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, or B-2 tourist visa. Am I required to report a change of address?

If you stay in the U.S. for more than 30-days, you must report a change of address.