I-485, 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 :
Form 6; Instructions 11
Edition Date :
11/23/10; (11/08/10; 7/15/10; 12/03/09 editions also accepted)
Where to File :
Where you file your Form I-485 depends on the eligibility category under which you are filing.  Please review the "Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status" link under "Related Links" in the upper right corner of this page for the most current guidance on where to file your application.
Filing Fee :
$985. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $1070, where applicable. See the form instructions for payment details.)
Special Instructions :
Notes on fees: You may combine the $985 filing fee and $85 biometric fee into one payment of $1070. Checks must be made payable to Department of Homeland Security.
There are exceptions in which the applicant is not required to pay the entire $1070:
  • Applicants 79 years of age or older are not charged a biometric fee; the fee total is $985.
  • There is no fee for applicants who are filing Form I-485 based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee.
  • There is no fee if an applicant is filing as a refugee under section 209(a) of the INA.
  • For applicants under 14 years of age:
    • Filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $635;
    • Not filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $985.
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 together. 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.
Form I-485 and form I-140 may be filed together at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility at this time, except for those petitions for “Skilled Workers,” category “f” on Form I-140.
Petitioners filing Form I-485 with Form I-140 for “Skilled Workers” (Category “f” on Form I-140) must continue to file their petitions/applications at the USCIS Nebraska or Texas Service Centers, depending on the location of the beneficiary’s permanent employment.
Petitioners filing Form I-485 alone, based on a previously filed Form I-140 for a “skilled worker” (and which petition is pending or approved), should file their stand-alone form I-485 application at the USCIS NSC or TSC, depending on the location of the beneficiary’s permanent employment, provided a visa is available per the current Department of State Visa Bulletin.  
Use the same Form I-140 addresses for those petitions filed with Form I-485.  Refer to the Filing Instructions on Form I-140 if you want to file the forms together.
Read the Visa Bulletin “Employment-Based Preferences” at www.travel.state.gov to ensure your priority date is current before you file your application.
Note on Expiration: USCIS continues to accept the 11/23/10 edition of Form I-485, despite the passing of the form's expiration date. An updated form with a new expiration date will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Important Lockbox Filing Tips:
  • Read and follow all form instructions for fees, filing location, and eligibility requirements.
  • If hand writing your application, ensure all entries are neat and legible.
  • When entering information on your application or petition, be sure to keep your information within the box or space provided. 
  • Use black or blue black ink only. Do NOT use highlighters or red ink on your application as they may make your materials undetectable when scanned.
  • Ensure that you are using the correct edition of the form. The correct edition is always available for FREE download at the top of this page.
  • Ensure that printed forms do not have the data fields grayed out. Information entered into grayed-out data fields will not be detected by the machine scanners.
  • Ensure that you provide all required supporting documentation and evidence.
  • Ensure that the supporting documents written in a language other than English are accompanied by an English translation. 
  • Be sure to sign your application.
  • Be sure that you mail all pages of the application.
  • If you must change your form, we recommend that you begin with a new form, rather than trying to white out information. Our scanners may see through the white correction tape or fluid and make your form incorrect, possibly leading to processing delays or rejection.
Fees
  • Read the form instructions for complete payment details.
  • We suggest that you use a separate check or money order for each application in the package and biometric fees.  If a single check is submitted for multiple applications and one of the applications must be rejected, then all applications will be rejected.  The Lockbox can not accept overpayment and make partial refunds.
  • Note that the requirement for biometrics fees varies depending upon your age and the benefit for which you are applying. Ensure the biometric fees submitted are correct based upon age and benefit.
Customer Service
  • If your form is rejected and you don't understand our explanation or disagree with that determination, please write to Lockboxsupport@dhs.gov before you re-file.  We will respond quickly to your concern.  Please include the form type, receipt number(s), and the applicant name and mailing address in your inquiries.  We specifically ask that Alien Numbers (A-numbers) NOT be included in email, as email is not a secure means of communication.
  • Lockboxsupport@dhs.gov can answer questions regarding applications and petitions which are pending acceptance or rejection at the Lockbox, and those which have been rejected.  Once your application has been accepted, the Lockbox has no information on the adjudication status. After your application or petition has been accepted by the Lockbox, if you have questions about the status of your pending application or petition, contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283 or visit our website, www.uscis.gov, and use the InfoPass system to make an appointment at your local USCIS office.
  • Requests to withdraw an application or petition must be addressed to the office adjudicating your application or petition.
  • Requests to send files to a different office must be made to the office holding your file.  Call USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283 to determine where your inquiry should be sent.
    The Lockbox does not process refunds.  Information about refunds can be found by visiting our website and typing Refund Request in the Search box in the upper right hand corner of the homepage.
What Not to Send to a Lockbox Facility
  • Only applications with fees or fee waiver requests should be sent to any Lockbox. 
  • The following items are examples of items that should not be mailed to any Lockbox:   
  • The Lockbox does not accept additional evidence submitted in response to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).  Send all documents and information requested through a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) to the office requesting the information.
  • The Lockbox does not process changes of address.  Please see our website for more information on change of address.