Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment
Alert: If you need to reschedule an appointment for biometric services, you must make the request through your USCIS online account or call the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283). Do not mail your request.
Your rescheduling request must be made before the date and time of your original appointment and establish good cause for rescheduling. If you do not follow these requirements and do not appear for your originally scheduled appointment, USCIS may consider the related application, petition, or request abandoned and, as a result, we may deny it.
After you file your application, petition, or request, if you need to provide your fingerprints, photograph, or signature, we will schedule your biometric services appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC). We have the general authority to require and collect biometrics from any applicant, petitioner, sponsor, beneficiary, or other individual residing in the United States for any immigration and naturalization benefit. See 8 CFR 103.2 (b)(9).
Your appointment notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) will include the date, time, and location for your ASC appointment. The biometrics you provide during your ASC appointment allow us to confirm your identity and run the required background and security checks.
You may obtain a copy of your own FBI Identity History Summary using the procedures outlined in 28 CFR 16.32. The procedures to change, correct, or update your FBI Identity History Summary are outlined in 28 CFR 16.34. For additional information, please visit the Identity History Summary Checks and Privacy Act Statement pages on the FBI's website.
For certain forms, you must submit a digital signature to reaffirm the contents of your application, petition, or request, even if you already signed the certification on the paper or electronic form. By signing, you reaffirm that your submitted application, petition, or request (including one that you provided on behalf of your derivative beneficiary or one submitted on your behalf) and all documents filed with and in support of the application, petition, or request, were complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
If you have submitted a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, (also known as a Green Card), we also use your biometrics to produce your replacement Green Card. If you have submitted a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, we also use your biometrics to produce your Employment Authorization Document.
Your attorney or an accredited representative does not need to go with you to the ASC, even if they submitted your application, petition, or request to USCIS. Your notice will provide specific instructions on what you should bring to your ASC appointment.
You must also bring:
- Your ASC appointment notice (Form I-797C). If you received multiple biometrics appointment notices, please bring all notices to your appointment at the application support center; and
- Valid photo identification (such as your Green Card, passport, or driver’s license)
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed application, petition, or request for your records. We also recommend that you review this copy before you come to your ASC appointment. We cannot provide you with a copy at your appointment.
When you appear for your appointment, you will submit your biometrics on machines designed to collect biometrics. When you provide your digital signature, you will also be attesting, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your application, petition, or request (or one submitted on your behalf), and all documents filed in support of your application, petition, or request, were complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
If you are 14 years old or older, you must provide a signature on an application, petition, or request filed with USCIS. We do not require children under age 14 to provide a signature on an application, petition, or request, but they may choose to sign their name during their ASC appointment if they are capable of signing. A parent or legal guardian may also sign the application, petition, or request on the child’s behalf.
If you need language help during your ASC biometrics appointment, we have information and instructions available in several languages in the PDFs below. You should review this before your ASC appointment.
If you do not understand spoken English, you should bring someone with you who can translate for you. You may bring someone with you such as family member, attorney, or accredited representative.
At your appointment, you will be signing your name on a biometrics machine under the attestation called the "Acknowledgement of Appointment at USCIS Application Support Center." This statement will be in both English and Spanish. If you need another language, please refer to the documents below:
To request a disability accommodation:
- Go to our disability accommodations webpage to make your request online; or
- Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Representatives are available in English and Spanish. If you are an asylum or NACARA 203 applicant, you must call to make your request.
We generated your ASC appointment notice based on the information you provided on your application, petition, or request. We cannot change your name or other personal information during your ASC appointment.
If you are unable to attend your scheduled biometric services appointment for good cause, you may request to reschedule your appointment through your USCIS online account or by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). You must make your request before the date and time of the original appointment, and you must establish good cause for rescheduling.
Requests to reschedule through your USCIS online account must be made at least 12 hours before your scheduled appointment time. If your request to reschedule your biometric services appointment is less than 12 hours from your appointment time or you have missed your scheduled appointment, please call the USCIS Contact Center.
If you fail to request to reschedule before your existing appointment or fail to establish good cause, USCIS may consider your application, petition, or request abandoned and, as a result, it may be denied.
If you need to change your address, please follow the instructions provided on our website.
If you have a serious ongoing medical condition and you cannot leave your home/hospital, you may request a mobile biometrics/homebound appointment by following the instructions in the Notice for People with Disabilities section of your appointment notice.
If you need to reschedule your appointment because you feel sick please follow the instructions above.
For biographic information related to your race and ethnicity, the ASC staff may need to limit the information to a single race or ethnic category due to system limitations. However, the race and ethnicity you selected on your application, petition, or request will remain a part of your permanent record.
For general information and to find the ASC closest to you, see the USCIS Service and Office Locator webpage. You can also call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Representatives are available to help in English and Spanish.