USCIS requires that the filing fees for an application be submitted when the application is sent to USCIS. This article provides information on the different payment methods available for paying the filing fees, along with instructions for each method.
How to pay the fees
USCIS accepts fee payments through a check, money order, or credit card authorization form. Whatever payment method you select, the fee payment should be attached to the front of the application when submitted to USCIS. USCIS will not accept a mixture of various payment types, such as one form paid via check and another via credit card. If multiple payments are required for an application, they must both be paid via the same payment type.
Additionally, all payments, regardless of the payment method used, must meet the following criteria:
- The money must come from a bank or other financial institution in the United States and be payable in US currency.
- The check or money order must be made payable to the US Department of Homeland Security. You may not abbreviate the name.
Paying by Check
Both personal and cashier’s checks are accepted. Please see this sample check for an example of how to fill out a check for the I-485. If you are filing for a different form, make sure to update the check amount and the memo line:
The original check will not be returned to the applicant if payment is submitted by check. USCIS will keep a copy of the check on file and destroy the original document after converting the payment into an electronic funds transfer (EFT). An EFT means that USCIS will use the account information from the check to debit the money from the account, usually within 24 hours.
Sometimes, USCIS will add the receipt number to the back of the check before cashing it with the bank. Once the check has been cashed, applicants can check to see if the bank has photos of the check on file so they can see if there is a receipt number on it. Sometimes this is a way to access the receipt number more quickly.
Paying by Money Order
Money orders can be obtained from many places, such as banks, the US Postal Service, and grocery stores. Each money order is formatted differently, so we cannot provide one example of how an individual should fill it out. However, the issuing organization will frequently have instructions for filling out money orders on their websites. Additionally, most money orders follow a format similar to checks, so you can also refer to the sample check above for guidance.
Some organizations have a maximum amount for a single money order (frequently $1000). If this is the case, you are welcome to request 2 money orders totaling the filing fee.
PLEASE NOTE: While USCIS accepts 2 money orders to equal the whole amount, they only accept one type of payment for each form filing fee. For example, to pay the I-485 filing fee, they will not allow it to be partially paid via a money order and partially paid via a check.
Paying by Credit Card Authorization Form
If applicants would like to pay by credit card, they can do so by filling out Form G-1450. When the form is sent to USCIS with the application, the USCIS officers will use the information to charge the credit card.
Important Note: Paying by credit card is the riskiest option since it has the highest rejection rate. Credit card payments are often marked as fraud by the credit card company, and the payment is denied. If a credit or debit card is used as payment, contacting the bank or credit card company to tell them that a large payment will be coming in can help ensure that the transaction is not marked as fraud.
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