Did you receive a notice or document with an error? Did you discover that you submitted a form with a mistake? This guide is for you.
Important: if there is an error in your documents, it must be corrected, not repeated.
If the error was made in documents issued at the border, you must contact your ICE officer and request that the error be corrected.
If you made an error in a USCIS immigration form
First, determine how serious the error is and whether it requires immediate correction.
- Errors in identifying information (name, date of birth).
- Errors that affect eligibility for the immigration benefit (arrests, convictions).
These errors must be corrected immediately.
If the error is, for example, a typo in a ZIP code of an address from five years ago, you can relax.
To correct an error, wait until you receive Form I-797. It will contain a Receipt Number that helps USCIS locate your case.
If you already received a notice or document with an error
Submit an online request to correct a typographical error:
egov.uscis.gov/e-request/ → select “Typographic Error”
You will need:
- form number;
- Receipt Number;
- filing date;
- contact information;
- description of the error.
You will receive a response by email. Processing times range from one week to several months.
You may also:
Instructions on how to reach a live agent in chat are available here.
If USCIS promises to fix the error, be sure to write down the service request number.
If the error is serious, USCIS may:
- issue a Request for Evidence (RFE);
- or reject the form and require refiling with a new fee.
If you made an error in Form I-589 (immigration court)
First, check whether the court accepted the form.
- If not accepted, submit a corrected form.
- If accepted, the original version remains with the judge.
For typographical errors, call the court and ask whether you need to submit a corrected form or a written statement.
For substantial changes, consult an attorney.
If there is an error in court system records
This is usually a clerk’s mistake. Call the court and report it.
Court contact information is listed in your case or here.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Translations are provided for convenience and may contain errors or omissions. For guidance on your specific situation, always consult official sources or a qualified attorney.
