Details of Customer Service for INS forms lockbox filing

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USCIS collects immigration-related applications and fees through several channels as it’s a self-funded fee-based agency. These include field offices (Service Centers and District and Field Offices), e-filing, and the Lockbox facilities provided through the Department of Treasury.

Direct Mail Program was started in the mid 1980s by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) called USCIS from 2003 through service centers. Works done by INS district offices previously namely handling mail, data entry, fee collection, file, and adjudication operations of most applications and/or petitions for immigration services and benefits were handled. These service centers were not staffed to handle walk in applicants or answer queries.

USCIS has been steadily centralizing intake of forms at their lock box facilities over the past few years. More quickly forms are received and process payments more efficiently and securely in these facilities.As a recent addition beginning June 4, overseas customers will be able to mail INS Forms I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility and Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States after Deportation or Removal to the Phoenix Lockbox. It’s easy to Mail forms to a USCIS lock box.

Customers service facility for INS forms filing

Please write to lockboxsupport@dhs.gov before you re-file if your form is rejected and you don't understand our explanation or disagree with that determination. Your concern will get quick response. In your inquiries please include the form type, receipt number(s), and the applicant name and mailing address. As email is not a secure means of communication we specifically ask that Alien Numbers (A-numbers) NOT be included in email.

•   For those applications and petitions which are pending acceptance or rejection at the Lockbox, and those which have been rejected lockboxsupport@dhs.gov can answer questions.  The Lockbox has no information on the adjudication status once your application has been accepted. Contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283 or visit our website, www.uscis.gov after your application or petition has been accepted by the Lockbox, if you have questions about the status of your pending application or petition. The Info Pass system can also be used to make an appointment at your local USCIS office for help.

•   To the office adjudicating your application or petition requests to withdraw an application or petition must be addressed.

•   To the office holding your file requests to send files to a different office must be made.  To determine where your inquiry should be sent call USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

•   The Lockbox does not process refunds.  By visiting USCIS website and typing Refund Request in the Search box in the upper right hand corner of the homepage information about refunding can be found.

Remember what not to send to a Lockbox Facility

•   To any Lockbox only INS forms or 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:
1. Additional evidence submitted in response to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) is not accepted by lockboxes.  Such documents and information must be sent to the office requesting the information.
2. Change of address process the Lockbox does not do. It can be done online on USCIS website.