How to Update/Change Your USCIS Immigration Petition/Application by Providing an Addendum

When it comes to immigration petitions and applications, accuracy and completeness are of the utmost importance. However, no one is perfect and there are certainly instances where you may need to provide additional information, change an incorrect answer that requires further explanation or clarify certain aspects of your submission. In such cases, an addendum can be a valuable tool to supplement your original petition or application. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of providing an addendum to your immigration petition/application, which will ensure that your case is properly updated and that the supporting documentation is comprehensive and well-presented.

UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF AN ADDENDUM:

An addendum serves as a supplementary document to your initial immigration petition or application. It allows you to provide additional information, address discrepancies, or offer clarifications that can strengthen your case. Whether you have new evidence to support your claims or need to rectify an error, an addendum provides an opportunity to present crucial information to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It's important to note that if you have simple typographical errors that don't require further explanation, you can call the USCIS Contact Center (1-800-375-5283) or use the askEMMA feature on the USCIS website and have the change made by a USCIS representative. Be sure to have your receipt number available and take down the reference number that is provided after the typographical error is corrected.

IDENTIFY THE NEED FOR AN ADDENDUM:

Before preparing an addendum, carefully review your original petition or application. Identify any areas that require further explanation, additional evidence, or corrections (more than just typographical errors). Common scenarios that warrant an addendum include:

- Providing updated employment or financial information

- Addressing discrepancies in dates, addresses, or personal details

- Correcting answers to questions where you marked "no" but should have marked "yes" and vice versa

- Supplementing your petition with new supporting documents (i.e., recently filed tax returns, birth certificates for newly born children of the marriage, etc.)

STRUCTURE YOUR ADDENDUM:

To ensure clarity and organization, structure your addendum in a way that is legible and easily understandable by the USCIS officer reviewing your case. Consider the following guidelines:

Heading and Information: At the top of the addendum, clearly state the Applicant/Petitioner/Beneficiary's Name, the USCIS Form (e.g., N-400), and the Page Number, Part Number, and the Question Number that is being corrected updated. If there are multiple corrections needed, provide the corresponding Page Number, Part Number and Question Number for each question that requires updating.
Detailed Explanation: Provide a thorough explanation of the specific information or issues you are addressing. Be concise and precise, avoiding unnecessary details or repetitive information. Use clear and straightforward language to ensure your points are easily understood. Depending on the nature of the question/section you are updating, your explanation could be very simple, for example, if you are adding children to your application, you just need to provide their basic information as you would on the original application. Whereas a more complicated issue, like updating a "no" answer to a "yes" could require further explanation. However, you are not expected to write a long drawn out response.
Supporting Documentation: Include relevant supporting documentation to substantiate the information provided in your addendum. Ensure that all documents are legible, properly labeled, and easy to navigate.

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

The submission process may vary depending on whether you filed your application/petition online or on paper. Your addendum should be type-written using any available word processor (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) and printed out (for paper submissions) or saved in PDF format (for online submissions).

Online Submissions via MyUSCIS - If the application/petition was filed online, the addendum and supporting documentation can be submitted online through your myUSCIS account. Access your myUSCIS account and upload the addendum along with any relevant documents to the "Documents" tab for your case. You should also be prepared to print out your addendum and bring it to your interview, in case the officer did not have a chance to review it prior to the interview.

Paper Filed Submissions Mailed to USCIS - If the application/petition was paper filed, you will need to provide a cover letter clearly indicating that the document is an addendum to your original petition or application. You should also fill out a new application/petition with the correct responses filled in accordingly. Include the addendum and any supporting documentation. Submit the complete package to the service center (e.g., California Service Center) processing your application/petition (this information can be found on the bottom left corner of your receipt notice). Similarly as above, you should also bring a copy to your interview for the officer to review.

Providing an addendum to your immigration petition or application, if necessary, will truly aid in ensuring that all important and correct information is presented to USCIS. By carefully preparing and organizing your addendum, you can address any gaps, inaccuracies, or updates to your initial submission. If you are interested in filing a family-based immigration petition, K-1 fiancé visa, naturalization or humanitarian visa, without worrying about whether you filled out your forms correctly, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (212) 547-8857 or schedule a consultation online and we'd be happy to work with you to apply for the benefits you are seeking. Our experienced immigration attorneys are here to provide the advice you need.

Disclaimer: This blog post and similar posts are not to be considered as providing legal advice. The discussion here is meant for educational and informational purposes only and shall not create an attorney-client relationship with the readers of this content.