How can I know where my USCIS service center is?

How can I know where my USCIS service center is?

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The USCIS’s (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) forms and requisites may oftentimes feel overwhelming. Also, many people do not know that there are different places where petitions are received.

Several divisions, known as service centers, are in charge of processing a specific type of petition, but there isn’t an intuitive way to know exactly where to make your petition.

So, below, we will guide you through this. We will answer all the questions you have about USCIS service centers. As immigration lawyers, we are here to facilitate your immigration process.

Are there different USCIS centers?

Yes, there are five different USCIS service centers with different characteristics and operations. 

How to know which USCIS center will receive my application?

Since it’s common for many people to be unaware of the different service centers, they may need to learn which one they need to go to for their requests.

To find out which USCIS service center is receiving and processing your application or petition, you must first know what type of application you are making. 

Service center by application type

One of the easiest and simplest ways to find the service center that corresponds to your application is by their type. Depending on the type of application or petition you are working on, you will be assigned to a specific service center.

Service center by state of origin

After identifying the type of petition or application you need, you can find the USCIS service center that handles it.

Some service centers may be near you, but this does not mean they are the ones you should go to. 

There are two ways to find out where you need to go, and an immigration lawyer may be able to guide you. You can also consult the list of service centers and applications or petitions in their respective jurisdictions.

How to know which service center to go to?

When physically going to immigration offices, getting lost can also be expected, and an immigration lawyer can help clear any misunderstandings. Details about the service center with which your petition is being handled are relatively easy to obtain. 

Fortunately, the USCIS provides a complete list of the centers you can visit and the applications or petitions over which they have jurisdiction. 

USCIS service center’s list

Since USCIS’s list is long, we recommend you head to its official website to learn about the updated locations.

How many service centers exist?

There are a total  of five nationwide USCIS service centers:

• Texas Service Center
• Potomac Service Center
• Nebraska Service Center
• Vermont Service Center
• California Service Center

Each has its jurisdiction and operation and its own identification code.

USCIS Service Center codes 

You can find a variety of regulations that correspond to the five USCIS service centers:

• VSC (Vermont Service Center): This is the code used by the USCIS for the Vermont Service Center.
• ESC (Easter Service Center): older version of VSC.
• EAC (Eastern Adjudication Center): also an older version of VSC.
• CSC (California Service Center): this is the code used by the USCIS for the California service center.
• WSC (Western Service Center): older version of CSC.
• WAC (Western Adjudication Center): also an older version of CSC.
• NSC (Nebraska Service Center): this is the code used by the USCIS for the Nebraska service center.
• LIN (Lincoln Service Center): older version of NSC.
• TSC (Texas Service Center): this is the code used by USCIS for the Texas service center.
• SSC (Southern Service Center): older version of TSC.
• SRC (Southern Regional Center): also an older version of TSC.
• PSC (Potomac Service Center): this is the code used by USCIS for the Potomac service center.
• YSC (Potomac Service Center): older version of PSC.
• NBC (National Benefits Center): this is the code used by USCIS for applications processed by the National Benefits Center. 
• MSC (National Benefits Center): the previous version of NBC.
• IOE (Integrate Operation Environment): this is the code used by USCIS for e-filing applications.

Technically, NBC and IOE are not service centers but are used similarly for applications under certain specific characteristics.

Which service center do I have to choose?

If your application is made virtually, it will be sent automatically to where it needs to go. On the other hand, if it is done physically, the USCIS will guide you through the process.

If the case is handled by mail, all the information you need is on USCIS’s official webpage. There are specific steps to these applications, so do it carefully, but to avoid any mishap, it is best to have an immigration attorney to keep you informed about what you need. 

The I-797 Form, Notice of Action

After you apply with USCIS, they must confirm that they have received your application. To do this, they will send you a status update on your petition or application. It’s officially called I-797, Notice of Action. On the official USCIS website, you can see further details.

The agency will send the form directly to the mailing address you previously submitted on the submitted application. It may take about two to three weeks after you have applied. However, USCIS’s time to respond will be related to the type of petition or application you have made.

It is important to emphasize that this response is nothing more than a confirmation that your application has been received. The receipt does not translate into any immigration benefits, i.e., it is only the beginning of the legal process that will follow.

What is a “receipt number” for USCIS applications?

For the particular identification of all cases, USCIS assigns a unique 13-character number to each application submitted to USCIS. This number is the Receipt Number and is crucial in knowing to which service centers an application is being offered.

It is because the first three characters of the number are letters that identify which service center you are applying to. It is through the codes explained above.

USCIS assigns a unique 13-character case number to each application that people file, and they refer to this case number as the “receipt number” of your case. The first three characters of your case receipt number depend on which USCIS service center is processing your claim. 

After these three letters, the rest are numbers that identify other case details. In total, it is made up of three letters and ten numbers that ultimately identify the application, differentiate it from others, and provide information about the application.

In any case, you can check the status of your application online using the receipt number on the official USCIS website. In addition, on the same website, you can get an estimate of how long it will take to process your application.

Therefore, for legal help, the best thing you can opt for is an immigration attorney. For a safe, fast, and successful immigration legal process, an immigration lawyer is what you need. 

How do I find my receipt number?

With the receipt notice, you can easily find your receipt number when you have your application, and it is located in the upper left corner of the receipt notice. 

It is 13 characters long, starting with one of the above codes, followed by ten numbers. Furthermore, you can use it to check the status of your application in the system.

You will receive your receipt number at the same time as the receipt, i.e., two to three weeks after your application. However, the time will depend on the type of petition or application. 

Do I need to understand my receipt number?

Understanding the USCIS Receipt Number is not necessary; however, knowing how to read it will give you details of your application. 

The number is a combination of the USCIS service center that processes the application, the fiscal year, the business day USCIS opened your case, and your unique case number.

For example: 

NBC 22 145 00978

We will illustrate it better by explaining it in parts:

• Service Center: These are the first three lines read as a number. They indicate the Service Center where the application is processed.
• Fiscal Year: Indicates the Fiscal year in which the case is processed. Fiscal years are a unique way of dividing time for legal processes.
• Computer Workday: This is the exact day USCIS opened the case.
• Case number: This is the case number according to the fiscal year.

Therefore, we can read the example number as the case is being processed by the National Benefits Center on the 145th day of Fiscal Year 22 (2022) and is the 978th case being processed in that Fiscal Year 22 by the National Benefits Center.

All these parts of the number are essential to know the details of the case. Besides that, you can use the entire number to check your claim online.

How to call and learn about the receipt number of my application

If you have questions or want to check your application more directly, you can call USCIS at 1 800 375 5283. For the hearing impaired, the TDD is 1 800 767 1833.

There is a military duty-free line for military members and their families: 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645).

You may also meet with a USCIS officer to get answers about your case. This procedure is done through an InfoPass appointment with USCIS. 

At the appointment, you can speak one-on-one with a USCIS representative at a local office. This way, you will get all the information you need about your application.

The receipt number is divided into four main parts, which in order would be: The Service Center code, the Fiscal Year, the Computer Workday, and the Case number. 

Have an expert by your side

Having knowledge is power, which is why we recommend hiring an immigration lawyer to help you with your immigration process. To ensure your chances of a successful outcome.

We hope you can finish your immigration process without any problems, and if you have any questions, please contact an immigration attorney at Kannan Law. We will help you with everything you need!