First: some situations need a real immigration lawyer, not a self-help tool
If any of these describes you, stop here and get a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative. These can involve detention, permanent bars, criminal exposure, or safety, and they turn on judgment this tool is not allowed to give. This navigator will not calculate a deadline or tell you what to file in these situations.
- You are detained, or someone you know is in immigration custody
- You are in immigration court, or have a removal or deportation case or order
- You missed an immigration hearing or have any filing or appeal deadline
- You have any criminal history or arrest, even without a conviction
- There was any prior fraud, misrepresentation, or a false statement in an immigration matter
- Asylum, or any asylum filing deadline, is involved
- Unlawful presence, a prior removal, or a reentry bar may apply
- Domestic violence, trafficking, or a U visa, T visa, or VAWA matter (these are safety-sensitive and confidential)
- The person who needs help is a child without a parent or guardian
- Anyone is asking you to hide, leave out, or misstate information
Two things to know before you do anything
USCIS forms are always free
Official immigration forms are free to download from the government site, and you never have to pay anyone just to get a blank form. Some websites charge for forms or post the wrong, outdated edition. Start from the official pages linked below, and use the current edition, because USCIS rejects filings on an old edition.
Only certain people can give immigration legal advice
Only a licensed attorney, or a DOJ-accredited representative working through a Department of Justice-recognized nonprofit organization, may give you immigration legal advice. A "notario," notary public, or immigration consultant cannot, even though "notario" means "lawyer" in some countries. This navigator is attorney-supervised information, not your lawyer.
Ask about a routine process
The Analyst can explain routine processes and point you to the official form and page. It does not decide your eligibility and it will route you to a real immigration lawyer for anything serious. Keep it general and do not enter identifiers.
Routine processes and their official forms
These are the only things this navigator covers. Each links to the official government page. Forms are free; use the current edition; and remember that whether you personally qualify is an individual question for a qualified attorney or accredited representative.
Apply for naturalization
Becoming a U.S. citizen as a lawful permanent resident who meets the requirements.
Official N-400 page →Renew or replace a green card
For a Permanent Resident Card that is expiring, lost, stolen, damaged, or has an error.
Official I-90 page →Renew a work permit (EAD)
Requesting or renewing an Employment Authorization Document. Only certain categories may file.
Official I-765 page →Family petition (the first step)
A citizen or resident establishes a family relationship. It starts the process; it does not by itself grant a green card.
Official I-130 page →Change of address
Most noncitizens must report a move to USCIS, generally within 10 days. A post-office change does not update USCIS.
Official change-of-address →Request your immigration records
A FOIA/Privacy Act request for your own USCIS file, often used to get a copy of your record.
Official G-639 page →Check case status
See the status of a pending case using your receipt number. It reports status only; it does not explain what it means for you.
Official case status →Avoid scams
How to recognize and report immigration-services fraud, and why forms are free.
USCIS avoid scams →Find legal services
Official ways to find an authorized attorney or accredited representative.
USCIS find legal services →How to find real, authorized help
Two kinds of people are authorized to give immigration legal advice. Both are legitimate; a notario or consultant is not.
A licensed attorney
A lawyer licensed by a U.S. state bar. Many nonprofits and law-school clinics offer low-cost or free immigration help.
A DOJ-accredited representative
A non-attorney authorized by the Department of Justice who may represent you only through a specific DOJ-recognized nonprofit organization. Often free or low-cost.
How this navigator works, and its limits
- It explains routine processes at a high level and points you to the official government form and page.
- It does not decide whether you personally qualify, and it does not tell you what to write on a form.
- It never quotes a fee, because fees and form editions change; you confirm those on the official page.
- If your situation matches anything in the "see a lawyer" list, it stops and routes you to authorized help instead of guiding you further.
- It is attorney-supervised information, not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Sources and review
This navigator points only to official U.S. government resources. Reviewed as of July 23, 2026.
Official sources: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (uscis.gov) for forms and processes; the Executive Office for Immigration Review (justice.gov/eoir) for the recognition-and-accreditation program and rosters; and the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) for consular processing.
Fees, form editions, and submission channels change frequently and must be confirmed on the official page at the time of filing. If something here looks out of date, tell me at owner@terms.law.