For a USCIS biometrics appointment, bring your printed appointment notice, a valid photo ID, and any additional documents your notice asks for. What you need can also depend on your application type.
Getting these items ready ahead of time gives you a chance to spot missing documents or mistakes before your appointment. This guide covers what to check, what to bring, and what to do if you can’t attend.
USCIS biometrics appointment checklist
Start with the instructions on your Application Support Center (ASC) appointment notice. Then use this checklist to organize your documents.
Your printed appointment notice
Bring your biometrics appointment notice, which is usually Form I-797C, Notice of Action. Don’t rely only on an electronic copy on your phone.
If your appointment was rescheduled, print the new notice and go by its date, time and location. If you received more than one biometrics appointment notice, bring all of them.
Valid photo identification
Bring a valid, unexpired photo ID. USCIS gives these examples:
- a passport
- a driver’s license
- a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Check the expiration date well before your appointment. If your ID is missing or expired, contact USCIS for instructions about what other documents it will accept.
Documents required for your application type
Read your notice for any additional requirements.
For naturalization (Form N-400) applicants, USCIS says to bring your Green Card, your appointment notice and a second form of photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or state identification card.
A general checklist doesn’t replace the instructions on your own notice. If the two differ, follow your notice.
What to check before you leave home
- Review the notice as soon as it arrives. Confirm your name, the appointment date and time, and the address of the Application Support Center.
- Fix errors early. If your name doesn’t match your ID, or you find a mistake on the notice, contact USCIS before the appointment for instructions.
- Go to the ASC on your notice. Plan your trip using the address printed on the notice, which may not be an office you’ve visited before. USCIS won’t process biometrics at a different ASC unless you reschedule to that location in advance.
- Keep everything together. Put your notice and ID in one folder. If family members also have appointments, keep each person’s documents separate and check each notice for its own date, time and location.
- Leave weapons at home. Federal law bans firearms, knives, pepper spray and ammunition at USCIS facilities.
- Bring help if you need it. You may bring a family member, an attorney or an accredited representative. If you don’t understand spoken English, bring someone who can interpret.
What happens at a USCIS biometrics appointment?
USCIS may take your fingerprints, photograph and signature. It uses them to confirm your identity and to run background and security checks. The photo and signature may also be used on documents such as a work permit or Green Card.
A biometrics appointment isn’t an immigration interview. For example, naturalization applicants attend their interview, and take the English and civics tests, at a later stage. Learn more in how long the naturalization process takes and how long adjustment of status takes.
Follow the staff’s instructions during your visit. Completing biometrics doesn’t mean USCIS has approved your application.
If a serious, ongoing medical condition keeps you from traveling to an ASC, contact USCIS to ask about a mobile or homebound biometrics appointment.
How to reschedule a biometrics appointment
If you can’t attend, ask to reschedule before your appointment and explain why. USCIS requires good cause. Examples in the USCIS Policy Manual include:
- illness, a medical appointment or a hospital stay
- travel you had already planned
- a significant life event, such as a wedding, funeral or graduation
- no way to get to the appointment
- being unable to get time off work or away from caregiving
- an appointment notice that arrived late or never arrived
Most appointments can be rescheduled through your USCIS online account, at least 12 hours before the appointment time. USCIS doesn’t accept rescheduling requests by mail. Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) instead if:
- your appointment is less than 12 hours away
- you’ve already rescheduled it two or more times
- your appointment date has passed
- you can’t use the online rescheduling tool
Make sure the new appointment is confirmed, then print the new notice. Keep a record of your request and any confirmation you receive. If you have an attorney, they can ask USCIS to reschedule for you. For background, see our earlier post on how USCIS changed the rescheduling process.
What if you already missed your appointment?
Act quickly. If you miss your biometrics appointment without asking to reschedule first, USCIS can treat your application as abandoned and deny it (8 CFR 103.2(b)(13)(ii)). A denial for abandonment can’t be appealed, and you can lose your place in line, such as your priority date or filing date.
If your case is still pending, call the USCIS Contact Center right away and explain why you couldn’t attend. Late requests are accepted only through the Contact Center, not through your online account. USCIS decides case by case whether to reschedule. It considers how much time has passed, whether you had a good reason for missing the appointment, and whether a denial would cause undue hardship. Don’t assume a new appointment will be scheduled automatically.
Have your appointment notice and receipt number ready when you call. Keep any documents that support your reason, such as medical records, and write down any instructions USCIS gives you. Asylum applicants (Form I-589) are covered by different rules, and a missed appointment can lead to the case being dismissed or sent to an immigration judge.
If you receive a denial or another notice that needs a response, have an immigration attorney review it promptly. Your options, and any deadline, depend on the notice and your case. A motion to reopen may be possible in some situations. See also our guide to responding to a USCIS Request for Evidence.
How BCA Law Firm can help
An unclear appointment notice, a problem with your ID or a missed biometrics appointment can leave you unsure what to do next. An attorney at BCA Law Firm can review your notice, explain the instructions, ask USCIS to reschedule on your behalf, and help you respond if your application is at risk.
Book a 30-minute consultation at our Norcross office or online, or call 678-292-6111.
Sources: USCIS, Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment (updated April 30, 2026); USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Part C, Ch. 2 (current as of October 2, 2026).
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different; speak with an attorney about your situation.
