Immigrants & Immigration

If you are applying for a benefit from USCIS, you must complete the .

Download a copy of the Form I-912 from the USCIS website. It is important to download the form directly from the USCIS website. This ensures you are using the correct form edition. The fee waiver A document that lets someone file court papers for free or at a reduced cost. will be denied if an old form is submitted.

You may download and print a blank form, and handwrite your answers. Your handwriting must be clear and legible. You can also download the form, and fill it out using a PDF A type of document that can be viewed and printed from many devices editor like Adobe Acrobat Reader. Then you can print out the filled in form. You must sign and date the form.

It’s highly recommended you review the instructions for Form I-912. They are available as a separate file from the USCIS website.

You are the “” for the fee waiver. A document that lets someone file court papers for free or at a reduced cost. In part 1, select why you believe you qualify for the fee waiver, and include your current immigration status. You may select more than one reason, but you must provide proof for each reason. Fill in your information in part 2.

For part 3, include the names of the application you are requesting a fee waiver for. If you are filing multiple applications for yourself, you can list them on the same line. If you are requesting fee waivers for a family member’s application, then list each family member and their application or applications on their own line.

For parts 4, 5, and 6, only fill in the parts that you say make you qualified for a fee waiver. For example, if you qualify based on means-tested benefits (public benefits), and financial hardship, you only need to fill out Part 4 and Part 6.

Complete the question in Part 7, sign and date.

Optional: If a preparer or interpreter helped you fill out the form, you must indicate in Part 7, at questions 1.B. or 2. An interpreter must fill out and sign Part 8. A preparer must fill out and sign Part 9.

You must include evidence Anything used to show that something is true with your fee waiver A document that lets someone file court papers for free or at a reduced cost. form that proves that you are eligible. What you include depends on the reasons you say you qualify for a fee waiver.

Note: all evidence submitted must be in English. If it is not in English, you will need to include a certified translation of the document.

Means-tested benefits
If you say you qualify because you receive a means-tested benefit, you must include something to show that you are currently receiving the benefit. In Illinois, you can get a letter or statement from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that says what benefit you are receiving, or your family members are receiving, and when those benefits started and ended. Your enrollment letter may be sufficient evidence if it clearly shows it’s from IDHS and has all the necessary information.

Income 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
If you say you qualify for the fee waiver because your income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you must include evidence of your income and your household size. These could include:

• A copy of your most recent Federal tax return,
• Copies of check stubs showing income for at least the past month,
• Recent Form W-2,
• Form SSA-1099, and
• A statement from your employer on business stationery showing your income.

If you have no income, or you cannot prove your income, then you must explain your situation in Part 5, Item 9 of the waiver A document that gives up a legal right or excuses a requirement form.

Financial hardship
If you are claiming financial hardship, you will need to provide information of the specific hardships you’re experiencing, and evidence that it’s happening. For example, if you have high medical costs, you can provide copies of recent medical bills or receipts to show you will have a hard time paying.

When requesting a fee waiver, A document that lets someone file court papers for free or at a reduced cost. you must file it with the application you are requesting the waiver A document that gives up a legal right or excuses a requirement for. The fee waiver application is a substitute for the fee payment. Do not mail a Form I-912 on its own.

You must determine where you need to send the form for which you are trying to have your fee waived. You must send your immigration fee waiver form to that office. For example, if you are trying to get a fee waiver for Form A then you must first determine where Form A needs to be sent. Then you will send your fee waiver form to that location. Go to uscis.gov/forms and select the form number for your application to see where to file the form. 

Note that there are often two different addresses for each form. One address is for people who plan to mail using the U.S. Postal Service (the regular post office). The other is for someone who is going to use a private mailing service like FedEx or UPS. Be sure to use the correct address for the service you are using.

The Form I-912, and your evidence, Anything used to show that something is true should be the first pages of your mailing. When someone opens your packet, it should be the first thing they see. If the Form I-912 is not on top, your entire application packet could be rejected for failure to include payment.

After the fee waiver A document that lets someone file court papers for free or at a reduced cost. documents, your main application (and your family’s if applicable), should be included. Include the application, then the evidence for your application. If you are including any family members’ applications, put them after your evidence. Make sure each application and evidence is paper clipped or binder clipped together. Do not use staples.

Put all documents in one large envelope or box if they are large enough. Ensure the correct mailing address is listed and a return address is included.

Optional: Write “FEE WAIVER INCLUDED” somewhere on the package to show the person opening it that there’s one included. This may help with faster processing. Do not write it anywhere that would interfere with the addresses and postage on the package.

Mail your application packet to the correct address. Remember, there are usually two different mailing addresses for each form. Be sure to use the correct address for the mail service you are using. If using the U.S. Postal Service address, but sure to select a service that has a tracking number. You want to keep the tracking number and check it to make sure it gets delivered. Private delivery services like FedEx and UPS usually come with tracking numbers already.