Application for Duplicate Approval Notice I-824

If you have not received your Form I-797 Approval Notice from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) or have been issued a Form I-797 but have lost it, it is important to file Form I-824 (Duplicate Approval Notice). Form I-824 is not a request to replace a green card, Form I-94 or Employment Authorization card. If you have lost one of these documents in addition to Form I-797, you will need to file Form I-824 as well as the additional appropriate forms to replace all the documents you have lost.

In rare cases, the USCIS may issue you a Form I-797 but you may not receive it in the mail due to a postage problem. If this is the case, you will need to file Form I-824. However, before filing Form I-824 you will want to confirm with the USCIS that Form I-797 was sent to your correct address. If it was, you need to file Form I-824. However, if the notice was never sent by the USCIS, you can simply request that Form I-797 be sent. In this case, you may not need to file Form I-824.

Eligibility Requirements for Filing Form I-824 (Duplicate Approval Notice)

The requirements for Form I-824 are minimal. If you are the petitioner or applicant of the original petition or application for Form I-797 and have lost your Form I-797 or have not received it in the mail, then you are eligible to file the Form I-824 application.

The Form I-824 Application Process

If you want to make an Application for a Duplicate Approval Notice, you must correctly file the most recent version of Form I-824 and file it as indicated on the USCIS instructions. In general, the processing time for Form I-824 is between three to nine months. Filing out Form I-824 online allows you to file quickly and get the process started. If you have lost your Form I-797 or have never received it, it is important to file Form I-824 quickly to avoid delays and problems.