Question on residency and addresses HELP

[joanne26]

Hello,

I am a greencard holder and have been for the past 4.5 years. I obtained my greencard when I was still a dependent of my parents, and they applied for the greencard based on investment. At that time, I was a student in university in New York State and my parents were living in Virginia. That was in 2005. My address was listed as my parents address.

Since then, I have been living in New York City, but I never changed my address with the USCIS. My parents still reside at the same address, and since they are there I thought it was not necessary to change it.

I am planning on applying for citizenship in October 2009 and am unsure of whether I need to change my address with the USCIS to reflect that I live in New York. I will be leaving the US in January and won't have anyone to collect mail for me, so I would prefer to use my parents address as they will be able to collect the mail. However, if I use their address in Virginia, do I need to move to Virginia for three months prior to applying?

Please help, I'm completely confused by this.

Thanks,
Jo-Anne

 

[sh1996]

I think you update your address with USCIS if you get your greencard through work. I got mine as a dependent and certainly never sent USCIS (or INS at that point) any address change forms -- I moved about twice a year when I in school, it would have been ridiculous. It also never came up in my interview.

Yes, to use your parent's address you have to meet the 3 month residency requirement. It would be one thing if you were still in school, but you've been out of school and living on your own for 4 years.... Either apply when you get back from your trip or ask a friend in NYC, assuming you're moving back to NYC. (You update and add your new (NYC) address to the application at the interview.)

 

[FriscoDude]

I think you update your address with USCIS if you get your greencard through work. I got mine as a dependent and certainly never sent USCIS (or INS at that point) any address change forms -- I moved about twice a year when I in school, it would have been ridiculous. It also never came up in my interview.

Yes, to use your parent's address you have to meet the 3 month residency requirement. It would be one thing if you were still in school, but you've been out of school and living on your own for 4 years.... Either apply when you get back from your trip or ask a friend in NYC, assuming you're moving back to NYC. (You update and add your new (NYC) address to the application at the interview.)

I moved around a lot too, and never updated my address with INS/USCIS, but it never came up during the interview.

 

[Bobsmyth]

As a permanent resident, you must notify USCIS of any permanent address changes. If you live in New-York on a permanent basis you should submit an AR-11 to USCIS to notify them.