# Contacting the AAO

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) welcomes status inquiries by fax and mail (regular and express service).  

Fax:  (240) 721-3405

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration ServicesAdministrative Appeals Office5900 Capital Gateway Drive, MS 2090Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009

**NOTES:**

1.  **Do not mail new appeals or motions directly to the AAO at the mailing address above. The AAO does not have the capacity to receive fees.**This address is for briefs and other correspondence related to existing matters. You must file appeals and motions as explained in the Form I-290B instructions. The instructions include the latest information on filing locations and other requirements.

2.  For inquiries about the status of a specific case:
                - The AAO will communicate with applicants and petitioners, or their attorneys or accredited representatives. We are unable to respond to case-specific inquiries from beneficiaries of an application or petition, or their attorneys or accredited representatives. This is because beneficiaries are not a recognized party to a proceeding. 
                - Appeals first undergo an initial review at the field office that issued the negative decision. If that office does not take favorable action on the appeal, it will forward the appeal to the AAO and send you a Notice of Transfer to the AAO. The initial field review should be completed within 45 days. We are unable to provide case status information on appeals awaiting the initial field review. 
                - You may contact the USCIS  Contact Center  at  (800) 375-5283  (the TTY number is  (800) 767-1833 ) or the  originating field office  to inquire about a case if USCIS has not sent any of the following within 75 days of your filing an appeal:
                - an approval;
                - a Request for Evidence;
                - a Notice of Transfer to AAO; or
                - any other correspondence or action from the field office. 

3.  The AAO cannot provide legal advice or discuss the merits of a case, nor can it provide status information about matters that are not pending with our office. 

**Written Communications**

Written communication about a specific case should contain the following:
                - Full name of the applicant or petitioner;
                - Alien registration number ("A-number") of the applicant or petitioner;
                - Receipt number for the Form I-290B,   Notice of Appeal or Motion (or Form I-290C, Notice of Certification);
                - Receipt number and case type for the  underlying application or petition  before the AAO ( not  the receipt number associated with the Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion);
                - Name, address, telephone number, and fax number of the author; and
                - For written communications from attorneys or accredited representatives, a copy of the Form G-28 submitted with the appeal.  

**Change of Address**

Most non-U.S. citizens must report a change of address within 10 days of moving within the United States or its territories. For more information about change of address requirements and how to report an address change, please visit the USCIS Change of Address Information page.

While a case is pending with the AAO, we recommend that applicants and petitioners also notify us directly of any address change to ensure that decisions or correspondence are sent to the correct address. Please send your new address to our mailing address or fax number listed above. No special form is required.

Attorneys and accredited representatives should also submit a new Form G-28 following any business address change. 

04/30/2021

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