The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reported significant delays for processing receipt notices due to a significant increase in filings at USCIS lockbox facilities. These delays are further driven by current COVID-19 facility capacity restrictions set in place to protect the health and safety of the lockbox workforce.

Receipt notices are typically mailed within 30 days of a complete and properly filed petition or application, but the issuance of those receipts is currently delayed due to the ongoing circumstances. As they continue efforts to minimize delays, USCIS suggests taking the following additional measures to decrease the time it takes to process and send receipt notices or find out the status of a case:

• File online (if this option is available for your form type) and receive immediate confirmation that USCIS has received the form instead of waiting for the mail;

• Create a free USCIS online account and check the status of a case from your mobile device, anywhere, anytime using USCIS’ case status online tool; or

• Complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and clip it to the front of submitted forms to request a text message and/or email when USCIS accept the forms.

View the full USCIS announcement here.