What is the DS-261 form?
The DS-261, officially known as the “Online Choice of Address and Agent,” is a simple form used by the US Department of State to gather details about how to communicate with you during the green card application process. This form allows applicants to designate a specific address or agent to receive official correspondence. Unlike the DS-260, which requires extensive personal and immigration details, the DS-261 is focused solely on communication preferences and is required for most family-based immigrant visa applications.
Instructions for filing the DS-261
Step 1: Access the CEAC website
Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). You’ll need your case number, beneficiary ID number, and invoice number, which are provided by the National Visa Center (NVC) after your I-130 petition is approved.
Step 2: Log in and select the DS-261 form
Under the immigrant visa section, locate the DS-261 link. Use your case details to log in and access the form.
Step 3: Provide address and agent information
You can choose to act as your own agent or designate someone else, such as a trusted family member, friend, or immigration attorney. Ensure that the agent has reliable contact details and is readily available to handle communications.
Step 4: Submit the form
After carefully reviewing the information, submit the form online. There is no fee to file the DS-261.
DS-260 filing tips
- To begin, you’ll need your case number, beneficiary ID number, and invoice number from the original welcome notice that the NVC sent you.
- The entire DS-260 online form must be filled out in English. If you are submitting addresses or names that aren’t in the Roman alphabet, you must transliterate them.
- Make sure you include information about all of your children—including stepchildren, adopted children, and biological children—no matter how old they are, and whether or not they will be immigrating to the United States with you.
- Make sure to list all addresses where you’ve physically lived since the age of 16, not only addresses you’ve used as an official permanent address. For example, if you continued to use your parents’ address as your permanent address when you were in college, even though you weren’t living there, you’ll need to include the addresses where you lived.
- It can take several months for the green card to actually arrive at your address in the United States, so make sure that the mailing address you provide will be valid throughout that time.
- You can’t correct the DS-260 after you’ve submitted it online. Ideally, you should make sure that all of your information is correct the first time. However, if you discover a mistake after submitting your DS-260, you may simply inform the consular officer at your interview about the mistake and ask to have it corrected at that time.
- Once you’ve submitted the DS-260 online, you must print the confirmation page so you can bring it to your visa interview at the US consulate.
Why is the DS-261 important?
Submitting the DS-261 ensures that all official correspondence related to your green card application is sent to the correct address or agent. This step minimizes the risk of missing important updates or deadlines during the application process. It is a crucial component of consular processing, especially for applicants outside the United States.
Timeline after filing the DS-261
Processing time for the DS-261
It typically takes up to three weeks for the NVC to process the DS-261. Once processed, you will be notified to pay the required fees, including:
- State Department’s application processing fee: $325
- Financial support form fee (Form I-864): $120
Completing the DS-260
After paying these fees, you can file the DS-260, the primary immigrant visa application. This step is more comprehensive and requires detailed information about your background and qualifications for the green card
Supporting documents and interview scheduling
After filing the DS-260, you must submit supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearance letters. The NVC reviews these documents and forwards them to your local US consulate, which then schedules your visa interview.
Documents from the applicant RELATIVE:
- Proof of your nationality (copy of birth certificate and passport photo page)
- Copy of your marriage certificate (for marriage-based green cards)
- Copy of marriage termination documents (divorce or death certificate), if you had any prior marriages
- Copy of your military record, if you have served
- Copy of police certificates showing any past infractions or lack thereof. These certificates, also called “police clearance letters,” must be obtained from:
- Any place in your home country where you lived for at least six months after age 16
- Any place outside of your home country where you lived for at least one year after age 16
- Any jurisdiction where you’ve ever been arrested or charged with a crime, regardless of how long you lived there or what age you were at the time.
Documents from the sponsoring Relative:
- Proof of your ability to support your family member in the United States—for more details, see this article on the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
- Copy of marriage termination documents (divorce or death certificate), if you had any prior marriages
- Proof of domicile, meaning you have significant ties to the United States. For a sponsoring spouse or family member living in the United States, proof of address or a state-issued ID is generally sufficient evidence. For a sponsoring spouse or family member applying from outside the United States, head over here to learn about acceptable evidence of domicile.
How long does it take to receive a green card?
The overall timeline depends on your specific visa category and the processing capacity of the NVC and US consulates.
Key factors include:
- Family-based categories: Immediate relatives of US citizens typically face shorter waits compared to other family categories.
- Current visa bulletin status: Applicants must monitor the State Department’s visa bulletin to determine when their priority date becomes current.
Once your visa is approved at the consulate interview, you will receive an immigrant visa stamp in your passport. After entering the US, it usually takes 3–4 weeks for the physical green card to arrive.
