In a welcome move, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week that beginning April 30, 2018, the agency will begin phasing in the use of the US Postal Service’s (USPS) Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery service in order to mail Green Cards and other secure documents to recipients. The first phase will involve re-mailing documents—including Permanent Resident Cards (i.e., Green Cards), Employment Authorization Cards (EAD cards), and Travel Booklets—that have been returned as non-deliverable. USCIS states that applicants who have changed mailing addresses during the application process are more likely to have their secure documents sent with this new delivery service. USCIS plans to expand this signature confirmation mailing service to all secure documents in the future.

The new delivery method requires that applicants present identification to sign for their documents upon delivery, or else designate an agent to sign on their behalf by completing the Postal Service’s PS Form 3801, Standing Delivery Order (PDF), or PS Form 3801-A, Agreement by a Hotel, Apartment House, or the Like (PDF). Importantly, applicants can also arrange for USPS to hold the package for pickup at a post office by going to the USPS website and selecting “hold for pickup.” Applicants can also sign up for delivery status notifications.

USCIS states: “Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery increases the security, integrity, and efficiency of document delivery.” It also provides better tracking and accuracy of delivery information. Applicants can find information on how to track delivery of secure documents on the USCIS website.