Form G-1145 Explained
Concerned About USCIS Receiving Your Application?
When you mail your immigration forms to USCIS, there’s always a moment of uncertainty. Did they get it? Is it sitting in a mailroom? Will you be notified — or left wondering? That waiting period can be stressful, especially if you’re applying for something important like a green card, citizenship, or a work permit.
The good news? There’s a simple, optional way to stay informed right from the start.
Form G-1145 allows you to receive real-time updates from USCIS (within 24 hours after the application is accepted) by email or text. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to fill out and submit the form — and explain how it helps you track your case early.
What is Form G-1145 Used For?
Form G-1145, officially titled E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, is a one-page form that you attach to the front of your USCIS application packet. It allows USCIS to send you an email or text message when your application is received and accepted for processing.
This means you get a digital confirmation from USCIS days before the official paper receipt (Form I-797C) arrives in the mail.
The form is completely optional and free to use. It doesn’t change your application timeline or outcome — but it does offer peace of mind by confirming that your materials reached USCIS safely.
To use it, simply fill out Form G-1145 and place it on top of your application packet before mailing it to a USCIS Lockbox facility.
Eligible Forms to Use G-1145
Who can use this form? You can use Form G-1145 when you’re submitting certain immigration applications by mail to a USCIS lockbox facility.
Here’s a list of common forms that are eligible for electronic notifications with Form G-1145:
- Form I-130 – Petition for Alien Relative
This is for U.S. citizens or green card holders who want to sponsor a green card for a family member. - Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
For individuals in the U.S. who are eligible to apply for a green card (adjustment of status). - Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
For immigrants in eligible categories (like asylum seekers or green card applicants) who want to work legally in the U.S. - Form I-131 – Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole or Reentry Permit)
For green card applicants, refugees, asylees, or permanent residents needing permission to travel abroad. - Form N-400 – Application for Naturalization
This is the form most lawful permanent residents file to become U.S. citizens. - Form I-129F – Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
U.S. citizens petitioning for their foreign fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. for marriage. - Form I-821D – Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Undocumented individuals who came to the U.S. as children and meet specific DACA eligibility criteria. - Form I-539 – Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Used by certain visa holders (like tourists or students) to extend their stay or change status. - Form I-601A – Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
For undocumented immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or green card holders seeking a waiver of unlawful presence before consular processing. - Form I-751 – Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
For conditional green card holders (typically through marriage) who want to remove conditions after 2 years. - Form I-140 – Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
Filed by a U.S. employer to sponsor a foreign national worker for an employment-based green card. - Form I-90 – Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
For green card holders needing to renew or replace a green card that’s expired, lost, or damaged.
Note: You can only use Form G-1145 when you mail your application to a USCIS lockbox address. If you file online, USCIS will automatically send you updates through your online account. For a complete list of forms, refer USCIS page G-1145.
When to Use and Not Use G-1145 Form: Quick Reference Table
| Scenario | Use Form G-1145? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Filing an immigration form by mail to a USCIS lockbox | Yes | Use Form G-1145 to receive email/text alerts when USCIS accepts your form. |
| Filing a form electronically (e-file or online account) | No | You’ll automatically receive case updates through your USCIS online account. |
| Submitting documents outside the lockbox (e.g., local office) | No | Form G-1145 only works with lockbox submissions, not with field offices. |
| Mailing multiple forms together to a lockbox facility | Yes | You can include one G-1145 to cover all the forms in the same package. |
| Sending an application to another agency (not USCIS) | No | Form G-1145 is only for USCIS lockbox mailings, not for other government bodies. |
How to Use USCIS G-1145 Form
Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, allows you to receive an email and/or text message from USCIS when they accept your immigration form. Here’s how to use it correctly:
- Download the Form:
Get the latest version of Form G-1145 from the USCIS website. - Fill Out Your Information:
Enter your full name, email address, and U.S. mobile phone number. Double-check for accuracy—notifications will be sent to this contact info. - Print the Completed Form:
Once filled, print the form. Do not sign it; no signature is required. - Attach It on Top:
Paperclip or staple Form G-1145 to the top of your application or petition when filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility (e.g., for forms like I-130, I-485, N-400). - Mail Your Application Package:
Include Form G-1145 with your completed immigration form(s) and mail it to the correct USCIS Lockbox address based on the form you’re submitting.
Note: USCIS will send the e-notification only once—when your form is first accepted. You’ll still receive official notices by mail.
Requirements of Form G-1145
Form G-1145 is one of the simplest USCIS forms to complete. It only requires basic contact information from the applicant or petitioner:
- Last name
- First name
- Middle name (if applicable)
- Email address
- Mobile phone number (to receive text message updates)
Once completed, attach Form G-1145 to the first page of your immigration application package.
How Much Does G-1145 Notification Form Cost?
Form G-1145 is completely free to file.
There is no filing fee for submitting Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. You can include this form with any eligible USCIS application or petition to receive text and email updates when your form is received.
Keep in mind, while Form G-1145 itself has no cost, the main immigration form you’re submitting it with may have a filing fee. Be sure to check the current fees for your specific immigration application on the USCIS Fee Schedule.
G-1145 Commonly Asked Questions
1. Is Form G-1145 required for all applications?
No, it’s optional. However, if you want faster confirmation that USCIS has received your package, it’s highly recommended.
2. What kind of updates will I receive?
You will receive a one-time notification by email and/or text when your application is accepted. Further updates will come via physical mail unless you create a USCIS online account.
3. Can I track my case status with Form G-1145?
No, Form G-1145 only provides the initial notification of acceptance. To track your case, use the receipt number from your Form I-797 (Notice of Action) on the USCIS Case Status Online tool.
Stay Informed with Form G-1145
Form G-1145 is a quick and easy way to receive electronic updates from USCIS about your immigration application. By submitting this optional form, you can stay informed through email and text message alerts, giving you added peace of mind during the processing period. There’s no cost to file, and completing it takes only a few minutes. If you’re filing eligible forms with a USCIS Lockbox facility, attaching Form G-1145 can help you track your case status from the start.
