Alien Registration Requirements: What Immigrants Need to Know

Quick Summary:

• Non-U.S. citizens aged 14 and older who remain in the country for 30 days or longer must be registered.
• Those 18 and older must carry proof of registration.
• DHS introduced Form G-325R for certain individuals lacking prior registration evidence.
• Registered non-U.S. citizens must notify the federal government of any address change within 10 days.
• Successfully registering through Form G-325R does not grant lawful immigration status or benefits.

U.S. immigration law requires many non-U.S. citizens to be registered with the federal government. While these requirements have existed for decades, recent changes have created a registration process for certain people who previously had no direct way to comply.

If you are unsure whether you are already registered or whether you need to take additional steps, understanding the basic rules is important.

Who Is Required to Register?

In general, non-U.S. citizens who are 14 years of age or older and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must be registered and, when required, fingerprinted.

For children under 14, a parent or legal guardian is responsible for making sure the child is registered. Non-U.S. citizens who are 18 or older and subject to the registration requirements are also generally required to carry proof of registration.

However, being required to register does not necessarily mean that you need to file a new registration form. Many immigrants have already been registered through previous interactions with the U.S. immigration system.

You May Already Be Registered

Many people already have evidence of registration and do not need to use the newer registration process.

Examples may include people who:

• Have a Green Card;
• Were issued an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa before their most recent arrival in the United States;
• Were admitted to the United States and received a Form I-94;
• Were granted parole into the United States;
• Have been issued an Employment Authorization Document (work permit);
• Have a Border Crossing Card;
• Have applied for lawful permanent resident status, even if the application was later denied;
• Have received certain removal-related documents; or
• Have received a Notice to Appear and have been placed in immigration court proceedings.

Because immigration histories vary, it is important to determine whether a document you already have qualifies as evidence of registration before filing anything new.

Who May Need to Use the New Registration Process?

In 2025, the Department of Homeland Security created Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration) for certain individuals who are required to register but do not already have evidence of registration.

People who may be affected include:

• Individuals who entered the United States without inspection and do not have another form of registration;
• Certain Canadian visitors who entered through a land port of entry and were not issued an I-94; and
• Non-U.S. citizens who turn 14 while living in the United States.

DHS previously estimated that approximately 2.2 million to 3.2 million people could fall within the categories affected by the registration process.

How Does Form G-325R Registration Work?

A person who is required to use the G-325R process must generally:

1. Create an individual USCIS online account;
2. Complete and submit Form G-325R electronically;
3. Attend a biometrics appointment if USCIS determines that fingerprints are required; and
4. Obtain the registration notice through the USCIS online account.

The registration notice can be downloaded and printed as evidence of registration. According to the CRS report, there is currently no filing fee for Form G-325R or the related biometrics collection, although DHS has indicated that a fee could potentially be imposed in the future.

Remember to Report Address Changes

Non-U.S. citizens who are required to be registered generally must notify the federal government of a change of address within 10 days. This requirement applies not only to people who register through Form G-325R, but also to people who were registered through other immigration processes.

What Happens If Someone Does Not Comply?

Failure to comply with federal registration requirements can have serious consequences.

Depending on the circumstances, violations may result in fines, criminal penalties, or immigration consequences. For example, a willful failure or refusal to register and provide fingerprints when required may result in a fine and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

Failure to carry required proof of registration may also carry penalties, and certain registration-related violations can potentially become grounds for removal from the United States.

Providing false information or using fraudulent registration documents can result in even more serious consequences.

Registration Is Not the Same as Immigration Status

It is important to understand that registration does not provide lawful immigration status or immigration benefits. For someone who is undocumented or has a complicated immigration history, registering with the federal government can involve important legal considerations.

Before submitting Form G325R, it may be wise to have an immigration attorney review your immigration history, existing documents, and possible risks.

Do You Need to Register?

The answer depends on your individual immigration history and the documents you have already received. You may already satisfy the registration requirement without realizing it. In other situations, you may be required to take additional steps.

Before filing Form G-325R, speak with an experienced immigration attorney from John W. Lawit, LLC, who can determine whether you are already registered, whether the registration requirement applies to you, and what immigration consequences should be considered before you file.

Call us at (214) 609-2242.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies can change, and every case is different.