Immigration registration requirements will continue under the existing Form G-325R process while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services seeks approval to extend the related information collection without changes.
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Immigration Update
The Department of Homeland Security notice, published by USCIS in the Federal Register on September 28, 2026, opens a 60-day public comment period that ends November 27, 2026.
The notice does not announce a new immigration registration rule, change who must register, or create a new filing deadline.
What USCIS is proposing
USCIS is asking the Office of Management and Budget to continue approving the information collection associated with Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration), which supports the immigration registration process.
The request is classified as an extension without change of a currently approved collection.
That means the agency is seeking to maintain the existing immigration registration form, process, estimated workload, and supporting information requirements rather than revise them through this notice.
The collection is identified by OMB Control Number 1615-0166 and is connected to USCIS Docket No. USCIS-2025-0005.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, federal agencies generally must obtain approval before requiring the public to provide information through a form or other collection.
The 60-day notice gives the public and other federal agencies an opportunity to comment on whether the collection is necessary, accurate, clear, and as limited in burden as reasonably possible.
Who may be affected by the G-325R process
The collection applies primarily to individuals who are subject to the federal immigration registration requirements but have not yet registered.
Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, codified at 8 U.S.C.
1302, generally requires certain noncitizens to apply for registration and fingerprinting under federal immigration law.
USCIS guidance states that the requirement can apply to people age 14 or older who were not registered and fingerprinted when seeking a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer.
Parents or legal guardians may also have responsibilities for registering children younger than 14 who meet the applicable conditions.
A person who turns 14 while in the United States may have to apply for re-registration and fingerprinting within 30 days of the birthday if the person was previously registered under the immigration registration requirement.
However, many people already satisfy the registration requirement through other immigration documents or prior interactions with the federal government.
USCIS lists lawful permanent residents, many people admitted with a Form I-94, people issued employment authorization documents, and certain individuals in removal proceedings among those who may already have registered.
Determining whether a person has already registered can depend on the document issued, the person’s immigration history, and whether fingerprints were required or collected.
How the current registration process works
USCIS requires Form G-325R to be submitted online through an individual USCIS online account for the immigration registration process.
Each person who must register generally needs a separate account in that person’s name.
A parent or legal guardian submitting for a child younger than 14 must create and use an account for the child, according to USCIS instructions.
After submission, USCIS reviews the information on the form along with available Department of Homeland Security records.
If the agency determines that the person has already complied with the registration requirement, USCIS may notify the person that another registration filing is unnecessary.
If registration and biometrics are required, USCIS may schedule the person for a biometric services appointment at an Application Support Center.
Once the registration process is completed, USCIS places proof of G-325R registration in the person’s online account when applicable.
People age 18 or older who are required to register must carry evidence of registration in their personal possession, according to USCIS guidance.
Registration itself does not create lawful immigration status, employment authorization, or a new immigration benefit.
Estimated paperwork burden
USCIS estimates that about 1,400,620 people will respond annually to the G-325R information collection.
The agency estimates that the average response will require 2.5 hours.
USCIS separately estimates 780,220 annual respondents for the biometrics portion of the collection, with an estimated average burden of 1.17 hours per response.
The combined estimated annual public burden is 4,414,407 hours.
The notice estimates the total annual cost burden to the public at $0.
Those figures are estimates used for federal information-collection approval and should not be read as a prediction that every person will spend the same amount of time completing the process.
The time required may vary based on a person’s records, answers, need for a biometric appointment, and ability to gather accurate information.
What the notice does not change
The Federal Register notice does not expand the statutory immigration registration requirement.
It does not announce a new form edition, impose a new fee, change the online filing method, or establish a new penalty.
It also does not mean that every noncitizen in the United States must file Form G-325R.
USCIS specifically advises people to determine whether they have already registered before submitting the form.
Submitting an unnecessary form may create confusion or delay if the person already has acceptable evidence of registration.
People who are unsure about their obligations should review the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement guidance or seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney or Department of Justice-accredited representative.
How to submit a public comment
Comments must be submitted by November 27, 2026.
They may be filed through the federal Regulations.gov portal under Docket ID USCIS-2025-0005.
Commenters should include OMB Control Number 1615-0166 and identify USCIS in their submission.
USCIS is asking for feedback on four broad issues.
- Whether collecting the information is necessary for the agency’s work and has practical utility.
- Whether USCIS accurately estimated the time and effort required from respondents.
- Whether the information and instructions could be clearer or more useful.
- Whether electronic tools or other methods could reduce the public burden.
Comments must be submitted in English or accompanied by an English translation.
USCIS warns that comments and attachments generally may be posted publicly, including personal information included by the commenter.
People submitting feedback should therefore avoid adding unnecessary sensitive information.
Practical steps for people reviewing their status
People who believe they may need to register should first review USCIS’s official immigration registration materials.
The USCIS determination tool can help users identify whether they may need to submit Form G-325R, although the agency says the tool is informational and is not legal advice.
Anyone who must file should use an individual USCIS online account and provide complete, accurate information.
Applicants should keep copies of submitted information, notices, appointment details, and proof of registration.
People required to maintain registration should also report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days, as required under the agency’s guidance.
Because registration issues can intersect with immigration status, prior entries, removal proceedings, and possible penalties, case-specific questions may require professional legal advice.
The current notice is primarily an administrative review of an existing federal information collection, not a change to the underlying immigration registration law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Form G-325R used for?
Form G-325R provides biographic information when a person applies for registration and fingerprinting under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Did USCIS change the alien registration requirement in this notice?
No. The notice proposes extending the existing information collection without change. It does not create a new registration rule or change the underlying statutory requirements.
When is the public comment deadline?
Comments on the proposed extension are due November 27, 2026.
Who may need to submit Form G-325R?
Certain noncitizens who are subject to the registration requirement but have not already registered may need to submit the form. USCIS recommends checking whether prior documents or immigration processing already satisfied the requirement.
How is Form G-325R filed?
USCIS says Form G-325R must be filed online through an individual USCIS online account.
Does registration create lawful immigration status or work authorization?
No. Registration documentation does not itself create immigration status, employment authorization, or another immigration benefit.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against the September 28, 2026 Federal Register notice and current USCIS Form G-325R and Alien Registration Requirement pages.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Immigration obligations can vary by individual circumstances.
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