Form G-1145: e-Notification of Application Petition Acceptance

Applying to be a citizen of the United States is no small task. There are many expectations and requirements which must be fulfilled. Not to mention the big impact this single decision can have on your life. One of the hardest parts throughout this process is not knowing where you stand.

Being aware of where you stand with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can relieve stress and help you continue to function while your application is pending. The point of Form G-1145 is to help you stay informed just slightly faster than normal, allowing you to breathe for a moment when you receive a notification of petition acceptance for processing.

What Is Form G-1145?

Form G-1145, e-Notification of Application Petition Acceptance is a USCIS form that allows the applicant to access information remotely. With USCIS Form G-1145, if any application filed at a USCIS lockbox facility is accepted, the applicant will be notified electronically. These messages will be sent to you through email and/or text messages directly from USCIS. Opting into the electronic notifications can save time and paper.

Benefits of a USCIS Form G-1145

Beyond saving resources for yourself and USCIS, the e-notification form also makes things easier for both parties. It’s an extremely convenient way to receive a decision as it happens. Along with your information, you get a receipt notice from USCIS when your forms are accepted for processing. This helps you follow along through the decision process with ease.

Different immigration forms have different processing times, but continuously signing up for the e-notification program helps you keep them all organized simultaneously.

Does the G-1145 Provide Case Updates?

The short answer is no. Submitting a G-1145 e-notification form only leads to one single USCIS update—the confirmation that your application package is being processed. There are no further messages sent as a result of this form.

If you want electronic case updates directly from USCIS, you must sign up for an online “myUSCIS” account and turn on the case status alerts option. Form G-1145 merely allows you to rest easy knowing about one week earlier than normal that your application made it to its destination and has been accepted for processing.

How to Download Form G-1145, e-Notification of Application Petition Acceptance

You can download Form G-1145 directly from the USCIS website to fill out or complete and submit the form online. This is a free form that only requires your name, email address, and phone number. You don’t need to put both the email and the phone number, but you can if you want to be contacted at each one. If you print the form to submit with your application package, it must be paper clipped onto the first page.

Upon receiving your application package, USCIS will review the completeness and accuracy of your application and process your payment before sending you the acceptance notification. Typically, the text or email will be sent within 24 hours of USCIS deciding to approve your application.

This form isn’t required by USCIS in any capacity; if you don’t opt into the e-notification program, you will simply receive updates in the mail about one week later than you would have electronically. However, with the ease of filing, it’s almost always worth the effort.

Who Does Form G-1145 Help?

USCIS Form G-1145 only works with applications submitted to lockbox facilities. Lockbox facilities are locations that process payments and receive applications—they don’t make the final decision about your application. Lockbox eligible forms include all marriage and/or family green card applications. Some other popular forms eligible for G-1145 e-notifications include the following:

• Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card: If a permanent resident has their green card stolen, or it is lost or damaged, they will need to fill this form out to get a new one.
• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: This form allows U.S. citizens to bring their family and relatives over to the U.S., provided they meet specific requirements.
• Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status: The most basic form that allows individuals to become U.S. citizens; a G-1145 is available for most application types.
• Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization: This form grants entrance to the U.S. on the basis of employment; this allows applicants to hear whether their EB-1 visa or E-3 applications are accepted.
• Form N-400, Application for Naturalization: This form allows individuals over age 18 that have had a green card for five years (three if married) who were born outside the U.S. to become citizens.

A G-1145 is a simple additional step that can help anyone fill out an eligible application.

Who Doesn’t Need Form G-1145?

There is no reason to file a G-1145 form with an application being submitted directly to a USCIS field office or service center. In fact, it may even cause delays in the processing of your application if you include extra forms which aren’t needed in the application package you’re turning in. Pay attention to where you’re sending your form application before you opt-in for an additional G-1145 form, as you may be making the process harder on yourself.

How Is Form G-1145 Different Than Form I-797C?

Form I-797C is a receipt that the application has been processed and accepted by USCIS and the applicant is approved for immigrant benefits. A Form G-1145 e-notification does not mean that your application was approved. This form merely opts you in to receive a message when USCIS has accepted your application for processing.

Essentially, USCIS is letting you know that they have received your application and are going to begin making their decision. Once they have made their decision, they will issue a Form I-797C receipt of the notice. The Form I-797C can be used as proof of a decision and will serve as evidence if a court case is needed. The e-notification from the G-1145 form is purely informational and does not prove anything.

How Much Does it Cost to File Form G-1145?

Filing the G-1145 form costs nothing. You may need to send in money for the form you are applying for concurrently, but there’s no additional cost to sign up for e-notifications. The other form fees can be paid through check, money order, or credit/debit card authorization.

How Long Does it Take to Receive an e-Notification?

Although the amount of time it takes to receive a G-1145 e-notification can vary depending on the case and the current workload of a USCIS office, the average window is usually about two to three weeks. Within those two to three weeks you should receive a message stating that USCIS has your application and is going to begin processing it. This does not have any effect on the overall decision timeline.

The processing time for your application is based on what you are applying for and has no correlation to the G-1145 e-notification. The timeline for adjustment of status to a U.S. citizen includes case reviews, citizenship interviews, and a much longer waiting period. By no means does receive an e-notification signal that your decision will be determined anytime soon.

Hire an Immigration Lawyer for Legal Assistance

If you are applying for a change of status or trying to petition for a relative to enter the U.S., you may want to hire an attorney to help streamline the process. Having somebody present who knows what needs to be done and how it needs to be done can reduce the headache and increase your chances of receiving a favorable decision.

Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. is an immigration law firm located in Chicago, Illinois that understands how to help you. Seeking immigration benefits can be a complicated process, especially if English is not your first language. Our attorneys have the necessary experience with USCIS processes and vocabulary to guide you through the Form G-1145 process.

Whether you’re just starting your immigration journey, or you’re figuring out how to go about filing an appeal for an unfavorable decision, contact us as soon as possible to ensure that you’re moving in the right direction.