USCIS Requires E-Payment on Paper Filings
A small but important change took effect on October 28, 2025: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services now only accepts electronic payments for paper-filed forms. If you are used to mailing a check or money order with your application, that no longer works — here is what to do instead.
This is general information about a current change, not legal advice. Confirm the details at uscis.gov.
What changed
For forms you file on paper, USCIS will now accept payment only electronically, in one of two ways:
- Credit or debit card — using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions; or
- ACH bank debit from a U.S. bank account — using Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.
USCIS said the move modernizes payments and reduces delays, fraud, and lost payments — noting that over 90% of its payments had been checks and money orders. The change also aligns with a government-wide shift to electronic payments under Executive Order 14247.
If you file online
Nothing about this changes the online experience. If your form type can be filed online through a USCIS account, you can pay your fees online through the secure pay.gov platform as part of the guided process.
Limited exemptions
USCIS noted that in limited instances, applicants and third-party payors may be exempt from submitting electronic payment. Those exemptions are listed on Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment.
What to do
- Paper filing? Include a completed Form G-1450 (card) or Form G-1650 (ACH) with your package — not a check or money order.
- Double-check the current fee for your form before filing; incorrect payment is a common reason for rejection.
- Filing online where available is often the smoothest route, with fees paid through pay.gov.
Why this matters
A rejected filing over a payment problem can cost you weeks — and, in time-sensitive cases, much more. Knowing the correct, current way to pay is a simple thing that prevents an avoidable delay.
How we can help
If you are preparing an application and want to make sure the forms, fees, and payment are all correct before you file, we can help. As a firm led by a former U.S. Immigration Judge, we keep clients' filings clean and on time. If you have a filing coming up, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still pay USCIS by check or money order?
For paper-filed forms, no — as of October 28, 2025, USCIS accepts only electronic payment. Use Form G-1450 (card) or Form G-1650 (ACH bank debit).
How do I pay if I file online?
Pay your fees online through the secure pay.gov platform as part of the USCIS online filing process.
Are there any exceptions?
In limited instances, yes. See Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment, for the list of exemptions.
This article is general legal information about a current change, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Procedures and fees change; confirm the current requirements at uscis.gov and consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.