# USCIS Requires E-Payment on Paper Filings

> As of Oct. 28, 2025, USCIS only accepts electronic payment for paper-filed forms. How to pay and the limited exemptions.

- Source: https://carlosmaury.law/news/uscis-electronic-payment-required-paper-filed-forms
- Author: Carlos Maury Law
- Published: 2025-10-28
- Topics: USCIS electronic payment, Form G-1450, Form G-1650, no more checks USCIS, pay USCIS fees card ACH

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](https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-to-mandate-electronic-payments-for-applications)**.

## 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](/contact).

## 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](https://www.uscis.gov) and consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.

---
*General legal information from Carlos Maury Law — not legal advice. https://carlosmaury.law/news/uscis-electronic-payment-required-paper-filed-forms*