Form G-1145 guide: E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
Form G-1145's official name is the E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and it is handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). According to USCIS, the form is used to ask USCIS to notify you by text message and/or email when it accepts your application.
It is an optional, one-page form, usually mailed together with a paper-filed application at the very start of the process. Its practical purpose is to get you your receipt number sooner, so you can check case status online and link the case to your online account without waiting for the paper receipt to arrive. It does not affect how the application is adjudicated, and leaving it out will not cause the application to be denied.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance |
| Agency | USCIS |
| Who completes it | The applicant or petitioner filing on paper (optional); when a lawyer represents you, the lawyer often prepares it as well |
| When to file | Mailed with the paper application, clipped to the very front of the filing |
| Fee | Per the official USCIS fee schedule |
| Scope | Applies only to paper applications sent to a USCIS Lockbox facility; applications sent to other addresses are not covered; check the official page for details |
| Online filing? | Not applicable. For applications filed online, the receipt appears directly in your online account, so no G-1145 is needed |
| Official page | uscis.gov/g-1145 |
Who should use it
- People filing applications on paper: for example, people mailing an I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131, I-751 or similar application to a Lockbox who want to know as early as possible that it has been accepted and get the receipt number.
- People sending several applications in one package: for example, when an I-485 is filed together with an I-765 and I-131, each application gets its own receipt number. Whether to attach a separate G-1145 to each application follows the USCIS form instructions; in practice, one is usually clipped to each application.
- People who are away from home or whose address may change: paper receipts take time to arrive, and the electronic notice lets you know your receipt number first.
When you don't need it:
- Applications filed online through a USCIS online account: the receipt appears directly in your online account;
- Applications to agencies other than USCIS, such as the Department of State's DS-160 and DS-260, or the immigration court's EOIR forms.
Tips for completing the form
- Name: enter the applicant's or petitioner's name, consistent with the attached application.
- Email and mobile number: enter an email address you check regularly and a mobile number that can receive text messages. The USCIS page refers to "text message and/or email," so you can fill in both or just one. Whether non-U.S. mobile numbers are supported follows the form instructions.
- Where to place it: USCIS says to clip the completed G-1145 to the front of the first page of the application. If a lawyer has filed a G-28, the two generally go together at the very front.
- Edition: download it from the USCIS website before filing, and check that the edition date in the footer is an edition USCIS currently accepts.
What the electronic notice contains
- According to USCIS, the notice lists your receipt number and tells you how to check your case status.
- The notice contains no personal information, not even your name. USCIS explains that email and text messages are not secure communication channels, so no personal data is included in the notice.
- The electronic notice is only a reminder. The official receipt notice (I-797C, Notice of Action) will still be mailed to the address on your application; keep the original safe.
After you receive the notice
- Write down the receipt number (usually three letters followed by a string of digits).
- Check the status at USCIS case status online, or link the case to your USCIS online account. See How to check your USCIS case status.
- Wait for the paper receipt to arrive and check that the name, date of birth and application type on it are correct; if anything is wrong, contact USCIS promptly.
- If you move later, use the receipt number to update your address online (see AR-11).
- Check processing times on the USCIS processing times page; see How to check immigration fees and processing times.
How it differs from related forms and notices
| Name | What it is | Relationship to the G-1145 |
|---|---|---|
| G-1145 | Requests a text or email notice when the application is accepted | — |
| I-797C receipt notice | USCIS's official paper receipt notice | The G-1145 does not replace it; the paper receipt is still mailed |
| G-28 | Notice of appearance by an attorney or accredited representative | A completely different purpose: the G-28 confirms representation, while the G-1145 only concerns how you are notified |
| AR-11 | Change of address report | The email and mobile number on the G-1145 are not your mailing address; if you move, you must still report it separately |
FAQ
Will leaving out the G-1145 affect my application?
No. The G-1145 is optional and only affects whether you get an early electronic reminder. Acceptance and adjudication of the application are not affected, and the paper receipt is mailed as usual.
I included a G-1145 but never got a text or email. What should I do?
First check your spam folder and confirm that the email address and mobile number on the form were correct. Not receiving an electronic notice does not mean the application was not accepted; rely on the paper receipt. If you hear nothing for a long time after mailing, check the delivery confirmation for your package, then contact USCIS or consult a lawyer.
Will the G-1145 notify me if my application is rejected?
The G-1145 is meant to notify you when the application is accepted. A rejected application is returned together with its materials and a rejection notice; rely on the paper documents you receive.
There are several applications in one package. Is one G-1145 enough?
Each application gets its own receipt number. In practice, a separate G-1145 is usually clipped to the front of the first page of each application; follow the USCIS form instructions.
Does the electronic notice include my personal information? Could it leak?
According to USCIS, the notice contains only the receipt number and how to check status, with no personal information such as your name.
Official sources
Related reading
- How to check your USCIS case status
- Common U.S. immigration forms at a glance
- Form AR-11 change of address
Preparing a paper filing and want to confirm the document order, form editions and accompanying forms are all in place? Book an attorney review, and we will check each item with you before you mail it.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Laws and policies can change; rely on the latest official information and on an attorney's advice for your specific situation.