What a USCIS process Support Center is and what it handles

A USCIS process Support Center (ASC) is a facility run by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services where you go in person to provide fingerprints, photos, and signatures for immigration forms you have already submitted. You do not submit your main process there — you submit that by mail or online to USCIS first. The ASC appointment is a separate step that happens after USCIS receives your process and sends you a notice telling you when and where to go.

ASCs exist in most U.S. cities and handle the biometric collection that many immigration cases require. This includes fingerprinting for background checks, digital photographs for identity verification, and your signature on oath forms. The center does not make decisions about your case, interview you about your circumstances, or tell you whether your process will be approved. That work happens at a USCIS field office or through the mail after your biometrics are collected and processed.

Not every immigration case requires an ASC visit. Some applications, like certain family-based petitions or employment cases, do require biometrics. Others do not. USCIS will tell you in the notice they mail you whether you need to go to an ASC, and if so, which one and when.

Key Takeaways

  • USCIS sends you a notice in the mail telling you which ASC to visit and what date and time to arrive; you do not schedule the appointment yourself.
  • You must bring the notice USCIS sent you, a valid photo ID, and any other documents listed in that notice to your ASC appointment.
  • The ASC collects fingerprints, photos, and signatures for background checks and identity verification, but does not interview you or make decisions about your case.
  • If you miss your ASC appointment, USCIS may deny your process, so contact USCIS when ready if you cannot make the scheduled date and time.
  • ASC locations and hours vary by city; you can find the one assigned to you by checking the notice USCIS mailed you or by calling USCIS customer service.

What to bring to your ASC appointment

Bring the appointment notice that USCIS mailed you. This notice has your name, case number, the ASC location, the date, and the time you are scheduled to arrive. Without this notice, the ASC staff cannot process you. Keep it safe and bring the original or a clear copy.

Bring a valid photo ID. This can be a passport, driver's license, state ID card, or national ID from your country of origin. The ID must not be expired. If you do not have a photo ID, contact USCIS before your appointment to ask what alternatives they will accept.

Bring any other documents listed in your appointment notice. Some notices ask for additional items such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or medical examination results. Read the notice carefully to see what else is required. If you cannot find or obtain a document, call USCIS customer service before your appointment to ask whether you can proceed without it.

What happens during your ASC visit

You will arrive at the ASC at the time shown on your notice. Check in at the front desk and give them your appointment notice and photo ID. You will wait until your name is called. The wait time varies by location and time of day; some ASCs have short waits, while others may take an hour or more.

When you are called, a staff member will take your digital photograph, collect your fingerprints using an electronic scanner, and have you sign documents under oath. The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will not be interviewed about your case or your background during this visit. The staff member will not answer questions about whether your process will be approved.

After your biometrics are collected, you are done. You do not need to do anything else at that moment. USCIS will process your fingerprints and photos and send them to the appropriate agency for background checks. You will receive further notices by mail if USCIS needs anything else from you or when your case moves to the next stage.

What to do if you cannot make your scheduled appointment

If you cannot go to your ASC appointment on the date and time shown in your notice, contact USCIS as soon as possible. Call the USCIS customer service line at 1-800-375-5283. You can also mail a written request to the address shown on your notice, but calling is faster.

Explain that you cannot make your appointment and ask to reschedule. USCIS may be able to give you a new date and time at the same ASC or a different one. If you do not show up and do not contact USCIS to reschedule, USCIS may deny your process. This is true even if you have a good reason for missing the appointment, so contact them before the date if you know you cannot go.

If you have a medical emergency, military deployment, or other serious circumstance that prevents you from going, explain this when you call. USCIS has procedures for rescheduling in hardship situations, but you must reach out first.

How to find your assigned ASC location and hours

Your appointment notice tells you which ASC you are assigned to and its address. The notice also shows the date and time of your appointment. This is the most reliable way to find your location because USCIS assigns you based on where you live or work, not based on which ASC you prefer.

If you have lost your notice or need to confirm the address and hours, you can call USCIS customer service at 1-800-375-5283. Have your case number ready. You can also visit the USCIS website and use their ASC locator tool, though the locator shows which ASCs exist in your area — it does not tell you which one USCIS assigned to you.

ASC hours vary by location. Most are open Monday through Friday during business hours, but some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Your notice shows the exact hours for your assigned ASC. If those hours do not work for you, call USCIS to ask about rescheduling before your appointment date.

Biometrics reuse and how long results stay valid

If you have been fingerprinted by USCIS before, they may reuse those biometrics instead of asking you to come to an ASC again. USCIS will tell you in your notice whether you need to appear in person or whether they are using your previous biometrics. If your notice says "biometrics reuse" or "no appointment necessary," you do not need to go to an ASC.

Fingerprints and photos collected at an ASC are valid for a set period. For most cases, biometrics are valid for 15 months from the date they are collected. If your case takes longer than 15 months to process and USCIS needs updated biometrics, they will send you another appointment notice. You will go through the same process again at an ASC.

If you are filing multiple immigration cases close together, USCIS may use the same biometrics for both if they are still within the valid period. This saves you a trip to the ASC. USCIS decides this based on the timing and type of cases, not based on your request.

What happens after your ASC appointment

After you complete your biometrics appointment, USCIS sends your fingerprints and photos to the FBI and other agencies for background checks. This process usually takes a few weeks, but can take longer depending on the agency's workload. You will not receive a notice saying the background check is done — USCIS straightforward moves your case forward once the results come back.

Depending on your case type, you may be called for an interview at a USCIS field office, or your case may be decided based on the documents you submitted and your biometrics. USCIS will send you a notice by mail telling you what happens next. If you are called for an interview, that notice will include the date, time, and location of the field office where you need to go.

If you do not receive any notice within a reasonable time after your ASC appointment, you can check your case status online using USCIS's case status tool on their website, or call USCIS customer service. Have your receipt number ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring someone with me to my ASC appointment?

You can bring a family member or friend to wait with you in the lobby, but only you can go into the biometrics collection area. If you need an interpreter, contact USCIS before your appointment to ask whether the ASC provides interpreters or whether you need to bring your own. Some ASCs have interpreters available for common languages, but not all.

What if I am pregnant or have a medical condition that affects fingerprinting?

Contact USCIS before your appointment to explain your situation. They may be able to reschedule you or make accommodations. Do not skip your appointment without calling first, as that can result in your process being denied.

Do I need to take time off work for my ASC appointment?

The appointment itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, but you should plan for travel time and waiting time. Depending on the ASC's workload, you may wait 30 minutes to an hour or more. Plan to be there for at least one to two hours total. Some ASCs have early morning or evening appointments if you need to work around your job schedule.

What if I moved and cannot go to the ASC assigned to me?

Call USCIS and explain that you have moved. They may be able to reassign you to an ASC closer to your new address. Provide your new address and ask which ASC you should go to instead. Do this before your original appointment date if possible.

Can I reschedule my ASC appointment online?

No. You must call USCIS customer service at 1-800-375-5283 to reschedule. You can also mail a written request to the address on your notice, but calling is faster and more reliable.