Old address on the check - is it OK to use for ROC?

[divorcedgayman 11]

Hi,

 

I am filing ROC with a waiver. I would like to pay a fee $680 with my personal check. However, my personal checks have pre-printed my old address where I do not reside anymore. Is it ok to use a check with an old address? If not, what are my alternatives?

 

My worry is that the USCIS website specifies that the account holder's address must be pre-printed. "Personal checks must be pre-printed with the name of the bank and the account holder. Also, the account holder’s address and phone number must be pre-printed [...]"

 

Source: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/paying-uscis-fees

 

[GreatDane 366]

56 minutes ago, divorcedgayman said:

Hi,

 

I am filing ROC with a waiver. I would like to pay a fee $680 with my personal check. However, my personal checks have pre-printed my old address where I do not reside anymore. Is it ok to use a check with an old address? If not, what are my alternatives?

 

My worry is that the USCIS website specifies that the account holder's address must be pre-printed. "Personal checks must be pre-printed with the name of the bank and the account holder. Also, the account holder’s address and phone number must be pre-printed [...]"

 

Source: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/paying-uscis-fees

 

It says it must have an address, but it doesn't specify it must be up to date. It's a good question though. If you make any changes to the address, make sure to initial the changes. I submitted from K1 until ROC and Naturalization with the same checks (who uses checks for anything anymore?) and the address has been out of date the entire time. I never had a problem.

[divorcedgayman 11]

1 hour ago, GreatDane said:

the address has been out of date the entire time. I never had a problem.

Have you changed the actual address with the bank though?

 

I have been paying with those checks everywhere, including local municipalities. They have been accepted just fine with the old address. I was wondering if the USCIS has some other procedure...

[GreatDane 366]

Just now, divorcedgayman said:

Have you changed the actual address with the bank though?

 

I have been paying with those checks everywhere, including local municipalities. They have been accepted just fine with the old address. I was wondering if the USCIS has some other procedure...

Yeah, I've updated my address with the bank. If I want to update the checks, then I have to reorder and I've only used checks for USCIS and the one parking ticket I received. I don't think USCIS will blink an eye at it.

[sddude89 31]

2 hours ago, divorcedgayman said:

Hi,

 

I am filing ROC with a waiver. I would like to pay a fee $680 with my personal check. However, my personal checks have pre-printed my old address where I do not reside anymore. Is it ok to use a check with an old address? If not, what are my alternatives?

 

My worry is that the USCIS website specifies that the account holder's address must be pre-printed. "Personal checks must be pre-printed with the name of the bank and the account holder. Also, the account holder’s address and phone number must be pre-printed [...]"

 

Source: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/paying-uscis-fees

 

As mentioned above, the full text says:

"Also, the account holder’s address and phone number must be pre-printed, typed or written in ink on the check"

I would just cross out the old address and write-in the new address. This is not uncommon practice and we actually had to do this when sending checks to USCIS. Not a problem.

I doubt the check becomes part of the bona-fide evidence as I understand the checks are shredded and processed electronically.

 

Also, you can always order new checks (as cheap as $6.46 at Walmart) with your new address and discard your old checks. But this is not necessary.

[divorcedgayman 11]

15 minutes ago, sddude89 said:

we actually had to do this when sending checks to USCIS. Not a problem.

 

Sounds good. I may do that.

 

Out of sheer curiosity, why did you "have to do it"? Did anyone instruct you to do so?

[sddude89 31]

1 minute ago, divorcedgayman said:

Sounds good. I may do that.

 

Out of sheer curiosity, why did you "have to do it"? Did anyone instruct you to do so?

No.

I should have said "We did this when sending checks to USCIS. Not a problem".

 

I just did not want to order new checks just for the sake of having a current address.

[SM & EF 41]

I don't think it makes a difference but you could avoid the whole problem by getting a money order or cashier's check instead.

 

We all understand the fear of getting a stickler for details handling our file, so I'd avoid the worry altogether.  

 

Best wishes! 

 

Sean