Form G-1145 Guide 2026: USCIS E-Notification Setup

What Is Form G-1145?

Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, is one of the simplest forms in the entire USCIS filing system. It is a single-page form that you include with any paper-filed application or petition to request that USCIS send you an electronic notification — via email and/or text message — when your filing is received and accepted at the lockbox facility.

Without Form G-1145, when you mail an application to USCIS, you have no way of knowing whether it was received until the physical receipt notice (Form I-797C) arrives by mail, which can take several weeks. During that waiting period, applicants often experience significant anxiety: Did USCIS receive my package? Was anything missing? Did the check clear? Form G-1145 eliminates that uncertainty by sending you a quick electronic notification within a few days of acceptance.

The notification is not a replacement for the official receipt notice — it is simply an early heads-up that your application entered the system. But for the millions of people who file immigration applications each year, that early confirmation provides meaningful peace of mind.

Why You Should Always Include G-1145

There is almost no reason not to include Form G-1145 with every paper application you file with USCIS. Here is why:

It is free. There is absolutely no cost to include G-1145. It does not add any fee to your filing.

It takes 30 seconds to fill out. The form asks only for your name, email address, and mobile phone number. That is it.

It reduces anxiety. Mailing an immigration application with thousands of dollars in fees and months of preparation is stressful enough. Knowing that you will get a notification when USCIS receives it helps immensely.

It helps you start tracking sooner. The notification includes your receipt number, which you can use to check your case status online at the USCIS Case Status page right away, rather than waiting weeks for the paper notice.

It can flag problems early. If you do not receive a notification within a reasonable time after mailing your application, that could signal a problem — your package may have been returned, lost, or rejected. This early warning gives you time to investigate and refile if necessary before critical deadlines pass.

How to Fill Out Form G-1145

Form G-1145 is remarkably straightforward. Here is exactly what you need to do:

Step 1: Download the form. Get the current version from uscis.gov/g-1145. The form is a single page.

Step 2: Fill in your information. The form has just a few fields:

Step 3: Place it on top of your application package. When you assemble your filing to mail to USCIS, put the completed G-1145 on the very top of the package — on top of the main application form, supporting documents, and fee payment. This makes it easy for the lockbox to process it first.

Step 4: Mail your package as normal. Send everything to the USCIS lockbox address specified in your main application's filing instructions. The G-1145 does not change where or how you mail your application.

What Happens After You Submit G-1145

After USCIS receives your application package at the lockbox facility, the following sequence occurs:

Initial intake. The lockbox facility opens your package, processes the fee payment, and enters your application into the USCIS system. This initial processing typically takes several business days after your package arrives.

E-notification sent. Once your application is accepted (meaning the fee cleared and the application was not rejected for obvious deficiencies), USCIS sends the electronic notification to the email address and/or phone number you provided. The notification includes your receipt number.

Official receipt notice mailed. Separately, USCIS mails the official Form I-797C receipt notice to the mailing address on your application. This paper notice is the official confirmation and includes important information such as your receipt number, the date your application was received, and instructions for checking case status.

The electronic notification typically arrives days or even weeks before the paper receipt notice. This is the main value: you get your receipt number quickly and can start tracking your case online right away.

Which Applications Accept G-1145

Form G-1145 is designed for use with applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility by mail. Most commonly filed forms accept G-1145, including:

Family-based petitions: Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)

Employment-based petitions: Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers)

Adjustment of status: Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence)

Employment authorization: Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

Travel document: Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document)

Naturalization: Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)

Change/extension of status: Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status)

Removal of conditions: Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)

And many others — virtually any form that goes to a USCIS lockbox accepts G-1145.

G-1145 cannot be used with forms filed at a local USCIS field office, forms filed online through myUSCIS (since online filing already provides electronic notifications), or forms filed directly with other agencies such as the Department of Labor or the Department of State.

G-1145 and Multiple Applications Filed Together

It is common to file multiple USCIS forms at the same time. For example, many people file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) together with Form I-765 (EAD) and Form I-131 (Advance Parole) in a single package. In this situation:

Include one G-1145 per application package. If you are sending multiple forms in one envelope to the same lockbox address, you typically include one G-1145 at the top of the entire package. USCIS should send you notifications as each form within the package is processed and assigned its own receipt number.

If filing separate packages, include a G-1145 in each one. If you are sending applications to different addresses or filing them at different times, include a separate G-1145 in each package.

Family members filing together. If multiple family members are including their applications in the same package (for example, a husband and wife both filing I-485), each person can include their own G-1145 to receive notifications for their own case.

Troubleshooting: When You Do Not Receive the Notification

Sometimes applicants file G-1145 but do not receive the electronic notification. Here are common reasons and what to do:

Check your spam/junk folder. USCIS notifications sometimes get caught by email spam filters. Check your spam folder and add the USCIS email domain to your safe senders list.

Verify your email address and phone number. A typo on the G-1145 means the notification goes to the wrong address. Double-check what you wrote before mailing.

Give it time. Lockbox processing can take one to several weeks after receipt. Do not panic if you do not get a notification within the first few days.

Application may have been rejected. If your application was rejected (for example, wrong fee, incorrect form version, missing signature), USCIS will not send a G-1145 notification because the application was never accepted. You would instead receive the rejected package back by mail. If several weeks have passed with no notification and no returned package, contact USCIS.

System glitch. Occasionally, the USCIS notification system may not send an alert even though the application was accepted. This is rare, but if you believe your application should have been processed by now, check your case status at uscis.gov/casestatus or call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283.

G-1145 vs. myUSCIS Case Tracking

Form G-1145 and the myUSCIS online account system serve related but different purposes:

The two are complementary. Use G-1145 for the initial acceptance notification when filing by mail, then use your myUSCIS account (which you can link to your case once you have the receipt number) for ongoing case tracking.

Best Practices for USCIS Paper Filings

Since G-1145 is part of the paper filing process, here are broader best practices to ensure your USCIS mailing goes smoothly:

Always include G-1145 on top. Make it the first page in your package.

Use a trackable shipping method. Send your package via USPS Priority Mail, FedEx, or UPS with tracking. This gives you independent proof of delivery in case anything goes wrong.

Make copies of everything. Before mailing, photocopy or scan every page of your application, every supporting document, and your G-1145. Keep these copies in a safe place.

Organize your package clearly. Follow the order specified in the form instructions. Use tabs or dividers if you have many supporting documents. A well-organized package reduces the chance of processing errors.

Double-check the mailing address. USCIS lockbox addresses vary by form and by your state of residence. Verify the correct address on the USCIS website immediately before mailing — addresses can change without much notice.

Pay the correct fee. Verify the current filing fee at uscis.gov right before you mail. An incorrect fee is one of the most common reasons for lockbox rejections. If paying by check or money order, make it payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security."

Frequently Asked Questions

Last verified: April 2026 · Reviewed by USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team.