Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form used to ask for an initial grant or a renewal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). It must be filed together with Form I-765 and Form I-765WS. On this page you can fill out Form I-821D online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; USCIS publishes the official form, instructions and filing addresses at uscis.gov.
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What is I-821D?
Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form an individual files to ask USCIS to exercise prosecutorial discretion and consider deferred action under the DACA process, either as an initial request or a renewal.
Deferred action is a discretionary decision to defer removal of an individual. People who receive it will not be placed into removal proceedings or removed from the United States for a specified period, unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chooses to terminate the deferral. USCIS decides each request case by case under 8 CFR Part 236, Subpart C, and may deny a request even when the threshold criteria are met. The decision comes in writing; the instructions state there is no motion to reopen or reconsider and no right to appeal.
The form has eight parts: information about you, residence and travel, initial-request details (Part 3 is for initial requests only), criminal, national security and public safety questions, the requestor's statement and signature, interpreter and preparer sections, and Part 8 for additional information. The edition on this page is dated 01/20/25 and carries OMB No. 1615-0124.
Form I-821D does not stand alone. USCIS will not consider the request unless it is accompanied by Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-765WS. Requests for Advance Parole are made separately on Form I-131.
Who needs to file I-821D?
Individuals who want USCIS to consider deferred action as childhood arrivals file Form I-821D, either as an initial or a renewal requestor. The instructions place these groups under the form:
- Childhood arrivals who have never been in removal proceedings. You must be 15 or older at filing and meet the criteria in 8 CFR Part 236, Subpart C.
- Childhood arrivals whose removal proceedings were terminated by an immigration judge before the request. The same age rule applies.
- Childhood arrivals in removal proceedings, with a final removal order or a voluntary departure order, or whose proceedings were administratively closed. You may file even if you are under 15.
- People whose case USCIS already deferred under DACA and who seek renewal.
For an initial request, the guidelines include being under 31 on June 15, 2012, arriving before your 16th birthday, continuous residence since June 15, 2007, presence on June 15, 2012 and at filing, no lawful status on June 15, 2012, and being in school, a graduate, a GED holder or an honorably discharged veteran. You must also not have a felony, a significant misdemeanor or three or more misdemeanors, and not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
If you filed within one year after your last deferral expired, and it was not terminated, follow the renewal instructions. Otherwise follow the initial instructions. Do not file Form I-821D if you only need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged EAD. If you are under 14, a parent or legal guardian may sign for you.
When to file I-821D
For a renewal, file within the 150 days before your current period of deferred action expires. USCIS may reject a request filed earlier and return it, and it encourages renewal requestors to file as early in that window as possible, ideally at least 120 days before expiration.
If your last deferral expired no more than one year ago and was not terminated, file as a renewal. If it expired more than one year ago, or was terminated at any time, file as an initial request. The instructions print no separate deadline for initial requests; the eligibility dates are those in the guidelines, such as continuous residence since June 15, 2007.
If you are in immigration detention, you may still file as an initial or renewal requestor, but USCIS will not approve the request until you are released. The instructions advise telling your deportation officer that you are requesting DACA.
Documents you need
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with applicable fees: required with every Form I-821D; without it the entire submission is rejected.
- Form I-765WS, Worksheet: required with every Form I-821D, together with Form I-765.
- Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative: only if an attorney or accredited representative prepared the request.
- Initial requests: a copy of a passport, birth certificate with photo ID, national ID, U.S. immigration document, school photo ID or other photo document proving identity; expired documents are acceptable.
- Initial requests: copies showing you arrived before age 16, such as a passport entry stamp, Form I-94, I-94W or I-95, school or medical records, or travel records.
- Initial requests: copies showing continuous residence since June 15, 2007 and presence on June 15, 2012, such as rent receipts, utility bills, employment, school, military or medical records.
- Initial requests: evidence of no lawful status on June 15, 2012, only if you were admitted, paroled or had lawful status on or before that date, or were or are in removal proceedings, such as Form I-94 or a removal order.
- Initial requests: evidence you are in school, graduated, hold a GED or equivalent, or are an honorably discharged veteran, such as a diploma, transcript, enrollment letter, Form DD-214 or NGB Form 22.
- Removal proceedings: a copy of the removal order, any immigration judge document or the Board of Immigration Appeals decision, if available and not already submitted.
- Criminal history: an original or court-certified arrest record and disposition for each arrest or charge in any country; if unavailable, explain your efforts in Part 8.
- Criminal history, if no charges were filed: an original official statement from the arresting agency or a court order confirming that.
- Vacated, sealed or expunged arrests or convictions: the original or court-certified order, or an original court statement that no record exists.
- Foreign-language documents: a full English translation with the translator's signed certification of competence and accuracy, printed name, date and contact information.
- Renewal requests: only new documents about removal proceedings or criminal history not already submitted with a prior DACA request.
How to fill out I-821D
Add attorney details and detention status
If an attorney or accredited representative prepared the request, select the Form G-28 box at the top and enter the State Bar Number if any. In Part 1, select whether you are or are not in immigration detention.
Choose initial or renewal request
In Part 1, select item 1 (Initial Request) or item 2 (Renewal Request). For a renewal, enter the date (mm/dd/yyyy) your most recent DACA period expires.
Enter your name and mailing address
Item 3 asks for your full legal name; item 4 asks for your U.S. mailing address, which should be the same address you enter on Form I-765. Enter other names used in item 15.
Answer the removal proceedings questions
Answer Yes or No to item 5. If Yes, select your current status or outcome in items 6.a to 6.e and enter the most recent date and location of proceedings in items 6.f and 6.g.
Complete personal and biometric details
Enter your A-Number and Social Security number if any, date of birth, sex, birthplace, residence, citizenship (items 7 to 14). Items 16 to 21 ask for ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, which may shorten your biometrics appointment.
List residences and travel in Part 2
Confirm continuous residence since June 15, 2007 in item 1. List your present address and prior addresses, then absences from the United States; initial requests go back to June 15, 2007, renewals only to your last approved request. Use N/A where nothing applies.
Answer advance parole and passport items
Item 8 asks whether you left the United States without advance parole on or after August 15, 2012. Items 9 and 10 ask for your last passport and any Border Crossing Card number.
Complete Part 3 if initial
Initial requestors give age at arrival, date and place of entry, status on June 15, 2012, any Form I-94 details, education details and military service. Renewal requestors skip Part 3.
Answer every Part 4 question
Mark Yes or No for items 1 to 7 on arrests, crimes abroad, terrorist activities, gang membership and other listed conduct. Explain any Yes answer in Part 8 and attach the court records required.
Complete Part 5 statement and contact
Select item 1.a or 1.b depending on whether an interpreter read the form to you, then sign and date in items 2.a and 2.b and enter your phone numbers and email.
Add interpreter and preparer sections
If an interpreter helped, have them complete and sign Part 6. If anyone other than you prepared the request, that person completes and signs Part 7; Part 8 provides extra space.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check that every item is answered or marked N/A and dates are mm/dd/yyyy. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, sign it by hand in ink, and assemble it with Forms I-765 and I-765WS.
How to submit I-821D
USCIS directs filers to its Form I-821D page, where the filing address depends on your state of residence. The instructions name no other channel, and the USCIS page also links a video on filing Form I-821D and Form I-765 online.
- By mail: check the Filing Addresses for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals page, linked from https://www.uscis.gov/i-821d, for the address for your state. Do not mail the form to the Paperwork Reduction Act address in the instructions.
- What to include: Form I-821D, Form I-765 with applicable fees, Form I-765WS and your evidence. Add Form G-28 if an attorney or accredited representative prepared the request. Optionally clip Form G-1145 to the first page to get an e-mail or text when USCIS accepts the form.
- Signature: the request needs your original handwritten signature. A photocopy, fax or scan of a signed original is valid for filing.
- Printed forms: keep the edition date and page numbers visible on every page, and use pages from one edition only; otherwise USCIS may reject the form.
- Fees: check the USCIS Fee Schedule page and Form G-1055 for current fees.
- Questions: USCIS Contact Center, 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the USCIS channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing Form I-821D without Form I-765 and its applicable fees; the instructions say the entire submission will be rejected.
- Submitting the request unsigned, with a stamped or typewritten name, or with an invalid signature; USCIS rejects unsigned requests.
- Filing a renewal more than 150 days before your current deferral expires, which USCIS may reject and return to you.
- Leaving any of Part 4, items 1 to 7, without a Yes or No answer, or omitting Part 1 fields such as family name, mailing address or date of birth, which USCIS lists as grounds for rejection.
- Filing Form I-821D along with Form I-765 only to replace a lost, stolen or damaged EAD; USCIS says it will deny the I-821D and not refund its fee.
- Leaving a date blank; the instructions say dates are mm/dd/yyyy and approximate dates are allowed if the exact date is unknown.
- Answering Yes in Part 4 without a certified court disposition or arrest record for each incident, unless state law prohibits disclosure.
- Mailing a printed form with missing pages, pages from different editions, or the edition date and page numbers cut off.
- Traveling outside the United States without an Advance Parole Document, which can end consideration or terminate deferred action.
- Sending original documents when the instructions do not require them; USCIS may destroy them.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form I-821D used for?
Form I-821D asks USCIS to consider deferred action under the DACA process, as an initial request or a renewal. Deferred action defers removal for a specified period as an act of prosecutorial discretion, unless DHS terminates it. The form must be filed with Forms I-765 and I-765WS.
Do I have to file Form I-765 with Form I-821D?
Yes. USCIS will not consider deferred action unless Form I-821D is accompanied by Form I-765 and Form I-765WS. If Form I-765 and its applicable fees are missing, the entire submission will be rejected.
When can I file a DACA renewal on Form I-821D?
Within 150 days before your current deferral expires. USCIS may reject a renewal filed earlier, and it encourages filing ideally at least 120 days before expiration. If your deferral expired over a year ago, or was terminated, file as an initial request.
Is there a filing fee for Form I-821D?
The instructions for the 01/20/25 edition say there is no filing fee for Form I-821D, but Form I-765 fees apply. The USCIS form page sends you to its Fee Schedule page for the I-821D fee, so confirm current fees there and in Form G-1055 before filing.
Where do I mail Form I-821D?
The address depends on your state of residence. Use the Filing Addresses for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals page linked from uscis.gov/i-821d. Do not send the form to the Paperwork Reduction Act address printed in the instructions.
Can I fill out Form I-821D online and sign it electronically?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not file it with USCIS. The instructions require your original handwritten signature; a scan or photocopy of a signed original is valid for filing.
Can I travel outside the U.S. while my DACA request is pending?
Not safely. If you travel abroad on or after August 15, 2012 before USCIS decides, you will not be considered for deferred action. Even after approval, travel without an Advance Parole Document may lead USCIS to terminate deferred action.
Should I file Form I-821D to replace a lost EAD?
No. If you only need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged EAD, file Form I-765 and select box 1.b without Form I-821D. USCIS says it will deny an I-821D submitted for that purpose and will not refund its fee.
Who can sign Form I-821D for me?
You sign it yourself. If you are under 14, a parent or legal guardian may sign for you, and a designated representative may sign if you cannot due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment. Typed names and stamps are not accepted.
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