213a.3—Notice of change of address.

(a) (1) If the address of a sponsor (including a substitute sponsor or joint sponsor) changes for any reason while the sponsor's support obligation under the affidavit of support remains in effect with respect to any sponsored immigrant, the sponsor shall file Form I-865, Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) no later than 30 days after the change of address becomes effective. As evidence that the sponsor, substitute sponsor, or joint sponsor has complied with this requirement, USCIS will accept a photocopy of the properly completed Form I-865, together with proof of the Form's delivery to the proper service center (such as a post-marked United States Postal Service Express Mail or certified mail receipt, showing that the sponsor mailed the Form I-865 to the proper USCIS service center, together with the corresponding post-marked United States Postal Service return receipt card or other proof of delivery provided by the United States Postal Service, or, if the sponsor, substitute sponsor, or joint sponsor sent the Form I-865 by a commercial delivery service, a photocopy of the shipping label and signature proof of delivery).
(2) If the sponsor is an alien, filing Form I-865 does not relieve the sponsor of the requirement under 8 CFR 265.1 also to file a Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card.
(b) Civil penalty— (1) Amount of penalty. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, if the sponsor fails to give notice in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the Service may impose on the sponsor a civil penalty in an amount within the penalty range established in section 213A(d)(2)(A) of the Act.
(ii) If the sponsor, knowing that the sponsored immigrant has received any means-tested public benefit, fails to give notice in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the Service may impose on the sponsor a civil penalty in an amount within the penalty range established in section 213A(d)(2)(B) of the Act.
(2) Procedure for imposing penalty. The procedure for imposing a civil penalty under this paragraph follows that which is established at 8 CFR part 280.
(c) Change of address. If the sponsor is an alien, filing Form I-865 under this section does not satisfy or substitute for the change of address notice required under § 265.1 of this chapter.

Code of Federal Regulations

[62 FR 54352, Oct. 20, 1997, as amended at 71 FR 35755, June 21, 2006]