Where to Send Your H-4 EAD Application: USCIS Mailing Addresses and Filing Tips

Most H-4 spouses applying for an employment authorization document (EAD) file Form I-765 under category (c)(26) with a USCIS lockbox. The correct destination depends on the current USCIS instructions and whether the package is sent through the U.S. Postal Service or a private courier. Using the wrong address can delay delivery or lead to a returned filing. Before mailing, applicants should confirm the latest address on the official USCIS Form I-765 Direct Filing Addresses page and check that the application meets the filing requirements.

Meta description: Find where to send an H-4 EAD application, which Form I-765 address to use, how mailing differs by carrier, and what to check before sending it.

Where to Mail an H-4 EAD Application

For many applicants filing Form I-765 for an H-4 EAD under category (c)(26), the USCIS destination is the Dallas lockbox. The address differs according to the delivery service. The addresses below are commonly listed for this filing type, but USCIS mailing locations can change. Verify the address on the official USCIS page immediately before sending the application.

USCIS uses separate addresses for postal mail and courier deliveries because a P.O. Box cannot receive packages from most private carriers. Sending a courier package to the USPS address—or a postal letter to a street address not designated for USPS—can cause a delivery problem. Follow the carrier-specific address shown on the current USCIS instructions, not an address copied from an old checklist or another applicant’s filing.

Official reference: USCIS Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765. Applicants can also check the USCIS Form I-765 page for the current edition, filing instructions, and eligibility information.

Confirm the Filing Category Before Choosing an Address

An H-4 EAD applicant generally requests employment authorization using Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and identifies eligibility category (c)(26). This category applies to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants. It does not apply simply because someone holds H-4 status; the applicant must meet the specific eligibility rules.

In general, an H-4 spouse may qualify if the H-1B spouse is the beneficiary of an approved Form I-140 immigrant petition or meets the relevant H-1B extensions under sections 106(a) and (b) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act. The applicant should review current USCIS guidance and the relevant regulations rather than assume that an H-1B spouse’s status alone establishes eligibility.

Using the wrong eligibility category can result in a rejection, request for evidence, or denial. Before preparing the mailing label, check that the category entered on Form I-765 is correct and that the supporting documents establish the qualifying relationship and eligibility basis.

Check Whether the Application Is Initial or a Renewal

The address is not necessarily determined by whether the H-4 EAD request is an initial application or a renewal. Both typically use Form I-765 and category (c)(26), but the relevant USCIS address page should be checked for the filing circumstances. Renewal applicants should also review the current rules for filing windows and any automatic extension of employment authorization.

Automatic extensions are conditional and do not apply to every applicant or every circumstance. They depend on factors such as the category, timely filing, and the expiration dates of the relevant documents. An applicant should not rely on an extension based solely on having mailed a renewal; consult current USCIS guidance and, when needed, an employer’s immigration compliance staff or an immigration attorney.

Can an H-4 EAD Application Be Filed Online?

USCIS permits online filing of Form I-765 for certain eligibility categories, but online availability can change and may not cover every filing type or circumstance. The USCIS online filing page and the Form I-765 instructions are the authoritative sources for determining whether category (c)(26) is eligible at the time of filing. If an applicant files online, there is no paper lockbox package to mail; required evidence is uploaded through the USCIS account as directed.

If online filing is unavailable or the applicant chooses to file on paper, the physical package must be sent to the address listed for the category and delivery method. Applicants should not mail a paper application to a lockbox after submitting the same request online unless USCIS specifically instructs them to do so. Duplicate filings can create confusion, extra fees, or processing complications.

What to Include in a Paper H-4 EAD Package

The required evidence depends on the applicant’s circumstances and the current Form I-765 instructions. A paper package commonly includes the completed and signed Form I-765, the correct filing fee or fee-waiver request if permitted, and copies of documents supporting identity, H-4 status, relationship, and eligibility. The USCIS checklist should control; documents from a prior application may not be sufficient if circumstances have changed.

Depending on the case, supporting documents may include:

• A copy of the H-4 applicant’s passport identity page and relevant visa pages, if applicable.
• Evidence of current H-4 status, such as Form I-94 and an H-4 approval notice, where applicable.
• Evidence of the qualifying relationship to the H-1B principal, such as a marriage certificate.
• Evidence of the H-1B principal’s status and qualifying eligibility basis, such as an approved Form I-140 or relevant H-1B approval notices.
• Copies of prior EADs or other documents requested by the current instructions, if applicable.
• Photographs or other identity materials only when required by the current form instructions.

These examples are not a substitute for the official checklist. USCIS requirements can differ with the filing history and immigration record. Applicants should use legible copies unless the instructions explicitly require an original, keep a complete copy of the package, and avoid sending irreplaceable original documents unless USCIS asks for them.

Pay the Correct Fee and Use the Current Form Edition

A correct mailing address will not prevent a rejection if the application has an incorrect fee, an outdated form edition, a missing signature, or another filing defect. Check the Form I-765 page for the current edition and fee instructions on the day the package is prepared. USCIS fees and payment methods can change, and fees may differ depending on the filing method or other applicable rules.

For a paper filing, follow the current instructions for payment by check, money order, or an authorized card-payment form, as applicable. Do not assume an old fee amount or payment method remains valid. If a payment is declined or the fee is incorrect, USCIS may reject the package, which can affect filing dates and processing plans.

Before sealing the envelope, confirm that the form is signed, the category is entered correctly, the fee is included in the permitted format, and all required supporting materials are present. A short final review can help prevent a lockbox rejection and the need to reassemble and resend the application.

How to Address and Send the Package

Write or print the full address clearly, including the attention line and any box number shown in the current USCIS instructions. Use the address corresponding to the carrier. If using a private courier, confirm that the service will deliver to the exact street address and suite listed. If using USPS, use the designated P.O. Box address when that is the address USCIS specifies for postal delivery.

Applicants may use a trackable delivery service to confirm that the package reached the lockbox. Tracking confirms delivery to the address, not that USCIS accepted the application as properly filed. Keep the tracking number, mailing receipt, and a complete copy of the package. USCIS acceptance or rejection is communicated separately, usually through the contact information and filing process provided with the application.

Allow enough time for delivery, especially when the application is being sent near an important status or employment date. A package that is delayed in transit has not been filed simply because it was handed to a carrier. Applicants should not begin or continue employment based on an assumption that the application was delivered or accepted; they must satisfy the applicable employment authorization rules.

Common Mailing Mistakes to Avoid

• Using an outdated address: USCIS lockbox addresses can change. Recheck the official page immediately before mailing.
• Mixing up carrier addresses: USPS and private couriers may require different destinations.
• Omitting the attention line: Include “Attn: H4” or the exact attention line USCIS currently specifies.
• Using another category’s address: A filing address for a different I-765 category may not apply to category (c)(26).
• Sending an incomplete package: Missing signatures, fees, or required evidence can result in rejection or delays.
• Assuming delivery means acceptance: Carrier tracking does not establish that USCIS accepted the filing.
• Relying on third-party address lists: Older articles and informal forums may show superseded addresses.

What Happens After Mailing

After delivery, the lockbox reviews the package for basic intake requirements, including the form, signature, fee, and filing category. If accepted, USCIS generally issues a receipt notice with a receipt number. That number can be used to check case status through USCIS tools. If the package is rejected, USCIS typically returns it with an explanation; the applicant should correct the issue and use the current address and instructions when resubmitting.

Processing times vary and can change. A receipt notice is not an approval and does not, by itself, grant work authorization. Applicants should check official USCIS case-status and processing-time resources and retain all notices. For a pending or complicated case, a qualified immigration attorney can help interpret the notice and determine the appropriate next step.

Quick Pre-Mailing Checklist

1. Confirm eligibility for an H-4 EAD under category (c)(26).
2. Check whether online filing is available for the applicant’s specific filing.
3. Download the current Form I-765 and read its instructions.
4. Verify the current lockbox address on the USCIS I-765 direct filing page.
5. Choose the address that matches USPS or the private courier being used.
6. Confirm the fee, payment method, signature, and supporting documents.
7. Keep a complete copy and proof of delivery, then monitor for USCIS notices.

The safest answer to “Where do I send my H-4 EAD application?” is the current Form I-765 address USCIS lists for category (c)(26) and the chosen carrier. The Dallas addresses above are commonly used for this filing, but USCIS’s live instructions should always take priority over any saved address or third-party source.