US Gov Upgrades 'Alien' Registration Form – ETs Need Not Apply
Published Date: 3/12/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting April 11, 2025, aliens who need to register with the U.S. government must use a new form called G-325R to meet their legal requirements. This update also adds new types of documents that can prove registration. If you’re affected, you can start using the new form right away, and there’s a chance to share your thoughts on the rule until April 11, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
New G-325R registration form available
Starting April 11, 2025, unregistered aliens subject to the Immigration and Nationality Act may use a new online registration form, G-325R (Biographic Information (Registration)), via a myUSCIS account to satisfy statutory alien registration requirements. USCIS states the form is currently free of charge and may be used immediately to begin compliance.
Criminal penalties for failure to register or carry proof
The rule reiterates existing law: an alien's willful failure or refusal to apply to register or be fingerprinted is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both; registered aliens 18 and over must at all times carry registration evidence and failure to do so is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
Scale: 2.2–3.2 million unregistered aliens affected
DHS estimates the population that may need to use the general registration form under this rule is between 2.2 million and 3.2 million unregistered aliens (out of an estimated 11 million aliens without lawful status as of January 1, 2022).
Biometrics appointment and digital proof of registration
After submitting G-325R in myUSCIS, USCIS will schedule a Biometrics Services Appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center for fingerprints, photo, and signature; USCIS will run background checks including FBI name checks. Once biometrics are complete (or upon receipt of G-325R for those waived from fingerprinting), USCIS will create a "Proof of Alien Registration" with a unique identifier and post a downloadable PDF to the registrant's myUSCIS account as evidence of registration.
Potential $30 biometric services fee under consideration
DHS is not imposing a fee now but requests comment on adding a biometric services fee of $30 per registrant to cover biometric collection, storage, and FBI fingerprint costs (DHS estimates approximately $29.50 and rounded to $30). DHS seeks comment on whether to adopt such a fee.
Exemption for certain American Indians born in Canada
DHS states that American Indians born in Canada who possess at least 50 percent American Indian blood and are present under 8 U.S.C. 1359 are excluded from the requirement to register and thus would not need to use the new form, although they may choose to do so.
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