USCIS

How to prepare documents for USCIS online filing

Your USCIS online account asks for evidence one category at a time. Each upload should be one clear, readable file per document — combined, upright and under the size limit.

Upload rules at a glance

Checked Oct 2026 · always confirm on the upload screen
File types
PDF, JPG or TIFF
Size per file
Shown on each upload screen
One file per
Document (all its pages)
Not in English?
Add a certified translation

Step by step

  1. 1Gather each documentScan or photograph every page, including the back if it has stamps or writing.
  2. 2Turn sideways pages uprightOfficers review on screen. Rotate anything scanned sideways.Rotate
  3. 3Combine pages of one documentPut all pages of a document — and its translation — in one file, in order.Merge
  4. 4Fit the size limitIf the upload is rejected for size, compress it. Text stays readable.Compress

Name files so an officer knows what they are

USCIS doesn’t require a naming format, but clear names help you upload the right file to the right category and keep copies organized.

  • Lastname_Firstname_Passport.pdf
  • Lastname_Firstname_Birth-Certificate_with-Translation.pdf
  • Lastname_Firstname_I-94.pdf
  • Lastname_Firstname_Marriage-Certificate.pdf

Common mistakes

  • Uploading each page as a separate file instead of one file per document.
  • Leaving pages sideways or upside down.
  • Sending the translation as a separate file from the original.
  • Photos with shadows, glare or cut-off edges.

Questions, answered

Can I upload iPhone photos?

Convert them first. iPhones save HEIC files, which many upload screens reject. A PDF is the safest choice.

Should I password-protect files?

No. Protected files can fail to open for the officer reviewing them.

What if my file is too big?

Compress it. Balanced compression usually keeps scans sharp enough to read.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — check the official instructions for your form or portal before you submit.

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