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Form G-325A: Purpose, Uses, and Current Replacement Forms

Navigating U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) paperwork is one of the most overwhelming parts of the U.S. immigration process, especially when applicants encounter references to outdated forms that are no longer in use. Form G-325A, once a staple of nearly all immigration applications, generates hundreds of monthly search queries from users confused about whether they need to submit it, what it was originally used for, and what forms replace it today.

In this guide, we break down every detail of Form G-325A, its original function, why it was phased out of most common applications, and the exact current requirements for submitting biographic information to USCIS. Note that Form G-325A still exists as "Biographic Information (for Deferred Action)" and remains in use for specific deferred action categories, as explained below.

Table of Contents#

  1. What Is Form G-325A, Exactly?
  2. Original Primary Uses of Form G-325A
  3. Why Was Form G-325A Discontinued?
  4. Current Replacement Forms for Form G-325A 4.1 Family-Based Green Card Applications (I-130) 4.2 Employment-Based Immigration Petitions (I-140) 4.3 Adjustment of Status Applications (I-485) 4.4 Naturalization Applications (N-400) 4.5 K-1 Fiancé Visa Applications (I-129F)
  5. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Biographic Information to USCIS
  6. FAQs About Form G-325A and Its Replacements
  7. References

What Is Form G-325A, Exactly?#

Form G-325A, officially named Biographic Information, is a USCIS document that has been used since the 1990s to collect standard personal background data from immigration applicants and petitioners. The form collects the following core information to help USCIS verify identity, run background and security checks, and process applications:

  • Full legal name, all aliases (maiden names, nicknames, names used on foreign official documents)
  • Date and place of birth
  • 5-year residential address history (no gaps allowed)
  • 5-year employment history (including periods of unemployment, student status, or informal work)
  • Marital history and information about current and former spouses
  • Travel history outside the U.S. for the 5 years prior to application
  • Information about past immigration applications, deportations, or immigration violations

From the 1990s through 2017, Form G-325A was required for both the U.S. petitioner (citizen or green card holder sponsoring an immigrant) and the foreign beneficiary in most common application categories. Starting in 2017, USCIS phased out the form for nearly all standard immigration applications, integrating biographic data collection directly into the core application forms. However, Form G-325A was not fully retired. USCIS repurposed it as Biographic Information (for Deferred Action), and it remains in active use for specific deferred action requests, including military family deferred action, Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) deferred action, and certain labor investigation and humanitarian deferred action categories. The current edition (01/20/25) expires on 10/31/2027.

Original Primary Uses of Form G-325A#

Before 2017, Form G-325A was required as a supporting document for nearly all common immigration applications, including:

  1. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (family-based green card petitions)
  2. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (in-country green card applications)
  3. Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (K-1 visa applications)
  4. Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (employment-based green card petitions)
  5. Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (U.S. citizenship applications)
  6. Rare use cases including deportation/removal proceedings and deferred action requests

Why Was Form G-325A Discontinued?#

USCIS officially phased out Form G-325A for nearly all standard application types between 2017 and 2018, for two core reasons:

  1. Reduction of redundant paperwork: USCIS found that the vast majority of information collected on Form G-325A was already requested on the core application forms it accompanied. Requiring a separate form forced applicants to enter identical information twice, increasing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
  2. Faster processing times: Eliminating the separate form reduced the number of documents USCIS officers had to review and cross-reference, cutting down on processing times for common application types.

In October 2018, USCIS updated its Policy Manual to remove all references to Form G-325A from standard application guidance, confirming that the form was no longer required for I-130, I-485, I-140, N-400, or I-129F filings. However, USCIS retained Form G-325A for deferred action requests, renaming it "Biographic Information (for Deferred Action)."

Current Replacement Forms for Form G-325A#

All biographic information previously collected on Form G-325A for standard immigration applications is now integrated directly into the latest versions of core USCIS application forms. There is no universal replacement form; the document you use depends on the type of immigration application you are filing:

4.1 Family-Based Green Card Applications (I-130)#

For new Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) filings, the petitioner's biographic information is collected in Part 3 (Biographic Information) of the I-130 form. Beneficiary information is collected in Part 4 (Information About Beneficiary). For spousal petitions, USCIS also requires Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary, which collects the beneficiary spouse's address and employment history. No separate biographic form is required for petitions filed on behalf of parents or children.

4.2 Employment-Based Immigration Petitions (I-140)#

For Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) filings, information about the petitioner (employer or self-petitioner) is collected in Part 1, and beneficiary information is collected in Part 3 (Information About the Person for Whom You Are Filing). The I-140 does not include a separate biographic information section, as the beneficiary's personal details are captured within Part 3.

4.3 Adjustment of Status Applications (I-485)#

All biographic data previously requested on G-325A for in-country green card applicants is now included in Part 8 (Biographic Information) of the latest Form I-485. This includes race, ethnicity, height, weight, and eye and hair color. Address and employment history are collected in other sections of the form. Each dependent family member applying for adjustment of status must complete their own I-485 form with their personal biographic details.

4.4 Naturalization Applications (N-400)#

For Form N-400 (Naturalization) filings, biographic information is collected in Part 3 (Biographic Information) of the form, covering race, ethnicity, height, weight, and physical characteristics. Address and employment history are collected in separate sections. The N-400 also requires extended 10-year address and employment history for citizenship applicants.

4.5 K-1 Fiancé Visa Applications (I-129F)#

Biographic information for the U.S. petitioner is integrated into Part 1 (Information About You) of the latest Form I-129F, which includes address and employment history. Beneficiary information is collected in Part 2 (Information About Your Beneficiary). A separate Part 4 (Biographic Information) collects physical characteristics such as ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color for the petitioner. No separate biographic form is required for K-1 or K-2 dependent visa applications.

Rare Exception: You only need to submit a Form G-325A if you receive a formal Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS for an application you filed before 2017 that originally required the form, or if you are filing a deferred action request (such as for military family members, SIJ beneficiaries, or labor investigation purposes).

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Biographic Information to USCIS#

Since biographic data is used for security and identity verification, errors in these sections are one of the top causes of RFEs and application delays. Avoid these common mistakes:

  1. Submitting Form G-325A with new standard applications: USCIS will discard the form or delay processing if you include it with post-2017 I-130, I-485, I-140, N-400, or I-129F filings. Form G-325A is only accepted for deferred action requests.
  2. Leaving gaps in address or employment history: Any gap longer than 30 days must be explained (e.g., list "unemployed" or "full-time student" for gaps in employment, list a shelter address or family member address if you were homeless).
  3. Omitting aliases: List every name you have ever used on official documents, including maiden names, married names, nicknames, and names in non-Latin scripts with English transliterations.
  4. Using outdated versions of core forms: Always download the latest version of your application form directly from USCIS.gov, as older versions may not include all required biographic fields.
  5. Mismatched information: Ensure all biographic details (name spelling, date of birth, place of birth) exactly match what is listed on your passport, birth certificate, and other official supporting documents.

FAQs About Form G-325A and Its Replacements#

Q: Can I use a G-325A I downloaded in 2016 for my 2026 green card application?#

A: No. USCIS no longer accepts Form G-325A for standard immigration applications filed after 2017, and including it may lead to processing delays or a rejection of your application. Form G-325A is only accepted for deferred action requests.

Q: Do I have to pay an extra fee for the biographic information sections on core forms?#

A: No. Biographic data collection is included in the core application fee for all USCIS forms, with no separate charge.

Q: My spouse is a dependent on my I-485 application, do they need to provide their own biographic information?#

A: Yes. Every individual listed on an immigration application (spouses, children, other dependents) must complete their own biographic sections on their respective application forms.

Q: I received an RFE asking for G-325A for an I-130 I filed in 2016, what should I do?#

A: You may submit the old Form G-325A only if explicitly requested by USCIS for a pre-2017 filing. If you no longer have a copy of the form, you may also submit the requested biographic information as a signed, dated letter in response to the RFE.

References#

  1. American Immigration Lawyers Association. (2018, October 25). USCIS Updates Policy Guidance to Remove References to Form G-325A. Retrieved from https://www.aila.org/library/uscis-updates-policy-guidance-to-remove-references
  2. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2026). G-325A, Biographic Information (for Deferred Action). Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/g-325a
  3. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2026). Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/i-130
  4. CitizenPath. (2026). Form G-325A Discontinued: What I-130 Petitioners Need to Know. Retrieved from https://citizenpath.com/form-i-130-guide/form-g-325a-discontinued/
2026-07

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