I-821D

Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Agency
USCIS
Revision
01/20/25
Fillable fields
234
Pages
7
Official source
USCIS form page
Checked
October 14, 2026
Fill I-821D online
Page 1 of form I-821D

Form I-821D: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Form I-821D is the request form for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA. Deferred action is a discretionary decision to hold off removal for a set period. It is not a lawful status, and DHS can end it.

The form covers an initial request and a renewal. Every filer must also send Form I-765 for employment authorization and the I-765 worksheet. USCIS decides each request case by case.

The court situation matters. The USCIS page says that, following a Fifth Circuit decision in January 2025, USCIS continues to accept and process renewal requests, and continues to accept initial requests but does not process them at this time. Check the USCIS DACA litigation page before you pay for or prepare an initial request. You can fill the form online on this page for free and without an account.

Page 1 of Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, with Part 1 request type boxes

What's on Form I-821D

Part 1. Information about you

Initial or renewal request, name, other names, mailing address, A-Number, date and place of birth, citizenship, and biographic details used for biometrics.

Part 2. Residence and travel information

Where you have lived and any trips abroad. Initial requestors give more detail than renewal requestors.

Part 3. For initial requests only

Education and military service details. Renewal requestors skip this part.

Part 4. Criminal, national security and public safety

Questions 1 to 7 are answered Yes or No, and USCIS rejects the form if they are left blank.

Part 5. Requestor's statement and signature

Contact details, whether an interpreter or preparer helped, and your signature.

Parts 6 and 7. Interpreter and preparer

Contact details and signatures of anyone who interpreted or prepared the request.

Part 8. Additional information

Extra space for longer answers.

How to fill out Form I-821D

  1. 1

    Part 1: initial or renewal

    Mark the request type. Renewal requests must also give the expiration date of your most recent period of DACA and your A-Number. USCIS rejects the form if these are missing.

    Form I-821D Part 1 with the Initial Request or Renewal Request box and the expiration date of the last DACA period
  2. 2

    Part 1: identity and address

    Give your family name, date of birth and the U.S. mailing address where you want mail. Item 13 is citizenship, which may differ from your birth country. Write stateless and explain in Part 8 if needed.

    Form I-821D Part 1 with the full legal name and U.S. mailing address fields filled in, using sample values
  3. 3

    Part 1, Items 15 to 20: biometrics

    Fill in the biographic details. USCIS says this can shorten your time at the Application Support Center.

    Form I-821D Part 1 Items 15 to 20 with ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, sample values
  4. 4

    Part 2: residence and travel

    Answer for the period asked. Initial requestors give extra history. The instructions warn that travel abroad before a decision means you will not be considered, and later travel without advance parole can end DACA.

    Form I-821D Part 2 with residence and travel entries, sample values
  5. 5

    Part 3: initial only

    Describe your schooling or military discharge. Skip this part if you are renewing.

    Form I-821D Part 3 education information with a school and graduation date for an initial request, sample values
  6. 6

    Part 4: all Yes or No

    Answer every question 1 to 7. Leaving one blank gets the form rejected.

    Form I-821D Part 4 Questions 1 to 4 with each Yes or No box marked
  7. 7

    Part 5: sign

    Sign by hand. A photocopy of a signature, a typed name or a stamped name does not work as the requestor's signature.

    The requestor's ink signature on Form I-821D Part 5 with phone and email lines
  8. 8

    Parts 6 to 8: helpers

    An interpreter signs Part 6 and a preparer signs Part 7. A lawyer or accredited representative also files Form G-28.

    Form I-821D Part 6 and Part 7 with an interpreter's and a preparer's signature and date, using sample names
  9. 9

    Add the other forms

    File Form I-765 and the Form I-765 worksheet with this request. For a lost or damaged EAD only, USCIS says to file I-765 alone and not Form I-821D.

    The box at the top of Form I-821D page 1 checked to show that Form G-28 is attached

Type or print in black ink. Enter dates as mm/dd/yyyy. Do not leave a date blank, and estimate if you must.

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Deadlines, fees and where to send Form I-821D

Renewal timing

USCIS strongly encourages renewal requests 120 to 150 days (4 to 5 months) before the expiration date on your DACA approval notice. Filing more than 150 days ahead may lead to rejection, and filing close to the date risks a gap.

Where to send it

Where you file depends on your state of residence. Use the USCIS Filing Addresses for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals page.

Fee

Fees change, so check the USCIS fee schedule and Form G-1055 for Form I-821D and Form I-765 before you file.

Evidence for initial requests

Documents showing identity, arrival before age 16, continuous residence since June 15, 2007, presence on June 15, 2012, and school or service. Renewal filers do not resend earlier documents.

Rejection triggers

USCIS rejects forms missing the request type, family name, address, A-Number and expiration date (renewals), date of birth, any Part 4 answer, or a signature.

Notice of acceptance

Clip Form G-1145 to the first page if you want an email or text when a lockbox accepts the filing.

Related forms

Who needs to fill out Form I-821D?

  • Renewal requestors

    People who already received DACA and want USCIS to consider renewing deferred action. If your last period expired within the past year and was not terminated, follow the renewal instructions. If more than a year has passed, or it was terminated, follow the initial instructions.

  • Initial requestors: the childhood arrival guidelines

    You were under 31 on June 15, 2012, came to the United States before turning 16, have lived here continuously since June 15, 2007, were present on June 15, 2012 and now, and had no lawful status on June 15, 2012.

  • Education or service

    You are in school, have graduated or earned a certificate of completion, have a GED, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard.

  • Criminal and security guidelines

    You have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and you do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

  • Age and proceedings

    You must be at least 15 when filing unless you are in removal proceedings, have a final order, or have a voluntary departure order. Terminated proceedings do not remove the age rule.

The instructions set guidelines for initial and renewal requests.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form I-821D

Is DACA available to new applicants right now?

USCIS says it accepts initial requests but is not processing them at this time because of the January 2025 Fifth Circuit decision. Renewals are processed. Check the DACA litigation page before filing.

Do I file Form I-765 too?

Yes. Every filer must send Form I-765 and the I-765 worksheet with Form I-821D.

When should I send a renewal?

Between 120 and 150 days before the expiration date on your current approval notice. Earlier than 150 days may be rejected.

Can I travel while a request is pending?

The instructions say that if you travel outside the United States before USCIS decides your request, you will not be considered. Travel after approval without advance parole can end DACA.

What if I only need to replace a lost EAD?

File Form I-765 with box 1.b and proof of current DACA. USCIS says not to send Form I-821D for that, or it will deny the I-821D.

What if I'm in removal proceedings?

You may still file, including under age 15, according to the instructions. Check the Who May File section of the instructions.