Does Form I-693 Need a Notary? What USCIS Requires
No. The instructions for Form I-693 call for signatures from the applicant and the civil surgeon, not a notary’s stamp. A mobile notary cannot examine you, complete the form, or certify it. Only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can do that, and the surgeon then seals the form in an envelope for USCIS. This guide explains who signs what, where people get confused about “notarizing,” and how to avoid a rejected form.
TL;DR
- Form I-693 does not ask for notarization. It asks for original signatures from the applicant and the civil surgeon.
- Only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can perform the exam and complete, sign, and seal the form. A notary cannot substitute.
- Do not sign until the civil surgeon tells you to, and sign in their presence.
- For a paper I-485, file the sealed envelope unopened. For an online I-485, the process differs, so follow the USCIS online instructions.
- A form that is unsealed, opened, or altered can be rejected.
Table of Contents
- Why people search for an “I-693 notary”
- Who signs Form I-693, and what each signature means
- Who can perform the exam
- The sealed envelope is the real “seal”
- Paper versus online filing
- How long a completed I-693 stays valid
- Mistakes that get an I-693 rejected or delayed
- Perspective: Why we treat the form as a one-visit project
- Preparing for your appointment
- Booking an exam with us
- FAQ
- Sources
Why people search for an “I-693 notary”
Many legal forms, such as affidavits, powers of attorney and some declarations, need a notary to confirm who signed. So it is natural to assume a medical report for a green card works the same way. It does not.
Form I-693 is a medical document. Its authority comes from the civil surgeon, a physician USCIS has designated to conduct immigration exams. The surgeon certifies under penalty of perjury that the information is true. The signature that matters is theirs, plus yours as the applicant.
Some mobile notary services advertise help with I-693 paperwork. A notary can legitimately notarize other documents in your case, such as a translation certification or a sworn statement, if an attorney asks for one. But a notary cannot take the place of the civil surgeon on this form.
Who signs Form I-693, and what each signature means
Three kinds of signatures can appear on the form, and none of them is a notary’s.
| Who | What they do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Completes Part 1, then signs at the appointment | Must not sign until the civil surgeon instructs, and must sign in the surgeon’s presence |
| Civil surgeon | Examines, reviews vaccines, completes the form, signs, seals | Signature must be original, not a stamp or copy |
| Other physician (only if referred) | Completes a required referral evaluation | Must sign the applicable portion |
USCIS policy also says the applicant, the civil surgeon, and any other health care provider who evaluated the applicant must sign to verify their statements are truthful. The form’s own instructions add that stamped or typewritten names are not accepted in place of signatures.
The applicant’s signature
You fill in Part 1 with your personal details, but you leave the signature line empty. The civil surgeon tells you when to sign, and you do it in the room. This is the closest thing the process has to a notary’s identity check, and it is done by the clinic: the surgeon verifies your identity against your government-issued photo ID during the visit.
Bring your photo ID to the appointment. If you pre-sign at home, the form may need to be redone.
The civil surgeon’s signature
The surgeon signs only after the exam and any required follow-up are finished. That timing matters. If you need a blood test result, a vaccine series, or a referral for a health-related condition, the form may not be signed on the first visit. The form itself carries a note not to sign until all health-related follow-up requirements are met.
The signature has to be original. USCIS does not accept stamps, substitutes, or photocopies, apart from specified blanket-designated health department or military physicians.
When another doctor signs
Sometimes the civil surgeon refers you to another physician, for example to evaluate a condition found during the exam. That doctor must sign the portion of the form that applies to their evaluation. The civil surgeon then incorporates the result and completes the form. If your case involves a referral and you are unsure how it affects the rest of your filing, an attorney can explain it. Green card application legal help is available from immigration lawyers who handle adjustment of status.
Who can perform the exam
USCIS states that a designated civil surgeon must perform the U.S. immigration medical exam and complete and sign Form I-693. The instructions allow narrow exceptions for certain military and health department physicians. Your family doctor, an urgent care physician, a nurse practitioner, or a notary public does not qualify just because they are licensed or commissioned.
Form I-693 is required for adjustment-of-status applicants who did not receive a medical exam before admission or lack evidence of an overseas exam. If that exam was not done overseas, a designated civil surgeon in the United States must do it.
The sealed envelope is the real “seal”
What people sometimes think of as notarization is actually the sealed envelope. After completing the form, the civil surgeon places it, with the required supporting documents, in an envelope and seals it. According to the instructions, the envelope is marked “DO NOT OPEN. FOR USCIS USE ONLY,” and USCIS may reject the form if the envelope is opened, unsealed, or altered.
Practical rules that follow from this:
- Do not open the envelope to “check” the contents if you are filing on paper.
- Do not staple, tape over, or write on the envelope.
- Do not add a notary seal or cover sheet inside the package.
- Keep the envelope flat and dry until you file.
- If it is damaged or lost, ask the clinic about a replacement rather than trying to repair it.
Paper versus online filing
How you submit depends on how you file Form I-485.
- Paper I-485: Include Form I-693 in the original sealed envelope from the civil surgeon, with your I-485 package.
- Online I-485: USCIS directs filers to open the sealed envelope, upload the completed form, and keep the original form and envelope until USCIS makes a final decision. Details are on the USCIS I-693 page.
The online route is the one exception to the do-not-open rule, and USCIS keeps the original in your hands for possible later verification. USCIS also says Form I-693 generally must accompany the I-485, a requirement that took effect December 2, 2024, and that it may reject the I-485 if the medical form is omitted. You can see the current list of forms on the USCIS online filing page.
No step in either route involves a notary.
How long a completed I-693 stays valid
Validity rules have changed more than once, which is another reason to avoid advice from unofficial sources.
- In April 2024, USCIS said a properly completed form signed on or after November 1, 2023, did not expire.
- In June 2025, USCIS changed that rule. A form signed on or after November 1, 2023, is generally valid only while the benefit application it was submitted with remains pending.
- If that application is withdrawn or denied, the form is no longer valid, and a future I-485 needs a newly completed I-693.
USCIS said the change was meant to support timely exams and treatment and to reduce public-health risks from reusing older medical evidence. Because this can change again, confirm the current rule on the USCIS page before you schedule.
Mistakes that get an I-693 rejected or delayed
Most problems are small and avoidable.
- Signing too early. The applicant signature must happen in front of the civil surgeon, after being told to sign.
- Seeing a doctor who is not a civil surgeon. A general physical does not count, however thorough.
- Incomplete vaccination records. Missing documentation is one of the most common reasons an exam takes more than one visit. Bring every record you have, including those from your home country.
- An opened or altered envelope. Even well-meant tampering can lead to rejection.
- Copies instead of originals. The surgeon’s signature must be original.
- Adding unnecessary paperwork. A notarized letter or cover sheet inside the envelope does not help and can interfere with the seal.
Perspective: Why we treat the form as a one-visit project
We have performed only immigration medical exams since 2007. We do not run a primary care, urgent care, or sick-visit practice, so every appointment on our schedule is built around Form I-693.
The question about notaries comes up because applicants want certainty that the paperwork will be accepted. We understand that. Our answer is to put the certainty where USCIS puts it: in the civil surgeon’s exam, original signature, and sealed envelope. We focus on accuracy, efficiency, USCIS compliance, and completing the form correctly the first time.
We frequently help applicants who come to us after delays, errors, incomplete vaccination documentation, or problems with an exam done elsewhere. In our experience, the fixes are rarely complicated, but they cost time. That is why we want applicants to bring their records, sign only when told, and leave the envelope sealed.
We keep the exam, required lab testing, vaccination review, any required vaccines, and preparation of the form in one location. Our approach is a flat package designed to minimize unexpected costs, with standard 3-day processing and an expedited 2-day option.
ImmigrationMedicalExams Medical Team
Preparing for your appointment
A short checklist makes the visit smoother:
- Confirm you need Form I-693 for your case. If you are unsure, ask your attorney or check your filing instructions.
- Book with a civil surgeon, not a general clinic.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Gather vaccination records, in any language, and any medical records relevant to a prior condition.
- Bring your medications list if you take any regularly.
- Do not sign the form until instructed.
- Ask when the sealed envelope will be ready and how you will receive it.
Children, seniors and families can often be examined together, which helps when several relatives are filing at once. Attorneys and employers who coordinate multiple applicants can also arrange services for their clients.
Booking an exam with us
If you are in Southern California, we perform USCIS civil surgeon exams for applicants in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego and San Bernardino counties. You can schedule online at any hour. Our USCIS immigration medical exam covers the examination, lab testing, vaccination review and the completed form. Choose the standard 3-day option or the 2-day expedited exam if your timeline is tight.
For titer testing, additional vaccinations, replacement sealed envelopes and printed record copies, see our pricing page. A missed appointment deposit of $210 applies if you do not attend your scheduled visit, so reschedule early if plans change.
FAQ
Does Form I-693 have to be notarized?
No. The instructions require the applicant’s and civil surgeon’s signatures, and the surgeon certifies the form under penalty of perjury. No step in the filing instructions asks for a notary. Keep the form in the sealed envelope the civil surgeon gives you.
Can a mobile notary complete or sign my I-693?
No. Only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can perform the exam and complete and sign the form, apart from limited military and health department exceptions. A notary can help with other documents in your case, but not this one.
Can I sign the form at home before my appointment?
No. You complete Part 1, but the instructions say not to sign until the civil surgeon tells you to, and you sign in their presence. Signing early can mean the form has to be redone.
What if I need to upload the form online?
If you file the I-485 online, USCIS directs you to open the sealed envelope, upload the form, and keep the original form and envelope until a final decision. If you file on paper, send the envelope sealed.
Sources
- Form I-693 instructions, USCIS
- Finding a Medical Doctor, USCIS
- Policy Manual, Volume 8, Part B, Chapter 4
- Policy Manual, Volume 7, Part A, Chapter 4
- Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, USCIS
- Forms Available to File Online, USCIS
- USCIS Announces New Guidance on Form I-693 Validity Period
- USCIS Changes Validity Period for Any Form I-693 Signed on or after Nov. 1, 2023
- Policy Alert on I-693 validity, USCIS