Act Before Submitting to USCIS

The best time to address an error on Form I-693 is before you submit it to USCIS. If you discover an error after receiving the sealed envelope but before submitting it, contact the civil surgeon's office immediately.

For minor administrative errors — a misspelled name, an incorrect date, a missing entry — the civil surgeon may be able to provide a supplemental letter correcting the error without opening the sealed envelope. For significant errors that require clinical re-evaluation, a new examination may be needed.

Types of Errors and How They Are Corrected

Minor administrative errors (typographical errors, incorrect dates, missing information that does not require clinical re-evaluation) can often be corrected with a supplemental letter from the civil surgeon. The letter should identify the error, provide the correct information, and be signed and stamped by the civil surgeon.

Significant errors — incorrect medical findings, missing laboratory results, incomplete vaccination records — typically require a new examination. The civil surgeon must re-evaluate the applicant and complete a new Form I-693.

If You Have Already Submitted the Form

If you have already submitted Form I-693 to USCIS and then discover an error, contact your immigration attorney immediately. The attorney can advise on whether to proactively contact USCIS or wait to see if USCIS issues an RFE.

In some cases, it is better to proactively submit a corrected form or supplemental letter rather than waiting for an RFE. Your attorney can help you make this decision based on the nature of the error and the stage of your case.

Responding to an RFE for Form I-693 Errors

If USCIS issues an RFE citing errors on Form I-693, respond within the deadline specified in the RFE (typically 87 days). The response should include a cover letter explaining the error and the correction, along with either a supplemental letter from the civil surgeon (for minor errors) or a new sealed Form I-693 (for significant errors).

Read the RFE carefully to understand exactly what USCIS is requesting. A response that does not directly address the RFE's specific concerns is unlikely to resolve the issue.

Preventing Errors: Review Before Sealing

The most effective way to prevent errors is to review Form I-693 before the civil surgeon seals the envelope. Request a copy at the time of pickup and check it carefully: verify your name and date of birth match your passport, confirm the vaccination record is complete, and ensure all required sections are filled in. Catching errors before sealing is far less disruptive than correcting them afterward.