Local USCIS Office in Columbus, Ohio
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a federal agency that falls under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and it administers lawful immigration to the U.S.
The USCIS offers a broad range of services, including many services through the official USCIS website. Some of the services on offer include:
- Citizenship through naturalization and citizenship through parents
- Immigration of family members of current permanent residents and U.S. citizens
- Working in the U.S., including E-Verification of the legal right of a person to work in the U.S.
- Humanitarian programs for persons present inside or outside the U.S.
- Adoption of children from other countries
- Information and tools for integrating immigrants into American culture
- The USCIS Genealogy program
The Columbus Field Office
The USCIS field office serving citizens and residents of Columbus is led by Field Office Director, Laura McNeer. If you moved to Columbus from another country, you will need to visit the local USCIS field office at the following address:
101 West Congress Parkway Chicago, IL 60605
The counties served by the field office include:
- Athens
- Belmont
- Coshocton
- Delaware
- Fairfield
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Gallia
- Guernsey
- Harrison
- Hocking
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Knox
- Licking
- Logan
- Madison
- Meigs
- Monroe
- Morgan
- Morrow
- Muskingum
- Noble
- Perry
- Pickaway
- Pike
- Ross
- Union
- Vinton
- Washington
Contact Numbers
USCIS appointment service: 1-800-375-5283
Public transport information: 614-228-1776
Case Processing Times
- Application for Certificate of Citizenship (N-600): 7.5 months to 16 months
- Application for Naturalization (N-400): 12.5 months to 17.5 months
- Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 (N-600K): 8 months to 23.5 months
If you’re wondering about the functioning of the office during the pandemic, the USCIS has resumed non-emergency face-to-face services at their field and asylum offices. If you decide to visit the office, keep in mind the COVID-19 precautions in place. Some of the precautions you must take are as follows:
- Wear a suitable face mask. USCIS does not accept bandanas, neck gaiters, and exhaust valve-type masks. (Those who don’t wear a mask may be provided one or asked to reschedule.)
- Do not enter the office if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Besides these special COVID-19-related precautions, there is also some other important information you should know about your local Columbus USCIS office:
- Walk-ins are not allowed, so you will have to schedule an appointment.
- The office may close because of bad weather or an unexpected event.
- Knives, firearms, ammunition, and pepper spray are not allowed, even if you have a firearm permit.
- Audio, video, and cell phone recording is not allowed
- Photography, including cell phone photography, is not allowed
As mentioned above, USCIS offers several services through its website. So, to save time, you should consider the options available there. If you must visit a local office, then make sure you take the necessary precautions.
Online Services
The services available online include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Finding immigration options available to the searcher
- e-Filing certain applications
- Checking processing time for applications
- Checking case status
- Calculating fees
- Questions about cases
- Viewing appointments*
* If you’re currently in the U.S., you will not be able to schedule an appointment online using InfoPass for domestic offices.
Besides the official website, USCIS also provides information by phone at the following numbers:
- General: 1.800.375.5283
- Hearing Impaired: 1.800.767.1833
- Military (Toll-free): 1-877-247-4645