U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Edition 01/20/25 (OMB 1615-0124, expires 02/28/2027) 7 pages

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

The DACA request form, for renewals and initial requests: your identity, addresses, travel, education and background, on USCIS's official PDF.

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Form I-821D · Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
The official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form, edition 01/20/25 (OMB 1615-0124, expires 02/28/2027) — blank
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Fill this form online Blank PDF from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

What is Form I-821D?

Form I-821D is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form for requesting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), either for the first time or as a renewal. DACA is a temporary protection from removal for people who came to the United States as children and meet the guidelines. It is filed together with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and the Form I-765 Worksheet.

Every requestor completes the parts about identity, removal proceedings, addresses and travel, the criminal and security questions, and the signature. Part 3 is only for initial requests: your arrival before age 16, your immigration status on June 15, 2012, how you meet the education guideline, and any U.S. military service. The availability of initial DACA requests has been shaped by court rulings, so check the USCIS DACA page for the current position before you file.

FileIt guides you through the seven-page form, shows Part 3 only for an initial request, checks your dates against each other, and prints your answers into the official USCIS PDF. You print it and sign it by hand. The filled form is saved in your vault; FileIt never files anything for you.

Who fills it
The requestor: a person who came to the U.S. as a child and is asking for DACA, or renewing it.
Filed with
Form I-765 and the Form I-765 Worksheet, sent to USCIS (the filing address depends on where you live).
Renewals
Part 3 is skipped. Only addresses and travel since your last approved Form I-821D are listed.
Signatures
The requestor signs by hand. An interpreter and a preparer sign too if they helped.
Edition
01/20/25 (OMB No. 1615-0124, expires 02/28/2027).
Agency
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security

Who needs to fill out Form I-821D?

  • Current DACA recipients renewing their deferred action and work permit.
  • People requesting DACA for the first time, when USCIS is accepting initial requests.
  • Requestors whose DACA lapsed, who should check on the USCIS DACA page whether to file as a renewal or as an initial request.
  • Attorneys, accredited representatives and preparers completing the form for a requestor.

When to use Form I-821D

  • For a renewal, ahead of your current DACA expiry date. USCIS publishes its recommended filing window on its DACA page.
  • For an initial request, once you have gathered evidence of your identity, arrival, continuous residence and education or military service.
  • Always together with Form I-765 and the I-765 Worksheet.

What you need before you start

  • Your name, other names, date and place of birth, A-Number and Social Security number if you have them.
  • Every address since your initial entry (initial requests) or since your last approved request (renewals), with dates.
  • Your absences from the United States, with dates and reasons.
  • For initial requests: your date and place of first entry, status on June 15, 2012, Form I-94 details if any, and school or military records.
  • Details of any arrests, charges or removal proceedings, with court records.

What’s on Form I-821D

The 2025 edition has 7 pages. FileIt asks for it in 10 parts:

  1. Attorney or accredited representative (top of page 1)Preparer
  2. Part 1. Information about youRequestor
  3. Part 1. Processing information (biographic)Requestor
  4. Part 2. Residence and travel informationRequestor
  5. Part 3. For initial requests onlyRequestor
  6. Part 4. Criminal, national security and public safety informationRequestor
  7. Part 5. Requestor's statement, certification and contact informationRequestor
  8. Part 6. Interpreter's contact information, certification and signatureInterpreter
  9. Part 7. Person preparing this request, if other than the requestorPreparer
  10. Part 8. Additional informationRequestor

How to fill out Form I-821D, step by step

1 Part 1. Information about you

Whether you are in detention, whether this is an initial or renewal request (with your current DACA expiry date for renewals), your name, U.S. mailing address, any removal proceedings and their outcome, and your identity and biographic details.

2 Part 2. Residence and travel

Whether you have lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007, your present and past addresses with dates, your departures and returns, travel without advance parole after August 15, 2012, and your passport or Border Crossing Card details.

3 Part 3. Initial requests only

Arrival before age 16, date and place of first entry, status on June 15, 2012, any Form I-94, the education guideline you meet, and any U.S. military or Coast Guard service. FileIt hides this part for renewals.

4 Part 4. Criminal, national security and public safety

Answer every question. FileIt reminds you to explain any Yes in Part 8 and to include the court records the form asks for.

5 Parts 5 to 8. Statement, helpers and extra space

Your statement and contact details, the interpreter and preparer if anyone helped, and Part 8 for anything that didn't fit. Your name and A-Number print at the top of Part 8 for you.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Filing without Form I-765 and the I-765 Worksheet.
  • Completing Part 3 on a renewal, or skipping it on an initial request.
  • Leaving gaps in the address history or missing an absence from the United States.
  • Answering Yes in Part 4 without an explanation and the court documents.
  • Typing a name instead of signing by hand.

After you fill it out

Print the form, check every page, sign Part 5 by hand, and file it with Form I-765, the I-765 Worksheet and your evidence at the address USCIS gives for your state.

Go to your biometrics appointment when USCIS schedules it, and keep the receipt notices.

FileIt keeps the filled PDF in your vault, so next time you renew you can start from what you entered.

Fill out Form I-821D online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 160 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Form I-821D now — it’s free

Form I-821D: frequently asked questions

Can I use Form I-821D to renew DACA?

Yes. Select the renewal request in Part 1, give your current DACA expiry date, and skip Part 3. List only the addresses and absences since your last approved Form I-821D.

Is USCIS accepting initial DACA requests?

That has changed with court rulings over the years. FileIt doesn't track it: check the USCIS DACA page before you file an initial request.

Do I need to file Form I-765 too?

Yes. The USCIS page says Form I-765 must be filed with Form I-821D, along with the Form I-765 Worksheet.

What counts as the education guideline?

The form gives examples: graduated from high school, received a GED certificate or an equivalent state-authorized exam, or currently in school. An honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard answers the military questions instead.

What if I was arrested?

Answer Part 4 truthfully, explain in Part 8 and include certified court dispositions or arrest records for each arrest, unless state law prohibits disclosure.

Can I fill out Form I-821D online with FileIt?

Yes. FileIt guides you through the paper form and prints your answers on the official USCIS PDF. You print it and sign it by hand; FileIt doesn't file it.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-19.

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