Official agencies and links

This page brings together the official agencies you are most likely to need in the United States. You will find what each agency does, its main phone number, hours of operation, and website. Phone numbers and hours were taken from the agencies' own official pages. For emergency numbers, see 13.1 Emergency numbers.

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) — reviews immigration and citizenship applications: green cards, work permits, extensions, and citizenship.
  • Website: uscis.gov
  • Contact Center: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY +1 800 767 1833). Live assistance and chat are available Monday–Friday, 08:00–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time).
  • The automated voice system is available 24 hours and answers general questions asked in English or Spanish.
  • From outside the United States: +1 212 620 3418
• Online tools:
  • Application status and processing times: check using your receipt number. You will not be connected to live assistance for matters that can be answered using the online tool.
  • Virtual assistant Emma answers questions in English and Spanish and transfers you to live chat if necessary.
  • Change of address: Foreign nationals in the United States must notify USCIS within 10 days after moving, except A and G visa holders and those who entered under the Visa Waiver Program. You can submit the notification through your online account or Form AR-11.
• In-person appointment: Request one online or by calling the Contact Center. Asylum offices do not accept walk-in applications.
• USCIS forms and USCIS online accounts are always free.

• Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs — issues visas, issues U.S. passports, administers the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, and assists U.S. citizens abroad.
  • Website: travel.state.gov
  • U.S. passports: +1 877 487 2778 (TTY +1 888 874 7793)
  • Emergency abroad: +1 888 407 4747 from the United States and Canada, +1 202 501 4444 from abroad
  • Address: 2201 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20520
• Visa questions: First read the Department of State website and the website of the post where you will apply. For applications in Türkiye, see 1.2 Where to apply in Türkiye. The Visa Office does not answer questions sent by mail.
• National Visa Center (NVC): Conducts pre-processing for approved immigrant visa petitions. It accepts questions through the "Public Inquiry Form." If the case has been transferred from NVC to a post, write to that post; in Türkiye, Ankara handles all immigrant visas.
• DV selectees: Contact the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) at KCCDV@state.gov. Write your name, date of birth, and case number exactly as shown in Entrant Status Check.
• Visa records are confidential. As a rule, information is provided only to the applicant.

• CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) — conducts passport and customs inspections upon entry to the United States and creates the I-94 record.
  • Website: cbp.gov
  • Questions and answers: help.cbp.gov (more than 500 answers)
  • CBP Information Center: +1 877 227 5511 (877-CBP-5511) from the United States, +1 202 325 8000 from outside the United States, and 711 for people with hearing impairments. Monday–Friday, 08:30–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time).
• To view your I-94 record and correct entry errors, see 1.9 Entering the United States.

• IRS (Internal Revenue Service) — enforces federal tax laws.
  • Website: irs.gov
  • Individuals: +1 800 829 1040; businesses: +1 800 829 4933. Both are available Monday–Friday, 07:00–19:00 (local time). People with hearing impairments: +1 800 829 4059.
  • Interpreters for other languages: +1 833 553 9895
  • People outside the United States and international tax questions: +1 267 941 1000 (fees apply). Monday–Friday, 06:00–23:00 (U.S. Eastern Time).
  • In-person assistance (Taxpayer Assistance Center): call +1 844 545 5640 for an appointment.
• When calling, have your SSN or ITIN, date of birth, filing status, previous year's tax return, and letters from the IRS ready.
• If you have not received a response to a return or letter sent by mail, do not send a second return.
• For tax matters, see 15.3 Tax return.

• SSA (Social Security Administration) — issues Social Security numbers (SSNs) and administers retirement, survivors, and disability insurance programs.
  • Website: ssa.gov
  • +1 800 772 1213 (TTY +1 800 325 0778). Representatives answer Monday–Friday, 08:00–19:00. Automated telephone services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A free interpreter is available upon request.
  • To wait less, call between 08:00 and 10:00 in the morning (local time) or later in the day. Wednesdays through Fridays and the last days of the month are quieter.
• You can request an SSN card along with your green card or work permit (EAD) application. For details, see 5.3 How to get a Social Security number (SSN).

• Driver's licenses, ID cards, vehicle registration, and license plates are handled by state agencies. The agency's name, rules, and appointment system vary from state to state.
• You can access all states' agencies through USA.gov's list. States with large Turkish communities:
  • New York: NY DMV
  • New Jersey: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
  • California: California DMV
  • Texas: for vehicle registration and plates, Texas DMV. Driver's license matters are handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); use the "Renew Driver License at DPS" link on the TxDMV website.
  • Florida: FLHSMV
  • Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State
  • Massachusetts: Massachusetts RMV
• For phone numbers and branch appointments, check the state agency's own website.
• REAL ID: Since May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant ID or an accepted document such as a passport is required for domestic flights in the United States and certain federal buildings. A passport can be used instead of REAL ID.
• For details, see 10.1 Driver's license.

• ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) — enforces border, customs, trade, and immigration laws; conducts detention and deportation operations.
  • Website: ice.gov
  • Find someone in detention: Online Detainee Locator System
  • Detention and deportation information line (DRIL): +1 888 351 4024. Live operators are available Monday–Friday, 08:00–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time).
  • Tip line: +1 866 347 2423 from the United States and Canada, +1 802 872 6199 from outside the United States; available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • People required to check in regularly with ICE can find information at ice.gov/check-in.
• Students and exchange visitors: SEVP, which manages the SEVIS system, is also part of ICE. SEVP Response Center: +1 703 603 3400, weekdays 08:00–18:00 (U.S. Eastern Time).
• For your rights when encountering police and ICE, see 12.1 Constitutional rights as an immigrant.

• EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice) — manages immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The court decides whether a person accused of violating immigration law may remain in the United States.
  • Website: justice.gov/eoir
  • Case information: ACIS or automated line +1 800 898 7180 / +1 304 625 2050 (TDD +1 800 828 1120).
  • Headquarters: 5107 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 · +1 703 305 0289
• ACIS shows basic information for some cases. If there is more than one case associated with an A-Number, it shows the newest one. For bond hearing information, contact the local court.
• Since February 23, 2026, fees paid to EOIR may be paid electronically only through the EOIR Payment Portal; checks and money orders are not accepted.
• For a list of free legal assistance and help finding a lawyer, see 12.6 Finding a lawyer.

• FTC (Federal Trade Commission) — works to prevent fraud and deceptive or unfair business practices.
  • Report fraud: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • Identity theft: IdentityTheft.gov
  • Consumer Response Center: +1 877 382 4357 (1-877-FTC-HELP), TTY +1 866 653 4261
  • The FTC never asks for money, threatens people, requests money transfers, or promises prizes.
• CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) — accepts complaints about financial products such as banks, credit cards, mortgages, credit reports, and debt collection.
  • Complaint: consumerfinance.gov/complaint · +1 855 411 2372
  • It forwards your complaint to the company; most companies respond within 15 days. If another agency is more appropriate, it forwards the complaint there.
• For details, see 12.8 Consumer rights.

• USAGov — if you do not know which agency to contact: +1 844 872 4681, Monday–Friday, 08:00–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time). usa.gov
• Wage and Hour Division (WHD, Department of Labor) — minimum wage, overtime, and child labor: +1 866 487 9243
• EEOC — workplace discrimination: +1 800 669 4000
• HealthCare.gov — health insurance marketplace: +1 800 318 2596 (TTY +1 855 889 4325); 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except holidays.
• Medicare — +1 800 633 4227 (TTY +1 877 486 2048)
• Selective Service — military registration for male citizens and immigrants aged 18–25: +1 888 655 1825. sss.gov

• Consular services: Make appointments through konsolosluk.gov.tr. The site lists passport, civil registry, military service, notary, and citizenship procedures and the required documents.
  • Some procedures can be completed by mail; most require an appointment and an in-person application.
  • An e-Devlet password can also be obtained from the consulate by appointment.
• Consular Call Center: +1 888 566 7656 from the United States and Canada (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
• Addresses and areas of responsibility of diplomatic missions: see 11.1 Turkish missions in the United States.
• SGK — overseas service credit and retirement in Türkiye: sgk.gov.tr. See 11.6 Social security.
• Population and Citizenship Affairs (NVİ) — nvi.gov.tr
• Revenue Administration (GİB) — tax procedures in Türkiye: gib.gov.tr

• Paying to obtain a form from websites that do not end in ".gov". USCIS forms are free.
• Paying a USCIS fee by phone or email to an individual. USCIS does not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards.
• Failing to notify USCIS of your address within 10 days after moving.
• Sending a second tax return because you have not received a response from the IRS.
• Asking USCIS about a case in immigration court. Court matters are handled by EOIR.
• Looking for driver's license services at TxDMV in Texas. Driver's licenses are handled by DPS.

• I called USCIS, but they did not tell me my application status. Why? You will not be connected to live assistance for matters that can be answered using online tools. You can see the status on the application status page or in your online account.
• Can I go to a USCIS office without an appointment? You must request an appointment first for in-person service, either online or by calling the Contact Center. Asylum offices do not accept walk-in applications at all.
• How can I find a relative who was detained? Use ICE's Online Detainee Locator System or call the DRIL line (+1 888 351 4024).
• How can I learn the date of my immigration court hearing? Enter ACIS with your A-Number or call +1 800 898 7180.
• How can I tell whether a website is official? U.S. government email addresses and websites end in ".gov".
• I do not know which agency to call. Call USAGov (+1 844 872 4681); it will direct you to the right agency.

• Guide for new immigrants – Welcome to the United States (PDF)
• SSA – Your SSN and card (PDF)
• SSA – SSNs for immigrants (PDF)
• IRS Publication 519 – Tax guide for aliens (PDF)
• Form AR-11 – Change of address (PDF)
• I-94 record
• ICE detainee search
• EOIR case information (ACIS)
• USA.gov – State DMV list