G-325R Registration: Who Must Register in the U.S. in 2026

The reactivation of the federal registration requirement for non-citizens in the United States has turned a dormant rule dating back to 1940 into a daily reality for millions of immigrants. Since April 11, 2025, anyone present in U.S. territory who has not been formally registered must comply with the procedure or face fines, imprisonment, and removal. The rule originates from the Smith Act, is codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1302, and now has a new electronic procedure via Form G-325R. This guide explains in detail who must register, who is already exempt, how the process works, and the practical risks of non-compliance.

Legal Origin and the Trigger for Reactivation

The requirement to register foreign nationals in the United States is not new. It is established in the Alien Registration Act of 1940, also known as the Smith Act, and codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1302. The provision has always required non-citizens over 14 years of age who remain in the country for 30 days or more to be registered, fingerprinted, and to carry proof of registration.

For decades, the requirement was met automatically through standard admission procedures: issuance of Form I-94, a green card, an EAD, or formal inspection at the border. The 2025 reactivation targets precisely those who entered without inspection and were never formally registered, creating a dedicated electronic procedure for them.

Who Must Register via G-325R

The requirement applies to three main groups:

People who entered without inspection

Individuals present in the United States who were not formally admitted or paroled by an immigration officer and who have not been registered by other means — for example, through a prior immigration benefit application — must complete registration.

Canadian citizens who entered by land without an I-94

Canadian citizens admitted as B-1/B-2 visitors at a land border who did not receive Form I-94 must register if their stay is 30 days or more. The vast majority of Canadians cross the border without receiving a physical or electronic I-94, making this a large group that has historically been unaware of the requirement.

Children turning 14

Every non-citizen child, regardless of immigration status or prior registration, must re-register and provide biometrics within 30 days of their 14th birthday while in the U.S. For lawful permanent residents, this is done via Form I-90; for dependents on non-immigrant visas such as H-4 or L-2, the path is Form G-325R. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for registering minors under 14 who fall into the required categories and remain in the U.S. for 30 days or more.

Who Is Already Considered Registered

USCIS recognizes as already registered those who have received documents involving biometric collection or formal registration. The list includes:

• Lawful permanent residents
• Persons paroled under INA 212(d)(5), even with an expired parole period
• Non-immigrants admitted with Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even after the admission period has expired
• Those who received an immigrant or non-immigrant visa before their last U.S. entry
• Persons placed in removal proceedings by DHS
• Employment Authorization Document holders (EAD or Form I-766)
• Applicants for permanent residence who submitted Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, or I-700 with fingerprints collected, even if the application was denied
• Border Crossing Card holders

Exemption Categories

Certain categories are expressly exempt from the requirement:

• Diplomats on A visas
• Employees of international organizations on G visas
• Persons in transit for fewer than 30 days
• North American indigenous peoples born in Canada with at least 50% indigenous heritage, under 8 U.S.C. § 1359
• Crew members on Forms I-95, I-184, I-185, and I-186
• Persons with a Notice to Appear (Form I-862) or Form I-863

Lawful permanent residents who were outside the U.S. when they turned 14 must update their registration with a photograph within 30 days of returning to the country.

The Online Registration Process

The procedure is exclusively electronic. Paper submissions are not accepted. The steps are:

1. Individual USCIS account — each person, including children under 14, needs their own account at my.uscis.gov, created by the responsible party when applicable
2. Form G-325R online — complete and submit through the account. The form requires legal name, contact information, five-year address history, immigration history, biographical data (height, weight, race, etc.), criminal history, and family information
3. USCIS review — the agency cross-references the submission with DHS records and notifies the applicant if they are already considered registered
4. Biometrics, if required — appointment at an Application Support Center for fingerprinting, photograph, and signature. Children under 14 and Canadians registering via G-325R are generally exempt from fingerprinting
5. Proof of registration — upon completion, USCIS issues a “USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration” notice in the online account, which can be downloaded and printed

Accepted Documents as Proof of Registration

• USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration
• Form I-94
• Form I-551 (Green Card)
• Form I-766 (EAD)
• Border Crossing Card
• Notice to Appear (NTA)

Deadlines and Obligation to Carry Documentation

There is no single universal deadline. The general rule is: anyone who remains in the U.S. for more than 30 days and falls within the required categories must register, and children turning 14 have 30 days from their birthday. The law requires that proof of registration be carried at all times, under penalty of criminal sanctions.

Change of Address

Non-citizens must notify USCIS of any change of address within 10 days, using Form AR-11 or through their online account. Failure to comply may result in fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to 30 days, and a direct impact on any pending immigration proceedings.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to register when required can result in civil fines, imprisonment of up to six months under 8 U.S.C. § 1306, and immediate exposure to removal proceedings. In an official 2025 statement, DHS made clear that enforcement is active and that immigration databases are cross-referenced with state and municipal records to identify non-compliance.

Recommended Strategy Before Registering

Registration involves providing detailed personal data, criminal history, and complete immigration history to a federal agency. For those who entered without inspection, the decision to register is legally complex: it fulfills the legal obligation but also places the individual on the government’s radar. For this reason, anyone in an irregular situation or with a sensitive immigration history should consult a qualified immigration attorney before submitting Form G-325R, to assess the consequences, risks of detention, and any applicable regulatory alternatives for their specific case.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.