Federal jurisdiction
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a federal executive department. The correct filing office depends on the DHS component that owns the service.
What DHS components manage
- Immigration applications and naturalization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Airport security screening and checkpoint identification rules through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- Border inspection and admission functions through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Federal disaster coordination and eligible disaster-assistance programs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Cybersecurity and critical-infrastructure support through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
- Maritime safety and security through the U.S. Coast Guard.
What DHS does not manage
- U.S. passports and visas issued by the Department of State.
- Social Security numbers, cards, or benefits.
- State driver licenses, state identification cards, or vehicle records.
- Federal tax returns or state benefit applications.
Use the component that owns the process
DHS headquarters does not receive every application handled by its components. Use the official USCIS form page for immigration filings, TSA for checkpoint requirements, CBP for border and travel inspection information, and FEMA for a declared-disaster program. Filing instructions can differ by component and service.
Official service channels
Related WhatDoIFile resources
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Transportation Security Administration
- Apply for U.S. citizenship
- Renew or replace a Green Card
- Get a REAL ID