What should I know about medical records for immigration?
Complete guide to obtaining medical records for immigration applications. Learn what records you need for Form I-693, green card, citizenship, and visa applications....
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Getting Records
Complete guide to obtaining medical records for immigration applications. Learn what records you need for Form I-693, green card, citizenship, and visa applications....
The right records can save you $400 in repeat vaccinations and weeks of delay. This guide covers exactly what USCIS requires for Form I-693, where to find your vaccination history, and how to handle records from other countries—before you sit down with the civil surgeon.
Step 1
Not every immigration applicant needs a medical exam. Here is who does—and what is at stake if records aren't ready on time:
Citizenship applicants (N-400): You generally do NOT need a new medical exam for naturalization. However, if you had a Class A or Class B condition during your green card exam, USCIS may ask for updated records. Learn about your HIPAA rights when requesting these records.
Step 2
Show up empty-handed and the civil surgeon will either send you away or charge you for tests you could have avoided. Gather these records before your appointment:
Request your records at least 2-4 weeks before your civil surgeon appointment. Use our guide on how to request medical records for detailed instructions on getting records from any provider.
Step 3
USCIS requires proof of vaccination against 15 diseases. Without documentation, the civil surgeon must re-vaccinate you or order titer blood tests to prove immunity—costing $200–$400 and adding weeks to your timeline.
Note: Requirements vary by age. Children and infants have additional requirements including rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and meningococcal vaccines.
Your doctor's office typically has your vaccination history in your medical chart.
Schools often keep vaccination records required for enrollment.
Most states maintain electronic immunization databases you can request.
Healthcare and childcare workers may have occupational vaccination records.
If you can't find vaccination records, you can get blood tests (titers) that prove immunity. This is often faster and cheaper than getting revaccinated. Your civil surgeon can order these tests.
Step 4
Form I-693 is the official document that USCIS uses to evaluate your medical fitness for immigration. Your regular doctor cannot fill it out. Only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can sign it—and the form expires two years after that signature.
Regular doctors cannot fill out Form I-693. You must visit a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.
The form is valid for 2 years from the civil surgeon's signature date.
You'll receive the form in a sealed envelope. Do not open it—submit it sealed to USCIS.
Civil surgeon fees typically range from $100-$500, not including vaccinations or tests.
Don't complete your I-693 too early! Schedule your civil surgeon exam within 60 days of submitting your immigration application, or wait until USCIS requests it. This ensures the form remains valid throughout processing.
Step 5
List every doctor, clinic, hospital, and pharmacy where you've received care. Include providers from other countries if applicable. Check our guide onhow to request medical records for tips.
Start with vaccination records since these take longest and are most critical. Contact your primary care doctor, schools, state immunization registry, and public health department.
Collect any previous TB test results. If you've ever tested positive or been treated for TB, get those records—the civil surgeon will need to review them.
If you have a history of mental health treatment or substance abuse, gather those records. These have special protections—see our mental health records guide.
Any records not in English must be translated by a certified translator. The translation must include a certification statement. Keep both the original and translation together.
Use the USCIS Civil Surgeon Locator to find a designated physician near you. Call ahead to confirm availability and pricing.
Bring all your gathered records, a valid ID, and your I-693 form (if you printed it in advance). The civil surgeon will conduct a physical exam and review your vaccination status.
We specialize in obtaining medical records from any healthcare provider in the United States. Save time and reduce stress during your immigration process.
Step 6
Many immigrants cannot locate their vaccination records, especially from childhood or other countries.
Get blood tests (titers) to prove immunity. If titers show you're not immune, you can get revaccinated. Many civil surgeons can administer vaccines on-site.
A previous positive TB skin test can complicate your immigration medical exam.
Gather all prior TB test results and any treatment records. You'll likely need a chest X-ray to rule out active TB. If you completed treatment, bring those records too.
Medical records from other countries must be translated into English.
Use a certified translator. The translation must include a certification that states: "I certify that I am fluent in English and [language] and that the above translation is complete and accurate." Include translator contact information.
Healthcare providers from years ago may have closed or you can't locate them.
Check state health departments, medical licensing boards, or professional associations. See our guide on getting records from closed hospitals.
Certain medical conditions can affect your immigration application.
Consult an immigration attorney BEFORE your medical exam if you have concerns. Many Class A conditions have waivers available. Having complete medical records helps document treatment and stability.
Step 7
Step 8
If you received medical care outside the United States, you'll need to obtain and translate those records. Here's how to approach this challenge:
All foreign medical records must be translated into English. The translation must include:
In some cases, foreign records simply can't be obtained due to war, natural disasters, or inadequate record-keeping. You should:
Step 9
Most applicants can gather their own records. But certain situations—a Class A medical condition, unresponsive providers, or records from outside the US—are genuinely harder to handle alone:
We specialize in obtaining medical records from healthcare providers across the United States. Our experienced team handles the complex paperwork and follow-up so you can focus on your immigration case. Learn how we can help →
FAQ
For immigration applications, you typically need vaccination records, tuberculosis test results, medical history including any chronic conditions, mental health records if applicable, and records of any Class A or Class B medical conditions. The specific requirements depend on your immigration application type.
Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination) is valid for 2 years from the date of the civil surgeon's signature. USCIS must make a decision on your underlying application within that 2-year period for the form to be valid.
You can still proceed with the exam, but missing vaccination records will require you to receive the vaccinations again or undergo blood tests (titers) to prove immunity. Having your records saves time and money.
USCIS requires proof of vaccination against mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, varicella, pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, and seasonal influenza (depending on age and season).
Yes, all foreign medical records must be translated into English by a certified translator. The translator must include a certification statement that the translation is accurate and complete, along with their contact information.
Class A conditions can make you inadmissible to the US. They include certain communicable diseases (like active tuberculosis), physical or mental disorders with harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction. A waiver may be available in some cases.
No, you must use a USCIS-designated civil surgeon for the immigration medical exam. However, you can bring your existing medical records to the civil surgeon appointment to help complete the evaluation more efficiently and avoid unnecessary tests.
Contact the healthcare provider, school, or public health department where vaccinations were given. You may also need to contact the health ministry of your home country. If records are unavailable, you can get blood tests (titers) or receive vaccinations again at your civil surgeon appointment.
Missing records can delay your case by weeks and cost hundreds in avoidable tests. Get your US medical records in order now—before your civil surgeon appointment.