How to Read an Official Letter from USCIS, the IRS or SSA
Three questions unlock any government letter in minutes: who sent it, what kind of notice it is, and when the deadline falls.
In short: To read any letter from USCIS, the IRS, Social Security or your state DMV, find three things: who sent it, the notice number or type (for example I-797C or CP2000), and the response deadline. Then confirm it's real through the agency's official website or published phone number, never through the number or link printed on a letter you doubt. Don't ignore a genuine notice, and never pay anyone with gift cards.
US government mail is written in dense bureaucratic English, and many newcomers set it aside until the deadline has passed. Most of it is routine: a receipt, a biometrics appointment, a request for one more document. This guide shows you how to decode it in a few minutes. For a checklist to run through with the letter in hand, use our letter and document checklist.
Step one: who actually sent it?
Look at the top of the page for the agency name, seal and issuing office. Then check that what the letter asks for fits that agency:
- USCIS handles immigration benefits: green cards, work permits, naturalization.
- IRS handles tax returns, balances due, refunds and tax identity verification.
- SSA handles your Social Security number, earnings record and benefits.
- DMV is a state agency (the name varies by state) that handles licenses, registration and violations.
A "USCIS" letter demanding back taxes, or an "IRS" letter threatening your immigration status, is a mismatch and a strong scam signal. The IRS itself says it cannot revoke your immigration status or your driver's license.
Which USCIS notice is this?
Most USCIS mail arrives on Form I-797, a Notice of Action. It isn't a form you fill out; USCIS issues it to you. The letter after the number tells you what it is:
| Notice | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| I-797 | Receipt or approval of an application or petition | Keep it; approvals are important records |
| I-797A | Approval that includes a replacement Form I-94 | Keep it with your passport as your arrival record |
| I-797B | Approval of an alien worker petition | Usually goes to the employer or attorney |
| I-797C | Receipt, rejection, transfer, biometrics or interview appointment, rescheduling | Read the first line to see which one; calendar any appointment |
| I-797D | Comes with a card (green card or EAD) | Check every detail on the card |
| I-797E | Request for Evidence (RFE) | The one that matters most: respond by the deadline |
| I-797F | Issued abroad to allow travel | Carry it when you travel |
Every notice carries a 13-character receipt number: three letters and ten digits, starting with a prefix like IOE, EAC or MSC. It's the key to your case; enter it (without dashes) in Case Status Online on uscis.gov. For timelines, see our USCIS processing times guide.
Got a Request for Evidence? Don't panic, don't be late
An RFE is not a denial. It means the officer needs a missing or clearer document before deciding. The real risks are missing the deadline or sending a partial answer.
- Find the deadline printed on the notice and put it in your calendar with a reminder two weeks earlier.
- Go through the list item by item and write down which document answers each one.
- Follow the notice's instructions exactly, including where to mail it. USCIS says not to send RFE responses to a Lockbox filing address.
- Translate every Arabic document in full into English, with the translator's certification that the translation is complete and accurate and that they're competent to translate.
- Send one complete response by a trackable method, and keep a copy of every page.
IRS letters: where's the notice number, and what does it mean?
The IRS prints the notice number in the right-hand corner of the letter, starting with CP or LTR. Search that number on irs.gov to get a page explaining that exact notice. Common ones:
| Notice | Why you got it | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| CP14 | You have unpaid tax | Pay by the due date, set up a payment plan, or contact the IRS if you disagree |
| CP2000 | Income reported by employers or banks doesn't match your return | Not a bill; reply agreeing or disagreeing, with documents, by the date listed |
| 5071C | A return was filed with your SSN or ITIN and the IRS wants to confirm it was you | Verify your identity through irs.gov or the number on the notice |
If you ignore a CP2000, a bill may follow. And even a partial payment by the due date reduces interest and penalties. New to US taxes? Start with our US taxes guide.
Social Security and DMV letters
New arrivals get less mail from SSA, and most of it concerns issuing your number, correcting your name or your earnings record. Any message saying your number will be suspended or your bank account seized unless you pay is a scam; SSA lists exactly these threats among scammers' tactics, and warns that charging for normally free documents, like a replacement card, is a red flag.
DMV mail comes from your state: renewal reminders, registration notices, violations, or a request for one more document to finish issuing your license. You may also get texts claiming to be from the state about unpaid tolls or tickets, with a payment link. Don't tap it; go to your state's official site yourself. More in our driver's license guide.
A general rule for all agencies: machine translation is fine for the gist but can garble dates, amounts and legal terms. Read the deadline and the amount from the English original yourself, and ask someone you trust if in doubt.
Missed a deadline? What to do now
Don't assume it's over. Contact the agency right away through its official number, explain what happened, and keep proof of the reason, such as a late-arriving envelope or an address that hadn't been updated.
- IRS: a late reply beats no reply, partial payment reduces interest, and you can ask for a payment plan.
- USCIS: a missed RFE deadline can lead to a decision based on what's in the file. Options after that are legal and time-sensitive, so see a licensed attorney without delay.
- DMV: ask about late fees and online renewal, and don't drive on an expired license.
How do you verify a letter is genuine?
One rule covers every agency: don't use any phone number or link printed on a letter you doubt. Go to the official website yourself, or call the number published there.
- USCIS: check the receipt number in Case Status Online or your USCIS account. Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283.
- IRS: log in to your IRS online account to see notices on file, or call 800-829-1040.
- SSA: 1-800-772-1213.
- DMV: find your state's official site (it ends in .gov) and contact them from there.
Real federal email addresses end in .gov, and USCIS says it won't contact you through your personal social media accounts.
Scam signs that should stop you cold
- Threats of arrest or deportation unless you pay today. The IRS says it doesn't threaten to bring in police or immigration officers.
- Demands for gift cards, wire transfers or crypto. USCIS doesn't take Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo or gift cards, and never asks you to send money to an individual.
- Urgency and secrecy: "Tell no one." "You have one hour."
- A phone call as first contact. The IRS starts most contacts by regular mail.
- A "transfer" of your call to a government agency from a company or another agency; SSA flags this as a current scam.
- Typos and odd wording in a "denial" letter; USCIS warns about fake denial notices.
Common mistakes with official mail
- Leaving the envelope unopened because the English is hard, then finding the deadline has passed.
- Not updating your address. Report any move to USCIS within 10 days.
- Mailing originals when a copy is enough, without keeping a copy yourself.
- Answering half an RFE and planning to send the rest later.
- Calling the number on a suspicious letter instead of the one on the agency's website.
What next after you've read it?
Keep one folder per agency, letters in date order, with a photo of each envelope; the postmark date can matter later. If you're new to the US, most of your early mail will be about your green card and SSN, so see the first 90 days checklist and our Social Security number guide.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an I-797 and an I-797C?
Both are USCIS Notices of Action. The I-797 communicates a receipt or approval; the I-797C covers receipts, rejections, transfers, and biometrics or interview appointments.
Does an RFE mean my case will be denied?
No. It means the officer needs more evidence before deciding. Send one complete response by the deadline on the notice, to the address the notice gives.
Where's the notice number on an IRS letter?
In the right-hand corner, starting with CP or LTR. Search it on irs.gov for an explanation of that specific notice.
Does the IRS call and demand immediate payment?
The IRS starts most contacts by mail, doesn't demand gift cards or wire transfers, and doesn't threaten to send police or immigration officers.
How can I check that a USCIS letter is real?
Enter the 13-character receipt number in Case Status Online on uscis.gov or call the Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Don't use numbers printed on a letter you doubt.
Official sources we reviewed
- USCIS: Form I-797 Types and Functions ↗
- USCIS: Checking Your Case Status Online ↗
- USCIS: Common Scams ↗
- USCIS: Tips for Filing Forms by Mail (translations, RFE responses) ↗
- IRS: Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter ↗
- IRS: How to Know It's Really the IRS Calling or Knocking ↗
- IRS: Understanding Your CP2000 Series Notice ↗
- SSA: Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams ↗