Why Verification Matters

Only physicians who are currently designated by USCIS as civil surgeons can perform immigration medical examinations for Form I-693. If a physician's designation has lapsed or been revoked, any Form I-693 they complete is invalid — and USCIS will reject it.

Verifying a civil surgeon's current designation before scheduling your appointment protects you from wasting time and money on an exam that cannot be used for your immigration case.

How to Use the USCIS Civil Surgeon Locator

The USCIS Civil Surgeon Locator is a free, publicly available tool on the USCIS website.

• Go to uscis.gov and search for "Civil Surgeon Locator"
• Enter your zip code or city and state to search for designated civil surgeons in your area
• Review the results to find the surgeon you are considering
• Confirm that the surgeon's name, address, and phone number match the clinic you plan to visit
• If the surgeon does not appear in the locator, their designation may have lapsed

What to Do If a Designation Has Lapsed

If a civil surgeon's designation has lapsed, they cannot legally perform immigration medical examinations. Any Form I-693 completed by a non-designated physician will be rejected by USCIS.

If you discover that a civil surgeon's designation has lapsed after scheduling an appointment, contact the clinic to confirm their status before proceeding. If the designation is truly lapsed, you will need to find a currently designated civil surgeon.

Keeping Verification Current

Civil surgeon designations can lapse due to non-renewal, failure to complete required training, or other administrative reasons. A designation that was valid when you first researched a clinic may not be valid by the time you schedule your appointment.

For this reason, it is best to verify a civil surgeon's designation close to the time you schedule your appointment, not weeks or months in advance.

Additional Verification Steps

Beyond the USCIS locator, you can also verify a civil surgeon's medical license through your state's medical board website. While a valid medical license does not confirm USCIS designation, it confirms that the physician is licensed to practice medicine in your state.