How to Choose the Best Civil Surgeon Near You

Step 1: Confirm the Doctor Is a USCIS-Designated Civil Surgeon

If you are filing Form I-485 from inside the U.S., you need a medical exam by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. The results go on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Only doctors who USCIS has designated can do this exam. A regular doctor, even a good one, cannot fill out the form for you.

Before you book, look up the doctor with the USCIS 'Find a Civil Surgeon' tool on uscis.gov. The office should confirm its designation without hesitation. If you are outside the U.S. and going through consular processing, you will see a panel physician chosen by the U.S. Department of State instead. That is a different process.

• Search the doctor's name and city on the USCIS Find a Civil Surgeon tool.
• Ask the office to confirm the doctor is currently designated.
• Remember that a panel physician is for applicants outside the U.S., not a civil surgeon.

Step 2: Compare the Total Price, Not Just the Visit Fee

USCIS does not set the price of the exam. Each civil surgeon sets their own fee. Total cost commonly runs from about $200 to $500 or more. The final number depends on your city, the lab tests you need and how many vaccines you need. Health insurance often does not cover it.

Ask for a full quote before you book. The exam usually includes a review of your medical and vaccine history, a physical exam, a tuberculosis blood test (IGRA) for applicants age 2 and older, a syphilis blood test for ages 18 to 44, a gonorrhea urine test for ages 18 to 24, and a mental health and substance use screening. A chest X-ray is only needed in some cases.

• Ask what the quoted price includes: the exam, the lab tests and the form.
• Ask for vaccine prices one by one, since the number you need depends on your age and records.
• Ask if a chest X-ray, when needed, costs extra.
• Get the total in writing or by email before your visit.

Step 3: Ask How Long Results Take and When the Form Will Be Signed

Blood test results usually take a few days to two weeks. The civil surgeon cannot finish Form I-693 until those results are back. Ask the office for a realistic timeline before you pay.

Timing matters for your filing. Since December 2, 2024, USCIS generally requires Form I-693 to be submitted together with Form I-485. A filing without it can be rejected. The civil surgeon must sign the form no more than 60 days before you file. So plan your exam date around your filing date, and confirm current rules on uscis.gov.

• Ask how many business days results usually take.
• Ask when the signed Form I-693 will be ready for pickup.
• Plan to file Form I-485 with the sealed Form I-693, not before.

Step 4: Check Reviews, Location and Language

Reviews can tell you how the office runs. Look for patterns: clear pricing, on-time appointments, staff who answer questions. One bad review may be a fluke. Several reviews about surprise fees or long waits are a signal.

Location and hours matter more than you think. The exam is one visit, but you may need to return to pick up the sealed envelope. Pick an office you can reach without much trouble. If English is not your first language, ask whether anyone on staff speaks your language. You can also bring someone to interpret for you.

• Read recent reviews on more than one site.
• Check parking, transit access and office hours.
• Ask if staff can explain the steps in your language.
• Ask how you will be told when the form is ready.

Red Flags to Watch For

Most civil surgeons run honest offices. Still, a few warning signs should make you pause and call another office.

• The office will not confirm the doctor's USCIS designation.
• The office will not give a total price, or adds fees after the exam.
• Someone says you can skip a required test or vaccine.
• Someone offers to hand you the form unsealed or tells you to open the envelope. The civil surgeon must give you the completed Form I-693 in a sealed envelope, and you must not open it.
• The office promises a green card approval or gives legal advice. Only a lawyer or USCIS can speak to your case.
• The office cannot tell you when the form will be ready.
• Staff rush you and will not answer basic questions about the exam.

What to Bring and What to Ask on the Phone

A little prep makes the visit go faster. Bring a government photo ID such as your passport, your vaccination records, a list of medicines you take, past chest X-ray results if you have them, and payment.

On the phone, keep it short and specific. Ask about designation, total price, wait time for results and the sealed envelope. Write down the answers so you can compare offices side by side.

• Are you a USCIS-designated civil surgeon?
• What is the total price, including labs and vaccines?
• How long until the signed Form I-693 is ready?
• What should I bring to my appointment?
• Do you need my vaccine records before the visit?

Compare a Few Offices Before You Book

You do not have to pick the first office you call. Call two or three, compare the total price and timeline, and read a few reviews. A 20 minute call can save you money and stress.

You can compare civil surgeons by city on our site to find offices near you, then run each one through the checklist above. Always confirm the doctor's designation on uscis.gov before you book.