OMB# 1125-0012 Request for Recognition of a Non-Profit Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or Similar Organization

The EOIR-31, Request for New Recognition, Renewal of Office of Legal Access Programs Recognition, Extension of Recognition of a Non-Profit Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or Similar Organization

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For more information about requesting recognition, 
visit the EOIR website at:  http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.htm       	    Form  EOIR-3
1  
            Rev. Jan. 2017  	
Page 1 of  7 	
U.S. Department of Justice     OMB#1125-0012 
Executive Office for Immigration Review  	
Request for New Recognition, Renewal of   
Office of Legal Access Programs  Recognition, Extension of Recognition of a Non -Profit 
Religious,  Charitable, Social Service, or Similar 
Organization          	
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS  	
Please read carefully before completing and submitti ng Form EOIR -31 	
A.  Wh	

en to submit  a Form EOIR -31: 	
New Recognition  
•Or	

ganizations must use this form (Form EOIR -31) when requesting recognition as a non-profit  religious,
charitable, social service, or similar organization approved to designate  a representative or
representatives  to provide immigration legal services on behalf of its  clients before the Executive Office
for Immigration Review (EOIR) (i.e., the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals
(BIA) ) and the Department of Homeland Security  (DHS ), or before DHS only.  Approved applicants will
appear on the r oster of recognized  organizations maintained by EOIR’s Office of Legal Access
Programs.	
• Org	

anizations must use a different  form,  Form EOIR -31A, to request accreditation of a representative to
provide immigration legal services on behalf of its clients before EOIR  and DHS, or before DHS only .
A separate request for accreditation (Form EOIR -31A) is required  for each proposed representative.  An
organization  must file at least one  request for accreditation at the same time that it is applying for new
recognition .   Organizations may  file for acc reditation of additional representatives any time after
approval of recognition.  Approved applicants will appear on the r oster of accredited  representatives
maintained by EOIR’s Office of Legal Access Programs .	
Renewal of Recognition 
•Recog

nized organizations must use this form (Form EOIR- 31) when seeking to renew recognition.	
oOr	

ganizations recognized by the Office of Legal Access Programs after  January 17, 2017.
Organizations conditionally recognized  must renew two (2) years after the  initial  approval  of
recogni tion; all other organizations must renew  six ( 6) years after the  last approval of renewal  of
recognition  unless otherwise specified below .  To determine when your organization should
request renewal, check the recognition approval letter from OLAP or the Roster of Recognized
Organizations and Accredited Representatives  to determine the expiration date of recognition.	
oOr	

ganizations recognize d by the Board of Immigration Appeals  prior to January 17, 2017, the
effective date of the rule  amending the requirements for recognition and accreditation,  must
initially  renew recognition  at different time periods : 1-year, 2 -years, or 3- years after the effective
date, based on the following criteria:

For more information about requesting recognition, 
visit the EOIR website at:  http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.htm       	    Form 	EOIR-3
1 
            Rev. Jan. 2017	
Page 2 of  7 	
o For	

 organizations without  an accredited representative on January 17, 2017	
 – organizations  must	
seek renewal within 1-year of January 17, 2017 	
oFor	

 organizations  that were recognized more than 10 years prior to January 17, 2017	
  –	
organizations must seek renewal within 2 -years of  January 17, 2017 	
oFor	

 organizations that were recognized less than 10 years prior to January 17, 2017	
  –	
organizations must seek renewal wit hin 3-years of  January 17, 2017 	
•For he	

adquarters or designated office with extension(s)  to branch offices that are approved by OLAP
under 8 CFR § 1292.15, the headquarters or designated office’s recognition approval date is the date that
triggers the renewal requirements for all offices.   For example, the headquarters or designated office of
an  organization was recognized more than 10 years prior to Januar y 17, 2017, but branch offices of the
organization were separately recognized five ( 5)  and three (3) years prior to th at date.  For the
headquarters and the branch offices t o remain recognized,  the  organization must  apply for renewal of
recognition within two ( 2) years of January 17, 2017.  The organization  may also seek extension of its
recognition to additional offices or locations  at that time.	
Extension of Recognition	
•Or

ganizations requesting recognition and  current ly recognized organizations must use this form (Form
EOIR -31) when seeking to extend or renew extension of  recognition from the  organization’s
headquarters  or designated  office  to a ny other office or location  where the organization regularly offers
immigra tion legal services .  The name and address of the extended locations  will be included on the
roster of recognized organizations  once approved .   Representatives accredited at the organization’s
headquarters  or  designated  office location may serve clients at any of the other  approved  offices or
locations.	
B.	

  Where to submit a  Form EOIR-31: 	
R&	

A Coordinator  
Office of Legal Access Programs  
Executive Office for Immigration Review  
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1900 
Falls Church, VA  22041 	
C.   H	

ow to request  new recognition , renewal of recognition, or extension of recognition: 
Par

t 1. 
• Pr

ovide the organization’s complete name, including any other  names under which it is doing business
or that it previously used to request recognition or accreditation.  Also, provide the organization’s
contact information.  The organization’s physical location ( street address) must be provided; a post
office box num ber is not acceptable.
Par

t 2.

For more information about requesting recognition, 
visit the EOIR website at:  http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.htm       	    Form 	EOIR-3
1 
            Rev. Jan. 2017	
Page 3 of  7 	
Onl	

y choose one of the following items to show what action you are requesting with this form:  	
• New R e	

cognition	
: Check this box if you are an organization  which: (1) has never requested recognition;	
(2) previously requested recognition and the request was disapproved; or (3) previously had been
approved for recognition and then the organization’s  recognition was terminated.  If the organization
previously had its request for recognition disapproved or its recognition terminated, please provide the
date of the disapproval or termination.	
• Ren	

ewal of R ecognition	
: Check this box if you are an organization which is currently recognized and	
seeking to renew your recognition.	
o An or	

ganization seeking renewal that has no extended office or location and  has had no changes
to the information provided in Part 5 through Part 8  of this form since the last date of approval of
recognition may skip those parts and continue to Part 9.	
o An org	

anization that has had changes to the information provided in Part 5 through Part 8  of this
form since the last date of approval of recognition must update those parts of the form.	
o An or	

ganization seeking renewal  with an extended office or location m ust complete Part 3 and
Part 4 of this form.  Such an organization must also complete and update Part 5 through Part 8  of
the form, unless the organization has had no changes to the information provided in Part 5
through Part 8  since the last date of appro val of recognition or extension of recognition,
whichever is later.	
• Ex	

tension of R ecognition	
: Check this box if you are  currently a recognized organization and you are	
only  seeking  to extend  recognition to another office or  location. (If you are a new organization applying
for recognition or a currently recognized organization and you are seeking renewal, you do not need to
check this box.)	
Par	

t 3 . 	
• Che	

ck the “yes” box if you are seeking to extend the organization’s recognition from its headquarters or
designated  office to another office or  location  where the organization regularly provides  immigration
legal services.  Provide the n umber of locations to which you  are seeking to extend recognition and
continue to Part 4.	
• Che	

ck the “no” box if you are not seeking to extend the organization’s recognition to another office or
location.  Skip Part 4 and continue to Part 5.	
Par	

t 4. 	
• Pr	

ovide  the name (if it is known in the community under a different name from the applicant
organization) and contact information about individual  offices or locations to which the organization is
seeking  to exten d  recognition.  T he extended office(s) or location (s) of an organization must have a
street address  for contact purposes .  A post office box number is not acceptable.

For more information about requesting recognition, 
visit the EOIR website at:  http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.htm    	  Form 	EOIR-3
1 
     Rev. Jan. 2017	
Page 4 of  7 	
• C	

heck the  appropriate  box  to  indicate  whether  the extension  request is for  a new extension of
recognition   or a renewal of an extension of recognition.    Also,  indicate whether there is additional
relevant information about this office or location, such as other contact information  or a fee schedule or
supervisory structure different than the organization’s headquarters or designated office .   Provide this
information on additional sheets of paper.	
• A	

ttach additional sheets of paper (or copy Part 4 of this form), if you seek to extend recognition to more
than one office or location.	
• I	

f your organization is currently recognized and solely subm itting this form to extend recognition to a
new location, complete Part 5 and Part 6  only  if there have been changes affecting  the organization  since
the last approval of recognition, which have not been previously reported to OLAP .  Otherwise, continue
to Part 7.	
P	

art 5. 	
• C	

heck the box (es) to indicate the proof submitted with the request  to show that the a pplicant
organization  is established as a non -profit religious, charitable social service or similar organization  in
the United States .  PLEASE NOTE: A mission statement or statement of purpose of the organization
must be included.  Additional proof  may include the organization’s constitution, charter, by -laws,
articles of incorporation, state  non-profit status , or other documentation.	
P	

art 6. 	
• C	

heck  the  box to show  that the organization has obtained or is in the process of obtaining federal tax -
exempt status  and attach supporting documentation.    If the organization is in the process of obtaining
federal tax -exempt status, the organiza tion  must attach documentation to show that the organization
applied for tax- exempt status and the determination is pending.	
Pa	

rt 7. 	
T	

he information and documentation requested under Parts 7  and  8  will be considered to ascertain whether 
the organization has adequate knowledge, information, and experience in immigration and nationality law, 
practice, and procedure.    	
•S	

ubmit an organizational chart identifying the names and titles of immigration leg al staff and
supervisors at the organization’s headquarters  or designated  office and any offices or locations seeking
extension of recognition.	
• I	

ndicate whether the organization’s staff includes attorneys who are eligible to practice law and who are
memb ers in good standing of the bar of any state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United
States, or of the District of Columbia.  Attach the attorneys’ resumes, which must  include information
regarding bar admissions, legal experience, and immigr ation legal training.	
•I	

ndicate whether the organization has any currently approved accredited representatives on staff.   If
applicable, indicate the number of accreditation requests (Form EOIR-31A) accompanying this form and

For more information about requesting recognition, 
visit the EOIR website at:  http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.htm    	       Form 	EOIR-3
1 
            Rev. Jan. 2017	
Page 5 of  7 	
the name(s) of the applicant(s) for accreditation .  All requests for new recognition must be accompanied 
by at least one request for accreditation.  A request for renewal of recognition or extension of 
recognition may be accompanied by a request for accreditation.  	
• If  a	

ppli cable,  indicate whether the organization has any  arrangements to receive technical support f rom
private counsel , other recognized organizations, or other persons or entities .  Describe the arrangements
and attach the relevant documentation outline the arra ngements.	
•P	

rovide a description of the immigration legal services provided by the organization and describe  the
qualifications for the organization’s immigration legal staff to provide such services  if not readily
apparent from the resumes and documentation already included with the application.	
Pa	

rt 8. 	
• L	

ist the print and electronic legal resources available to the organization and its representatives.	
P	

art 9. 	
• At	

tach copies of the current annual budget and the prior year’s budget, if available .  If a current budget
is not available, provide the projected budget for the coming year.  The annual budget should include
sources and amounts of revenue and expenses, and a description of how the organization is funded.	
• I	

ndicate whether the organization charges or imposes fees or membership dues on its immigration
clients  and whether the organization has f ee waiver and fee-reduction policies for immigration clients at
all locations seeking recognition.	
• A	

ttach  supporting documentation,  such as: fee schedules, fee reduction/waiver policy  or guidance ,
reports for funders or information about other free or low -cost immigration services provided ( i.e.
educational or outreach activities,), or other relevant documents.	
Pa	

rt 1 0.  Renewal of recognition (skip to section D if not seeking renewal of recognition) : 	
•T	

o renew recognition , an organization must maintain the requirements for recognition and complete  the
necessary parts of this form  to show changes since the last approval of recognition, or extension of
recognition, as applicable . For example, an organization that has its tax -exempt status determination
pending at the time of approval of recognition must provide its final determination letter.	
• P	

rovide a summary of legal services provided  for each year since last recognition (but not for any year
prior to  January 17, 2017 ) and a list of the offices or locations where the immigration legal services were
provided.  The summary should include information such as: the total number of c lients served  (which
includes  intakes, applications prepared and filed  before USCIS, cases appeared in before   the
immigration courts and the Board,  or referred to other attorneys or organizations) and the number of
clients to which it provided services at no cost; a general description of the immigration legal services
and  any immigration -related services   provided, such as educational or outreach events conducted,  and
whether services were provided pro bono or clients were charged  in accordance with a fee schedule and
organization policies or guidance.  Do not provide any client -specific or client- identifying information in

For more information about requesting recognition, 
visit the EOIR website at:  http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.htm    	       Form 	EOIR-3
1 
            Rev. Jan. 2017	
Page 6 of  7 	
the summary.  S ubmit fee schedule(s)  and fee reduction/waiver policy or guidance , if any, for each year 
since the last approval of recognition  only if different than those provided since last recognition. 	
•Indi	

cate whether the organization does not have a currently accredited representative on staff and is on
inactive status or seeks inactive status.	
• Extens	

ion(s) of recognition must be renewed at the same time the organization seeks renewal of
recognition or the approval of extension of recognition will expire.   Include all requests to renew
extension of recognition under Part 4 of this form.	
D.   Who mu	

st verify the contents of Form EOIR-31: 	
•Authori	

zed officer of the requesting organization, such as the President, Executive Director or an officer
of the organization, who has been designated to act on behalf of the organization in recognition and
accreditation matters must verify the contents of the Form EOIR -31.  By signing the form under penalty
of perjury, the authorized officer affirms that the form and its attachments are true, correct, and
complete.  The authorized officer must also attes t that the organization provides immigration legal
services primarily to low -income and indigent clients.	
•Provide	

 contact information for the authorized officer in the event there are any questions related to the
application.	
E.   Who mu	

st be sent a copy of Form EOIR-31 and its attachments: 	
• The  organization  must  send  an  exact  copy  of  the  form  and  its  attachments  to  the  District  Director
(s)  of
the  U.S.  Citizenship  and  Immigration  Services  (USCIS)  where  the  organization  is  located  and
where  it  offers  or  intends  to  offer  immigration  legal  services.    If  the  organization  has  offices  or
locations  for which 	
 it  is  seeking  extension  of  recognition  or  for  which  it  has  received  extension  of
recognition that  are  outside the USCIS district of the organiz ation’s headquarters or designated office, the
organization  must	

  send an exact copy of the form and its attachments to the USCIS District Director(s)
covered by  those	

 offices or locations.	
• For a request for r	enewal of 
recognition,  an exact copy of the  form 	and its attachments must also be sent
the  USCIS  District  Director(s)  in  the  jurisdiction(s)  where  the  o	
rganization’s  accredited
representatives regularly represent clients, if not already served according to the abov\
e instruction.	
• Comple	

te and sign the “proof of service.”  The proof of service is the organization’s formal guarantee
that copies of this form and its attachments have been sent to the appropriate USCIS office(s).  Every
filing  – whether the recognition or accreditation request, additional supporting documents, or other
submission to OLAP –  must clearly contain a proof of service to the District Director of USCIS in the
jurisdiction where the organization is located and, if offering immigration legal services in a different
USCIS district, to that USCIS office.  To identify the appropriate USCIS offices, the organization should
consult the USCIS website (http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find- uscis-office) or a local DHS office.	
F.  Paperw	

ork Reduction Act .

Form EOIR-3
1 
Rev. Jan. 2017	
 
Required Proof: 	 Mission Statement /Statement of Purpose 
Optional Proof:   Constitution   Charter    Bylaws   Articles of Incorporation     Other  __________ 	
Organization has federal tax -exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or section _____________________of the Internal 
Revenue Code  	
IRS tax determination letter and first page of last annual IRS information return  is attached 
OR 
Alternative documentation  to establish federal tax-exempt status is attached  	
 Federal tax-exempt status applied for and a determination is pending ; supporting documentation is attached 	
a.Atta	

ch organizational chart identifying  names and titles of legal staff and supervisors at all locations	
b. At	

torney(s) licensed in the United States and in good standing on staff:  No    Yes, attach resume(s) 	
c. Accr	

edited representative(s) on staff:  Yes     No  
•If 

applicable, provide number of accreditation applications (Form EOIR-31A) submitted with this recognition
application: ______________
• Nam

e(s) of applicant(s) for accreditation: ______________________________________________________________	
d.If 	

applicable, describe any arrangements to consult with and/or receive technical support from qualified immigration
practitioners:
• Pr

ivate counsel :  No   Yes , attach all agreements with name(s) of private counsel and bar admission(s)  
•Anot

her recognized organization:  No    Yes, attach all agreements with other recognized organizations 
•Oth

er:  No    Yes , explain:___________________________________________________________________ 	
e.Descr	

ibe immigration legal services offered and qualifications of immigration legal staff to provide such services. Attach
supporting documentation such as resumes, training certificates, letters of recommendation, or other similar information.	
_______	

_____________________________________________________________________________________________  	
  	
  	
Part 5. 	 Proof of 	Non	-profit, 	Religious, Charitable, Social 	Service or Similar Organization	 	
Part 	6.   Federal Tax	-exempt 	Status (	check 	applicable boxes	) 	
Part 7.	  Knowledge of Immigration Law and Procedures

Form EOIR-31 
Rev. Jan. 2017	
 
Print resources:   
_________

___________________________________________________ ________________________________________ 
Electronic resources : 
_________

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Extended locations have access to   same sources  other resources (please describe) : 
_________

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
Organization must provide immigration legal services primarily to low -income and indigent clients, and if charging fees, 
organization must have a policy or guidance for waiving or reducing fees.  Provide supporting documentation as provided in 
the form instructions  and attach co pies of budget for current year and past year, if available, itemizing sources and amount of 
funding .  If current and/or past budget are  not	
 available, provide projected budget for upcoming year. 	
Budget(s).  Check if at	 tached. 	
a. Fees charged for immigration legal services  No Yes   Attach detailed fee schedules for all locations  
b.Mem

bership dues charged No Yes   Attach list of dues charged at all locations  
c.Wai

ver of immigration legal fees policy   NoYes   Attach fee waiver policy /guidance provided to clients 
and staff at all locations  
d.	R	

eduction of immigration legal fees policy  No Yes   Attach fee reduction policy /guidance provided to clients  
a n
 d staff at all locations  	
 	
a.Organization must maintain the requirements for recognition and complete Parts 1 through 9 of this form.   In the case of
the headquarters or designated  office with extension(s) to branch offices that are approved by OLAP, the headquarters or
designated  office’s recognition  approval date is the date that triggers the renewal requirements  for all offices.   Attach
supporting documentation  for the above sections only if there have been changes since the last approval or renewal  of
recognition. Check this b ox if supporting documentation has been attache	
d.	
b. I

nclude summary of legal services performed for each year during the last period of recognition.  Check this box if
attached.
c. I

f the organization does not currently have an accredited representative on staff and is on inactive status or seeks inactiv	
e	
s	

tatus, check this b	
ox.	
d. A l

l requests for  renewal of extension  or to apply for new extension(s) of recognition with this application should be
indicated  in Part 4.  Check this box if seeking renewal of extension (s) or new extension(s).	
  	  	
  
  
  
  	
Part 	8.  List of Print and Electronic Legal Resour	ces   	
Part 9. 	   Provides Services Primarily to Low	-Income	 and Indigent clients	 	
Part 1	0.   Renewal of R	ecognition.	  Complete	 if seeking to renew recognition. 	
                	If not seeking renewal	, skip to Part 1	1.

Form EOIR-3
1 
Rev. Jan. 2017	
 	
U
 nder penalty of perjury, I declare that I am the authorized officer of _____________________________________________ 
(organization), that I have examined this form, including accompanying attachments, and to the best of my knowledge and 
belief, it is true, correct, and complete.  I also attest that the organization (and the offices or locations to which recognition is 
to be extended) will provide immigration legal services primarily to low -income and indigent clients, that the organization 
will supervise its accredited representatives, and that the organization will conduct regular inspections of extended offices or 
locatio ns.  I consent to publication of the organization’s name and findings of misconduct should the organization become 
subject to public discipline.  
_________

_______________________________________  ___________________________________ 
Signature of A uthorized Officer   Date 
_________

_______________________________________ 
Print ed N ame of Authorized O fficer 
_________

_______________________________________ 
Title of Authorized O fficer 
_________

_______________________________________ 
Contact Inform ation (Phone Number and E mail Address)  
 
I

, _____________________________________ (print name), on behalf of ___________________________ (organization), 
m

ailed  or delivered a copy of this Form EOIR-31 and its attachments to the District Director (s) for USCIS of DHS  
on_______

_________________________(Day/Month/ Year) at the following location(s): 
(

1)  _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Number and Street          City        State    Zip Code 
(

2)  _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Number and Street          City        State    Zip Code 
(

3)  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Number and Street          City        State    Zip Code 
_________

_____________________________________________ 
Signature 
Part 1	1.   Declarat	ion of	 Authorized Officer 	
Part 1	2.   Proof of Service 	on USCIS	 District Director	(s)