“Registry date”

Jurisdiction: United States United States

These are noncitizens who have continuously resided in the United States since Jan. 1, 1972, and are:

  • Of good moral character;
  • Not inadmissible; and
  • Eligible to adjust to legal permanent resident status under the registry provision.

Before the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 amended the date, noncitizens had to have been in the country continuously since June 30, 1948, to qualify.

Source: USCIS Glossary, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services