Government Forms

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Request a reasonable accommodation from your employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Submit a written request to your HR department; no standard federal form is required.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Verify identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. Required for all new employees. Employer and employee both complete sections of this form.

U.S. Department of Labor

Request up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for a qualifying medical condition, a new child, or a family member's serious health issue. Your employer provides the specific form.

Internal Revenue Service

Tell your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from your paycheck. Complete a new W-4 when you start a new job or when your personal or financial situation changes.

State Workforce Agency

File for unemployment benefits after losing a job through no fault of your own. Claims are filed with your state workforce agency, not the federal government.

State Workers' Compensation Board

Report a workplace injury or illness and apply for workers' compensation benefits including medical coverage and lost wages. File through your employer and your state's workers' comp board.

State Family Court

Begin the legal process to adopt a child. Requirements and forms vary by state. Contact your state court or a licensed adoption agency to start.

Social Security Administration

Apply for an original, replacement, or corrected Social Security card. Used for newborns, name changes after marriage or court order, and lost or stolen cards.

State Vital Records Office

Register a newborn's birth with your state vital records office. Required to obtain a Social Security number, passport, school enrollment, and most government benefits.

State Family Court

File a petition to dissolve a marriage. Forms, residency requirements, and procedures vary significantly by state. Many courts provide self-help packets.

State Child Welfare Agency

Apply to become a licensed foster parent. Requirements include a background check, home study, and training. Contact your state or county child welfare agency to apply.

County Clerk

Apply for a marriage license at your county clerk's office. Requirements, waiting periods, and fees vary by state and county.

Social Security Administration

Update your legal name with the Social Security Administration after marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered name change. Submit Form SS-5 with supporting documents.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Apply for nutrition assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. WIC provides food benefits, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health services.

State Health Department

Document your wishes for medical treatment if you become unable to communicate. Includes a living will and health care power of attorney. Forms vary by state — use your state's official version.

U.S. Department of Labor

Elect to continue your employer-sponsored health coverage after losing it due to job loss, reduced hours, or other qualifying events. Coverage lasts up to 18-36 months. You pay the full premium.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Apply for health insurance through the ACA Marketplace. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Losing a job or having a baby may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Apply for free or low-cost health coverage for individuals and families with limited income. Eligibility and how to apply varies by state. Apply anytime — no enrollment window.

U.S. Department of Labor

File a complaint if your insurance plan provides less coverage for mental health or substance use disorder treatment than for physical health care, violating federal parity law.

Social Security Administration

Apply for an original, replacement, or corrected Social Security card.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Apply to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization. Most applicants must have held a Green Card for at least 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) and meet other requirements.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Renew Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protection and work authorization. File 4-5 months before your current DACA period expires to avoid a gap in status.

U.S. Department of State

Apply for a new U.S. passport. Required for first-time applicants, minors, those whose last passport was issued before age 16, or those issued more than 15 years ago.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Renew or replace a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Permanent resident cards expire every 10 years and should be renewed 6 months before expiration.

U.S. Department of State

Apply for a first-time U.S. passport or replace an expired one. Must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility. Processing time is currently 6-8 weeks; expedited service available.

U.S. Department of State

Renew a U.S. passport by mail if it was issued when you were 16 or older, is under 15 years old, and is undamaged. Online renewal is also available for eligible adults.

Internal Revenue Service

Request an automatic 6-month extension to file your federal income tax return. Extends the filing deadline to October 15. Does not extend the deadline to pay taxes owed.

Internal Revenue Service

Obtain an EIN for a business, LLC, estate, trust, or nonprofit. Required to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file business tax returns. Apply online for instant issuance.

Internal Revenue Service

File your annual federal income tax return. Due April 15 each year. File online for free at IRS Free File if your income is below $79,000.

Internal Revenue Service

Notify the IRS of a home address change. Required if you move after filing your last tax return so refunds, notices, and correspondence reach you.

Internal Revenue Service

Request a monthly payment plan to pay taxes owed to the IRS. Available if you cannot pay in full. Interest and late payment penalties continue to accrue until the balance is paid.

Internal Revenue Service

Authorize an accountant, attorney, or other representative to act on your behalf before the IRS in tax matters. Required for someone else to discuss your account with the IRS.

State Child Support Agency

Apply for state child support enforcement services including establishing paternity, obtaining a support order, and collecting payments. Available to custodial and non-custodial parents.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Apply for low-cost health coverage for children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. Coverage varies by state.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Enroll a child ages 0-5 in Head Start, a free federally funded program offering early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support for low-income families.

U.S. Department of Education

Request a free special education evaluation for a child under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Contact your public school district to begin the process.

U.S. Department of Education

Request accommodations for a student with a disability who does not qualify for an IEP but needs support to access education equally. Applies to all federally funded schools.

State Vital Records Office

Register a death with your state vital records office. Usually filed by a funeral director within days of death. Certified copies are needed for estate, insurance, and benefits purposes.

State Courts

Authorize someone to manage your financial, legal, and personal affairs on your behalf. Forms vary by state. A durable power of attorney remains effective if you become incapacitated.

Social Security Administration

Apply for the one-time $255 payment to the surviving spouse or qualifying child of a deceased Social Security recipient. Must be filed within 2 years of death.

Social Security Administration

Apply for monthly benefits available to surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of a deceased worker who paid Social Security taxes. Benefits may begin the month of death.

Internal Revenue Service

File a federal estate tax return for estates exceeding the exemption threshold (currently $13.61 million per individual). Due 9 months after the date of death.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Apply for a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died from a service-connected condition or while on active duty.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Apply for a Federal Housing Administration-backed mortgage with a down payment as low as 3.5% and more lenient credit requirements than conventional loans. Apply through an FHA-approved lender.

County Tax Assessor

Apply for a property tax reduction on your primary residence. Savings and eligibility vary significantly by state and county. File with your local county tax assessor.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

File a complaint if you believe you were denied housing, treated differently, or harassed because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Apply for a no-down-payment mortgage for properties in eligible rural and suburban areas. Must meet income limits. Check property and income eligibility on the USDA website.

U.S. Department of Education

Apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study. Required for most financial aid.

U.S. Department of Education

Apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs for college or career school. Must be completed each academic year. Available October 1 for the following school year.

U.S. Department of Education

Apply for a federal student loan repayment plan that caps monthly payments based on income and family size. May qualify for loan forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments.

U.S. Department of Education

Apply for forgiveness of remaining federal student loan balance after 10 years of qualifying public service work and 120 qualifying payments.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Apply for education and training benefits including tuition, housing allowance, and books. Available to veterans, service members, and in some cases their dependents.

National Archives and Records Administration

Request a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other military personnel records through the National Archives. Needed for most VA benefits.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Apply for support if you care for an eligible veteran, including a monthly stipend, health insurance, mental health services, respite care, and training.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

File a claim for monthly tax-free compensation for a disability or health condition caused or made worse by military service. You can file online, by mail, or in person.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Enroll in VA health care to access medical, mental health, dental, and other services. Most veterans who served on active duty and were discharged honorably qualify.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Request a Certificate of Eligibility to prove you qualify for a VA-backed home loan — no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive interest rates.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Apply for a tax-free pension benefit for wartime veterans with limited income and net worth who are permanently disabled or age 65 or older.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Apply for federal rental assistance through your local Public Housing Authority. Vouchers cover part of your rent in private housing. Waitlists are often long — apply early.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Apply for help with heating and cooling bills, weatherization, and energy-related emergencies. Apply through your state or local LIHEAP office — funding is limited and seasonal.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Apply for monthly food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Apply through your state SNAP agency.

Social Security Administration

Apply for monthly disability benefits if a medical condition prevents you from working for at least 12 months. Benefit amount is based on your work and earnings history.

Social Security Administration

Apply for monthly cash assistance if you are 65 or older, blind, or disabled with limited income and resources. Available to eligible adults and children regardless of work history.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Apply for temporary cash and support services for families with children. Time-limited and work-focused. Contact your state TANF agency — programs vary significantly by state.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Enroll in Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B). Most people are automatically enrolled at 65 if already receiving Social Security. Apply 3 months before your 65th birthday to avoid penalties.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Enroll in a Medicare drug plan to help pay for prescription medications. Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year. Late enrollment carries a permanent penalty.

Social Security Administration

Apply for monthly retirement benefits. You can start receiving reduced benefits at 62, full benefits at your full retirement age (66-67), or increased benefits by waiting until 70.

Social Security Administration

Create a my Social Security account to view your earnings record, estimated future benefits, and manage your existing Social Security or Medicare benefits online.

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

Register to vote or update your registration. Submit to your state election authority.

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

The federal voter registration form accepted by every state. Complete it here and print or mail it to your local election office.

Texas Secretary of State

The official Texas voter registration application. Complete and print this form, then mail it to your county voter registrar postmarked 30 days before the election.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Used by businesses to collect your SSN or EIN for tax reporting purposes.

Selective Service System

Males between ages 18 and 25 are required by law to register with the Selective Service System. Needed for federal student aid, federal jobs, and citizenship.

U.S. Postal Service

Collect and save the information you need when filing your official Change of Address at usps.com. This form does not submit your address change to USPS — you must complete that step at usps.com/move.