If you are applying for permanent residence (a green card) from inside the United States, USCIS will eventually ask for Form I-693, the report of your immigration medical exam. Only one kind of doctor can sign that form: a civil surgeon. Here is who that is, how to confirm a doctor qualifies and what to ask before you pay.
What does "civil surgeon" mean?
It is a licensed physician whom USCIS designates to perform immigration medical exams inside the country. The word surgeon is misleading: the doctor does not have to be a surgeon. What matters is the USCIS designation, which is granted to each physician individually, not to a clinic as a building. If your case is processed abroad, a different professional does the exam: a panel physician appointed by the Department of State.
How do I know a doctor is authorized?
USCIS runs a public search tool, Find a Doctor: enter your ZIP code and it lists nearby civil surgeons. Before you go:
- Search for the doctor's name in that tool, not just the clinic's name.
- Call and ask which physician will sign your form.
- Be wary of offers promising "no blood work" or "done in 15 minutes": the tests are required by the CDC, not chosen by the doctor.
What does the civil surgeon check?
The exam follows the technical instructions the CDC publishes for civil surgeons (CDC). It generally includes:
- Medical history and a full physical exam.
- A mental health evaluation and questions about alcohol or drug use.
- A blood test for tuberculosis (IGRA) for anyone 2 or older.
- Lab tests for certain infections, depending on the age ranges in the CDC table.
- A vaccine review: your record is checked and any missing doses are given.
If you already have a recent tuberculosis test or documented vaccines, bring the proof: it can save you tests or shots.
Why won't any doctor do?
Because USCIS only accepts an I-693 signed by a designated civil surgeon. If another doctor signs it, even a licensed one who does the exam well, the form is rejected and you will have to repeat everything and pay again. USCIS also sets a time limit between the doctor's signature and your filing; check the current rules on the official I-693 page before you book, so the exam does not expire before you submit it.
What to ask before booking
- Does the price include the lab tests, or are they billed separately?
- Can missing vaccines be given on site, or do I have to go elsewhere?
- When will the form be ready? That depends on the lab results.
- Will everything be explained to me in Spanish?
Your exam on Bellfort Avenue
At Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud (7640 Bellfort Ave, Suite A, Houston) we perform the I-693 immigration medical exam with a USCIS-authorized physician, with sample collection and vaccines at the same clinic. We explain each step in Spanish and let you know when your form is complete. For the full process, read our exam-day guide. Walk-ins welcome Monday through Sunday, 9 AM to 9 PM; call or WhatsApp (832) 831-4016.
