The purpose of Form 884 is to request a return of original documents submitted to establish eligibility for benefits of immigration. The Form 884 applicant must complete and sign the form and attach copies, showing front and back of the documents that are being requested. The copies of the requested documents must be exact photocopies of unaltered original documents.

USCIS requires two forms of identification be submitted along with the completed and signed Form 884. The two forms of identification that can be used with Form 884 are: a Permanent Resident Card, a Driver's License, state-issued identification document, an employment authorization document, a Certificate of Naturalization of Citizenship, or a United States or foreign passport.

If the Form 884 applicant is requesting a original documents from a USCIS file for another person, the applicant must submit proof of the relationship between the applicant and the subject. In cases where the subject is deceased or incapacitated, the applicant must provide evidence that he or she is the executor of the decedent's estate or maintains power of attorney for the individual whose documents are requested in the Form 884.

In the event that the Form 884 supporting document is in a foreign language, it must have a full English translation with certification by the translator that the translation is complete and correct. Form 884 also requires that the translator certify that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English.