General
If you are requesting Medical Records, you should contact the Medicolegal Administrator in the Medical Records Department, Clinical Center, NIH at Phone: (301) 496-3331 or Fax: (301) 480-9982.
The Privacy Act provides safeguards against invasion of personal privacy through the misuse of records by Federal agencies. The Act was passed in 1974 to establish controls over what personal information is collected, maintained, used and disseminated by the Federal government.
The Act applies to records about individuals maintained by agencies in the executive branch of the Federal government.
The Privacy Act guarantees three primary rights:
a. The right to see records about oneself, subject to Privacy Act exemption;
b. The right to request the amendment of records that are not accurate, relevant, timely or complete; and
c. The right of individuals to be protected against unwarranted invasion of their privacy resulting from the collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of personal information.
Making a Privacy Act Request
The procedures for making a request under the Privacy Act are the same as those for filing a FOIA request, with the following important requirements:
You must be a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the U.S. to make a request for Privacy Act records.
There are no special forms needed for making a Privacy Act request. However, requests must be made in writing and sent by e-mail, fax (301-594-9522) or mail to the following address:
WANDA MALAVE
ORF Privacy Act Coordinator
9000 Rockville Pike
Building 31, Room 2B37
Bethesda, MD 20892
Privacy Act requests should include the following:
- The individual's full name (including maiden name, if appropriate) and any other names used.
Present mailing address and ZIP Code.
Date and place of birth.
Offices originating or receiving the records.
Particular event or circumstance that led to the creation of the record(s).
An original signature.
Any other information that might help in identifying the record.
Access to Your Records:
If you are requesting records about yourself, the following information will assist us in our search:
- Full Name (surname(s), given name(s)), other distinguishing information (such as Jr., Sr., III), and any aliases or other names used.
Types of records sought.
Timeframe of record.
Specific subject matter, country and/or organization.
The offices originating or receiving the record.
The particular event, policy, or circumstance that led to the creation of the record.
The reason you believe that the record exists within the ORF.
Additional comments to help locate the record.
Questions about Privacy Act information held by ORF can be directed to the ORF FOIA Coordinator.
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