Request Records through the Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act
Records You Can Request from USCIS
Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), you can request:
- Your immigration record;
- Another person’s immigration record; or
- Non-A-File information such as USCIS policies, data, or communications.
To Receive Your Records as Efficiently as Possible
- Visit the USCIS Electronic Reading Room to confirm we have not already posted the records you need.
- Make your request with the right agency by reviewing the sections below. We do not have all immigration records.
- Request only the records you need, as we can return precise requests faster.
To request | You should |
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Request records online to instantly:
Online records are easy to:
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Current average FOIA request processing times The status of your FOIA records request |
Visit the Check Request Status page, scroll down, and enter your FOIA control number |
Records that are more than 100 years old |
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Information about our FOIA process or operation |
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Records on behalf of a member of Congress |
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Immigration records by methods other than our online system |
Requesting records by email, fax, or mail will delay our response to you. Use our online FOIA system to obtain records in a faster, more convenient online format. If you need to request records by mail, you should:
Then send your request to USCIS by:
Making your request by any of these methods will require that you:
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Accessible records under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act |
Email FOIAPAQuestions@uscis.dhs.gov with:
We will contact you to assist. |
The more precise you make your request, the more efficiently we can return the records you need.
You can check the status of an existing FOIA request on the Check Status of FOIA Request page.
If you request | We consider this a |
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Specific documents from an immigration file (A-File) |
Simple request, so it is likely to move quickly. |
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Complex request, so our review will likely take a significant amount of time. If you request “the application and all supporting documents,” our review will require more time than a request for a specific document. |
An A-File as soon as possible, because you have a scheduled hearing with an immigration judge. |
Priority request, but you must include a copy of one of the following forms, issued by the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Justice, with your request:
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If you wish to dispute a USCIS FOIA request, please visit the website of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). OGIS offers mediation between FOIA requestors and federal agencies.
USCIS does not have all immigration records, so be sure to make your request to the right agency.
To request | You should consult |
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Importer Trade Activity (ITRAC) |
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Applications from U.S. citizens for U.S. passports Visa requests from noncitizens to enter the U.S. |
U.S. Department of State |
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U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) |
If you have questions about your pending FOIA/PA request, you may:
- Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY: 800-767-1833);
- Fax questions to the National Records Center at 802-860-6908 or 816-350-5785; or
- Email your questions to foiapaquestions@uscis.dhs.gov.
The National Records Center can only answer questions about FOIA/PA requests. We cannot help with pending applications, petitions, or any other type of immigration matter.