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Alert: To respond to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act (PA) request as quickly as possible, we will stop accepting requests by fax or email on Dec. 16, 2022. We strongly encourage you to use our online FOIA request and response service.
Submit FOIA Requests Online
Our online FOIA service has several advantages:
- Send your FOIA or PA request to us instantly;
- Track the progress of your FOIA or PA request;
- Receive our response as soon as it is ready; and
- Download records whenever you need them.
Submit FOIA Requests from Your Software
If you create or send FOIA requests to USCIS through additional software and would like to continue doing so, we now offer an application programming interface (API).
Ask your software developer to visit the USCIS Torch API Platform site to learn more.
Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA), you can request:
- Your own immigration records;
- Someone else’s immigration records, if you have their written permission; and
- Agency policies, data, communications, and other records
How to Request and Receive Records as Quickly as Possible
Step 1: Read this entire page, to ensure you request records the right way, from the right agency.
Step 2: Confirm we have not already posted the records you need in the USCIS Electronic Reading Room.
Step 3: Try to request only the specific documents you need. We can process requests for precise records much faster than requests for an entire file.
Step 4: Make your FOIA request online to avoid mailing, paper processing, and returned mail that could make it take much longer to process your request. You can also use this service to receive records online, if you already submitted a request by mail. See the chart below.
Step 5: Check the status of your request online. We will email you to check your account when your files are ready to download.