You can use Form G-639, Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request, to request any information according to Freedom of Information Act from USCIS.
Form G-639 instructions
Form G-639, Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request, is a very simple form that consists of five parts. You do not have to fill out all of them, although note that you must provide enough information concerning your request. Otherwise, USCIS may ignore your request for Federal records.
The general recommendations for filling out Form G-639 are the following:
- Sign the form. USCIS rejects any non-signed forms or returns them back to you to fill out them properly. Provide all the requested information. If you forget to mention or omit any necessary information to process your request, USCIS can simply reject the application, although in most cases USCIS will contact you with a request to provide more data for processing your Form G-639.
USCIS also mentions that all applicants must not use Form G-639 in certain cases. For example, you cannot use Form G-639 when you want to:
- Know the status of your current pending application. To know the status of your applications, just contact the USCIS office where you sent those applications.
- Know if your visa or petition was approved. USCIS demands that you use Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, if you want to request further action on your application or petition that were previously approved.
- Request that the original documents you submitted with the other form be returned to you. Instead, use Form G-884, Request for Return of Original Documents.
- Request any records of naturalization before September 27, 1906. Instead, you should contact the clerk of the court where naturalization took place.
- Request the proof of status, such as a Social Security benefit or Selective Service requirement.
Form G-639 fee
There is no fee for filing Form G-639. But you may still be required to pay for processing your request. If USCIS determines that the cost for search, duplication, and review of your request exceeds $14, you will have to pay up to $25 to process your Form G-639. However, if a USCIS offices estimates that the total fee for processing your request may exceed $250, USCIS will ask you to pay in advance. Moreover, if you failed to pay any fee previously, USCIS will also ask you to pay in advance before they provide you the records you want.
Note that if you are required to pay for your request, USCIS will not process your Form G-639 application until you pay all the fees.
USCIS will contact you on your mailing address (that you need to specify in Form G-639) if you need to pay any money for Form G-639 processing.
Form G-639 processing time
USCIS will inform you within 20 days about their decision concerning your request. If necessary, they will contact you with the request to pay a fee before they can provide you the records.
If USCIS needs more time to search and collect the records you requested, then the Form G-639 processing may take another 10 days at least. Note that the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) are not included in the processing period.
Where to send Form G-639
Use the following mailing address to send your Form G-639 application:
National Records Center (NRC)
FOIA/PA Office
P.O. Box 648010
Lee's Summit, MO 64064-8010
Form G-639 PDF
Download a free copy of Form G-639, Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request, from our website.
Last Updated 07/24/22 03:13:40AM
