Fill out Form G-639 online

Who uses Form G-639

• People asking for copies of their own immigration records, such as their A-File
• Attorneys and accredited representatives requesting records for a client
• Parents or legal guardians requesting records about their child
• People requesting records about someone who has died
• Anyone asking for USCIS business, operational or policy records

Before you start

• The subject of record's full name, date of birth, country of birth and current mailing address
• Any A-Numbers and USCIS receipt numbers for the subject of record
• Other names the person has used, and the name used when entering the United States
• The names of the person's father and mother, including the mother's maiden name, if known
• For records about someone else: the subject of record's signed consent in Part 4, or proof that they have died; a parent or guardian also needs proof, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree
• For a scheduled immigration court hearing: a copy of Form I-862, Form I-122, Form I-863 or a written notice of continuation of a future scheduled hearing

How to fill out Form G-639

1. 1

   Part 1, Items 1 and 2. Specify the nature of your request

   In Item Number 1, select the box for your type of request: A. your own immigration record, B. another person's record, C. USCIS business, operational or policy records, D. a Privacy Act amendment or correction of your record, E. a Privacy Act amendment or correction of another person's record on their behalf, or F. other records in USCIS custody. In Item Number 2, check the specific documents you want, if any; the form says asking for specific documents is usually faster than asking for a large set of records, such as a whole A-File.

2. 2

   Part 1, Items 3 to 5. Expedited or hearing-related processing

   Item Number 3 lists the circumstances that can qualify for expedited processing. If you select one, Item Number 4 asks you to explain your selection in a detailed statement in Part 5. The form says a request based on widespread media interest must be sent to the DHS Privacy Office, not USCIS. If the subject of record has a scheduled immigration court hearing, check the box in Item Number 5 and include a copy of one of the notices listed there.

3. 3

   Part 2, Items 1 to 8. Identify the subject of record

   The subject of record is the person the records are about. Enter up to three A-Numbers (leave this blank if there is none or the person does not remember it), date of birth, country of birth as it was named at the time of birth, and up to three USCIS receipt numbers. Then give the person's full name, up to three other names used, the name used on entry to the United States, and their mailing address, phone number and email.

4. 4

   Part 2, Items 9 to 12. Parents and other people in the records

   In Items 9 and 10, give the father's and mother's names, including the mother's maiden name or previous last names, or check the box if a name is unknown. In Item Number 11, list family members who may appear in the records, such as a spouse or children, and their relationship to the subject of record. Item Number 12 explains that USCIS redacts other people's information unless you include their consent or proof that they have died.

5. 5

   Part 3. Certification of Request and Consent to Release, Amend, or Correct Records

   Check the box to agree to pay possible search, copy and review costs up to the amount printed on the form. Do not send payment; USCIS will contact you if fees apply. The requestor signs and dates Item Number 1. If you are the subject of record asking for your own records or a correction, you must also give the identifying information in Part 2.

6. 6

   Part 4. Third-Party Requestor

   Complete this part only if you selected B or E in Part 1, Item Number 1. Give your name and contact details in Items 1 and 2 and select one relationship to the subject of record in Item Number 3. If you chose B, include proof of death; if you chose C (parent or guardian), complete Item Number 4 and include proof of parentage or guardianship. The subject of record can consent by signing Option 1 (Item Number 5) under penalty of perjury, or Option 2, a notarized affidavit (Items 6 to 11).

7. 7

   Part 5. Additional Information

   Enter the subject of record's name and A-Number in Items 1 and 2. In Items 3 to 7, write the page, part and item number each answer refers to, then the extra information, such as your statement asking for expedited processing. If you attach more sheets, put the subject's name and A-Number on each one and sign and date each sheet.

After you fill it out

USCIS sends all replies to requests made on this form, and any records it releases, by U.S. mail; records come on a CD-ROM unless you ask for another format. Neither the form nor the USCIS FOIA page lists a mailing address for a paper request, so email the USCIS FOIA Program to ask where to send it. USCIS says requesting online through FIRST, with a USCIS online account, is faster and lets you download released records. You can check the status of a request in FIRST, however you made it, with the FOIA control number from your receipt.

Signing: The requestor signs and dates Part 3, Item Number 1, and the form says a stamped or typewritten name is not accepted, so print the form and sign it by hand. If you are the subject of record, your signature must be notarized or made under penalty of perjury; a subject of record using Part 4, Option 2 must not sign until the notary public gives instructions.

Questions about Form G-639

Official information

• USCIS: Request records through FOIA or the Privacy Act
• Form G-639 (PDF)
• USCIS FIRST: online FOIA requests and status
• USCIS Genealogy Program

Page text last reviewed November 7, 2026.

Related forms

• Form G-28Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative
• Form I-824Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
• Form I-485Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• Form N-400Application for Naturalization
• Form I-130Petition for Alien Relative