G-639 Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Request
Requests a copy of an immigration record - your own A-file, someone else's file with their consent, or agency policy records. Most requests now go through the online FOIA system rather than the paper form. It is the standard way to get the government's own file before filing a case or preparing for court.
- Fee
- $0 to file; USCIS will notify you if search or duplication fees apply
- Fee waiver
- Not available
- Who files
- The record subject, an attorney or representative with consent, or any member of the public asking for non-A-file records.
- Where to file
- Online through the USCIS FOIA system (first-preference), or by mail to the USCIS National Records Center.
- Processing time
- unverified - USCIS publishes FOIA queue positions rather than a median
Part of these processes
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- A separate track exists for people in removal proceedings, who get expedited Track 3 processing. EOIR records come from EOIR's own FOIA office on Form EOIR-59, not from USCIS.
Official page. https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/freedom-information-and-privacy-act-foia. Download the form there, never from a third-party site; check the edition date and fee before filing.