How to Fill Out USCIS Form G-639 (w/Examples) + FAQs

Form G-639 is the official paper request that lets you ask U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for copies of immigration records under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. You use it to get your own A-file, a family member’s file (with consent or proof of death), or general agency records that help you fight a case, prepare a green card application, or research immigration history.

Filing the form wrong is the single biggest reason people wait years for records they need in weeks. According to the USCIS FOIA Annual Report, the agency received more than 350,000 FOIA requests in fiscal year 2024, and a federal court in Nightingale v. USCIS found USCIS in systemic violation of FOIA deadlines, which is why getting your G-639 right the first time matters more now than ever.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

📝 How to complete every line of Form G-639 without triggering rejection
⚖️ The legal difference between a FOIA request and a Privacy Act request
⏱️ How to qualify for Track 3 expedited processing if you are in removal proceedings
💡 Real examples of correctly filled forms for common situations
🚫 The seven most common G-639 mistakes that delay or kill your request

What Form G-639 Actually Is

Form G-639, Freedom of Information / Privacy Act Request, is a six-page paper request used to ask USCIS for immigration records. The form is optional. You can write a plain letter that contains the same information, but the form is the cleanest way to make sure you hit every legal box the agency requires under federal law.

USCIS handles requests under two overlapping laws. The Freedom of Information Act, found at 5 U.S.C. § 552, gives any person the right to request federal agency records. The Privacy Act, codified at 5 U.S.C. § 552a, gives U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the right to request records about themselves.

The consequence of confusing the two is real. If you file a Privacy Act request but you are not a citizen or green card holder, USCIS treats it as a FOIA request only, and you lose certain rights, such as the right to correct inaccurate records under the Privacy Act amendment process. A common misconception is that FOIA is faster than the Privacy Act. In practice, USCIS processes both through the same queue, so the law you cite affects your rights, not your speed.

For example, Carlos, a DACA recipient, files G-639 for his A-file. He checks both FOIA and Privacy Act boxes. Because he is not a lawful permanent resident, USCIS processes the request under FOIA, but Carlos still gets nearly the same records, just without Privacy Act protections against disclosure to third parties.

Why USCIS Created the Form

The agency built G-639 to standardize the flood of letters arriving at the National Records Center in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Before the form existed, requesters mailed handwritten letters with missing identity data, which forced USCIS to send acknowledgment letters asking for more information. That ping-pong added months to every case.

The current edition of G-639 carries an edition date printed at the bottom of page 1. USCIS rejects older editions during transition periods, so always download the form fresh on the day you file. The consequence of using a stale edition is automatic rejection and a fresh start at the back of the line.

Who Can Use Form G-639

Any person, group, or organization can file G-639. You do not need a lawyer, you do not need to be in status, and you do not need to be inside the United States. Foreign journalists, attorneys abroad, and family members of deceased noncitizens all have standing to file.

The exception involves records about another living person. If you want someone else’s file, that person must sign the consent block on the form, or you must provide proof of their death, such as a death certificate or an obituary. Without consent or death proof, USCIS will withhold the file under FOIA Exemption (b)(6) and (b)(7)(C), which protect personal privacy.

When to Use Form G-639 Versus Other Requests

G-639 covers USCIS records only. If you want files held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, or the Executive Office for Immigration Review, you must file separate requests with each agency. The consequence of filing only with USCIS is missing critical evidence, such as the CBP record of your last entry or the EOIR Record of Proceedings from your immigration court hearings.

For genealogy records on deceased relatives whose immigration files are at least 100 years old for naturalization or 75 years old for other records, you use Form G-1041 instead. The consequence of using G-639 for old genealogy files is a longer wait and a referral back to the Genealogy Program.

FOIA Versus Privacy Act Versus Touhy

A FOIA request asks for any agency record. A Privacy Act request asks for records about you. A Touhy request, governed by 6 CFR Part 5 Subpart B, asks for testimony or documents from a federal employee in a legal proceeding.

Most G-639 filers only need FOIA and Privacy Act. The Touhy process is separate and not handled through G-639. The consequence of filing G-639 to compel testimony is denial and wasted time.

Online FIRST Portal Versus Paper G-639

USCIS launched the FOIA Immigration Records SysTem (FIRST) to let requesters file online and receive records digitally. FIRST is faster than mailing paper G-639 in most cases, because digital delivery skips printing and shipping.

You may still prefer paper G-639 when you need a wet signature for an attorney filing, when the requester has no email access, or when you want to attach extensive supporting documents. A common misconception is that FIRST and G-639 deliver different records. They do not. The records are identical; only the delivery method changes.

How to Fill Out Form G-639 Line by Line

The form has six pages divided into seven parts. Each part has specific rules. Skipping a required field triggers a rejection notice, and the USCIS National Records Center sends you back to start.

Part 1: Type of Request

Part 1 asks what kind of request you are making. You check one of four boxes: FOIA request, Privacy Act request, amendment of record, or request for accounting of disclosures.

Choose FOIA if you want records and you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Choose Privacy Act if you are a citizen or LPR and want your own records. Choose amendment if you believe a USCIS record about you contains a factual error, such as a wrong date of birth. Choose accounting if you want to know which third parties USCIS shared your records with.

The consequence of leaving Part 1 blank is automatic rejection. The consequence of checking the wrong box is processing under the wrong legal authority, which can strip you of correction rights under the Privacy Act amendment regulations.

Part 2: Information About the Subject of the Record

Part 2 is the heart of the form. You provide the full legal name, other names used, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, Alien Registration Number (A-Number), USCIS Online Account Number, I-94 number, and the petition or application receipt numbers you want pulled.

If you do not know your A-Number, write “Unknown.” Do not leave the field blank. The consequence of a blank field is a rejection letter asking you to refile. The consequence of writing “Unknown” is that USCIS searches by name and date of birth instead, which works but takes longer.

For example, Aisha, a Somali asylum seeker, does not remember her A-Number after fleeing her home. She lists every alternate spelling of her name, her exact date of birth, and her port of entry. USCIS finds her file using the alternate spellings within the standard track time.

Part 3: Requester Information

Part 3 collects your name, mailing address, daytime phone, and email if you want digital delivery. If you are the same person as the subject in Part 2, you check the box that says “I am the subject of the record.”

If you are a third party, such as an attorney or a family member, you must complete Part 7 consent. The consequence of skipping Part 3 entirely is that USCIS has no way to send you the records, even if the search succeeds.

Part 4: Information About the Aircraft, Vessel, or Vehicle

This part applies only when your request concerns a specific aircraft, vessel, or vehicle, such as a maritime arrival on a particular ship. Most personal A-file requests skip this section entirely. The consequence of filling it out unnecessarily is mild confusion at the records center, not rejection.

Part 5: Description of Records Requested

Part 5 is where most requests succeed or fail. You describe the records you want with as much specificity as possible. Vague requests, like “everything you have,” produce vague results.

A strong description names the record type, the time period, and the location of the event. For example, write “All records related to my asylum application Form I-589, filed at the Arlington Asylum Office on March 12, 2022.” That phrasing tells the FOIA officer exactly which file room to search.

The consequence of a vague Part 5 is a partial file or a denial under FOIA’s “reasonable description” requirement. A common misconception is that USCIS reads minds. The agency searches only for what you describe.

Part 6: Verification of Identity

Part 6 contains the certification language that turns your form into a legally binding statement under 28 U.S.C. § 1746. You sign under penalty of perjury that the information is true and that you are the person named in Part 2 or have authority to request the records.

You must sign with a pen if you mail the form. Typed signatures are not accepted on paper G-639. The consequence of an unsigned form is automatic rejection.

Part 7: Consent to Release Information

Part 7 is required when the requester in Part 3 is different from the subject in Part 2 and that subject is alive. The subject signs and dates the consent block. Without it, USCIS withholds the file.

The exception is when the subject is deceased. You then attach a death certificate, an obituary, or a Social Security Death Index printout. The consequence of missing proof of death is a denial citing the privacy exemption.

Three Common Filing Scenarios

The way you fill the form depends on your situation. Three patterns cover the majority of requests.

Filer Situation	What to Do on G-639
You want your own A-file	Check Privacy Act in Part 1 if citizen or LPR, list yourself in Parts 2 and 3, sign Part 6, skip Part 7
Attorney requesting client’s file	List client in Part 2, attorney in Part 3, client signs Part 7, attach Form G-28
Family requesting deceased relative’s file	List relative in Part 2, family member in Part 3, attach death certificate, skip Part 7 signature

Mistake on the Form	Direct Consequence
Leaving A-Number blank instead of writing Unknown	Rejection letter and refiling delay
Using an outdated edition of G-639	Automatic rejection at intake
Vague description in Part 5	Partial file or denial for unreasonable description

Expedite Request Type	Required Proof to Attach
Removal proceedings hearing	Hearing notice from immigration court showing date
Imminent threat to life or safety	Police report, medical record, or sworn statement
Urgent media interest	Letter from editor and publication schedule

Real-World Named Examples

Maria, a lawful permanent resident from Mexico, wants her A-file before filing for naturalization. She uses FIRST online, checks Privacy Act in Part 1, lists her A-Number and prior addresses in Part 2, and describes her records as “complete A-file including I-130, I-485, and biometrics records from 2014 to present.” She receives a digital file in roughly Track 1 processing time, which the USCIS FOIA processing tracks page describes as the simple track.

David, an immigration attorney in Houston, files G-639 by mail for his client Rafael, who is in removal proceedings. David attaches the master calendar hearing notice, requests Track 3 expedited processing under the Nightingale settlement obligations, and includes a signed Form G-28. The file arrives within the accelerated timeframe required for hearing-driven requests.

Linh, a U.S. citizen daughter, requests her late father’s naturalization file. She submits G-639 with her father’s death certificate, lists herself in Part 3, and writes in Part 5: “All records related to naturalization petition filed circa 1985 in San Francisco.” Because her father is deceased and the records are older than 75 years would be too far back, she uses G-639 rather than the Genealogy Program.

How USCIS Processes G-639

USCIS sorts requests into three processing tracks. Track 1 handles simple requests with limited records. Track 2 handles complex requests with voluminous or sensitive records. Track 3 handles expedited requests tied to immigration court hearings.

The Nightingale settlement requires USCIS to deliver Track 3 files in time for the hearing. The consequence of USCIS missing that deadline is judicial enforcement, which is why attorneys cite Nightingale in expedite letters.

Fees and Fee Waivers

The first 100 pages and the first two hours of search are free under DHS FOIA fee rules. After that, USCIS charges per page and per quarter hour of search time. Most A-file requests stay under the free threshold.

You can request a fee waiver in Part 5 by explaining that disclosure serves the public interest, not your commercial interest. The consequence of a successful fee waiver is no charge at all. The consequence of an unsupported waiver request is denial of the waiver, not denial of the request itself.

Expedited Processing

You qualify for expedited processing under 6 CFR § 5.5(e) when you face an imminent threat to life or safety, when you are a journalist with urgent need, when the public has a particular urgency to know about federal activity, or when you have a pending immigration court hearing.

Attach proof. A removal hearing notice is the most common proof. The consequence of asking to expedite without proof is denial of the expedite, but the request itself continues at normal speed.

Mistakes to Avoid

The following errors trigger most G-639 rejections and delays:

Submitting an outdated edition of the form, which causes automatic rejection at the National Records Center intake desk
Leaving the A-Number field blank instead of writing Unknown, which forces USCIS to send a clarification letter that adds weeks
Failing to sign Part 6 with a wet ink signature on mailed forms, which voids the perjury certification
Writing “everything you have” in Part 5, which violates the reasonable description requirement and produces incomplete results
Forgetting to attach Form G-28 when an attorney files for a client, which causes USCIS to refuse to communicate with the lawyer
Missing the death certificate when requesting records about a deceased family member, which triggers a privacy exemption denial
Filing G-639 for ICE, CBP, or EOIR records, which USCIS cannot fulfill because those agencies hold their own files
Requesting expedited processing without attaching the hearing notice or proof of urgency, which results in a denial of the expedite
Mailing the form to the wrong address instead of the National Records Center in Lee’s Summit, which adds rerouting delays
Using a typed signature on a paper form, which USCIS rejects under its signature policy

Do’s and Don’ts

Follow these rules to keep your request on track:

Do’s:

Do download the form fresh from the USCIS G-639 page on filing day to ensure the current edition
Do write Unknown in any identity field you cannot answer rather than leaving blank, because blanks trigger rejection
Do describe records by form number, office, and date range, because specificity drives search accuracy
Do attach a hearing notice when asking for Track 3, because Nightingale compliance depends on documented urgency
Do keep a copy of everything you mail, because USCIS occasionally loses intake packages

Don’ts:

Do not request other agencies’ records on G-639, because USCIS will deny what it does not hold
Do not skip Part 7 consent for a living third party, because privacy exemptions will block disclosure
Do not pay fees in advance, because USCIS bills only after exceeding the free threshold
Do not file duplicate requests, because duplicates clog the queue and slow your own case
Do not assume FIRST and paper produce different files, because they produce identical records

Pros and Cons of Filing G-639

Weigh the benefits and burdens before choosing G-639 over FIRST:

Pros:

Paper form supports wet signatures and notarized attachments for legal cases
Allows bulky supporting documents that exceed FIRST upload limits
Creates a mailed paper trail useful for litigation discovery
Works without internet access, which helps detained requesters
Accepts third-party filings with attached G-28 representation forms

Cons:

Mail handling adds days to intake compared to instant FIRST submission
Paper rejections require full refiling rather than quick online edits
Digital delivery still requires an email address, even for paper filers
No real-time status tracking the way the FIRST portal status feature provides
Lost mail risks restart the entire process from scratch

Court Rulings and Legal Precedents

The most important ruling for G-639 filers is Nightingale v. USCIS, 507 F. Supp. 3d 1193 (N.D. Cal. 2020). The court found that USCIS systematically violated FOIA’s 20-business-day response deadline and ordered the agency to clear its backlog and meet hearing deadlines.

In Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 489 U.S. 749 (1989), the Supreme Court defined the privacy exemption broadly, which is why USCIS withholds third-party files without consent. The consequence for G-639 filers is the strict requirement to obtain signed consent in Part 7.

In NLRB v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 421 U.S. 132 (1975), the Court interpreted FOIA Exemption (b)(5), which protects internal agency deliberations. USCIS uses (b)(5) to redact attorney work product and pre-decisional memoranda inside A-files.

State Nuances

FOIA and the Privacy Act are federal laws, so G-639 procedure does not change from state to state. However, state public-records laws sometimes hold copies of immigration-related records, such as state court orders affecting status or DMV records linked to REAL ID enforcement.

If you live in California, the California Public Records Act gives access to state files. In New York, the Freedom of Information Law does the same. The consequence of relying only on G-639 in a state matter is missing state evidence that federal records do not contain.

FAQs

Is Form G-639 required to request my immigration file?

No. You can submit a written request that contains the same information, but G-639 is the cleanest and most reliable method because it prompts you for every required field USCIS needs.

Is there a filing fee for G-639?

No. USCIS provides the first 100 pages and first two hours of search free, and most personal A-file requests stay under that threshold.

Can I file G-639 online?

Yes. The FIRST portal accepts online FOIA requests and delivers digital records faster than mailed paper forms in most cases.

Do I need a lawyer to file Form G-639?

No. Any person can file without legal representation, though attorneys may file on a client’s behalf with a signed Form G-28 attached.

Can I get someone else’s immigration records?

Yes, but only with the subject’s signed consent in Part 7 or with proof of death such as a death certificate or obituary.

Will G-639 give me records from ICE or CBP?

No. USCIS only holds USCIS records, so you must file separate FOIA requests directly with ICE, CBP, or EOIR for their files.

Can I expedite my G-639 request?

Yes. You qualify for Track 3 expedited processing if you have a pending immigration court hearing and attach the hearing notice as proof.

How long does Track 1 processing take?

Yes, Track 1 is the fastest standard track and covers simple requests, but exact times vary, so check the current USCIS processing track page before relying on a date.

Can I correct an error in my USCIS record using G-639?

Yes. You check the amendment box in Part 1, but only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may amend records under the Privacy Act.

Does G-639 work for genealogy research?

No. For deceased relatives whose records meet the age thresholds, you use Form G-1041 through the Genealogy Program instead of G-639.

Can USCIS deny my G-639 request entirely?

Yes. USCIS may withhold records under FOIA exemptions such as (b)(5), (b)(6), (b)(7)(C), and (b)(7)(E), and you may appeal to the USCIS FOIA Appeals Office.

Can I file G-639 from outside the United States?

Yes. Requesters anywhere in the world may file G-639 by mail or through FIRST, and USCIS delivers records by email or international mail.

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