For individuals and family historians seeking to uncover the immigration and naturalization history of their deceased ancestors, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers a dedicated Genealogy Program. This fee-for-service initiative provides researchers with timely access to historical immigration and naturalization records. This comprehensive guide will elaborate on the program, the types of records available, the request process, and important considerations for those embarking on this genealogical journey, drawing upon information from the USCIS website and related resources.

The Purpose of the USCIS Genealogy Program

The primary mission of the USCIS Genealogy Program is to facilitate access to the historical records of deceased immigrants for the purposes of genealogical and family history research. These records can provide invaluable insights into an ancestor’s journey to the United States, their life here, and their path to citizenship, offering a deeper connection to family heritage.

Historical Record Series Available Through the Genealogy Program

The USCIS Genealogy Program is authorized to make five key series of the agency’s historical records available to requesters:

1. A-Files (Immigrant Files): These individual alien case files became the official record for all immigration matters created or consolidated since April 1, 1944, for individuals with Alien Registration Numbers (A-Numbers) below 8 million and containing documents dated prior to May 1, 1951. These files can contain a wide range of documents related to an individual’s immigration history.

2. Alien Registration Forms (AR-2s): These forms are copies of approximately 5.5 million Alien Registration Forms (Form AR-2) completed by all aliens age 14 and older residing in or entering the United States between August 1, 1940, and March 31, 1944. These forms provide a snapshot of an individual’s information during this specific period. Important Note: As of May 17, 2024, all new requests for AR-2s must be submitted to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Genealogy Program will continue to process requests received prior to this date.

3. C-Files (Naturalization Certificate Files): These files contain copies of records relating to all U.S. naturalizations in federal, state, county, or municipal courts, overseas military naturalizations, replacements of old law naturalization certificates, and the issuance of Certificates of Citizenship in derivative, repatriation, and other cases from September 27, 1906, to April 1, 1956. These files are crucial for tracing an ancestor’s path to U.S. citizenship.

4. Registry Files: These records document the creation of immigrant arrival records for individuals who entered the United States before July 1, 1924, and for whom no arrival record could later be found. These files were created primarily between March 2, 1929, and March 31, 1944, to facilitate naturalization for these individuals.

5. Visa Files: These are the original arrival records of immigrants admitted for permanent residence under the provisions of the Immigration Act of 1924, covering the period from July 1, 1924, to March 31, 1944. These files serve as official documentation of an individual’s legal entry for permanent residency during this era.

Initiating Your Genealogical Research:

The Index Search Request (Form G-1041):

For researchers who are unsure whether USCIS holds records for their ancestor or who lack a specific file number, the recommended first step is to submit a Genealogy Index Search Request (Form G-1041). This request involves USCIS searching its historical immigration and naturalization record indices using biographical information provided by the researcher to identify any relevant citations related to a specific immigrant.

Information Required for an Index Search Request:

At a minimum, you will need to provide the following information about your immigrant ancestor:

• Full Name: Include all known aliases, maiden names, and variations in spelling.
• Date of Birth: Provide the actual or estimated date of birth (at least the year is required).
• Country of Birth: Specify the country of birth, and if known, the country name at the time of immigration or naturalization.

Providing optional information can significantly enhance the chances of a successful search, such as:

• Date of arrival in the United States.
• Places of residence in the U.S.
• Names of parents, spouse, and children (if applicable and available).
• Marriage dates.
• Military service information.

Important Requirement: If your ancestor was born less than 100 years before the date of your request, you must also provide documentary proof of their death. Acceptable forms of proof of death include a photocopy of a death certificate, a printed obituary, a funeral program, a photograph of a gravestone, Bible or church records, U.S. Social Security Death Index records (individual records only, not lists), or records relating to the payment of death benefits.

The Outcome of an Index Search:

USCIS will respond to Index Search Requests by letter, reporting whether or not any records were found for the immigrant named. If records are located, the letter will provide the citation(s) for each record, along with instructions and additional information necessary to request copies of the file(s) through a Genealogy Records Request (Form G-1041A).

Requesting Record Copies

The Genealogy Records Request (Form G-1041A):

Once you have obtained a valid USCIS file number citation (either through a USCIS Genealogy Program index search or independent research), you can submit a Genealogy Records Request (Form G-1041A) to obtain copies of the historical immigration and naturalization records.

Information Required for a Record Copy Request:

To request a record copy, you must provide the following information:

• Valid File Number: You must identify the specific record by its correct file number. Different record series have different file number formats (e.g., C-File number, A-Number, Visa File number, Registry File number). It is crucial to provide the correct file number corresponding to the record series you are seeking. If you are unsure about the file number, it is recommended to submit an Index Search Request first. Important Note: There is no refund if the file number provided does not match the immigrant’s name.
• Full Name of the Immigrant: The name of the individual to whom the record pertains.
• Date of Birth: The actual or estimated date of birth.
• Country of Birth: The country of birth.
• Proof of Death (if applicable): If the subject of the request was born less than 100 years before the date of the request, you must include documentary proof of death.

Fees Associated with Genealogy Requests

The USCIS Genealogy Program is a fee-for-service program. There are separate fees for Index Search Requests (Form G-1041) and Genealogy Records Requests (Form G-1041A). The current fee schedule can be found on the USCIS Fee Schedule page. Fees can be paid online using a credit card or by mail using a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or by credit card using Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions) when filing by mail.

Submitting Your Genealogy Request

Requests can be submitted either online through the USCIS Genealogy online request system or by mail. The online system offers features for entering your request information and paying the associated fee. For mail-in requests, you will need to download and complete the appropriate form (G-1041 or G-1041A) from the USCIS website and mail it along with your payment and supporting documents to the designated USCIS address in Chicago, IL.

Important Considerations for Researchers

• Accuracy of Information: Providing accurate and as much detailed information as possible in your request will significantly improve the chances of locating the correct records.
• Proof of Death: Remember to include acceptable proof of death if your ancestor was born less than 100 years ago.
• File Numbers: Understanding the different file number formats for each record series is crucial for successful record requests. When in doubt, start with an Index Search.
• Processing Times: While USCIS aims to respond to all requests within 90 days, processing delays can sometimes occur due to the volume of requests or the complexity of the search. You can check the status of your request online using the Case ID provided after submission.
• Record Availability: Not all records survive. If the Genealogy Program identifies a file in the index search but is later unable to locate it, a refund of the record request fee may be issued.
• Third-Party Information: Historical records may contain information about other individuals (e.g., family members). If these individuals were born less than 100 years ago and proof of their death is not provided, redactions may be necessary due to privacy concerns under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act. Providing proof of death for these individuals can help expedite the release of the full record.
• Records Not Available Through the Genealogy Program: Records dated after the Genealogy Program’s timelines (generally after 1951 for A-Files and after 1956 for C-Files) or records pertaining to living individuals are typically accessed through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act process. Information on how to request these records can be found on the USCIS website’s “Request Records Through the Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act” page.

Genealogy Notebook and Additional Resources

The USCIS Genealogy Program also provides a “Genealogy Notebook” and other helpful resources on its website, offering guidance on genealogical research, common errors to avoid, and answers to frequently asked questions. Researchers are encouraged to explore these materials to enhance their research efforts.

Conclusion

The USCIS Genealogy Program serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to uncover their family’s immigration history. By understanding the available record series, the step-by-step request process involving index searches and record requests, and the important considerations outlined, researchers can effectively navigate this program and potentially unlock a wealth of information about their ancestors’ journeys to the United States. Remember to contact us anytime if you have specific questions or require further assistance in your genealogical endeavors.