Genealogy Records Request

Instructions for Genealogy Records Request
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS
Form G-1041A

OMB No. 1615-0096
Expires 08/31/2025

What Is the Purpose of Form G-1041A?
You should use Form G-1041A to obtain copies of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) historical records.
If you do not have a valid USCIS File Number to complete this request, submit an index search of USCIS historical
records using Form G-1041, Genealogy Index Search Request.

Who Should Use Form G-1041A?

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You should use this request if you are a:

1. Researcher requesting a copy of a USCIS historical record by file number (see descriptions of USCIS historical
records in the How Are Historical Records and Files Identified section of these Instructions);
2. Researcher who has received file numbers resulting from the G-1041; or

3. Researcher seeking records for genealogical or family history purposes or heir location, and who can provide a precise
historical record series file number and can identify the immigrant by name and/or other information.
If the immigrant’s date of birth is less than 100 years before today’s date, you must attach documentary proof of death to
this request. Examples of acceptable documentary proof of death include:
1. Death certificate (uncertified copy);

2. Printed obituaries, funeral programs, or photographs of gravestones;
3. Bible, church, or other religious records;

4. U.S. Social Security Death Index records (individual records only, not lists);
5. Records relating to the payment of death benefits; and

6. Other documents demonstrating that the immigrant of the request is deceased.

Submit a copy of one of these items with this request. Do not include original records because USCIS will not return
such documents.

When Should Form G-1041A Not Be Used?
You should not use Form G-1041A to request:

1. Records of naturalization prior to September 27, 1906. Consult Federal court records stored at the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA) Record Group 21, at www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/
groups/021.html or contact the clerk of the court where the naturalization occurred;
2. Sea, land, or air manifest lists prior to December 1982. For these lists, contact NARA at www.archives.gov/research/
immigration/;
3. The return of original documents. For such documents, use Form G-884, Request for the Return of Original
Documents;
4. Certified Copies of USCIS Historical records. This office can only provide photocopies;
5. Deportation records; or

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6. Certification of Nonexistence of a Naturalization Record. All these requests must be submitted to the USCIS Records
Operations Branch at https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/requesting-help/genealogyfrequently-asked-questions.
NOTE: If you are seeking records of living immigrants, or immigrants who arrived after 1945, or who naturalized after
April 1, 1956, use Form G-639, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Request.

How Are Historical Records and Files Identified?
Records and files are identified by file numbers.
To help identify historical USCIS file numbers, review the chart below that lists available series of USCIS historical files
and shows sample file numbers.

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Requests for copies of USCIS historical records or files must identify the record by the file number or another file
identifier. USCIS cannot retrieve a record without a file number. If you do not have the file number, you should first
submit Form G-1041. For more information, visit the Requesting Records page at www.uscis.gov/genealogy.
If you are requesting a:

Then:

Examples:

Naturalization Certificate File (C-File)
Records relating to all U.S. naturalization
certificates, replacement certificates, and Certificates
of Citizenship issued between September 27, 1906
and March 31, 1956. The majority of C-Files exist
only on microfilm.
Non-Standard C-Files
Repatriation - Certificates issued to persons who
regained U.S. citizenship between 1918 and 1956.

Provide:

C-1234567, Supreme
Ct., Kings Co., NY,
March 1922.

Military Naturalization - Certificates issued to
persons who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or
U.S. Coast Guard from 1942 to 1956.
Derivative - Certificates issued to persons who
derived U.S. citizenship through the naturalization
of a parent while they were a minor, or through birth
abroad to U.S. citizen parents.
Old Law - Replacement certificates issued to
persons who naturalized prior to September 27,
1906 (i.e., under the Old Law), and who applied for
a replacement certificate during or after 1929.
Alien Registration Form (AR-2).
Microfilmed copies of Form AR-2 completed by
all aliens 14 years of age and older residing in or
entering the United States between August 1940 and
March 31, 1944.
or
A-File numbered below 8 million.

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(1) The certificate number; and

(2) The name of court, location, and
date of naturalization.

Provide:
The certificate number obtained from
the original certificate or from prior
Form G-1041.
Provide:
The certificate number obtained from
prior Form G-1041, if applicable.

B- _ _ _

Provide:
The certificate number obtained from
prior Form G-1041, if applicable.

A- _ _ _ _ _ _
AA- _ _ _ _ _
DA- _ _ _ _ _

Provide:
The certificate number obtained from
prior Form G-1041, if applicable.

OL- _ _ _ _ _

Provide:
The Alien Registration Number.

A-1234567,
A-0002345, A-001234

D- _ _ _ _
OM- _ _ _ _ _
OS- _ _ _ _ _

AR-1234567, A 1 234
567
AR-0002345

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If you are requesting a:

Then:

Examples:

Visa File
Original arrival records of immigrants admitted for
permanent residence between July 1, 1924 and March
31, 1944. The Visa File number does not appear on
a ship passenger list.

Provide:
The visa number and arrival
information as obtained from prior
Form G-1041.

Visa 2025432,
04/29/1933; (seaport)Boston, MA; SS
Brittanic.

Registry File
March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944. Original records
documenting the creation of immigrant arrival records
for persons who entered the United States prior to
July 1, 1924, and for whom no arrival record could be
found.

Provide:
The Registry file number as obtained
from prior Form G-1041.

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Visa 2046367,
12/17/1933; (land
port)-Detroit, MI.
R-12345, R-1234567,
R-123
Do not provide
Certificate of
Registry number (for
example, CR-12345).

General Instructions

We provide free forms through the USCIS website. To view, print, or complete our forms, you should use the latest
version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at www.get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have internet
access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center and ask that we mail a form to you.
Signature. You (or your signing authority) must properly complete your request. USCIS will not accept a stamped or
typewritten name in place of any signature on this request. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian
may sign the request on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If your request is
not signed, or if the signature is not valid, we will reject your request. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts a
request for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS may deny the request.
Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature
as valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink
signature.
Filing Fee. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specific information about the fees applicable to
this form.
Evidence. When you file your request, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in these
Instructions.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of requested documents unless the Instructions specifically instruct you to
submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at any time during our process. If we request an
original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs the original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when they are not required or requested, USCIS may destroy them after we
receive them.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and
that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification should also include their
signature, printed name, the signature date, and their contact information.

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USCIS Contact Center. For additional information on the request and Instructions about where to file, change of
address, and other questions, visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or call at 800-375-5283
(TTY 800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Disability Accommodations/Modifications. To request a disability accommodation/modification, follow the instructions
on your appointment notice or at www.uscis.gov/accommodationsinfo.
How To Complete Form G-1041A
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this request, use the space provided in Part 4. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number)
(if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer
refers; and sign and date each sheet.

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3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been
married and the question asks “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many
children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None” unless
otherwise directed.
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed request for your records.

Where To File?

Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/G-1041A for the most current information about where to file this request.

Processing Information

Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your request, we will check it for completeness. If you do not properly
complete this request, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and we may reject or deny your request.
Requests for More Information. USCIS may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
request. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original document
from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it is no longer needed.

DHS Privacy Notice
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this historical records request, and the associated evidence, is collected
under 8 CFR parts 103.38 through 103.41.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this request form is to assist USCIS with
identifying and obtaining copies of the requested USCIS historical records.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and
any requested evidence, prevents USCIS from processing your request.

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ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this form with other Federal, state, local, and foreign
government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses, as described in the associated
published system of records notice [DHS/USCIS-001 Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records]
and as described in the published privacy impact assessment [DHS/USCIS/PIA-017(a) Microfilm Digitization Application
System], which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law
enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.

Paperwork Reduction Act
USCIS may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and you are not required to respond to a collection
of information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The
public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 0.317 hours per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the request, preparing
statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the request. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital
Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009; OMB No. 1615-0096. Do not mail your completed
Form G-1041 to this address.

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Form G-1041A Instructions  08/10/22

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