Printer Friendly

Avoid Common Errors

Recently, some researchers submitted both forms G-1041 and G-1041A for the same immigrant, often in the same envelope.  Review the FAQ's page and decide which form to use, then send only one form at a time for one immigrant name.  There are no refunds.

Before submitting a USCIS Genealogy request and fee, review the following tips and "lessons learned" from previous researchers:

Use the correct paper form, or submit the correct electronic form.

  • Search Request / G-1041  Use this form when you can identify the immigrant but do not know the file number, or when you want to determine how many files USCIS has on the individual immigrant.  If the question is "do you have any record of this immigrant?" or "can you tell me my immigrant's file number?" the form is G-1041.
  • Record Request / G-1041A  Use this form when you can identify the desired file(s) by USCIS file number.  If the request is "please send me file #_______," the form is G-1041A.

If filing by postal mail, always print clearly and always mail your request to the P.O. Box address shown on the form instructions.  Do not mail requests or fee payments to Washington, DC.

 

Remember USCIS does not have records for every immigrant.  Our records include:

  • Those who naturalized between September 27, 1906 and March 31, 1956
  • Those who arrived as immigrants from July 1, 1924 to May 1, 1951
  • Those who were alive in the US and registered as aliens (non-citizens) under the 1940 Alien Registration Act.
  • Those who arrived before 1924, and who later underwent Registry (legalization) between 1929 and 1944

Search Requests

Provide all names and all spellings associated with a given immigrant.  If the immigrant was female, be sure to provide both her maiden and married name. 

Record Requests

Be sure to provide a file number, and that the file number you provide is a USCIS file number.  Unfortunately, some researchers have mistakenly submitted:

  • No file number.
  • A naturalization petition number rather than the certificate number (C-number).
  • Any number annotated on a passenger list manifest rather than an A-number or C-number.

Record Requests that provide a "wrong number" unrelated to the immigrant will be answered with "no record."  See our "sample file numbers" page for more information.