Immigration records finder

Which agency may have my immigration records?

Think of the government like several filing cabinets. USCIS, immigration court, CBP, ICE, and the State Department do not all hold the same papers. Choose the kind of record you need. This page does not submit a request or ask for personal information.

A records request can require identity documents and signatures. Enter or upload them only on the correct official government system—not on this page or a public intake form.

What are you trying to find?

USCIS

Old applications or an A-filePetitions, applications, interviews, notices, and many immigration-file materials

USCIS usually handles requests for an A-file and records connected to applications or petitions it processed. Ask for the specific material you need when possible. A broad request may take longer and may still omit records held by another agency.

Start an official USCIS records request Read USCIS FOIA instructions

EOIR

Immigration-court or BIA recordCharging documents, hearing filings, exhibits, decisions, and appeal materials

EOIR keeps the official Record of Proceeding for immigration-court and BIA matters. A court file is not the same as a USCIS A-file. If a hearing, appeal, or removal issue is active, tell an attorney before waiting for a records response.

Read official EOIR FOIA instructions

CBP

Entry, inspection, border, or travel recordI-94 information, arrival and departure history, inspections, or Border Patrol encounters

First check whether the recent I-94 or limited travel history is available through CBP's I-94 tool. A FOIA request may be needed for other CBP or Border Patrol records. Online travel history can be incomplete and is not a complete legal immigration history.

Open the official I-94 website Read CBP FOIA guidance

ICE

Detention, supervision, or enforcement recordCustody, check-ins, supervision, monitoring, or other ICE materials

ICE may hold records about detention, removal operations, supervision, or certain enforcement encounters. ICE records do not replace the immigration-court file. A detained person or a person with a near hearing or removal concern should request legal review promptly rather than waiting only for FOIA.

Read official ICE FOIA guidance

DOS

Visa or consular recordEmbassy, consulate, passport, or Department of State materials

The Department of State may hold visa and consular records. Some visa records are confidential by law and may not be released in the way a requester expects. Current case messages may be in CEAC or with NVC instead of a FOIA response.

Open the State Department FOIA site Open CEAC

Before you start a records request

Write one sentence describing the exact record you need.
Identify the agency that created or received it.
Use the name and identifying information that appeared at that time.
Follow the official identity-verification and consent instructions.
Save the request number and a complete copy of what you submitted.
Do not assume a FOIA request pauses a hearing, appeal, filing, or response deadline.

Records requests are not emergency tools

If someone is detained, a hearing is close, a notice has a response date, or removal may be imminent, contact an attorney now. A records request can help reconstruct history, but it does not stop a case or extend a deadline.

General information only, not legal advice. Agency record systems, request methods, exemptions, and response times can change. An attorney can help identify which records matter and whether waiting for them is safe in a particular case.