USCIS Genealogy Homepage

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wldspirit
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USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by wldspirit »

Effective August 13, 2008

USCIS

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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by nuccia »

Thanks Lee..

I knew this was going to happen but I wasn't sure when. I can't wait for it to go live and look through it all. Should be interesting. :)
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Sirena
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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by Sirena »

What information is expected to be available?
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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

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SUMMARY: This rule proposes to establish a Genealogy Program within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to process requests for historical records of deceased individuals. Currently, such requests are processed as Freedom of Information Act requests by the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act program adding unnecessary delays to the process. A separate Genealogy Program would ensure a timely response to requests for genealogical and historical records.


Requests could be submitted via the Internet at a genealogy Web site to be developed for this purpose or by mailing a completed Form G-1041, Genealogy Search Request, or Form G-1041A, Genealogy Record Request, to the Genealogy Program Office.

For further reading:
Proposed Rule

This request will cover the following information:

Naturalization Certificate Files (C-Files) are records from September 27, 1906 to April 1, 1956, relating to U.S.naturalizations and the issuance of evidence of naturalization or citizenship. Forms AR-2 are Alien Registration Forms on microfilm that were completed by all aliens age 14 and older who resided in or entered the United States between August 1, 1940 and March 31, 1944. These forms contain identification information, as well as information regarding the alien's employment and arrival to the United States. Visa Files are records from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944 containing the arrival information of immigrants admitted for permanent residence from July 1, 1924 to March 31, 1944 under the Immigration Act of 1924. Registry Files are records from March 2, 1929 to March 31, 1944 containing arrival information of immigrants who entered the United States prior to July 1, 1924, and for whom no arrival records could later be found. A-Files are case files on individuals containing all immigration records cr eated or consolidated since April 1, 1944 to the present. This rule only deems historical those A-File records numbered below 8 million and containing documents dated prior to May 1, 1951. Other A-File records, therefore, will be subject to the FOIA/PA program. USCIS chose these two criteria as the dividing line because May 1, 1951 is the date that the 8 million series began, and is within the decade that the last record series prior to the advent of the A-File, C-Files, was closed.


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JamesBianco
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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by JamesBianco »

From what I understand you will be able to search for a specific individual and if found, a citation or record# will be returned to you. You will then be directed to the proper office to write for the document(s). Speeding up the process because you have now skipped a step their office would normally perform.

If you do not find your individual (and this is key for those of us trying to establish dual-citizenship) the same process applies as it has for years.

1. You write to Homeland Security (FOIA)
2. You wait...
3. You wait...
4. You wait....... (something around two years from what I have heard of late)


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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by DeniseNYC »

Hello there,

I am new to the forum, but as I understand it, the new USCIS Genealogy Program will eliminate the need to make an FOIA request for information about people born over 100 years ago. They seem to be delineating between historical (or "deceased subject") searches, which will go through the knew Genealogy Program and "living subject" searches, which will still be handled by the FOIA program.

We will have to wait to know for sure, I suppose, but for now, you can read the full program docket here:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-10651.htm

I thought it looked rather promising. Also, I think it means I do not have to submit an FOIA request, but rather should sit tight until Aug 13. What do you all think?

All my best,
Denise
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Re: USCIS Genealogy -Is the search function available Yet?

Post by lilbees »

Still waiting to search the above index.

I have been checking daily but so far only general information about the Genealogy portion of the website. So far, nothing!

Am I missing something or looking in the wrong place?

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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by wldspirit »

I've been to the site twice now, and I still can't find ANY searchable index,
not 100% sure......but I'm thinking that this site only helps streamline the process of genealogy request, providing the option of online request or downloading a specific form for the genealogy request. :?
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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by tonyric »

It does not provide online searching or ordering capabilities. It does provide a more streamlined process. BUT, they also no longer provide (according to the site) certified copies of naturalization documents. As I understand it, we no longer have the ability to submit FOIA requests for no records found.
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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by wldspirit »

I can appreciate the streamlined process, the past year has seen a major backlog of request being processed in a more timely manner....
seperating the genealogy request from the foia request should improve response time......but I was really hoping to have an index available for research!!!
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Re: USCIS Genealogy Homepage

Post by lilbees »

Well, I was underthe impression that it would be a searchable database. I don't know where I got that information.

I know you have always been able to put in a request for search of records. If they found something you could then request a copy for another fee.

I hope the new genealogy request area of the USCIS works faster than the genealogy section of Cook County records. I have found if I pay for a certified copy I then receive it quite fast. If I specify "for genealogy purposes" (less money) it takes forever. Well almost. I have had requests filled in 30 days and some in 6 months or more. Several of my requests, I was told, were stored in a warehouse. These were also the more recent dates. The older records I received much faster.

Well, like others, I am quite disappointed in the USCIS.
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