Genealogy
About the Genealogy Program
The USCIS Genealogy Program is a fee-for-service program that provides researchers with timely access to historical immigration and naturalization records of deceased immigrants.
Order an Index Search or Record Request
Check the Status of an Index Search or Record Request
How Does the Process Work?
![Do you have a file number, if yes then you many want to consider and index search since one person may have multiple records and fine numbers. If you request a file by number then you receive copies of record of files. If you do not have a file number or want to do a request name index search, then you will either get a positive or negative response. If you get a positive response then the letter identifies files by number with instructions.](/https/www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/images/article-about-uscis/Web_GenealogyPage__482x571_EN.png)
You can find the filing fee information for Forms G-1041 and G-1041A by vising our Fee Schedule page.
Historical Record Series
The USCIS Genealogy Program is authorized to make five (5) series of the agency’s historical records available to requesters.
Immigrant Files, (A-Files) are the individual alien case files, which became the official file for all immigration records created or consolidated since April 1, 1944.
Alien Registration Forms (AR-2s)
Alien Registration Forms (Form AR-2) are copies of approximately 5.5 million Alien Registration Forms completed by all aliens age 14 and older, residing in or entering the United States between August 1, 1940 and March 31, 1944.
Naturalization Certificate Files (C-Files) are copies of records relating to all U.S. naturalizations in Federal, State, county, or municipal courts, overseas military naturalizations, replacement of old law naturalization certificates, and the issuance of Certificates of Citizenship in derivative, repatriation, and resumption cases.
Registry Files are records, which document the creation of immigrant arrival records for persons who entered the United States before July 1, 1924, and for whom no arrival record could later be found.
Visa Files are original arrival records of immigrants admitted for permanent residence under provisions of the Immigration Act of 1924.
Image Galleries - Worth a Thousand Words
We are excited to share our image galleries, which provide an up-close and personal view of the most common file types available from the USCIS Genealogy Program. Each image provides a description and pinpoints the location of the file number pertaining to each record.
Quick Guide to finding INS Case and Correspondence Files Related to Specific Individuals