Get copies of your government files through the Privacy Act

The Privacy Act of 1974 ensures that federal agencies are fair in the way they collect, maintain, use, and distribute information they have about U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Agencies get this information when they create records if you pay income taxes, serve in the military, apply for a federal benefit, or directly interact with the government in other ways.

The Privacy Act of 1974 guarantees your right to:

• See records about your personal information, subject to the act’s exemptions
• Correct a record that is inaccurate or incomplete unless it is exempt
• Sue the government for violating the law for improper disclosures

To request records under the Privacy Act, you must contact the federal agency you believe holds the records. 

When creating your request:

• Provide as many details as possible and explain:
  • What information you want
  • Why you believe the agency has information about you
  • When you believe the agency created the record
• Include proof of identity, such as a copy of your driver’s license.
• Ask about any fees you will owe for copies of your files.

Agencies typically group their Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) offices together. When you write your request, address it to the agency’s or program’s FOIA/Privacy Act Officer, and state in your letter that it is a Privacy Act request.

Learn more specific guidelines from these agencies:

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Defense
• Department of Education and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Department of the Interior
• Department of Justice
• Department of Labor
• Department of State
• Department of the Treasury
• National Archives
• U.S. Census Bureau

Find other agencies and contacts for submitting your Privacy Act request.

There are nine exemptions to the information agencies must allow you to see. Two frequently-used exemptions involve:

• Records containing classified information on national security
• Records concerning criminal investigations

Learn about the other exemptions to find out what information is not covered under the Privacy Act.