Instructions for Filing G-1041

If you want to search the historical indices of the USCIS, you must submit Form G-1041 – Genealogy Index Search Report. You can request a search to determine if any USCIS record exists about an immigrant and to get more information about such record.

Application

You can download the application from the USCIS website for free. You must provide the following information on Form G-1041 to enable the USCIS to search its historical indices:

• Immigrant’s full name including the first, last and middle name.
• Known Aliases and different spellings (if any)
• Date of birth. If you are not sure about the exact date of birth, provide an estimated year.
• Place of birth. If you do not know the exact city/town of birth, provide the country of birth.

USCIS will not be able to process your request without this information.

A fee of $20 must be submitted by way of cashier’s check or money order payable to Department of Homeland Security. The completed form along with necessary documents and fees must be sent to USCIS Genealogy Program, PO Box 805925, Chicago, IL 60680-4120.

Additional Information

More than one person can have the same name. To assist the USCIS, you can provide additional information. The additional information is not required but if you have additional information, you should provide it to the USCIS. This will help process your request faster. Additional information which you can provide the USCIS on Form G-1041 include:

• Date of the immigrant’s arrival in the US. If you do not know the exact date, you can provide an estimated date.
• Immigrant’s address in the US including street address, city and state. If you do not have the exact street address and city, you can provide the state name. If you know more than one address, provide all known addresses and also the period of stay at each address.

Proof of death

When the immigrant’s date of birth is less than 100 years from the date on which you submit Form G-1041, you must provide documentary proof of death of the immigrant. The USCIS will accept the following as documentary proof of death:

• Death certificate
• Printed obituaries, funeral programs, or photographs of gravestones
• Bible, church, or other religious records
• U.S. Social Security Death Index records (individual records)
• Records relating to the payment of death benefits
• Other documents demonstrating that the immigrant who is the subject of the request is deceased

Copies of such documents must be submitted to the USCIS along with Form G-1041.

Getting Legal Help   

If you want to submit Form G-1041, consult an experienced US immigration attorney. The attorney can assist you complete the form with the required details.