How to make a request under the Privacy Act
Updated July 13, 2022
Openness, transparency and accountability are guiding principles of the Government of Canada. However, significant increases in request volumes may have an effect on our ability to respond to requests within the timelines mandated by the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. Access to information and personal information requests continue to be important to us, and we continue to make reasonable efforts to respond to requests in accordance with operational realities. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented challenges.
A request for personal information held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) should be made to IRCC under the Privacy Act.
There are no fees involved with the processing of a request under this Act.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals, regardless of where they are located, can request access to their personal information held by federal government institutions under the Privacy Act.
If you are making a request on behalf of someone else, you must include the Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request (IMM 5744) form. Include this form for each individual listed on your file who is 16 years of age or older.
Apply online
Applying online is a fast and convenient way to submit your request.
Apply by mail
To submit a request by mail, send in one of the following:
- IRCC's Access to Information and Personal Information Request Form (IMM 5563);
- Treasury Board Secretariat's Access to Information Request Form (TBC/CTC 350-57); or
- A letter indicating that the request is made in accordance with the Privacy Act.
Note: IRCC holds Canadian passport applications, Canadian travel documents (for stateless and protected persons in Canada) or passport investigation files prior to 2002. For these types of requests, you must provide a document to support your identity.
If you wish to obtain passport information from 2002 to the present, you must submit your request to Employment and Social Development Canada.
Mail your fully completed request form with the supporting documents to the following address:
Access to Information and Privacy Division
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
Top questions about Access to Information and Privacy requests
- What information is available under the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act?
- Can I get personal information about someone else?
- Can I get personal information about someone who is deceased?
- How can I get information on an individual who arrived in Canada before 1936?
- How long does the Department have to respond?
Features
Access to information and privacy requests
Page details
- Date modified: