Step-by-Step Guide: Applying for Your Alien File through FOIA in Less than 10 Minutes
- USKRG
- Jan 19
- 12 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
As a part of basic birth family search and making sense of your adoption history, it's recommend that Korean Adoptees apply for FOIA via the US Citizenship & Immigration Services Website for the purposes of comparison to your other files and reviewing for new information.
Last Updated: January 2026
Many Korean adoptees wish to know what information is contained in their Alien File and have successfully done so through the FOIA, even in 2026. For many, these documents offer additional insight and context into their adoptions, with some of the more significant documents being any background information forms such as those from your Korean Adoption agency and background investigation documentation from the Department of Justice.
Please weigh the potential benefits and risks carefully for yourself. Not everyone will want to petition for their Alien File, however for those that do, this guide offers tools to help them do so. The following information does not constitute legal advice and is for informational purposes only. Please never disclose your immigration status publicly, even in private Facebook groups. USKRG is here to help answer any basic filing questions, but if you have any questions about your immigration status, please consult an immigration attorney.
You should only apply for your Alien File if you meet the following criteria:
✅ You are certain of your status as a U.S. Citizen
✅ You have carefully weighed the potential benefits and risks of filing
✅ You are interested to know what (unredacted) information your Alien File may contain, which offer additional insight or context into your adoption.
Below is a USKRG guide on how to fill the forms out. This guide is split up into 8 sections:
For a video tutorial containing our walkthrough of getting your A-File through USCIS, please see our helpful guide YouTube guide.
What is the Alien Immigration File?
What is it?
Your Alien Immigration File is documentation sent to and from immigration authorities, including the United States Embassy, United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Protection, your Korean Adoption Agency and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can file for your Alien file online through the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services website and it is generally free.
Why apply?
Sometimes, adoptees have found that their Alien File contains more information than their adoption agency documents alone such as new or differing circumstances surrounding their abandonment (dates names, or addresses), additional names of family Korean members or even additional pages. Since this is the official paperwork facilitating your adoption or immigration collected by the US Government, sometimes that caused Korean Officials to release information unintentionally and without properly cross-checking it with documents released to adoptees. It will be up to you to look over your file for any discrepancies or red flags, but organizations like GOA’L, KoRoot or Banet can also help you translate and examine your files.
What documents does it contain?
The documents contain anywhere from 50-120 pages of Adoption and Immigration documentation:
Korean Adoption documents such as Korean Adoption Agency documents, Orphan Hojuk (Orphanized child family registry designed to expedite adoption), Statement of Guardianship of an orphan in Korea, background investigation, background information, medical exams, and some translations of Korean documents into English
Copies of official adoptee records such as Korean Birth Certificate (issued by Korean Adoption agency), and U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
[Somewhat Likely to be Redacted] "Documents filed on Behalf of the Child," such as Petitions from Adoptive parents to American Governmental Organizations for immigrant visas & naturalization certification, hearings for naturalization, confirmation of said petitions, receipts, Certificates and Visas
Any documents to meet state adoption requirements
[Highly Likely to be Redacted] Adoptive Parent Information to Adoption Agencies including background checks, application forms, financial records, vital records (such as marriage and birth certificates), letters of intent, and so forth
[Highly Likely to be Redacted] Home Studies from adoption agency
Considerations for 2026: Safety & Redactions
Safety Considerations in 2026
There is a lot of fear and misinformation surrounding the actions of ICE and what it means for FOIA. It is understandable that during this uncertain political climate in U.S., you may feel unsafe or uncomfortable filing for your Alien File through USCIS, so if you are unsure of application, then please honor your feelings and don't proceed with anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
We have consulted with an immigration attorney and the guidance is that if you are a U.S. citizen with proof of citizenship (aka US passport book or card and a certificate of naturalization or citizenship) then there should not be any issue filing for your Alien File through FOIA. The current political events involving ICE are extremely unfortunate, however they have little relevance to FOIA requests of this type. Second, the US Government already holds a significant dossier of information about adoptees through employment information, tax filings, and other data. Again, you will need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself and make a decision that aligns with you.
The guidance is that if you are a U.S. citizen with proof of citizenship, then there should not be issue filing for your Alien File through FOIA.
If you do not want to release your address during filing, there are options. One thing you can do is contact the USKRG either via email (info@USKRG.org) or Facebook and we can chat about workarounds such as a lawyer filing on your behalf.
Redactions in 2026
One of the largest issues facing those looking to obtain their Alien file in 2026 (and likely 2027) is that currently filing for an Alien File has lead to significantly redacted or withheld documents, which makes petitioning underwhelming and less effective than previous years. There are reports that 80% to 90% of files disclosed are redacted or blank.
The only way currently around this new policy is to obtain notarized consent from your adoptive parents to release their information (1) via the G-28 form which must be notarized or (2) to provide a death certificate, obituary, or other documentation that proves they are deceased.
Another way around the redactions is to wait until a more immigration-friendly administration takes office. This is not guaranteed, but may be one strategy if you can wait.
If you feel that applying for the FOIA is right for you and right for you at this time, please proceed through this tutorial.
Further Information
The information in this section was sourced from the experiences of fellow KADs, as well as from this helpful piece from Adoptee Rights Law Center.
Before you Begin
GAIN CONSENT FROM YOUR ADOPTIVE PARENTS IF YOU WISH TO VIEW THE PARTS OF YOUR FILE PERTAINING TO THEM (OPTIONAL)
Many Alien-file requests are significantly redacted or contain blank pages. If you would like the sections of your adoption file that includes information specific to your adoptive parents, including their application and subsequent updates such as pictures and reports sent to the adoption agency, please be sure your adoptive parents fill out a notarized G-28 form or provide scans of a death certificate, obituary, or other documentation to prove they are deceased.
CREATE A USCIS ACCOUNT (REQUIRED)
The website can be found here. For account creation, you will need:
An email address you want tethered to your USCIS account (for receipt of status updates and two factor authentication. It is recommended you use an email for two-factor authentication for convenience purposes, and so you aren't reliant on immediate access to your cell phone for Authentication programs or texts)
5 security questions whose answers you know you can easily recall and have the answer be consistent
1. Please click into "Request records from USCIS" which will take you to a Sign-in screen or USCIS' Freedom of Information Act Immigration Records System (FIRST) portal.
You will be taken to a "Sign in" screen. Either sign into your existing account or scroll down until you see "Create an account."
Guide: How to Apply for your Alien File through the FOIA
After you have signed in, please select "Go to FIRST", then "Request for My Immigration Records." If you have just created your account, you will automatically land on the "Submit a FOIA or PA request" (second) screen.
✏️ There may be a pop up immediately after this screen depending on if you have started a request previously. Please specify if you would like to pick up where you left off or begin a new request. (For the purposes of this tutorial, we will be starting a "new request.")
Upcoming immigration court proceedings
✏️ Assuming you are not applying due to Immigration Court Proceedings (and need an expedited A-file), please check "No."
➡️ Then click "next."
4. Fill out your Personal Information
❌ A-number: Leave blank unless you are certain and know what this is, as it could slow down the process of receiving your files. Files are typically retrieved using names.
✏️ Country: Select "Korea, South" from the drop down
✏️ Date of Birth: Use your legal birthday
❌ Other receipts filed with USCIS: This can be left blank, even if you have applied for your A-file in the past
➡️ Then click "next."
Names used by Subject of Record.
✏️ Your full name: Your current legal American name in the format of "last name, first name, middle name"
✏️ Additional names you have used in the past: Please list any additional names you have used in the past, including aliases or your maiden name, in the format of "last name, first name, middle name"
✏️ Name used upon entry into the United States: You may fill out your Korean name in English (even if it was given to you by the orphanage), with family name being your last name (such as Kim, Park, Lee, etc). Your Given Name (first name) is your two-syllable Korean first name, either hyphenated or not, in however it appears most commonly in your files. Additional formatting: "last name, firstname-secondname (as first name),""last name, firstnamesecondname (as first name)" or "last name, first name (as first name), second name (as middle name)"
➡️ Then click "next."
Fill out your current contact information.
✏️ Mailing address: Please fill in your mailing address. If you do not wish to disclose this, please reach out to USKRG either via email (info@USKRG.org) or Facebook and we can chat about workarounds such as a lawyer filing on your behalf.
❌ Telephone Number: Telephone numbers are optional.
✏️ Note: Your email address should be auto-filled with the email you gave when you created your USCIS account.
➡️ Then click "next."
Family information for Subject of Record
✅ Father's name: Please enter your Adoptive father's name in the format of "last name, first name, middle name"
✅ Mother's name: Please enter your Adoptive mother's name in the format of "last name, first name, middle name"
❌ Information about family members that may appear on requested records: You may leave this blank, as you are already requesting your entire Alien File, unless there is a specific family member that you are concerned might be redacted.
❌ Avoiding redaction of records mentioning additional persons. This is generally left alone. However, if you have filled out a G-28 form to gain consent from your adoptive parents or have proof of your adoptive parents' deaths (such as death certificates, obituaries, or images of their memorial), please attach any relevant forms or scans here.
Note: As of January 2026, submission of a G-28 form form from adoptive parents is advised, as your files may be more complete and contain less redactions.
➡️ Then click "next."
Upload additional documents
❌ This is typically left blank. However, if you need to include any additional documents that support a claim for an expedited A-file due to an immigration hearing, please do so here. ➡️ Then click "next."
Review your info and sign
✏️ Review: Please scroll down, review your completed information carefully and verify its accuracy. If any information is inaccurate, you may click the "Edit" icon on the right.
✏️ "Sign under penalty of perjury" will be auto-checked.
✏️ Check the checkbox verifying that "I have read and agree to the above statement."
✏️ Type in your name, which acts as your signature (The date will be auto-filled). ➡️ Press "Submit Request."
Note: Once you submit, you will not be able to un-submit.
You will see that your form has been successfully submitted.
Guide: How to View Your Application Status and Download your Documents
1. Log into your account here. Then click "Go to FIRST."
2. Click "My Requests" or "View my Requests" to view your Alien File request status.
3. A pop up will pop asking if you need to register a case. Click "no."
4. Click the "Control Number" to view the status of a request, although the status will also show to the right of the "Subject Name" under "Request Status"
Note: If you don't see any documentation in this area, but are certain it should be there, try changing the filter dates to reflect an earlier date.
When the Status of your request is "Completed," this will be reflected both under "Request Status" and when clicking the "Control Number" to view the status more in-depth.
6. To download your document, click the cog to the right of your FOIA Request and then click "Go to document library"
7. Download the document by pressing the download icon. Be sure to save your documents wherever you store important documents.
Note: it is common to receive heavily redacted files, unless you have submitted a G-28 form with parental consent.
Get your Korean versions of the file translated
You will want to compare your Korean files to your English files provided by your American adoption agency, the NCRC, and the paperwork your adoptive parents received at the time of your adoption.
Comb through your files & look for new names, dates, locations, and red flags.
To view a complete list of red flags, please visit our blog here.
Further Information
The information in this section was sourced from the experiences of fellow KADs, as well as from this tutorial video from Adoptee Rights Law Center.
After Submission
Timelines for receiving your files
Files take around 4 weeks to receive. They may take as long as 6 weeks.
Next Steps: If there are too many Redactions
Consider
Waiting for a more immigration-friendly administration and re-apply in a few years
Asking your adoptive parents to fill out a G-28 form
Alternative routes of gaining paperwork (although you may still want to eventually look at the Alien File, as it may be different from other adoption paperwork), such as
adoption files provided to your Adoptive Parents at the time of your adoption
adoption information disclosure through the NCRC, since September 2025
adoption files from your American adoption agency
(You may apply several times for your Alien File, so if you feel that multiple applications may yield different results, you may do so. Unfortunately, some adoptees have reported applying with different iterations of their Korean name or different A-numbers and receiving differing files.)
Appealing denial of access. From the FOIA website: "You may appeal the Department’s decision to withhold information from you.
Your appeal must be in writing and must be postmarked or electronically submitted within 90 calendar days after the date of the Department’s adverse determination.
Your appeal email, letter, or fax should state why you disagree with the Department’s determination and should clearly mark the withheld portions that you are appealing.
Remember to include the case number in any correspondence regarding your case.
Send your appeal to the following: FOIAAppeals@state.gov"
Even if your results are disappointing, you can still obtain files in the following ways
Ask your adoptive parents for the files given to them upon your adoption
Contact your American adoption agency's post adoption services to gain access to files
Next Steps: If USCIS can't locate your file
Consider:
Confirming that there were no mistakes in the original request (such as mispellings)
That you may actually not be a US citizen, and may have entered on a tourist (non-immigration) visa. Please verify with your adoptive parents.
Filing for disclosure through the US Customs and Border Protection that should have entry records
Alternative routes of gaining paperwork (although you may still want to eventually look at the Alien File, as it may be different from other adoption paperwork), such as
adoption files provided to your Adoptive Parents at the time of your adoption
adoption information disclosure through the NCRC, since September 2025
adoption files from your American adoption agency
Adding more information to your case without refiling, such as A-Number or other spellings of your name. (You may apply several times for your Alien File, so if you feel that multiple applications may yield different results, you may do so. Unfortunately, some adoptees have reported applying with different iterations of their Korean name or different A-numbers and receiving differing files.)
The A-Number is generally the letter "A" followed by 8 or 9 digits aka "A01 234 568"
You may have been given more than one A-number, which were consolidated via "A-File Consolidation," wherein USCIS combined your multiple records into one comprehensive Alien File. You can view both numbers if you have a Consolidation Card or you may have noted a differing A-Number once your naturalization documentation commenced
The old A-Number can be found on multiple documents such as "Notice of Approval of Relative Immigrant Visa Petition" as "File No. [Axx xxx xxx]"
The new A-Number can be found on your "Certificate of Naturalization" in the upper right quadrant. It should be denoted by ornate text reading "INS Registration No. [Axx xxx xxx]"
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Even if your results are disappointing, you can still obtain files in the following ways
Ask your adoptive parents for the files given to them upon your adoption
Contact your American adoption agency's post adoption services to gain access to files
Further Information
If you notice suspicious information or conflicting information, consider creating a timeline to submit to the TRC3. The TRC3 will be Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission's investigation into human rights violations in the inter-country adoption process, specifically for adoptions in the United States, which has previously been under-represented in TRCs.
The information in this section was sourced from the experiences of fellow KADs, as well as from this helpful piece from Adoptee Rights Law Center.
USCIS's Contact Information
Phone Number: 1-800-375-5283, USCIS Contact Center
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, National Records Center, FOIA/PA Office
P.O. Box 648010
Lee's Summit, MO 64064-8010
