Wth the increasing interest in FOIA of late n wth more n more people getting bitten by tht dreaded namechk bug, I thot it mite be useful to share my knowledge on the topic by putting it in a thread. I've recently recvd. many an email n PMs with ques. related to FOIA - most I've ans, sum I mite've missed. Hopefully this thread wud serve the intrigue for FOIA n provide sm guideline to help ppl decide if they wanna file.
Attacd are the docs - 2 of which I found on (I blv) citizenship forum here, the first one explains the namechk process n the second one has a comparison between namechk n foia process. Plz be advised tht sum info in these two docs mite be outdated n obsolete, so plz use judgement in acting upon it.
My personal experience n opinion abt foia n namechk - Around the same time as I filed the 485, I started hearing n reading more n more abt the namechk. Finally just abt a few weeks ahead of my interview, I decided to file foia. On Jun 3rd, I saw an LUD change on my 485, then on Jun 5th, I received a letter frm FBI, notifying me tht they didn't find ne records for me. I started believing tht the LUD change was the namechk complete - led to, by the foia request. But to be honest - there's no proof tying these both - so, I don't really know if foia actually helps expediting the namechk - I take it as tying a blk thread around ur arm for luck- sum may blv it others may not. If it works good, if it doesn't well then u'd know. I filed it cuz Id never heard of a blk thread causing ne harm (No I dun wear a blk thread).
The other 2 docs are the actual foia form (this is the one I used) n the filing instructions.
Notes on filing FOIA
Namecheck FAQ from FBI website
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/nationalnamecheck.htm
Good luck ev one with ur LPR process.
PS: This post is by a_usc's spouse
Attacd are the docs - 2 of which I found on (I blv) citizenship forum here, the first one explains the namechk process n the second one has a comparison between namechk n foia process. Plz be advised tht sum info in these two docs mite be outdated n obsolete, so plz use judgement in acting upon it.
My personal experience n opinion abt foia n namechk - Around the same time as I filed the 485, I started hearing n reading more n more abt the namechk. Finally just abt a few weeks ahead of my interview, I decided to file foia. On Jun 3rd, I saw an LUD change on my 485, then on Jun 5th, I received a letter frm FBI, notifying me tht they didn't find ne records for me. I started believing tht the LUD change was the namechk complete - led to, by the foia request. But to be honest - there's no proof tying these both - so, I don't really know if foia actually helps expediting the namechk - I take it as tying a blk thread around ur arm for luck- sum may blv it others may not. If it works good, if it doesn't well then u'd know. I filed it cuz Id never heard of a blk thread causing ne harm (No I dun wear a blk thread).
The other 2 docs are the actual foia form (this is the one I used) n the filing instructions.
Notes on filing FOIA
- The form doesn't need to be notarized, but it shud be signed n dated.
- Along with name, u may also provide ur place of birth, date of birth n ssn.
- When mentioning ur name - give all the names u given in ur 485 form.
- U shud put the amt tht u're willing to pay, shud there be any cost associated with performing foia requested by u. Dont send any money/check - just put the amt. I had put just 50 bucks, but didn't have to pay ne thing.
- For purpose u may put 'personal use' or wutever u think is rite.
- At the bottom of the page whr it asks for additional comments - put the following statement -
Under penalty of perjury, I hereby declare that I am the person named above and I understand that any falsification of this statement is punishable under the provisions of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1001 by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment of not more than five years, or both; and that requesting or obtaining any record(s) under false pretenses is punishable under the provisions of Title 5, U.S.C., section 552a(i)(3) as a misdemeanor and by a fine of not more than $5,000.
Namecheck FAQ from FBI website
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/nationalnamecheck.htm
Good luck ev one with ur LPR process.
PS: This post is by a_usc's spouse
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