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USCIS · Policy and practice · Request IRW-119

Wording of certificates of non-existence prepared for prosecutors

This request asks for the templates, procedures and written instructions in effect from July 1, 2026 for certificates of non-existence the National Records Center prepares for law enforcement, prosecutors or state attorneys general, and any leadership decision on whether those certificates mention other records found, such as an admission, parole or lawful status.

Why it matters
Under USCIS's April 2026 Federal Register notice, a certificate of non-existence is issued only when USCIS finds no immigration records about the person named; if it finds records, it tells the requestor so instead. Federal law lets these certificates be used as evidence in court, where one may be called a Certificate of Nonexistence of Record. A certificate stating only that a person was never naturalized does not show whether that person has lawful status. These records would show whether certificates prepared for prosecutors follow that rule, and whether they mention other records USCIS found, such as an admission, parole or lawful status.
ProcessingExtension invoked 4 business days since filing (7 calendar days)

Figures as of Oct 17, 2026. Check after Nov 16, 2026: if you are reading later than that, these figures may be out of date.

These figures are more than 30 days old. They may not reflect what has happened since Oct 17, 2026.

Extension invoked
USCIS told the requester it would invoke the 10-working-day "unusual circumstances" extension the law allows (5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(B)). What an extension means

Timeline

  1. FiledOct 10, 2026
  2. Acknowledged by USCISOct 13, 2026
  3. Final responseNot yet received

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Template T-84
The following records in effect or created at any time from July 1, 2026 through the date of the search, concerning certificates of non-existence (including any Certificate of Nonexistence of Record) that the National Records Center prepares for, or provides to, a law enforcement agency, prosecutor, or state attorney general: 1. Each template or model certificate, and each standard operating procedure, job aid, or written instruction governing the content, wording, or format of those certificates. 2. Any memorandum, email, or Microsoft Teams message sent by the National Records Center Director, Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, or an Associate Center Director (acting or permanent) that decides whether those certificates will state, or will not state, information about other immigration records located for the individual, such as a record of admission, parole, lawful permanent residence, or other lawful status. Drafts are excluded, as are completed certificates about individuals.
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