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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Proposes Regulations for Genealogy Program Affecting Federal Records Requirements

🇺🇸 United StatesConsular Updates1 recorded versionLast change 21 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

This document proposes regulations related to the Genealogy Program, aiming to clarify the impact of federal records requirements.

Overview

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a proposed rule to clarify the impact of federal records requirements on its Genealogy Program. This new instrument will introduce specific regulations governing the use of federal records within genealogy services, affecting those who utilise or provide these services. The proposal was published on 21 August 2026 and is open for public comment until 20 October 2026.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Genealogists who seek federal records from the Department of Homeland Security
  • People researching family history that involves U.S. immigration or naturalisation records
  • Historians who use federal records for research
  • Organisations and researchers involved in historical and genealogical studies
  • Applicants who will need to use updated Forms G-1041 and G-1041A

What changed in the latest version

Before

No previous rule was found in the information available. Therefore, a previous rule could not be established.

After

This document proposes rules about the Genealogy Programme. It aims to make clear how federal records requirements apply.

This proposed rule introduces new rules for the Genealogy Programme. It will change how federal records requirements are made clear and used. Individuals and organisations that do genealogical research or manage federal records will need to understand these changes. This will help them to follow the rules and use the correct process. The public comment period gives interested parties a chance to affect the final rules. If you do not submit feedback by the deadline, you will miss the chance to provide input on the proposed changes.

Explained simply

Imagine you're trying to find old family documents, like when your great-grandparents came to the country. The government has a special service for this, called the Genealogy Programme. They're now suggesting new rules to make it super clear how this service works and how you can ask for these old papers, making sure everything is fair and organised. You can even tell them what you think about these new rules until 20 October 2026.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Issued 21 Aug 2026ProposalInformational impact
    U.S. Department of Homeland Security Proposes Regulations for Genealogy Program Affecting Federal Records Requirements

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a proposed rule. It is called 'Genealogy Program Regulations To Clarify the Impact of Federal Records Requirements'. The DHS published it on 21 August 2026. This proposed rule aims to change Section 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 103 (8 CFR 103). Its identification numbers are CIS No. 2798-25 and DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0331. The public can provide written feedback on this proposal. The deadline for feedback is 20 October 2026. This document appeared in the Federal Register. It is eight pages long.

Timeline

  1. Action deadline

    20 Oct 2026

    Review the proposed rule, 'Genealogy Program Regulations To Clarify the Impact of Federal Records Requirements,' published on 21 August 2026.

  2. Announced

    21 Aug 2026

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a proposed rule to clarify the impact of federal records requirements on its Genealogy Program. This new instrument will introduce specific regulations governing the use of federal records within genealogy services, affecting those who utilise or provide these services. The proposal was published on 21 August 2026 and is open for public com

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