USCIS Extends Information Collection for Request for a Certificate of Non-Existence Without Change

Current rules

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is extending, without change, the currently approved information collection for Form G-1566, 'Request for a Certificate of Non-Existence'. A new 30-day public comment period is now open for this extension.

Overview

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a 30-day notice to extend its 'Request for a Certificate of Non-Existence' information collection, effective 01 July 2026. This administrative action, overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, seeks to renew an existing data collection requirement without introducing any modifications. Public feedback on this extension is invited until 31 July 2026, primarily concerning the estimated public burden and associated response time.

What changed in the latest version

This notice is important for people or households who have asked for, or plan to ask for, a 'Request for a Certificate of Non-Existence' (Form G-1566). This is because the way information is collected remains the same. It gives the public another chance to comment on how much work this form involves. This feedback period is shorter than usual. People who think the current process or the estimated time to fill out the form causes too much work should use this 30-day period. They can send their comments to USCIS. Their feedback could affect how the collection process works in the future. If people do not comment during this period, the existing collection will continue without public input on how efficient or necessary it is.

Explained simply

Imagine a form that people fill out to prove something officially doesn't exist, like a record of their birth or marriage if it never happened. The US government agency in charge of immigration, USCIS, has a form for this. They're just asking people for the last time to say if they think the form is still good as it is, or if it's too much bother to fill out. They aren't changing the form itself, just making sure everyone has a chance to say what they think before it's officially extended for future use. You have until 31 July 2026 to tell them what you think online.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v5Effective 1 Jul 2026PublishedLow impact
   USCIS Extends Information Collection for Request for a Certificate of Non-Existence Without Change

   The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended its approved collection of information for Form G-1566, 'Request for a Certificate of Non-Existence'. There are no changes to this form. This announcement starts a 30-day period for the public to give feedback. This period ends on 31 July 2026. An earlier 60-day feedback period received no comments. People or households use this form to find out if immigration records exist for them. If no records are found, USCIS issues a Certificate of Non-Existence.

Timeline

1. Action deadline

   31 Jul 2026

   Submit comments: Individuals or organisations wishing to provide feedback on the information collection's burden should submit their comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov under e-Docket ID number USCIS-2021-0021.

2. Announced

   1 Jul 2026

   The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has confirmed the extension of its existing information collection titled 'Request for a Certificate of Non-Existence' under OMB Control Number 1615-0156. This means the form and its associated data collection requirements remain unchanged. The extension was announced via a 30-day not