How to Make a Privacy Act Request

To request access to information about yourself under the Privacy Act, you must:

  1. Make the request in writing, and sign the request;
  2. State that your request is made pursuant to the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and clearly mark "Privacy Act Request" on the request and on the envelope if sending by mail, or in the subject line if sending by email;
  3. Provide the name of the system of records to which access is sought (see "System of Record Notices");
  4. Provide adequate information (i.e., the nature of the record sought, the date of the record or the period in which the record was compiled) to enable us to locate the record with a reasonable amount of effort;
  5. State that you are a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;
  6. Include your full name, current address, date and place of birth, and dates of employment, if applicable;
  7. Provide verification of your identity (see below);
  8. State whether you wish to inspect the records in person or desire to have a copy made and mailed to you;
  9. Give a firm agreement to pay the fees for duplication that might be incurred (see below); and
  10. If applicable, provide written consent for release of the information to your authorized representative (see below).

 

Authorization (Optional)

If you want someone of your choosing to accompany you to the Commission to view your records, the Commission will require you to furnish a written statement to authorize discussion of your records in the accompanying person’s presence, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b). The written authorization must contain:

  1. A description of the record which may be disclosed;
  2. The name of the person, firm, or agency to which the record will be disclosed;
  3. A statement that you authorize the Commission to disclose the record;
  4. Your full name, signature, and the date of signature; and
  5. Verification of your identity (see below).

 

Verification of Identity

You must verify your identity before the U.S. International Trade Commission will take action on any request. To verify your identity, you must provide:

  1. Adequate identification, which includes one of the following: a copy of a government-issued identification card, driver’s license, Medicare card, birth certificate, or passport; and
  2.  A signed and dated statement that is either notarized or submitted under 28 U.S.C. 1746 (which permits statements to be made under penalty of perjury as a substitute for notarization). The identity verification statement must include the following information:
  • A declaration that your statement is true and correct under the penalty of perjury (18 U.S.C. 1001), and that you are the person named in your Privacy Act request; and
     
  • An acknowledgement that you understand the criminal penalty in the Privacy Act for requesting or obtaining any record(s) under false pretenses.

 

Fees

The Commission does not charge fees for the cost of searching for and reviewing an individual’s records. The Commission charges for the cost of reproducing or copying records at the rate of $0.10 per page, but will not charge copying fees when the total amount is less than $25.00.

 

Where to Send Your Privacy Act Request

Submit the request and required documentation by fax, mail, or e-mail as scanned attachments. If submitting via e-mail, you should ensure that the security of your e-mail system is adequate for transmitting sensitive information before choosing to transmit your request, which contains your personally identifiable information (PII). Mail: U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Suite 112, Washington, D.C. 20436; Fax 202-205-2104; E-mail PrivacyAct@usitc.gov. If you have any questions, contact the Office of the Secretary at PrivacyAct@usitc.gov or (202) 205-2595.