Making a Privacy Act Request
If you are seeking non-public DOT records concerning you or your dependent, you must fill out a Privacy Act request.
You can submit a request online or through postal mail, but submitting the request online is the most efficient method.
The Privacy Act of 1974 requires additional identification to obtain agency records about yourself or a specific individual. 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b). If you are requesting records about yourself, we are required to verify your identity before releasing your records. If you are a third-party requesting records about a specific individual, that individual is required to authorize the release of records. If submitting a Privacy Act request, you must submit your request and verify through any of the following options below:
- You can provide digital authentication through Login.gov. To digitally authenticate your identity, click the button marked Verify ID. If you choose to verify your identity digitally, we will consider that a certification of your identity and your consent to allow you to access your information protected by the Privacy Act. See 5 U.S.C. §§ 552 a(b), (d)(1).
- You can complete, sign and submit a Request for Access to Records Protected Under the Privacy Act Form (See below). Please fill in the digital PDF, or print the form and complete it, scan the form to create an electronic form, and attach the form by clicking the button marked Upload Attachment. This form also provides certification of your identity and your consent to access your information covered by the Privacy Act. See 5 U.S.C. §§ 552a(b), (d)(1).
How to Manually Submit a Privacy Act Request
- Complete the form “Request for Individual Access to Records Protected under the Privacy Act.”
- If you would like your records disclosed to another person, you must instead complete the form “Consent for Disclosure of Records Protected under the Privacy Act.”
- Email or mail the form(s):
- By email: privacy@dot.gov
- By mail:
Department of Transportation
Office of the Chief Privacy Officer
1200 New Jersey Ave SW
Washington, D.C. 20590