How to Make a Request

The first step in making a request under the Access to Information Act is to determine who holds the records. Please refer to Info Source to find out what Library and Archives Canada does and what information it holds.

To determine if another department or agency controls the information you are requesting, please contact one of the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinators, listed by organization.

Submitting an online request under the Access to Information Act - NEW

Using the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Online Request service is a faster, easier and more convenient way to submit access to information requests. Apply online today to save time.

Submitting your request in person or by mail 

Please complete and include relevant details you are seeking in the Access to Information Request Form.

Please note that a $5 application fee applies to access to information requests.

Or a letter, which must include:

• statement that the information is being requested under the Access to Information Act;
• description of the records requested (be as specific as possible);
• preferred method in accessing the records (e.g., receiving digital copies or photocopies or to view on site at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario);
• name, street address, city or town, province or territory, and postal code and signature;
• telephone number(s) where you can be contacted between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays;
• email address;
• date of letter;
• signature of letter; and

Your request or letter must include the $5.00 application fee (cheque or money order payable to Receiver General for Canada). You can submit your request in person or by mail to ATIP & PR Office. We do not accept email or fax inquiries for these records.

The first step in making a request under the Privacy Act is to determine who holds the records. Please refer to Info Source to find out what Library and Archives Canada does and what information it holds.

To determine if another department or agency controls the information you are requesting, please contact one of the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinators, listed by organization.

Submitting an online request - NEW

Using the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Online Request service is a faster, easier and more convenient way to submit privacy requests. Apply online today to save time.

Submitting your request in person, by mail or fax

Please complete and include relevant details you are seeking on the Personal Information Request Form.

Or a letter, which must include:

• statement that the information is being requested under the Privacy Act;
• description of the records requested (be as specific as possible);
• preferred method in accessing the records (e.g., receiving digital copies or photocopies or to view on site at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario);
• name, street address, city or town, province or territory, and postal code and signature;
• telephone number(s) where you can be contacted between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays;
• email address;
• date of letter;
• the signature of the individual who is the subject of the request, along with the date of signature.

Your request or letter must be signed and be submitted either in person, by mail or fax to the ATIP & PR Office.

Native claims researchers must submit their requests at least 4 weeks in advance.

To obtain personal information under Paragraph 8(2)(k) of the Privacy Act, native claims researchers may choose to:

Submit an online request - NEW

Using the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Online Request service is a faster, easier and more convenient way to submit privacy requests. Apply online today to save time.

Submit a request in person, by mail or fax

Please complete and include relevant details you are seeking on the Request for Personal Information Under Paragraph 8(2)(k) of the Privacy Act form.

• provide the exact LAC locator references to restricted archival federal government records. Include relevant details to help the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) analysts find the information you are requesting. For assistance in identifying LAC locator references, please contact LAC's Reference Services;
• attach a Band Council Resolution (BCR) or a letter authorizing you to access and conduct research on files pertaining to First Nations or Inuit association claims research, the BCR or the letter must include:
  • the name of the researcher or of the research firm*;
  • the name of the reserve, the band and the province or territory;
  • the specific nature of the research relating to the claim; and
  • the signatures of the Chief and Council (in a quorum).

*If a research firm is named in the BCR or letter, also attach a letter or other evidence from the firm proving that you are associated with that firm.

Your request must be signed and be submitted either in person, by mail or fax to the ATIP & PR Office. We do not accept email inquiries for these records.

Personnel records for the federal public service contain information about the individual's employment history, as well as personal information. Files are retained for 80 years dating from the individual's birth date. After 80 years, all these records are destroyed. A few selected personnel files are retained for historical purposes.

If you are requesting your own records and you left the public service less than two years ago, please contact the Human Resources unit of the department where you were last employed.

To identify a file, we require the employee's surname, full given name(s), date of birth and social insurance number (S.I.N.).

If you do not know the date of birth or S.I.N., secondary information (e.g., the names of next of kin, dates and department where employed) can assist in identifying the correct individual.

Submitting an online request - NEW

Using the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Online Request service is a faster, easier and more convenient way to submit requests. Apply online today to save time.

Submitting your request in person, by mail or fax

Please complete and include relevant details you are seeking on the Application for Former Federal Employee Personnel Records.

Your request must be signed and be submitted either in person, by mail or fax to the ATIP & PR Office. We do not accept email inquiries for these records.

Restricted operational records of LAC may fall under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act (refer to FAQ section). To obtain access to these records, individuals are advised to submit accordingly either an Access to Information request or a Privacy request.

For instructions please refer to sections How to make a request under the Access to Information Act or How to make a request under the Privacy Act.

Current federal government employees with an  operational requirement to access archival government records that are restricted under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act but that are now under LAC's control even though they were created by that employee's institution or another federal institution, should see the procedures for Departmental Researchers for information on how to obtain departmental researcher status and access these records.