Access to Information and Privacy
How to make a request under the Access to Information Act

The following requests should be made to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) under the Access to Information Act:

• Requests that pertain to information about the CBSA;
• Requests for information that would have been created by the CBSA;
• Requests for personal information submitted by a representative (with a client's authorization/consent) where the client is or is not in Canada, not a Canadian Citizen or not a Permanent Resident.

Submit an Online Request

• Use the ATIP Online Request service for a faster, easier and more convenient way to submit access to information requests. Apply online today to save time.
• If you are representing an individual to obtain his or her personal information, please ensure that a valid consent form is provided with your request. You may use the CBSA's Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Representative form BSF745E.

Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Online Request

Requests for personal information that is not the requester's must include signed, recent (less than one year old), written consent from the individual to whom the personal information belongs. To facilitate processing requests for personal information, we also recommend that the consent of all individuals who may have personal information included in the records sought be obtained and provided with the request. For example, in the case of immigration records, consent should be obtained from the spouse, sponsor, adult children or any other person appearing in the record. For Customs information consent should be obtained from the individuals accompanying the client or owner of the registered vehicle, with a copy of the registration for the vehicle. You may use the CBSA's Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Representative form BSF745E to provide consent. 

Submit a Written Request

Formal written requests under the Access to Information Act must:

• Be signed by the requester and dated;
• Include the full name,  mailing address, and if possible, a telephone number and/or e-mail address where the requester can be contacted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays;
• Include a $5.00 application fee. Cheques and money orders are to be made to the Receiver General of Canada. Only online requests can accept credit card payments;
• Written requests may be submitted using the Access to Information Request form (TBS/SCT 350-57), or in a letter indicating that the request is made in accordance with the Access to Information Act. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or money order. Cheques and money orders must be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada. Please note that the request will not be processed until the application fee is received;
• E-mail and fax requests cannot have a payment attached to them. If you submit an Access to Information request in this manner, the file will be placed on hold until the $5.00 application fee has been received by the CBSA.

Formal requests under the Access to Information Act must:

• Be in writing (email requests cannot be accepted);
• Be signed by the requester and dated;
• Include the name, Canadian address, and if possible, a telephone number and/or email address where the requester can be contacted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays;
• Include a $5.00 application fee, which entitles the requester to five hours of search and preparation time.
• Written requests may be submitted using the Access to Information Request form (TBS/SCT 350-57), or in a letter indicating that the request is made in accordance with the Access to Information Act. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or money order. Cheques and money orders must be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada. Please note that the request will not be processed until the application fee is received.

Requests must include sufficient detail to enable an experienced employee of the CBSA, with a reasonable effort, to identify the records that are being requested. Examples include, but are not limited to, time periods, file numbers, client identifiers, file names, report titles, locations (office, port of entry or region/branch), names of individuals, dates of birth (if requesting traveller history or immigration files).

Requests for personal information that is not the requester's must include signed, recent (less than one year old), written consent from the individual to whom the personal information belongs. To facilitate processing requests for personal information, we also recommend that the consent of all individuals who may have personal information included in the records sought be obtained and provided with the request. For example, in the case of immigration records - consent should be obtained from the spouse, sponsor, adult children or any other person appearing in the record. For Customs information consent should be obtained from the individuals accompanying the client or owner of the registered vehicle, with a copy of the registration for the vehicle. If the personal information is related to an immigration file, please fill out the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual form (IMM 5475) found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

Requests made pursuant to the Access to Information Act must be addressed as follows and sent by mail or fax (343-291-7012):

Canada Border Services Agency
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
333 North River Road
14th Floor, Tower A
Vanier, Ontario
K1A 0L8

In addition, inquiries concerning the request process for Access to Information at the CBSA may be e-mailed to atip-aiprp@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Please note that any inquiries related to the processing of a specific request should be directed to the officer handling your request, and should reference the request number assigned to it by our office in your correspondence.

Date modified:

2022-06-27