IRCC ATIP Online Request Tool: Step-by-Step Guide
Last updated · Sources: IRCC and CBSA official pages, linked in the text · Reviewed by Morteza Idjadi, RCIC R708675
The ATIP Online Request service is the Government of Canada's single portal for filing access to information and personal information requests with federal institutions, including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). It is the route IRCC requires for any electronic request: "If submitting a request electronically, you must do so through the ATIP Online Request tool."[1] This guide walks through the service step by step, explains the choices that determine what you get back, and covers the account, the confirmation number and the new tracking feature. Who is eligible to file, and the two Acts, are explained in the ATIP request guide.
Before you start
- Eligibility. Anyone can request their own personal information under the Privacy Act from anywhere; a request under the Access to Information Act can be filed directly only by a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a person present in Canada.[2] The service asks you to confirm which applies.
- Identifiers. Have your UCI, the application number, your name exactly as on the application and your date of birth ready.
- Consent, if filing for someone else. A signed consent from the person whose records are requested is uploaded with the request; IRCC's form for this is the IMM 5744.[3] See forms IMM 5563 and IMM 5744.
- Payment. The $5 fee for an Access to Information Act request is paid by credit card; "credit card payment is only accepted via the ATIP Online Request tool".[1] Privacy Act requests are free.
Step by step
- Open the service and sign in or create an ATIP Online account. The account is what lets you track the request later and download the records.[4]
- Choose the institution. Select Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for GCMS notes. Border records are a separate request to the Canada Border Services Agency; see CBSA notes.
- Choose the type of request. "Personal information request" (Privacy Act) for your own file with no fee, or "Access to information request" (Access to Information Act) for any IRCC record, with the $5 fee.[4] Representatives filing for clients abroad generally use the second.
- Describe the records. This field decides what you receive. Ask for the complete file for the specific application, including all GCMS notes, officer assessments, correspondence and documents, and give the UCI, application number, application type and year.
- Identify yourself and, where applicable, the person you represent. Upload the signed consent if the records are someone else's.
- Pay and submit. The request is sent automatically to IRCC's Access to Information and Privacy Division.[1]
- Keep the confirmation number. You receive a confirmation or reference number for the request; IRCC later assigns its own ATIP file number, and either can be quoted in a status enquiry.[4]
The choices that change what you get
| Choice | Option | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Act | Privacy Act | Free; your own personal information only; open to anyone anywhere[2] |
| Act | Access to Information Act | $5; any IRCC record; direct filing needs status or presence in Canada[2] |
| Description | "Notes" vs "complete file" | Asking only for notes can return the GCMS printout without the documents and correspondence |
| Scope | One application vs all applications under the UCI | Naming the application type and year avoids a partial release; asking for all files under the UCI returns earlier applications too |
| Requester | Yourself vs a representative | Correspondence, extension notices and the release go to whoever is the requester |
After submitting
IRCC has 30 days to respond and may extend the period, with notice of the extension within the first 30 days.[5] Records are released through the ATIP Online account, where the service now lets you "track your request" and download what has been received.[4] What to do when nothing arrives, and how a late request becomes a deemed refusal, is covered in tracking your request.
Rather not deal with the portal?
We file through the same service as your Canadian representative, follow up with the ATIP Division, and deliver the release to your dashboard. From USD 19.
Order GCMS NotesFrequently asked questions
Is the ATIP Online Request service the same as the IRCC secure account?
No. The IRCC account is where you manage immigration applications; the ATIP Online Request service is a separate Treasury Board Secretariat portal used by many institutions.[4]
Can I use the service from outside Canada?
The portal itself is accessible from anywhere. Whether you may file directly depends on the Act: the Privacy Act is open to anyone; the Access to Information Act requires Canadian status or presence in Canada, otherwise a representative files for you.[2] See requesting from outside Canada.
Can I pay by cheque online?
No. Cheques and money orders are accepted only with mailed requests; the portal takes credit cards.[1]
I filed for GCMS notes but received only a letter. Why?
The description of the records was too narrow. File again asking for the complete file, including all GCMS notes, for the specific application.
Official sources
All information on this page is based on official Government of Canada publications:
- How and where do I submit an Access to Information or Privacy request? — IRCC
- Who can make a request under the Access to Information Act? — IRCC and Who can make a request under the Privacy Act? — IRCC
- Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request (IMM 5744) — Canada.ca
- Make an access to information or personal information request — Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
- How long does the Department have to respond? — IRCC