US FederalDo I have the right to correct inaccurate government records about me?
Yes, under the Privacy Act of 1974, you have the right to request correction of inaccurate, irrelevant, untimely, or incomplete records held by federal agencies about you.
What the Law Says
The Privacy Act of 1974 gives individuals the right to access and request amendments to personal records maintained by federal agencies.
The Privacy Act applies to systems of records maintained by federal agencies that contain personal information retrievable by name or identifying number. If you believe a record about you is inaccurate, irrelevant, untimely, or incomplete, you may request in writing that the agency amend it.
The agency must acknowledge your request within 10 working days and make a determination on it within 30 working days — unless it extends the period for good cause, in which case it must notify you in writing with the reason and new deadline.
If the agency denies your request, it must tell you why, inform you of your right to appeal, and provide instructions for judicial review.
Statutory TextEach agency that maintains a system of records shall… permit the individual to request amendment of a record pertaining to him.
— 5 U.S.C. § 552a(d)(2) — Access to records
Statutory TextAn agency shall allow an individual to request amendment of a record pertaining to him… and shall promptly, either— (A) make any correction of any portion thereof which the individual believes is not accurate, relevant, timely, or complete; or (B) inform the individual of its refusal to amend the record…
— 5 U.S.C. § 552a(d)(2) — Access to records
What to Do
Review your records: Submit a written request to the agency’s Privacy Act officer to access your records.
Submit a correction request: Clearly identify the record, explain why it’s inaccurate, and include supporting evidence.
Wait for response: The agency must respond within 30 working days (or notify you of an extension).
Appeal if denied: File a written appeal within 30 days of denial; the agency has 30 days to decide.
Seek judicial review: If the appeal is denied, you may file suit in federal district court within 2 years.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.