Records Search Requests
The HIAS archives chronicle the modern history of a people who have migrated around the world for centuries. Our archives contain records that may be of interest to you because they are a part of your family history and testament to its endurance, or you may need documents for more practical reasons.
Though the history of HIAS stretches to the 1880s, our archives are not complete all the way back. Our Microfilm Collections extend from 1909 for Records of Special Inquiry and from 1911 for Records of Arrival. Copies of case files are available beginning about 1940.
Request for HIAS Arrival Card
If you are searching for information about people were assisted by HIAS prior to 1940, we recommend a search for their HIAS Arrival Card. These cards contain some information about the arriving individual(s), such as their date of arrival, name, age, and marital status. The record search fee for each family that arrived at the same time is a nonrefundable $30.00. To request this service, please fill out the following immigrant record search request and payment authorization forms.
Download immigrant record search request form
Download credit card payment authorization form
Request for Immigration Records Contained in a HIAS Case File
If you are searching for information about people were assisted by HIAS after 1940, their case file may be available in addition to their arrival card. The record search fee for each family that arrived together is a nonrefundable $30.00. This fee includes a search of microfilm collection on our premises. To order the case file from the warehouse (if available) would incur an additional fee of $60.00. To request this service, please fill out the following immigrant case record search request and payment authorization forms.
Download immigrant case record search request form
Download credit card payment authorization form
Request for Genealogy Research
The fee to initiate genealogical research about the part of your family who came to the U.S. is a nonrefundable $100.00. The fee includes a search of HIAS archives and all available online databases. To request this service, please fill out the following genealogy search request and payment authorization forms.
Download genealogy search request form
Download credit card payment authorization form
Request for Missing Person Search
Many people are looking for family and friends they have lost. We will try to find these and other missing loved ones or information about them. Please note that if we find the person, we will only convey information about him/her if we are authorized to do so. The fee for this service is nonrefundable $30.00 and an additional $70.00 for information discovered. To request this service, please fill out the following location service search request and payment authorization forms.
Download location service search request form
Download credit card payment authorization form
We cannot guarantee the outcome of any archival search, but will make every effort to assist you.
Please download and complete the pdf forms associated with your search type, specify your request, and send them with payment to sherly.postnikov@hias.org (preferable) or by mail to:
HIAS Location Service
1359 Broadway, Suite 810
New York, NY 10018
For more information, please contact Archives Manager Sherly Postnikov or call 212-613-1352.
For media requests please see our Media Inquiries page.