Applicants making a subject access request to the Home Office must send supporting documents within 7 days, or the request is automatically rejected. The change took effect on 5 May 2026.
Key facts
- Who: People making a subject access request for their own immigration, citizenship or Border Force records, or for someone else's with permission
- From: 5 May 2026
- Source: Request copies of your personal immigration and borders information
Replaces the earlier 15-day deadline for receipt of supporting documents.
The Home Office guidance on requesting copies of personal information held in the borders, immigration and citizenship system says: "Your application will be automatically rejected if we do not receive your supporting documents within 7 days." The deadline was previously 15 days. The guidance page shows an update date of 4 August 2026.
The Subject Access Request Unit (SARU) handles requests for information held by the immigration, citizenship and Border Force parts of the Home Office. Requests are free of charge. The Home Office responds within 1 month once it has all the supporting documents. If it writes asking for further information, the month starts when it receives all documents. In exceptional circumstances it may treat a request as complex and extend the deadline, writing separately to explain why.
Three pieces of evidence are required:
- A copy of photo identification, such as a passport. A driving licence, national identity card or travel document is also accepted. A biometric residence card can be used for 18 months after the expiry date printed on it. Without any of these, a recent photograph is needed. Photo evidence no longer has to be certified, but it must be a good-quality, clear colour photocopy, not an original.
- A letter of authority, signed and dated within the last 6 months, confirming permission for the records to be sent to you or to a representative.
- Proof of relationship if applying for a child under 12, or evidence of power of attorney or litigation friend status where relevant.
Each family member needs a separate application. Requests from an address outside the UK cannot use the online form and must be emailed to subjectaccessrequest@homeoffice.gov.uk. Requests made by email or post rather than the online form may lead the Home Office to ask for more information, which delays the start of the 1-month processing period.
What this means for applicants
Have the photo identification, signed letter of authority and any proof of relationship ready before starting the request. The application form explains how to send them. If the documents do not arrive within 7 days, the application is automatically rejected. The guidance says the Home Office will not be able to process a request without the required evidence, unless the information is required to establish or exercise a legal claim.