Privacy Act Statement

2025 VOLUNTARY APPEAL FILE APPLICATION

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

Authority: The collection of information on this form is authorized by 28 CFR 25.10(g).

Principal Purpose: The principal purpose of collecting the requested information is to allow the FBI to maintain information about you in the Voluntary Appeal File (VAF) for the purpose of preventing the future erroneous denial or extended delay by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) of a transfer of a firearm, explosive, associated permit, or other NICS check. You do not have to provide the requested information to the FBI; however, failure to provide the requested information will result in the FBI’s inability to retain your information in the VAF which may, in turn, result in a future erroneous denial or extended delay of a transfer of a firearm, explosive, associated permit, or other NICS check.

Social Security Account Number (SSAN): Your SSAN is requested to keep records accurate because other people may have the same name and date of birth. Your SSAN will be used to verify your identity. You are not required to provide your SSAN and failure to provide your SSAN will not result in a denial of your VAF application. However, failure to provide your SSAN may result in an increase of time to process your VAF application or requests for additional information to verify your identity.

Routine Uses: During the processing of your application and for as long thereafter as your information is retained in the VAF, your information may be disclosed pursuant to your consent, and may be disclosed without your consent as permitted by 28 CFR Part 25, and applicable routine uses as set forth in the System of Records Notice for the NICS, DOJ/FBI-018, 84 FR 54175 (Oct. 31, 2019). Routine uses include, but are not limited to, disclosures to local, state, tribal, and territorial criminal justice agencies to determine whether transferring a firearm, explosive, or related permit to you is prohibited by state or federal law or whether to grant or deny an appeal from a NICS transaction; and to courts or adjudicative bodies for the purposes of resolving litigation or anticipated litigation.