IMM 5744 consent form: when you need it and how to sign it

What is the IMM 5744 form?

IMM 5744 is a consent form from IRCC. IRCC means Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Canada's immigration department.

Its full name is “Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request”.

Consent means your permission. By signing it, you let another person get your records.

Your records are what IRCC keeps on your file, such as the officer's notes.

The form calls that other person the designated representative.

“By signing this form, you authorize IRCC to release your information to the designated representative.”

Form IMM 5744, page 1

Need a blank form? Get it only from IRCC's IMM 5744 page (opens in a new tab). Use a computer. IRCC says: “The form may not open on tablets or mobile phones.”

Do I need it to get my own records?

No. Not when you ask IRCC for your own records yourself.

IRCC asks for the form when a request is made for someone else:

“If you are making a request on behalf of someone else, you must include the Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request (IMM 5744) form.”

IRCC, How to make a request under the Privacy Act

Anyone, anywhere in the world, can ask IRCC for their own records. It is free.

“Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals, regardless of where they are located, can request access to their personal information held by federal government institutions under the Privacy Act.”

“There are no fees involved with the processing of a request under this Act.”

IRCC, How to make a request under the Privacy Act

Since 13 July 2022, this right covers everyone outside Canada too. It comes from the Privacy Act Extension Order, No. 3 (opens in a new tab).

Not sure which way suits you? Do it yourself, or let us do it? compares both.

Who has to sign the IMM 5744?

You sign it. On the form, you are the “applicant”.

Other people on your file sign too, if their details are to be released. The form names them:

• your spouse (husband or wife) or common-law partner;
• your children aged 16 or older;
• anyone else whose details could be in the records.

“If your spouse or common-law partner, children 16 years of age or older, or any other individuals whose information could be contained in the requested records wishes to release their information to the designated representative, they must sign in the space provided.”

Form IMM 5744, page 1

One form has room for up to four people, you included. Everyone who signs uses their own box.

A missing signature can slow the request down. Without it, that person's details may not be released.

“Obtaining consent from all parties will permit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release their information and will provide you with more information in response to your request.”

“Missing signatures may delay the processing of your request.”

Form IMM 5744, page 1

From what age must a family member sign?

IRCC's own pages give different ages. Here is what each one says.

Form IMM 5744 (opens in a new tab)

Children “16 years of age or older” sign. For a child under 16, both parents consent, or one parent with a court order.

IRCC's Privacy Act page (opens in a new tab)

“Include this form for each individual listed on your file who is 16 years of age or older.”

IRCC's Access to Information Act page (opens in a new tab)

“Include this form for each individual listed on your file who is over the age of 18.”

IRCC help centre, answer 465 (opens in a new tab)

“You do not need consent to get the personal information of any dependants who are under 18 years of age.”

The form itself uses 16. By the form's rule, a child aged 16 or older signs their own box.

A child under 16 does not sign. The parents give consent instead (see below).

What if a child under 16 is on the file?

IRCC needs both parents' consent to release the child's details, or a court order. The child does not sign.

“Both parents have to approve the release of their children's info (under 16).”

“Provide the minor's information in section 2. They are not required to sign the form.”

Form IMM 5744, page 2

A minor is a child. The form gives three ways to get consent:

1. Both parents sign the same form.
2. Each parent signs a separate form. The child's details go on each one.
3. One parent signs and adds a valid Canadian court order showing custody.

How do I sign the IMM 5744 correctly?

Print the form on paper first. Then check it and sign it.

• Use a blue pen. Not black ink, and not pencil.
• Sign by hand, on the paper. Do not type your name.
• No phone or computer signatures. Do not sign on a screen or paste in a picture of your signature.
• Write the date next to your signature. Use year-month-day, like 2026-10-05.
• Sign only your own box. Never sign for someone else.
• Check the details. Every name and date of birth must be right.

“Only original handwritten signatures signed in blue ink will be accepted.”

“To safeguard against fraudulent forms, only original signatures signed in BLUE will be accepted. No electronic signatures. Make sure the applicant includes the date of the signature.”

Form IMM 5744, pages 1 and 2

Fraudulent means fake. IRCC uses the blue-ink rule to guard against fake forms.

How do I send a photo or scan of the signed form?

IRCC's form gives this tip for sending it online:

“A colour scan in good resolution (300 dpi and up) OR taking a close well-lit snapshot of the form with your smartphone camera will help ensure your form is accepted.”

Form IMM 5744, page 2

In simple words:

• Take the photo in colour, so the blue ink shows.
• Lay the page flat, in good light.
• Hold the phone straight above the page, close to it.
• Get the whole page in, with all four corners.
• Check that the photo is sharp, with no shadow on the writing.
• Using a scanner? Set it to 300 dpi or more. Dpi is a sharpness setting.

The form says “Protected when completed”. Once filled in, it holds private details. Send it only to whoever is making your request.

How long is the consent valid?

One year. The year counts from the date next to your signature.

“This consent is valid for one year from the date appearing next to the Applicant's signature.”

“The same consent form can be submitted with each new ATIP request.”

Form IMM 5744, pages 1 and 2

ATIP means Access to Information and Privacy. It is the name for these requests.

So keep your signed form. Within the year, it can go with a new request. After one year, sign a new one.

Can I write a letter instead of the form?

Yes. IRCC's help centre says a signed letter also works. It must have four things:

1. the name of the person giving consent;
2. the name of the person receiving consent;
3. the signature of the person giving consent;
4. the date the letter was signed.

“To get personal information belonging to someone else, you must submit their written consent authorizing you to receive their personal information. Consent may be provided by: completing the Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request – IMM 5744, or a written statement that includes: the name of the person giving the consent, the name of the person to whom consent is being given, the signature of the person giving the consent and the date the letter was signed.”

“You do not need consent to get the personal information of any dependants who are under 18 years of age.”

IRCC help centre, answer 465

The form already has a place for each of these. When we make your request, we use the IMM 5744 form.

What mistakes should I avoid?

Signed in black ink

Print a new copy and sign it in blue ink.

A typed, pasted or screen signature

IRCC says “No electronic signatures.” Print the form and sign it by hand.

No date next to the signature

Write the date as year-month-day.

A family member aged 16 or older did not sign

Their details may not be released. Your request may also take longer.

Only one parent signed for a child under 16

Add the other parent's signature, on this form or a separate one. Or add a valid Canadian court order.

A blurry or cut-off photo

Take it again: flat, in good light, the whole page.

A form signed more than a year ago

It is no longer valid. Sign a new one.

This page is general information about IRCC's form. It is not legal advice. IRCC can change its forms and pages at any time.