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Request for Correction of Personal Information

What Is a Request for Correction of Personal Information? 

When consumers ask institutions and businesses to correct inaccurate or incorrect information about them, they request the correction of personal information. 

In the US, consumers’ right to request the correction of personal information depends on what kind of information they want to correct and where they live. 

There is no US equivalent of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which gives European consumers the right to rectify their data by the organization that holds it (with some restrictions). 

Instead, in the US, there are several federal and state laws that give consumers the right to correct their personal information, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). 

Third-party definition

You have the right to request a correction by a public body when an error or omission in your information has been made. – Yukon

How to Make a Request for Correction of Personal Information 

The process for requesting correction of personal information depends on what kind of information a consumer wants to correct and where they live. This will determine the law under which they can make their request. 

Correcting PII held by government agencies

Under the Privacy Act of 1974, consumers can review the personally identifiable information (PII) that government agencies hold about them and correct or amend incomplete, inaccurate, irrelevant, or untimely information. 

To see the personal information that a government agency has on you:

  1. Identify the agency. 
  2. Make your request.

The second step will differ depending on the agency, but in general, you can make your request by filling out an online form, mailing your request, or faxing your request. 

Once you see the information an agency has on you and determine it’s inaccurate, you can make a correction request. 

For example, here’s how to request access to personal information and corrections from the Department of Justice. 

Tip: Try searching for “agency name” alongside “submit a privacy request” on your preferred search engine to find instructions on how to make a request for the correction of personal information. 

Correcting information on credit reports

The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives consumers the right to see their files and dispute errors within these files. 

The easiest way to request to see your report is through AnnualCreditReport.com. 

You can also call (877) 322-8228 or complete and mail a form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Let the relevant credit reporting agency know if you see errors in your credit report. You can make your dispute online (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) or call/mail the agency. 

Tip: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has more information on how to make your dispute, including what to include in a dispute letter and what to expect after you send your dispute.  

Correcting medical information held by HIPAA-covered entities 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) gives individuals the legal right to access their medical information from HIPAA-covered entities and correct any inaccuracies they find. 

To access your information, check if your healthcare provider has an online portal. The information you seek may be available through the portal if it does.

If your healthcare provider does not have an online portal or the portal does not have the information you’re looking for, check the provider’s website or call and ask about the process for accessing your medical data. You can also make a written request to access your information. Verywellhealth.com has an article with information you may want to include in your letter. 

In the event that the information a provider has on you is incorrect, you can request it to be corrected – as long as the provider was the one who created the inaccurate information. 

Again, the process will differ from one provider to the next (some providers might have an online form you can fill out; others might need you to mail in a physical letter), so your best bet is to look for information on the provider’s website or call them and ask what the process for correcting personal information is. 

Tip: Try searching for “provider name” alongside “request for Correction/Amendment of Health Information” on your preferred search engine to see if your provider has an online form you can fill out to correct inaccurate information. 

Correcting personal information under state laws

If you live in a US state with a consumer privacy law, you might be able to request access to and correction of your personal information by quoting the law to the organizations that hold your information. 

State laws that give consumers a right to correct their personal data include:  

  • The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
  • Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA)
  • Colorado Privacy Act (CPA)
  • The Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA)
  • Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MTCDPA) 
  • The Tennessee Information Protection Act (TIPA)
  • The Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA) 
  • The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA)
  • The Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act (INCDPA)
  • The Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act (DPDPA) 

To see how to access and correct your information under the above state laws, check the privacy policy of the organization where you want to correct information. The organization should have instructions on how you can submit your requests.

It’s important to note that not all states with privacy laws give consumers the right to correct their information. For example, neither the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) nor the Iowa Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA) allow consumers to correct inaccuracies in the personal information that organizations hold about them. 

Why Is Correcting Personal Information Important? 

Inaccurate information can hamper your opportunities, negatively impacting your credit scores, interest rates, and loan eligibility. It could even lead to loss of employment and denial of rental applications. 

Having data that is inaccurate can also stop you from being able to access benefits and services (for example, if your address/phone number is incorrect). 

Additionally, incorrect information could indicate identity theft. For example, errors in medical records could be a sign of medical identity theft and result in bills that aren’t yours or denial of treatment.