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Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau contacts over 3.5 million addresses across the country to participate in the American Community Survey (ACS). When you respond to the survey, you are doing your part to ensure decisions about your community can be made using the best data available.

The Census Bureau mails letters to inform you that you have been selected to participate in either the ACS if you live within the United States, or the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) if you live within Puerto Rico.

  • The initial mailing for the ACS provides instructions for completing the survey online. A paper questionnaire is later mailed for those that prefer not to respond online. You are asked to complete the survey either online or to mail the completed paper questionnaire back.
  • In Puerto Rico, only a paper questionnaire is mailed.
  • Please note that some hard to reach addresses, such as Remote Alaska, will be visited in person by a Census employee to fill out the form in person.

If we cannot reach you via Internet or paper questionnaire, a field representative may visit you to conduct an interview in person.

Learn more below about how to respond by mail, respond by phone, and in-person interviews. You can also respond online to complete the survey.

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You may first receive information explaining how to respond online to the American Community Survey. We will automatically send you a paper form in about two weeks if you do not complete the survey online. In Puerto Rico and some hard to reach areas in the United States, only a paper questionnaire is mailed.

Use a pen with blue or black ink, or a #2 pencil to fill out the form. Mail it back in the postage-paid return envelope. If you have trouble answering a question, call us at 1-800-354-7271, and we will help you.

You do not need to mail the paper form back if you completed the survey online or by telephone.

If you have lost the envelope, send your completed questionnaire to:

Director
U.S. Census Bureau
P.O. Box 5240
Jeffersonville, IN 47199-5240

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Call toll-free 1-800-354-7271.
¿Necesita ayuda? Llame 1-877-833-5625.    

Note: For callers with hearing loss, you can reach our toll-free number above using your state or national relay services (a.k.a. TRS) based on your mode of communication preference (TTY, VCO, CapTel, Videophone, etc.).

Why would the Census Bureau call?

If we don't hear from you online, by mail, or if you leave questions blank, we may call you.

If you respond by mail, we may call if you have six or more people at your address. The mail-in form only has room for five.

Do you want to verify that the phone call is legitimate?

If someone has contacted you about the American Community Survey and you'd like to verify that the phone call is legitimate, you can call one of our telephone centers directly:

  • Jeffersonville, IN: 1-800-523-3205
  • Tucson, AZ: 1-800-642-0469

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If we don't hear from you online, by mail, or by phone, a Census Bureau field representative may visit you in person to help you complete the American Community Survey.

In-person interviews are also conducted with people living in group housing and people living in remote areas.

Do you want to verify that the visit is legitimate?

If someone has contacted you about the American Community Survey and you'd like to verify that the visit is legitimate, you can call your Census Regional Office.

If you wish to independently confirm that the person at your door is a Census Bureau employee, you can enter their name in the Census Bureau’s staff search website. Enter in the first and last name only to verify a field representative's identity.

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