Does anyone know how to get a copy of a SAR that the bank filed? I think I mailed it. I'm 90% sure I mailed it but I would just like to confirm that it was mailed. Any help would be great! Thanks.

I make a physical file for each SAR I file. In it I keep a copy of the SAR our security department sends to me, a copy of the one I sent to FinCEN and supporting documentation. I also indicate on the front of the file the date it was sent to FinCEN. I have had auditors look more at my SAR files than at my CTR's lately. We also use a free software provided by the government that stores all the SAR's we have filed. The software also allows you to file on diskette instead of paper & it shows that the SAR was exported for filing (the software also allows you quick access to all the SAR's filed and allows you to print off lists of SARs). Since the FinCEN sends no return confirmation, there is no way of knowing if they actually received them.
Maybe you could contact FinCEN, but it might all depend on when you sent it. I don't know how long it takes them to actually know they have it.
Maybe filing them on the internet (PACS) would cure this problem of no confirmation.

We keep a copy of the SAR in files with all of the supporting documentation, and send the original Certified Mail. When we get the green card back from FinCEN, we know they have received the SAR, and can document when it was sent to them. We do this by attaching the green card to the copy of the SAR we filed. I also write on the copy, the date I mailed out the original SAR to FinCEN. May be overkill, but at least I know we can demonstrate compliance.

Michelle,
I have to assume that you have a file copy of the SAR and your actual concern is verifying FinCEN's receipt of the original rather than obtaining a copy.

Either way, your only hope for verifying its receipt or obtaining a copy is the FinCEN helpline, 800-800-2877. It's an understatement to say you will have to be persistent in working your way through the voice mail decision tree. If your repeated efforts to talk to a human being and receive a confirmation are unrewarded, send a copy of the SAR "return receipt requested" as Jules suggests. Include a very brief cover letter indicating it may be a duplicate filing.

When the examiners come, they will know whether the SAR was received in Detroit - you need to be certain that it was.

I would venture to say this is another reason we should all be considering the PACS system for filing!

You could always bite the bullet & contact your regulator and ask someone to hit the FinCEN database and see if it is there.

Bonnie, do you currently use the PACS system? If so, how did you get your enrollment code (step 2 enrollment form)?

No - we are looking at the PACS system but haven't gone through all of the steps to implement it. However, I have heard from others that are using the PACS system that once you get past the initial set-up, the system provides a much more efficient method to prepare and submit CTRs and SARs.