SF-86 Document Prep Help

When you complete the SF-86, you will be asked to provide names and contact information for “three people who know you well.” You should choose these references carefully, and be aware that there are certain requirements and restrictions. For example, you can’t use family members or people used in other sections of the SF-86. And, you’ll need to combine references in a way that covers at least the previous seven years.

In addition to these general references, the SF-86 process also involves verifying some of your information about schools, employers, and residences. How many references you’ll need for these sections depends on where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing. For example, you’ll need to list someone who knew you at each address where you’ve lived in the past three years–someone like a neighbor or landlord. So, the number of contacts you’ll need to list in that section will depend on how many residences you’ve had across the preceding three years.

You will also have to list supervisors from past employment, someone who knew you at any school you attended in the past three years, and others. The total number of contacts you will be required to list may be significant.

It’s very important that your responses to the SF-86 are complete and accurate. In some cases, the e-QIP system will let you know if you left something out. For example, if you forgot to include a short-term job you held for a month or two between longer-term engagements, the system should notice the gap in employment dates and give you a validation error.

Not every error is so easily identified, though. If you realize after completing your SF-86 that you left something out, had a date wrong or made another mistake, you’ll need to act quickly to correct it. This is an area where many applicants make significant missteps, such as deciding to wait and add the missing information at their interview. That doesn’t usually work out well, because when the SF-86 investigation process gets underway, the investigator may discover the missing information on their own. That can result in a notation that you were “confronted” about the discrepancy rather than having come forward voluntarily.

The same can happen if you reach out to attempt to supplement your SF-86 and are told it’s too late. You’ll want to create a paper trail documenting your effort to correct your mistake.

This is an area where an experienced security clearance lawyer can be a big help, whether that means helping ensure that you don’t miss anything or helping quickly correct the record if you do.

The answer to this question depends on the section of the SF-86 and, in some circumstances, your age and history. For example, you’ll be asked to list all of your residences in the previous 10 years. But, you aren’t required to list places you lived before age 18 unless that’s necessary to document the preceding two years.

Other questions cover your entire history. Some examples include having been adjudicated mentally incompetent, having held dual citizenship, having been issued a passport, and having served in the military.  The information you are required to provide in response to those questions could stretch back to early childhood.

The SF-86 questionnaire is the starting point for the investigation into your background. Once the SF-86 and any other documents you are required to provide have been received, the SF-86 investigation process begins. That process may include a variety of steps, such as background checks, running your fingerprints, verifying your employment and residence history, and talking to the references you listed and other people who may have information to contribute.

Once the investigation process is complete, including your interview and possibly polygraph examination, your file will be sent to adjudication for a determination on your security clearance.

The instructions for SF-86 provide a long list of ways in which the questionnaire can be used. For example, whether or not you are granted security clearance, your SF-86 will be retained. If you ever apply for security clearance in the future, your SF-86 may be compared to the prior questionnaire.

Information provided on the questionnaire will inform the investigation into your background and any possible security risks. You may also have trouble getting security clearance if there are discrepancies or omissions on your SF-86. In short, the information that is and is not included on this form will play a critical role in determining whether your security clearance is granted.