Section A: the deceased
Name, date of birth, date of death, Social Security Number, other names, CSA number if retired, any workers' compensation from OWCP, employment status at death, and the spouse and former spouses.
SF2800
Application for Death Benefits - Civil Service Retirement System
- Agency
- GSA
- Revision
- Revised March 2022
- Fillable fields
- 204
- Pages
- 7
- Official source
- GSA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
Standard Form 2800 (SF 2800): Application for Death Benefits (CSRS)
Standard Form 2800 (SF 2800), Application for Death Benefits, Civil Service Retirement System, is a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) form, Revised March 2022, with OMB Number 3206-0156. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library. The form says it is for persons applying for benefits which may be payable under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) because of the death of an employee, former employee, or retiree who was covered by CSRS at the time of death or separation from Federal service.
The application has Sections A to K: the deceased, the applicant, a spouse or former spouse, dependent children, other heirs, the estate, active military service, payment instructions, the certification and an applicant's checklist. It points to the informational pamphlet SF 2800-1, and to SF 2800A when the deceased was an employee at the time of death.
OPM estimates an average of 45 minutes per response. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on SF 2800
Section B: the applicant
Your name, date of birth, Social Security Number and citizenship, the basis on which you apply, and whether any check, Direct Deposit or Direct Debit card payment to the deceased was used after the date of death.
Sections C and D: spouse and former spouse
Who performed the marriage and its date, any remarriage, other survivor annuities, and for a former spouse the divorce date, any court order on CSRS benefits and any health benefits premiums paid to a former employing office.
Sections E to G: children, heirs and estate
Unmarried dependent children with dates of birth, relationship and student or disabled status, any child not yet born, who is responsible for each child, other relatives who can inherit, and any court-appointed executor.
Section H: active military service
Branch and dates of active duty, whether a deposit was made for service after 12/31/56, military retired pay, any waiver of it, and eligibility for military survivor benefits.
Sections I to K: payment, certification and checklist
Direct Deposit or Direct Express payment details, the applicant's signature in ink with address, phone, date and email, and a checklist of the documents attached.
How to complete SF 2800
- 1
Check the deceased's status
Item 8 of Section A asks whether the deceased was an employee, former employee or retiree at death. For an employee, the form says to complete SF 2800A, which can be obtained from the former employing agency.
- 2
Type or print clearly in ink
For more space, use plain paper with your name, date of birth and Social Security Number and the deceased person's name, date of birth and Social Security Number at the top. Write unknown if you do not know, or add a question mark if unsure.
- 3
Gather the documents
Section K lists the death certificate, required in all cases, a marriage certificate or proof for a spouse, children's birth certificates, court papers for an executor or fiduciary, discharge certificates and any divorce or annulment order.
- 4
Choose how to be paid
Section I offers Direct Deposit to a checking or savings account or a Direct Express debit card. The form says you may attach a cancelled personal check instead of filling in the bank details.
- 5
Sign Section J
The applicant named in Section B signs in ink and adds a mailing address, daytime phone, date and email. The form says OPM cannot process the application if all of Section J is not completed.
- 6
Send it to the right office
If the deceased was an employee, send it to the personnel office of the agency where the deceased was last employed. For a former employee or annuitant, send it to OPM.
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Where it goes and what the form says
Where it goes
Employee at death: the personnel office in the agency where the deceased was last employed. Former employee or annuitant: Office of Personnel Management, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.
Questions and address changes
The form says to write to OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045, or call OPM's Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738. Before a claim number is assigned, report a new address in writing with your and the deceased person's identifying details.
Payments made after the death
The form says any un-cashed checks must be returned to the Treasury and that it is a violation of law for anyone to withdraw payments deposited after the death of the deceased.
Time to complete
OPM estimates an average of 45 minutes per response. Comments go to the Retirement Services Publications Team (3206-0156), Washington, D.C. 20415-0001, and the form says completed applications should not be sent there.
Privacy and penalties
OPM collects the information under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 83, Sections 8341 and 8342. Providing it is voluntary, but OPM may be unable to process the application without it. A false statement is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than 5 years or both (18 USC 1001).
Related forms
SF2800-1
Applying for Death Benefits Under the Civil Service Retirement System - Retirement Pamphlet
2 fields, 17 pages
SF2800A
Documentation and Elections in Support of Application for Death Benefits When Deceased was an Employee at the Time of Death - Civil Service Retirement System
258 fields, 8 pages
SF2801
Application for Immediate Retirement CSRS
454 fields, 21 pages
SF2801A
Applying for Immediate Retirement Under the Civil Service Retirement System - Retirement Pamphlet
1 field, 33 pages
Who fills out SF 2800?
Section B, item 5 lists the ways a person can apply. The applicant checks every box that applies.
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Questions about Form SF2800
Who issues SF 2800?
The form is printed as an Office of Personnel Management form, Revised March 2022, with OMB Approval 3206-0156, under the CSRS/FERS Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.
Where do I send SF 2800?
If the deceased was an employee at the time of death, the form says to send it with attachments to the personnel office in the agency where the deceased was last employed. If the deceased was a former employee or annuitant, it goes to the Office of Personnel Management, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.
When is SF 2800A needed?
The form says that if the deceased was an employee at the time of death and you are the surviving spouse or former spouse, you and the deceased person's agency should complete Standard Form 2800A, which can be obtained from the deceased person's employing agency.
Can someone with a power of attorney sign for me?
The form says OPM will not accept the signature of someone who has a power of attorney for the applicant. A court-appointed fiduciary can apply with a court-certified copy of the appointment. If there is none and the applicant is not competent, a relative or person responsible for the applicant may sign.
What documents does SF 2800 ask for?
The checklist lists a death certificate in all cases, a marriage certificate or proof for a spouse, children's birth certificates, court papers for an executor, administrator or fiduciary, DD 214s or other discharge certificates, and a court order of divorce or annulment from a former spouse if not on record at OPM.
What does the form say about a common law marriage?
If a State court has determined that you were married, the form asks for a copy of the court order or judgment. Otherwise it asks for two notarized affidavits from persons who know the facts plus your own affidavit, and lists other documents that can show a marital relationship.
How long does SF 2800 take to fill out?
OPM estimates an average of 45 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, getting the needed data and reviewing the completed form.