Section 1: employee identifying information
Name (last, first, middle), date of birth and Social Security Number, typed or printed.
SF3111
Request for Waiver, Extension, or Search In Connection with Election of FERS Coverage
- Agency
- GSA
- Revision
- Rev. 6/1990
- Fillable fields
- 12
- Pages
- 2
- Official source
- GSA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
Standard Form 3111 (SF 3111): Request for Waiver, Extension, or Search (FERS Election)
Standard Form 3111 (SF 3111), Request for Waiver, Extension, or Search In Connection with Election of FERS Coverage, is the form a federal employee uses to make a request to OPM about a former spouse court order before electing the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). It is a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) form, Standard Form 3111 (6-90), under 5 CFR 846, formerly OPM Form 1560. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.
The form says it can be used to ask OPM to check whether a qualifying court order is on file, to grant a 6-month extension of the election deadline so the court order can be modified, or to waive the requirement that the former spouse consent to the FERS election. The employee completes Sections 1 to 4, the employing office forwards it, and OPM completes Section 5.
It is submitted with Parts 2 and 3 of the FERS election, Standard Form 3109. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on SF 3111
Section 2: addresses for OPM's response
The employing office address and the employee's mailing address, where OPM returns copies of its response.
Section 3: spousal identifying information
The former spouse's name (last, first, middle) and date of birth.
Section 4: request to OPM
Three requests: A, determine whether a court order is on file; B, a 6-month extension to elect FERS; C, a waiver of the former spouse's consent based on attached documentation. Then the employee's signature and date.
Section 5: OPM's response
OPM marks whether it has a qualifying court order on file, whether an extension is approved and when it expires, or refers to attached correspondence about a waiver.
Back: information and instructions
Information for Employees, Instructions for Employees with the documentation for a waiver request, and Instructions for Employing Office.
How to complete SF 3111
- 1
Read the back first
The form says to read the Instructions for Employees and Information for Employees before completing it.
- 2
Fill in Sections 1 to 3
Enter your identifying information, both addresses and the former spouse's details. The form says to ask your employing office how its copy should be addressed so it reaches the right office quickly.
- 3
Choose the requests in Section 4
Mark A, B or C. The form says the six-month extension period runs from the date the request is approved.
- 4
Attach waiver documentation
For request C, the form lists one of: a judicial or administrative determination that the former spouse cannot be located; affidavits with documentary corroboration; or a judicial determination of exceptional circumstances.
- 5
Sign and submit four copies
Sign and date Section 4, then submit four (4) copies with Parts 2 and 3 of your FERS election, according to your employing office's instructions.
Why fill Form SF3111 on indox
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Where it goes and what the form says
Where it goes
The employee gives it to the employing office. The office sends 3 copies, with any documentation, to: Office of Personnel Management, Employee Service and Records Center, P.O. Box 200, Attn: FERS Election, Boyers, PA 16020.
Waivers without documentation
The form says that if the required documentation is not supplied, OPM cannot grant the request for a waiver.
When the election takes effect
The office does not make the FERS election effective until OPM responds or the former spouse's consent arrives before the deadline. After OPM grants a waiver or reports no court order on file, it is effective at the beginning of the first pay period after OPM notifies the office.
Former spouse consent instead
The form says to use Standard Form 3110, Former Spouse's Consent to FERS Election, if the former spouse consents.
Privacy
Collection is authorized by Public Law 99-335. The form says furnishing the Social Security Number is voluntary, but failure to do so may delay or make it impossible to determine eligibility to elect FERS coverage.
Related forms
Who completes SF 3111?
The form splits the work between the employee, the employing office and OPM.
Official sources and the blank
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Questions about Form SF3111
Who issues SF 3111?
The footer names the Office of Personnel Management and 5 CFR 846. It is Standard Form 3111 (6-90), formerly OPM Form 1560. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.
What can I ask OPM with SF 3111?
The form lists three requests: determine whether a court order awarding benefits to the former spouse is on file, grant a 6-month extension of time to elect FERS, or waive the former spouse's consent requirement.
When is a former spouse's consent needed?
The form lists four conditions together: a qualifying court order awards a portion of the CSRS annuity or survivor benefit to a former spouse, it is on file at OPM, the former spouse is alive, and has not remarried before age 55.
How many copies of SF 3111 are submitted?
The employee instructions say to submit four (4) copies with Parts 2 and 3 of the FERS election. The employing office instructions say to send 3 copies to OPM.
How long is the extension?
Request B asks for a 6-month extension, and the form says the six-month period runs from the date the request is approved. OPM fills in the expiry date in Section 5.
Who gets OPM's answer?
The form says OPM completes Section 5 and returns one copy of its response to the employee and one to the employing office, which files it with SF 3109 in the OPF.