Sections 1 to 10: identity and citizenship
Full name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, other names used, height, weight, hair and eye color, contact details, U.S. passport, citizenship, and any dual citizenship or foreign passport.
SF85P
Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions
- Agency
- GSA
- Revision
- Revised December 2017
- Fillable fields
- 4128
- Pages
- 95
- Official source
- GSA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
Standard Form 85P (SF 85P): Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions
Standard Form 85P (SF 85P) is the Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions. It is printed as a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) form, Revised December 2017, under 5 CFR Parts 731, 732, and 736, with OMB Number 3206-0258. GSA's forms library hosts a copy.
The form says the U.S. Government uses it for background investigations and reinvestigations of persons under consideration for, or retention of, public trust positions as defined in 5 CFR 731. Agencies may also use it for contract workers whose duties are equivalent to those of a public trust position. For applicants, it is used only after a conditional offer of employment, and the form says it is not to be used for National Security sensitive positions.
SF 85P has Sections 1 to 27, followed by a certification and release forms. Many questions look back 7 years, and some ask whether something has EVER happened. An agency use block at the front is for the requesting agency. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on SF 85P
Sections 11 to 16: home, school, work and references
Where you lived, went to school and worked going back 7 years, former federal service, employment record, Selective Service, military history and three people who know you well.
Sections 17 to 19: partner, relatives and travel
Marital or relationship status, each type of relative, living or deceased, and travel outside the U.S. in the last seven (7) years.
Sections 20 to 22: police, drugs and alcohol
Police record, illegal use of drugs and drug activity, and use of alcohol. Most questions cover the last seven (7) years, and some ask whether something EVER happened.
Sections 23 to 27: records and associations
Investigations and clearance record, financial record, use of information technology systems, involvement in non-criminal court actions, and association record.
Certification and releases
A certification, an authorization for release of information, a HIPAA medical release used only in the cases the form describes, and a Fair Credit Reporting disclosure and authorization.
The 27 numbered sections fall into these groups.
How to complete SF 85P
- 1
Read the instructions
The first question asks you to confirm, yes or no, that you read the instructions and understand the penalties for withholding, misrepresenting or falsifying information.
- 2
Answer every question
The form says all questions must be answered. Where no response is necessary or applicable, check the associated Not Applicable box. Write dates as Month/Day/Year or Month/Year and check Estimate for an estimated date.
- 3
Cover every period
Residences and employment activities for the 7 years are listed without breaks. For addresses and schools in the last 3 years, the form asks for a person who knew you there.
- 4
Review and sign
After completing the form and any attachments, the form says to review your answers, then sign and date the certification and the attached releases, in ink.
- 5
Return it as the office directs
Follow the instructions of the office that gave you the form. The form says to sign and date the original and each copy you submit and to keep a copy for your records.
- 6
Get ready for a possible interview
Some investigations include an interview. The form says the interview requires photo identification, such as a valid state driver's license, and other documents may be requested to verify your identity.
Why fill Form SF85P on indox
You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.
- Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
- Free to fill and free to download, with no account
- The official blank straight from the GSA, not a copy someone retyped
- Works on a phone, tablet or computer
Submission, time and privacy
Where it goes
The PDF gives no filing address. It says to follow the instructions of the office that gave you the form and to contact that office with any questions.
Time to complete
OPM estimates the public burden at an average of 155 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions and gathering the data.
How long the authorizations last
The release of information is valid for five (5) years and the medical release for one (1) year from the date signed, or until your affiliation with the Federal Government ends, whichever is sooner. The credit authorization stays in effect while you occupy a public trust position.
Credit freezes
The form says a security freeze on your consumer or credit report file can keep the investigation from being completed, and asks you to respond to requests to release the freeze.
Final determination
The form says final determination on suitability is the responsibility of OPM or the Federal agency that requested the investigation, and you may be given the opportunity to explain, refute or clarify information first.
Privacy
Collection and disclosure are governed by the Privacy Act. The form lists OPM's routine uses and says the office that gave you the form will provide a copy of its routine uses.
Related forms
Who fills out SF 85P?
The Purpose section of the form lists these uses. The form says to follow the instructions of the office that gave it to you.
Official sources and the blank
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Questions about Form SF85P
Who issues SF 85P?
The form is printed as a U.S. Office of Personnel Management form, OMB Number 3206-0258, Revised December 2017. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.
Is SF 85P used for national security positions?
The form says it is not to be used for National Security sensitive positions.
How far back does SF 85P ask about?
Where you lived, went to school and worked go back 7 years, as do many other questions, and some ask whether something has EVER happened.
How does SF 85P relate to SF 85P-S?
SF 85P-S is a supplemental questionnaire. SF 85P says that when it is completed with the supplemental SF 85P-S, the HIPAA medical release is provided if you answer yes to the question about your medical record.
When is the HIPAA medical release used?
The form says it is provided only if information arises in an investigation that requires further inquiry, and only to resolve such issues. It lets an investigator ask your health practitioner only the questions on the release.
Does SF 85P ask for my social media passwords?
No. The release says it does not require you to provide passwords, log into a private account or take any action that would disclose non-publicly available social media information.
What does the form say about false statements?
The form says the U.S. Criminal Code (title 18, section 1001) provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to five (5) years imprisonment.
How long does SF 85P take to fill out?
OPM estimates an average of 155 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions and gathering the data.