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.
SF86
Questionnaire for National Security Positions
- Agency
- GSA
- Revision
- Revised November 2016
- Fillable fields
- 6197
- Pages
- 136
- Official source
- GSA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
Standard Form 86: Questionnaire for National Security Positions
Standard Form 86 (SF 86) is the Questionnaire for National Security Positions. It is printed as a U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) form, Revised November 2016, under 5 CFR Parts 731, 732 and 736, with OMB No. 3206-0005. GSA's forms library hosts a copy.
The form says the U.S. Government uses it for background investigations, reinvestigations and continuous evaluations of people under consideration for, or retention of, national security positions, and of people who need eligibility for access to classified information. Agencies may also use it for contract workers whose sensitive work needs logical or physical access.
SF 86 has Sections 1 to 29, followed by a certification and three authorizations. Many questions look back 7 or 10 years, and some ask whether something has EVER happened. The form says to follow the instructions of the office that gave it to you. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on SF 86
Sections 11 to 16: home, school, work and references
Where you lived and went to school, and your employment, going back 10 years, plus former federal service, your employment record, Selective Service, military history and three people who know you well.
Sections 17 and 18: partner and relatives
Your marital or relationship status, details about a current or former spouse or partner, any cohabitant, and each type of relative, living or deceased.
Sections 19 to 20C: foreign contacts and travel
Close and continuing contact with foreign nationals, foreign financial interests, foreign business and government contacts, and travel outside the U.S. in the last 7 years.
Sections 21 to 24: health, police, drugs and alcohol
Questions on psychological and emotional health, police record, illegal use of drugs and drug activity, and use of alcohol, each with its own time period.
Sections 25 to 29: records and associations
Earlier investigations and clearances, financial record, use of information technology systems, non-criminal court actions in the last 10 years, and association record.
The 29 numbered sections fall into these groups.
How to complete SF 86
- 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 one does not apply, check its Not Applicable box. Write dates as Month/Day/Year or Month/Year and mark APPROX. or EST for an estimate.
- 3
Add space if needed
Use the Continuation Space at the end, or blank sheets with your name and SSN at the top. Identify the item number before each answer.
- 4
Sign the certification and releases
Sign and date in ink the certification, the authorization for release of information, the Fair Credit Reporting authorization and, if you answered Yes to Section 21, the medical release.
- 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 you may be asked for documents such as a passport or birth certificate.
Why fill Form SF86 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 150 minutes per response, including time to review the instructions and gather the data.
How long the authorizations last
The general release and the credit authorization stay in effect while you occupy a national security sensitive position or need eligibility for access to classified information. The medical release is valid for one year or until your affiliation with the Federal Government ends, whichever is sooner.
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.
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 86?
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 SF86
Who issues SF 86?
The form is printed as a U.S. Office of Personnel Management form, OMB No. 3206-0005, Revised November 2016. GSA hosts a copy in its forms library.
How far back does SF 86 ask about?
It depends on the section. Where you lived, where you went to school and your employment go back 10 years, many other questions cover the last 7 years, and some ask whether something has EVER happened.
What if a question does not apply to me?
The form says to check the associated Not Applicable box, unless otherwise noted.
Does SF 86 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 SF 86 say about mental health care?
Section 21 asks about psychological and emotional health. The form says mental health treatment and counseling, in and of itself, is not a reason to revoke or deny eligibility.
What does the form say about false statements?
The form says that under 18 U.S.C. 1001, knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to five years imprisonment.
How long does SF 86 take to fill out?
OPM estimates an average of 150 minutes per response, including time to review the instructions and gather the information.