The SF85, officially the Standard Form 85 (SF 85), Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions, is the questionnaire the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) uses to collect data for background investigations of people considered for, or keeping, non-sensitive low risk positions. For applicants it comes after a conditional offer of employment, unless OPM has provided for an exception. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; OPM publishes the original at opm.gov, and the office that gave you the form tells you how to return it.
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What is SF 85?
Standard Form 85 (SF 85), Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions, is the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) questionnaire the Government uses to conduct background investigations and reinvestigations of people under consideration for, or retention in, non-sensitive low risk positions as defined in 5 CFR 731.
The form is approved under OMB No. 3206-0261 and cites 5 CFR parts 731 and 736. It is also used to determine the fitness of people under consideration for, or retained in, excepted service positions whose duties are equivalent to a low risk position. Agencies may also use it when deciding whether to issue a Federal credential for access to federally controlled facilities and information systems.
The questionnaire covers Sections 1 to 20: name, date and place of birth, SSN, other names, identifying and contact information, passport, citizenship, residences, schools, employment, Selective Service, military history, police record, illegal drug use, investigations and clearance record, financial record and association record. It ends with a certification, an Authorization for Release of Information and a Fair Credit Reporting Disclosure and Authorization.
The OPM PDF states that it is a reference copy showing the data to be captured, and that individuals are invited into the applicable eApplication system to complete the form. The form is not to be used for National Security sensitive positions.
Who needs to file SF 85?
People under consideration for, or retention in, a non-sensitive low risk position, as defined in 5 CFR 731, complete the SF 85 when the requesting agency asks for it. The office that provided the form gives you its instructions.
- Applicants: use it only after a conditional offer of employment has been made, unless OPM has provided for an exception.
- Current personnel: it is also used for reinvestigations of people retained in non-sensitive positions.
- Excepted service: it is used to determine fitness when the duties are equivalent to a low risk position.
- Federal credential: agencies may use it when deciding whether to issue a credential for access to federally controlled facilities and information systems.
Do not use it for National Security sensitive positions. Current civilian federal employees must answer completely and truthfully; failure to do so could result in an adverse personnel action, including loss of employment. Providing the information is voluntary, but without each item OPM states that the investigation cannot be completed, which adversely affects eligibility for a position or for access.
When to file SF 85
For applicants, the SF 85 is completed after a conditional offer of employment has been made, unless OPM has provided for an exception. The form prints no calendar deadline; the office that gave you the form sets the return date in its own instructions.
Most questions look back 5 years, and several, such as drug use and counseling or treatment, look back 1 year. Each Section states its own period. Do not list residences, schooling or employment before your 18th birthday unless needed to give a minimum of 2 years of history.
The signed Authorization for Release of Information is valid for five (5) years from the date signed or until your affiliation with the Federal Government ends, whichever is sooner. The Fair Credit Reporting authorization stays in effect while you occupy a non-sensitive position. OPM estimates the form takes an average of 120 minutes to complete.
Documents you need
- Signed certification at the end of the questionnaire: sign in ink and date it in mm/dd/yyyy format on the original and each copy you submit.
- Signed Authorization for Release of Information: sign in ink, print your full name, and enter your date signed, other names used, date of birth, SSN, current address and telephone number.
- Signed Fair Credit Reporting Disclosure and Authorization: print your name and SSN, then sign in ink and date it mm/dd/yyyy.
- Photo identification, such as a valid state driver's license, if an interview is part of your investigation; the investigator may also ask for a certification of legal name change, Social Security card, passport or birth certificate.
How to fill out SF 85
Read the instructions and acknowledge
Read the Purpose, Investigative Process and Penalties pages, then answer YES or NO to the statement that you have read the instructions and understand the penalties for inaccurate or false statements. Leave the Agency Use Block to the investigating agency.
Enter name, birth and SSN
Section 1: last, first, middle names and suffix; write "Initial only" or "No Middle Name" where applicable. Section 2: date of birth, checking Est. if approximate. Section 3: city, county, state and country of birth. Section 4: your U.S. SSN, or check Not applicable.
List other names and contact details
Section 5: answer YES or NO to other names used and give each name with dates used and the reason for the change. Section 6: height, weight, hair color, eye color and sex. Section 7: at least one telephone number is required, plus any emails.
Report passport and citizenship
Section 8: if you have a U.S. passport, current or expired, give the number, issue and expiration dates and name. Section 9: select your citizenship status and answer the follow-up questions that status opens. Section 10: answer YES or NO for dual or multiple citizenship.
Account for where you have lived
Section 11: list residences from the present back 5 years without breaks, using actual physical locations. For any address in the last 3 years, give a person who knew you there; do not list a spouse, cohabitant or other relative.
Add your schooling
Section 12: answer the questions about schools in the last 5 years and degrees earned more than 5 years ago. For each school give dates, name and address, and for schools in the last 3 years a person who knew you there.
Complete employment sections 13a and 13b
Section 13a: list all employment, unemployment and self-employment back 5 years without breaks, with a separate entry for each military duty station change, plus supervisor or verifier details and reasons for leaving. Section 13b: answer YES or NO about unlisted jobs where you were fired, quit, left by mutual agreement or disciplined in the last 5 years.
Answer Selective Service and military history
Section 14: if you were born male after December 31, 1959, state whether you registered with the Selective Service System and give the registration number or an explanation. Section 15: report U.S. military service, discipline in the last 5 years, and any service with a foreign military or government agency.
Answer police record and drug questions
Section 16: report listed offenses even if sealed, expunged or dismissed, and any current domestic violence protective or restraining order. Section 17: answer the drug questions for the last year and give details for each YES.
Complete clearance and financial sections
Section 18: report investigations, clearances, denials, suspensions, revocations and debarments within the periods stated. Section 19: report tax filing or payment failures in the last 5 years and current delinquency on Federal debt, with details for each YES.
Answer the association record
Section 20: answer each YES or NO question about terrorism, overthrow of the U.S. Government and related associations. Each YES opens fields for the organization, dates, positions, contributions and a description.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Use Additional Comments if needed, then review every answer for completeness and accuracy. Sign and date the certification, the Authorization for Release of Information and the Fair Credit Reporting authorization in ink, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and keep a copy.
How to submit SF 85
The SF 85 is returned through the office that provided it; the form names no mailing address or portal of its own for the completed questionnaire.
- Agency or office that gave you the form: follow its instructions and any clarifying instructions it provides. If you have questions, contact that office.
- eApplication system: the OPM PDF says individuals are invited into the applicable eApplication system to complete the form.
- Signatures: sign and date in ink the original and each copy you submit, including the certification and both release pages. Photocopies of the signed authorizations are valid.
- Your copy: keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
The address printed in the public burden statement, OPM, Attn: Forms Manager, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415, is for comments on the burden estimate, not for sending the completed form. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving a question unanswered instead of checking the associated "Not Applicable" box; all questions must be answered unless otherwise noted.
- Abbreviating the names of cities or foreign countries; the instructions say not to abbreviate them.
- Entering dates in the wrong format; use Month/Day/Year or Month/Year with two-digit months and days and four-digit years, and check "Estimated" for approximate dates.
- Listing a Post Office box, or a spouse, cohabitant or other relative as the person who knew you, in Section 11; list your actual physical residence and an unrelated verifier.
- Leaving gaps in the 5-year residence or employment history; the entire period must be accounted for without breaks.
- Signing with anything other than ink, or failing to sign and date the original and each copy you submit.
- Using the form for a National Security sensitive position, or completing it as an applicant before a conditional offer of employment, unless OPM provided an exception.
- Withholding, misrepresenting or falsifying information; knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony under 18 U.S.C. 1001.
- Keeping a security freeze on your credit report when a credit report is required; the investigation may not be completed unless you ask the agencies to lift it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SF85 form used for?
The SF85 is the OPM Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions. The Government uses it for background investigations and reinvestigations of people under consideration for, or retained in, non-sensitive low risk positions as defined in 5 CFR 731, and to determine fitness for equivalent excepted service positions.
Who has to complete the SF 85?
People under consideration for, or retention in, non-sensitive low risk positions complete it when the requesting agency asks. Applicants complete it only after a conditional offer of employment unless OPM provided an exception. It is not for National Security sensitive positions.
Is the SF 85 the same as the SF 86?
The OPM form says the SF 85 is not to be used for National Security sensitive positions. It does not describe the SF 86, so check with the office that gave you the form which questionnaire applies to your position.
Can I fill out the SF 85 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. OPM's PDF says it is a reference copy and that individuals are invited into the applicable eApplication system, so follow the instructions from the office that gave you the form.
Where do I send the completed SF 85?
Return it as the office that provided it instructs; the form prints no address or portal for the completed questionnaire. Sign and date in ink the original and each copy you submit, and keep a copy. FillingPDF does not submit the form to any agency.
How far back do the SF 85 questions go?
Most sections cover 5 years: residences, employment, schools, police record, financial record and clearance denials. The drug use questions cover the last year. Some questions, such as citizenship, military service and association record, ask about EVER.
How long does it take to complete the SF 85?
OPM estimates an average of 120 minutes per response, including reviewing instructions, gathering data and completing the form. Having your address, school and employment history for the past 5 years ready can reduce interruptions.
What happens if I give false information on the SF 85?
Withholding, misrepresenting or falsifying information may affect your eligibility and can lead to removal, debarment from Federal service or prosecution. Under 18 U.S.C. 1001, knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony with fines and/or up to five years imprisonment.
How long is the SF 85 release authorization valid?
The Authorization for Release of Information is valid for five (5) years from the date you sign it, or until your affiliation with the Federal Government ends, whichever is sooner. Photocopies of the signed authorization are valid.
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