The sf312 is Standard Form 312, the Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement, an agreement between an individual and the United States that is accepted in return for being granted access to classified information. The printed form says it is prescribed by ODNI under 32 CFR Part 2001.80 and E.O. 13526, and the GSA publishes the PDF. Government employees and non-government personnel such as contractors sign it. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF lives at the agency.
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What is SF 312?
Standard Form 312 (SF 312), Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement, is the agreement between an individual and the United States that the individual accepts in consideration of being granted access to classified information, and under which the individual promises to protect it.
The form is prescribed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) under 32 CFR Part 2001.80 and Executive Order 13526. It is a two-sided form. The front and the top of the reverse carry twelve numbered paragraphs. They define classified information, record that the signer has received a security indoctrination, set the conditions for disclosing classified information, list the consequences of a breach, assign to the Government any royalties from improper disclosure, require return of classified materials, and state that the obligations continue after access ends unless the signer is released in writing.
Paragraphs 10 and 11 state that the agreement does not alter rights and obligations created by existing statutes and executive orders on communications to Congress, reports to an Inspector General or the Office of Special Counsel, and other whistleblower protections.
The signature blocks cover the signer, an optional witness, and a representative who accepts the agreement on behalf of the United States Government. The reverse also holds a Security Debriefing Acknowledgement, signed when access ends. The form is marked "Previous edition not usable," and the revision printed on this version is REV. 12/2023.
Who needs to file SF 312?
The main group is any individual who is being granted access to classified information and is asked to accept this agreement. The form is written for both government and non-government people: the organization block asks contractors, licensees, grantees and agents for a name, address and, if applicable, a Federal Supply Code number.
- Government personnel sign all twelve paragraphs.
- Non-government personnel sign the same form, but the provisions marked with an asterisk (*) are printed as not applicable to them. Those marks appear in paragraph 4 and paragraph 11.
- An authorized representative of the United States Government signs the acceptance block on the Government's behalf.
- A witness signs when the signer signs manually. The witness block is not applicable if the signer signs digitally.
The form sets no other eligibility rules. Which agency asks you to sign it, and how, is decided by the agency that grants the access, because the form says signatures are made manually or digitally "as prescribed by agency."
When to file SF 312
The triggering event is the grant of access to classified information: in paragraph 1 the signer accepts the obligations in consideration of being granted that access, and paragraph 12 refers to a briefing officer who makes the referenced Executive Order and statutes available so the signer can read them at that time. The form prints no calendar deadline.
The obligations do not end with the job. Under paragraph 8 they apply while you have access and at all times afterward, unless an authorized representative of the United States Government releases you in writing. When access ends, the Security Debriefing Acknowledgement on the reverse is signed and dated; there you state whether you have or have not received a security debriefing.
How to fill out SF 312
Enter the individual's name
At the top, in the line "AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ___ AND THE UNITED STATES," print or type the name of the individual who will receive access.
Read paragraphs 1 through 12
Read the full agreement on both sides, including the whistleblower language in paragraphs 10 and 11. Paragraph 12 states that you have read it and that your questions have been answered.
Sign and date as the individual
In the SIGNATURE and DATE boxes, sign manually with a witness or digitally, as prescribed by your agency. Enter the date you sign.
Enter your Social Security Number
Enter your SSN in the box provided. The Privacy Act notice says furnishing it is voluntary, but failure to do so may delay or prevent your being granted access.
Complete the organization block
Type or print your organization. If you are a contractor, licensee, grantee or agent, give its name, address and, if applicable, Federal Supply Code number.
Complete the witness block
If you signed manually, the witness signs, dates and gives a typed or printed name and address. Leave it out if you signed digitally.
Complete the acceptance block
The Government representative signs, dates and gives a name and address on behalf of the United States Government, manually or digitally as prescribed by agency.
Leave the debriefing for later
The Security Debriefing Acknowledgement on the reverse is completed when access ends. The employee signs and dates, strikes out "have" or "have not" as appropriate, and a witness gives a name and signature unless the employee signed digitally.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the name, dates and signature blocks against the instructions above, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it to the person handling your access.
How to submit SF 312
The form prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule. The agreement is completed at the point where access is granted: you sign, a witness signs if you sign manually, and an authorized representative signs the acceptance block for the United States Government.
- Signing: the signature block says you may sign manually with a witness, or digitally, as prescribed by agency. Follow the method of the agency that is granting you access.
- Witness: the witness block is not applicable if you sign digitally.
- Acceptance: the Government representative signs and dates the block "on behalf of the United States Government," and may sign manually or digitally, as prescribed by agency.
- Debriefing: the reverse side is completed when your access ends.
Ask the security officer or briefing officer handling your access where the signed original is to be kept or sent. The PDF is published by the GSA at https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/2024-06/SF312-23.pdf. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's own channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an older edition of the form: the printed notice says the previous edition is not usable and this version is REV. 12/2023.
- Having a witness sign the witness block when the signer signed digitally; that block is marked not applicable if the candidate digitally signs.
- Signing manually without a witness, when the form says manual signatures are made with a witness.
- Applying the asterisked provisions to a contractor, licensee, grantee or agent; the form marks them as not applicable to non-government personnel.
- Omitting the organization name, address and Federal Supply Code number (if applicable) for a contractor, licensee, grantee or agent.
- Leaving the Social Security Number blank without knowing the notice says that failure to furnish it may delay or prevent being granted access.
- Skipping the strike-out on the debriefing acknowledgement, which asks you to strike out "have" or "have not" received a security debriefing.
- Signing before reading paragraph 12 and the referenced Executive Order and statutes, which the briefing officer is to make available to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SF312 form?
The sf312 is Standard Form 312, the Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement. An individual signs it with the United States in return for being granted access to classified information, agreeing not to disclose it except as the agreement allows.
Who has to sign SF 312?
Individuals who are being granted access to classified information sign it, whether they are government personnel or non-government personnel such as contractors, licensees, grantees or agents. A Government representative also signs to accept the agreement on behalf of the United States.
Can I fill out SF 312 online?
You can fill out the SF 312 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the GSA and ODNI and does not file or submit the agreement; signing and handling follow the agency that grants your access.
Does SF 312 need a witness?
A witness is needed when you sign manually. The form says you may sign manually with a witness, or digitally, as prescribed by agency, and the witness block is not applicable if you sign digitally.
Do I have to give my Social Security Number on SF 312?
Furnishing it is voluntary under the form's Privacy Act notice, but failure to do so may delay or prevent your being granted access to classified information. The SSN is used to identify you when certifying or ending your access.
How long do the SF 312 obligations last?
They last during the time you have access and at all times afterward, unless an authorized representative of the United States Government releases you in writing (paragraph 8). Ending your job does not end them.
Does SF 312 stop me from reporting wrongdoing?
No. Paragraph 10 says the agreement does not alter existing rights relating to communications to Congress, reports to an Inspector General or the Office of Special Counsel, or other whistleblower protections, and does not restrict lawful whistleblower disclosures.
Which edition of SF 312 should I use?
Use the edition printed REV. 12/2023. The form states "Previous edition not usable." The PDF is published by the GSA at https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/2024-06/SF312-23.pdf.
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