Free Resource
SF86 Application Checklist
5 things to know before submitting your SF86. A free resource from Russ Roby Law to help you prepare correctly the first time.
SF86 Application Checklist
5 Things to Know Before Submitting Your SF86
A free resource from Russ Roby Law | russrobylaw.com
Gather Your Records Before You Start
- Last 10 years of residential addresses (exact dates, no gaps)
- Last 10 years of employment history (exact dates, supervisor names, addresses)
- All educational institutions attended (dates, degrees, locations)
- All foreign travel in the last 7 years (countries, dates, purpose)
- Names and contact information for all foreign nationals you have close or continuing contact with
- Last 7 years of financial records: credit report, tax returns, any debts or judgments
- Any criminal history: arrests, charges, convictions — even expunged or minor offenses
- Mental health treatment history (if applicable)
- Drug and alcohol use history (be prepared to be honest and specific)
Tip: Pull your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com before starting. Financial issues are one of the top reasons clearances are denied — you want to know what's on there before an investigator does.
Understand What Must Be Disclosed
- ALL foreign contacts — not just close friends, but anyone you are in regular contact with who is a foreign national
- ALL foreign travel, even for tourism or family visits
- ALL prior drug use, including marijuana (even where legal under state law)
- ALL financial delinquencies, bankruptcies, liens, or judgments
- ALL prior arrests or charges, even if dismissed, expunged, or you were not convicted
- ALL past security clearance denials, revocations, or investigations
- ALL mental health counseling (note: this is less disqualifying than most people fear)
- ANY membership in organizations that advocate violence or the overthrow of the U.S. government
Tip: The SF86 asks about conduct going back 7–10 years for most items, but some questions have no time limit. Read each question carefully — "ever" means ever.
Honesty Is Non-Negotiable — But Context Matters
- Never omit information you think investigators might not find — they often do
- Never lie or minimize — dishonesty is often more disqualifying than the underlying issue itself
- For any potentially sensitive item, prepare a clear, factual, non-defensive explanation
- Show evidence of rehabilitation or mitigation where applicable (e.g., paid-off debts, completed treatment)
- Include letters of reference or support for significant issues if you have them
- Frame disclosures in a way that is honest, direct, and shows accountability
Tip: Adjudicators use the "whole person" standard. A complicated history doesn't automatically disqualify you — but how you explain it and what you've done since matters enormously.
Common SF86 Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving unexplained gaps in employment or residence history
- Listing approximate dates instead of exact dates (use records, not memory)
- Failing to list foreign contacts out of concern it will hurt your application
- Omitting prior drug use because it was "just a few times" or "a long time ago"
- Assuming an expunged record doesn't need to be disclosed (it usually does on federal forms)
- Rushing through the form without reviewing for consistency and completeness
- Not reviewing your application carefully before submission — errors are hard to correct later
Tip: An SF86 review by an experienced consultant before submission is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take. Correcting a problem before submission is far easier than after an investigation begins.
After You Submit — What to Expect
- Background investigation begins — timeline varies widely (months to over a year for TS/SCI)
- An investigator may contact your references, neighbors, former employers, and colleagues
- You may be contacted for a subject interview — be honest, consistent with your SF86, and calm
- If issues arise, you may receive a Letter of Intent (LOI) or Statement of Reasons (SOR) — respond promptly
- Do not make new disclosures to investigators that contradict your SF86 without proper guidance
- Keep copies of everything you submitted
Tip: If you receive an SOR, do not respond without consulting an attorney or experienced consultant. Your written response and any hearing are your best opportunity to address concerns — and the outcome can often be favorable with the right strategy.
Related Resources
Security Clearance Consulting
Have your SF-86 reviewed before you submit — by a retired CIA officer.
Issue Mitigation Guide
How to address concerns across all 13 adjudicative guidelines.
Polygraph Exam FAQ
Keep your application consistent with your full-scope polygraph.
Pentagon Ends DCSA Clearance Hearings
How the loss of DCSA personal appearance hearings affects SOR responses and DOHA referrals.