Preparation Checklist

Security Clearance Application Checklist

The SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) requires detailed information about your personal history going back 10 years. Gathering this information before you sit down at the e-QIP system will save you hours and help you avoid the errors and omissions that delay clearance processing.

This checklist covers everything you need to prepare: addresses, employment, references, foreign contacts, financial records, and legal disclosures. For a broader overview of clearance types and requirements, see our security clearances guide.

Personal History (10 Years)

Gather detailed records of your personal history going back 10 years (or more for some items).

Complete list of addresses for the past 10 years

Document every address where you have lived for the past 10 years, including apartment numbers. You need the exact street address, city, state, zip code, and the month and year you moved in and out. Include temporary addresses where you lived for more than 90 days. If you cannot remember an exact address, gather utility bills, lease agreements, or tax returns to verify.

Names and contact information for people who knew you at each address

For each address, you need the name, phone number, and email of someone (not a relative) who knew you while you lived there. This person should be able to verify your residence and vouch for your character. Choose people who will respond promptly when contacted by investigators.

Complete employment history for the past 10 years

List every employer for the past 10 years including company name, address, supervisor name and contact information, dates of employment (month and year), title, and reason for leaving. Include part-time jobs, temporary positions, self-employment, and periods of unemployment. Gaps in employment will be questioned during the investigation.

Education history with dates and institutions

List all schools attended (high school, college, graduate school, trade schools, military schools) with institution names, addresses, dates attended, degrees or certifications earned, and major fields of study. Include schools you attended but did not complete.

List of references (at least 3 people who know you well)

Provide at least three personal references who have known you well for at least seven years. These should not be relatives. Include their full names, current addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and how they know you. Choose people who are stable, responsible, and will respond to investigator calls.

Foreign Contacts and Travel

Document all foreign connections and travel history.

List of all foreign travel for the past 10 years

Document every trip outside the United States including the country visited, dates of travel, purpose of the trip, and how it was funded. Include vacation travel, business trips, military deployments, and any other foreign travel. Review your passport stamps, travel receipts, and calendar records to build a complete list.

Details of any foreign contacts (close and continuing)

List any foreign nationals with whom you have close and continuing contact. For each foreign contact, provide their full name, nationality, occupation, how and when you met, frequency of contact, and the nature of your relationship. This includes friends, romantic interests, business associates, and extended family members who are not U.S. citizens.

Foreign financial interests or property

Document any foreign bank accounts, investments, property, business interests, or other financial ties to foreign countries. Include the country, type of interest, and approximate value. Even minor foreign financial connections should be disclosed.

Dual citizenship or foreign passport history

If you hold or have ever held dual citizenship or a foreign passport, document the details including the country, dates of issuance and expiration, and whether you have used the foreign passport for travel. If you have renounced foreign citizenship or surrendered a foreign passport, document when and how.

Financial History Preparation

Prepare documentation for the financial review portion of the investigation.

Pull your credit report from all three bureaus

Request credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at annualcreditreport.com. Review each report for accuracy. Identify any delinquent accounts, collections, charge-offs, or judgments. The investigator will pull your credit report — it is better to know what is on it before they do.

Document any delinquent debts and resolution plans

For any delinquent accounts, collections, or charge-offs, prepare documentation showing the current status and your plan for resolution. If you are on a payment plan, have proof of payments. If debts have been settled or discharged, have settlement letters or discharge documentation.

Prepare tax filing history and status

Verify that you have filed all federal and state tax returns on time. If you filed late or have unfiled returns, address these before applying. Gather documentation of any payment plans with the IRS or state tax authorities. Tax liens and unfiled returns are significant concerns.

Document any bankruptcies, foreclosures, or wage garnishments

If you have had any bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, or wage garnishments in the past 10 years, gather all court records and related documentation. Be prepared to explain the circumstances and what steps you have taken to improve your financial situation.

Document any gambling or financial counseling history

If you have any history of gambling problems or have received financial counseling, document the details including dates, circumstances, and outcomes. Voluntary financial counseling is generally viewed positively.

Legal and Personal Disclosures

Prepare to disclose legal history and personal conduct items.

Complete list of any arrests, charges, or convictions

Document any arrests, charges, citations, or convictions regardless of outcome, including dismissed or expunged records. For each incident, note the date, location, charges, and outcome. Traffic tickets resulting in fines only do not need to be listed (except DUI/DWI). Be thorough — omitting known incidents is worse than the incident itself.

Drug use history including dates and substances

Prepare an honest account of any illegal drug use, including dates, substances, frequency, and circumstances. The SF-86 asks about drug use going back seven years (or since age 16, whichever is shorter). Dishonesty about drug history is a leading cause of clearance denial. Past drug use is not automatically disqualifying — but lying about it is.

Alcohol-related incidents or treatment

Document any alcohol-related incidents (DUI/DWI, public intoxication, alcohol-related workplace issues) and any alcohol treatment or counseling you have received. Include dates, outcomes, and your current relationship with alcohol.

Mental health treatment history (limited disclosure)

The SF-86 asks about court-ordered mental health treatment and certain other mental health care. Routine counseling (for grief, relationship issues, stress) generally does not need to be disclosed unless it was court-ordered. Prepare relevant dates and provider information for any care that does require disclosure.

Investigation Timeline Expectations

Understand what to expect during the investigation process.

Understand the difference between interim and final clearance

An interim clearance may be granted within weeks based on initial checks, allowing you to begin work. A final clearance requires the complete investigation and favorable adjudication. Not all applicants receive interim clearances — they are granted on a case-by-case basis.

Prepare for a subject interview

An investigator will conduct an in-person interview with you. They will review your SF-86 answers, ask about any discrepancies or concerns, and may ask you to explain items in detail. Be honest and consistent with what you wrote on the SF-86. The interview typically lasts 1 to 3 hours.

Alert your references that they may be contacted

Tell the people you listed as references, former employers, and neighbors at current and former addresses that a government investigator may contact them. People who are surprised by investigator calls may be less cooperative. Provide your references with your current phone number in case the investigator asks for it.

Plan for processing time based on clearance level

Confidential: 1-3 months. Secret: 2-6 months. Top Secret: 6-18 months. Top Secret/SCI: 8-24 months. These are estimates — actual times depend on investigation complexity, backlog, and responsiveness of your references and former associates. Plan your employment and project timelines accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a security clearance?

Processing times vary by clearance level and investigation backlog. Confidential clearances typically take 1 to 3 months. Secret clearances generally take 2 to 6 months. Top Secret clearances can take 6 to 18 months or longer, especially if your background includes extensive foreign travel, foreign contacts, or financial complexities. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) publishes quarterly processing time reports. Incomplete SF-86 submissions or unresponsive references can add months to the timeline.

What is the difference between an interim and final clearance?

An interim clearance is a temporary clearance granted before the full background investigation is complete. It allows you to begin working on classified projects while the investigation continues. Interim clearances are based on an initial review of your SF-86, a check of national agency databases, and a credit check. Not everyone receives an interim clearance — they are granted at the discretion of the adjudicator based on the initial review. A final clearance is granted after the full investigation is complete and favorably adjudicated.

Can I be denied a security clearance for financial issues?

Financial issues are one of the most common reasons for clearance denials or delays. The key concern is whether financial problems indicate poor judgment, unreliability, or vulnerability to coercion. Significant debt, delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, tax liens, and unexplained affluence are all flags. However, financial difficulties caused by circumstances beyond your control (medical emergencies, divorce, job loss) are viewed more favorably if you can demonstrate you have taken responsible steps to address them. Proactively addressing financial issues before applying is strongly recommended.