Printable SF-86 checklist: what to gather for every section

Not affiliated with DoD, DCSA, OPM, or any government agency; not legal advice. Free and unofficial. Always follow the official form and your sponsor's instructions.

Sections 1-7: about you

SF-86, PDF p. 5

Full name, and every other name you have used (maiden, nicknames, legal changes) with dates
Date and place of birth
Social Security number
Height, weight, hair and eye color
Email addresses and phone numbers

Section 8: U.S. passport

SF-86, PDF p. 6

Passport number, issue date and expiration date (if you have one)

Sections 9-10: citizenship

SF-86, PDF p. 6

Citizenship documents if you were not born a U.S. citizen (for example, a naturalization certificate)
Any other citizenship you hold or held, and any foreign passport

Section 11: where you have lived

SF-86, PDF p. 10

Every address for 10 years, month and year, with no breaks
For addresses in the last 3 years: a person who knew you there (not a relative), with contact details

Section 12: where you went to school

SF-86, PDF p. 14

Schools attended in the last 10 years, dates, address and degree
Degrees or diplomas received more than 10 years ago
For schools in the last 3 years: a person who knew you there

Section 13A: employment activities

SF-86, PDF p. 17

Every job, unemployment period and self-employment for 10 years, with no breaks
For each job: supervisor name, title, email, phone and work location
For unemployment or self-employment: someone who can verify it

Section 13C: employment record

SF-86, PDF p. 33

Any time in the last 7 years you were fired, quit after being told you would be fired, left by mutual agreement after misconduct allegations or notice of unsatisfactory performance, or received a written warning or discipline

Section 14: Selective Service

SF-86, PDF p. 34

If you were born male after December 31, 1959: your Selective Service registration number (sss.gov can look it up)

Section 15: military history

SF-86, PDF p. 34

Branch, service dates, service number and type of discharge, if you served

Section 16: people who know you well

SF-86, PDF p. 38

Three people (not relatives or anyone listed elsewhere on the form) whose combined time knowing you covers at least 7 years, with contact details

Sections 17-18: relationships and relatives

SF-86, PDF p. 39

Spouse, former spouses and cohabitant: names, dates, places of birth and citizenship
Parents, siblings, children and in-laws: names, dates of birth and addresses

Sections 19-20B: foreign contacts and activities

SF-86, PDF p. 63

Close or continuing contact with foreign nationals in the last 7 years
Foreign financial interests, property, benefits and business or professional activities

Section 20C: foreign travel

SF-86, PDF p. 84

Every trip outside the U.S. in the last 7 years: country, month and year, number of days and purpose

Sections 21-29: health, police, drugs, alcohol, investigations, finances, IT, courts and associations

SF-86, PDF p. 88

Read each question carefully: most cover 7 years and some say "EVER"
Dates and details for anything you need to report (court records, agreements, payment plans)

This checklist summarizes the official form's questions in plain language so you can prepare. It does not replace reading each question on the form. Page numbers are PDF pages of the official SF-86 (Revised November 2016).