SF-86 questions, answered plainly

Start with where you live now and work back 10 years. The form says residences for the whole period must be accounted for "without breaks." SF-86, PDF p. 10

No, unless you need it to show at least 2 years. The form says not to list residences before your 18th birthday except to give a minimum of 2 years of history. SF-86, PDF p. 10

You do not have to list temporary locations of less than 90 days that were not your permanent or mailing address. Your permanent address for that time still covers those months. SF-86, PDF p. 10

No. Give the actual physical place you lived, not a P.O. box, and not a permanent address you were away from. SF-86, PDF p. 10

List all of them. The form says that if you split your time between residences in a period, you must list each one. SF-86, PDF p. 10

For any address in the last 3 years, list someone who knew you there, ideally someone still living in the area. Do not use your spouse, cohabitant or other relatives, and do not list people for addresses entirely older than 3 years. SF-86, PDF p. 10

Schools you attended in the last 10 years. The form also asks separately whether you received a degree or diploma more than 10 years ago. SF-86, PDF p. 14

Only if it falls in the window. The form says not to list education before your 18th birthday unless needed to show at least 2 years of education history. SF-86, PDF p. 14

For schools you attended in the last 3 years, list a person who knew you there (an instructor or student, for example). For online or distance schools, list someone who knew you while you studied. SF-86, PDF p. 14

Every job, plus periods of unemployment and self-employment. Start with the present and go back 10 years, with no breaks. SF-86, PDF p. 17

That period gets its own Unemployment entry, and the form asks for the name of someone who can verify your unemployment. SF-86, PDF p. 20

Choose Self-employment. The form asks for someone who can verify your self-employment. SF-86, PDF p. 19

For most jobs: the supervisor's name, rank or position title, email (or "I don't know"), phone number and work location. Collect these before you start. SF-86, PDF p. 17

One per duty station. The form asks for a separate entry for each change of military duty station. SF-86, PDF p. 17

Use separate entries for the same employer at different physical addresses. SF-86, PDF p. 17

Seven years. The section asks whether you have traveled outside the U.S. in the last 7 years. SF-86, PDF p. 84

If all of your travel was solely for U.S. Government business or a military assignment on official orders, with no personal trips tied to it, the form lets you answer Yes and move on to Section 21. SF-86, PDF p. 84

List it. The form asks about all such trips, "including personal trips made in conjunction with official U.S. Government business." SF-86, PDF p. 84

The form's instructions treat U.S. states and territories as U.S. locations and use the Country list only for places "outside of the U.S. and its territories." If you are unsure about a trip, ask your security officer. SF-86, PDF p. 1

Pick a range: 1-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21-30, more than 30, or "many short trips." SF-86, PDF p. 84

Whether you were questioned, searched or detained (beyond normal customs), had a police encounter, or were contacted by anyone showing undue interest in you or your job, among other things. Note anything like that as you log the trip. SF-86, PDF p. 84