SF-86 lookback calculator
Enter the date you expect to sign the form. See the exact date each section goes back to.
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.
What the form says
- Section 11, where you have lived: "beginning with your present residence and working back 10 years. Residences for the entire period must be accounted for without breaks." Temporary locations of less than 90 days that were not your permanent or mailing address do not need to be listed. SF-86, PDF p. 10
- Section 12, where you went to school: schools attended in the last 10 years, plus any degree or diploma received more than 10 years ago. Education before your 18th birthday is not listed unless needed to show at least 2 years. SF-86, PDF p. 14
- Section 13A, employment activities: "including unemployment and self-employment, beginning with the present and working back 10 years. The entire period must be accounted for without breaks." SF-86, PDF p. 17
- Age 18: residences and jobs before your 18th birthday are not listed unless needed to show a minimum of 2 years. SF-86, PDF pp. 10, 14, 17
- Verifiers: for any address or school in the last 3 years, list a person who knew you there. SF-86, PDF p. 10
- 7 years: foreign travel (20C), foreign contacts (19), employment record (13C), and most police, drug and financial questions. Some questions say "EVER", which has no time limit. SF-86, PDF p. 84
Source: Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions (Revised November 2016, OMB No. 3206-0005), published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Checked 2026-11-13.
Your sponsor or investigator's instructions come first. Newer electronic versions of the questionnaire may word things differently.