Access to Your Own Background Investigation
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Federal Investigative Services (OPM-FIS) conducts background investigations on Federal applicants, employees, military members and contractor personnel for suitability and security purposes at the request of another Federal Agency. These records are maintained in a Privacy Act System of Records.
The Privacy Act of 1974: Title 5 of the United States Code, Section 552a
The purpose of the Privacy Act is to regulate the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal information by Federal Executive Branch agencies. Generally speaking, unless a condition of disclosure is met or the release is covered by a routine use of the agency's System of Records Notice (SORN) for the system, the Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of records contained in a system of records without the written request or consent of the individual to whom the records pertain.
OPM Background investigations are maintained in the OPM Personnel Investigations Records System, covered by the OPM/Central-9 SORN. Also, please see 5 CFR 297 for additional information regarding OPM's Privacy Procedures for Personnel Records.
To request a copy of your own background investigation from OPM-FIS:
You may obtain a copy of your background investigation conducted by OPM by writing to the FIS FOI/PA office. Your request must include the following information:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Mailing address where information should be mailed
- Handwritten signature
- Identification of the specific information being sought
The requests can be sent to OPM-FIS via the methods listed below:
Access by the Representative of the Subject:
A record may be disclosed to a representative of the individual to whom the record pertains after OPM-FIS has received a written authorization from the individual who is the subject of the record. The written authorization must include an original notarized statement, or, an unsworn declaration in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746, in the following format: I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. The unsworn declaration must include the date the declaration was executed and the subject's signature. The subject must also provide the name and mailing address of the third party to whom he/she is permitting us to release his/her record.
Amendment of Records
According to 5 CFR 297, Subpart C, individuals may request, in writing, the amendment of their record(s) maintained in our System of Records. In order for OPM-FIS to process such a request, the individual is required to submit a written request containing:
- Full name
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security Number
- Any available information regarding the type of record requested
- The address to which the information should be sent
- Handwritten signature
The amendment request should include the following:
- The precise identification of the records to be amended;
- The identification of the specific material to be deleted, added, or changed; and
- A statement of the reasons for the request, including all available material substantiating the request.
Requests for amendment of records should include the words "PRIVACY ACT AMENDMENT REQUEST" in capital letters on both the envelope and at the top of the request letter.
The burden of proof demonstrating the appropriateness of the requested amendment rests with the requester. The requester must provide relevant and convincing evidence in support of the request.
The amendment procedures are not intended to allow a challenge to material that records an event that actually occurred nor are they designed to permit a collateral attack upon that which has been or could have been the subject of a judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative proceeding. The amendment procedures are also not designed to change opinions in records pertaining to the individual.
The amendment procedures do apply to situations when an occurrence that is documented was challenged through an established judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative procedure and found to be inaccurately described; when the document is not identical to the individual's copy; or when the document is not created in accordance with the applicable recordkeeping requirements.
If an individual's representative submits an amendment request of behalf of the subject, written authorization from the individual who is the subject of the record must also be submitted to OPM-FIS. The written authorization must include the name and address of the representative. It should also state the subject's permission for the representative to request amendment of the subject's record on behalf of the subject, and, indicate that OPM-FIS is authorized to correspond with and release a copy of the revised report to the representative. The written authorization must contain an original notary stamp, or, an unsworn declaration (from the subject) in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746, in the following format: I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. The unsworn declaration must include the date the declaration was executed and the subject's signature.
The Freedom of Information Act, Title 5 of the United States Code, section 552
This Act gives you the right to request access to existing, identifiable, unpublished executive branch agency records. Executive branch agencies are required to disclose agency records to the public upon request unless the records are protected by one or more of the FOIA's nine exemptions or three exclusions.
Please see 5 CFR 294 for additional information regarding OPM's Availability of Official Information.