National Archives at St. Louis

What is an Official Personnel Folder (OPF)?

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Official Personnel Folders (OPF) are primarily administrative records used by the government to make accurate employment decisions throughout a Federal employee's career. The government uses these documents to:

  • establish and reinstate Federal employment (Standard Form 50 - Notification of Personnel Action which lists grades, occupation and pay);

  • to verify and show the validity of Federal employment (Appointment Affidavit and Declaration for Federal Employment);

  • to verify military service credit for leave, reduction-in-force or retirement (DD 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and the Military Service Deposit Election);

  • and to record an employee's choices under the Federal benefits programs (Health Benefits Registration Form and the Designation of Beneficiary under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program).
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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272