e-QIP Application e-QIP FAQs

Once you have been notified that you have access, login by entering your social security number and answering the three Golden questions. After logging in the first time, you will be prompted to change your golden questions to ensure the security of your data. After changing your Golden questions, e-QIP presents you with the Main Menu. Select the link entitled, "Enter Your Data" from the main menu screen. After reading all instructions, you can now begin entering your personal data. In order to ensure the completeness of your data, a validation routine will run after each page is submitted. The validation routine will point out any errors and provided detailed instructions on how to satisfy each incorrect or missing item. When you are satisfied that your form is complete, select the "Display" link from the main menu. After a final review of your data, select the "Certify Your Investigation Request" button to finish your form. On the last screen make sure to print a copy for your records and print and sign each form that has a blank for your signature. Only after you have printed and signed the appropriate signature pages, should you click on the final link entitled, "Release Request/Transmit to Agency."

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Federal Investigative Services (FIS), maintains its records in a Privacy Act system of records. To determine if OPM has conducted a background investigation on you and maintained a copy of your SF86, please submit a written request to access these records. Your request must include a statement specifying what information you are seeking, your full name, social security number, date of birth, place of birth, mailing address, and your handwritten signature. Please send your request to: OPM-FIS, Attn: FOI/PA, P.O. Box 618, Boyers, PA 16018. Alternatively, you may fax your request to 724-794-4590; however, we caution that this is not a secure line. We process requests on a first-in, first-out basis. We generally send the responsive documents via certified, restricted mail, though if you are only seeking your SF86, we can send it to you via email. If you have any questions regarding this response, please contact the Freedom of Information Privacy Act Branch at 724-794-5612, extenstion 7000.

You can only view active applications that you are currently filling out. Once you have certified and released, you may no longer view them.

Yes, all users are required to change the Golden Questions from the default questions to their own personal questions and answers. This is to protect your personal data from unauthorized disclosure. Your personal golden questions and answers should be unique and personally specific to you, but cannot be easily guessed by others.

Click the "SAVE" button at the bottom of the page to save your data. Then click the "Log-out" button at the top right-hand side of the screen to exit the system.

Each agency to which a person applies is responsible for making the appropriate access, fitness, suitability, and/or clearance determination.  Therefore, it will be up to the hiring agency to evaluate financial considerations when making an adjudicative determination. When evaluating financial issues, consideration is likely to be given to whether the circumstances surrounding the matter raise a question about an individual’s reliability or integrity.  For example, conditions that suggest an individual is not willing to pay just debts or is living beyond his or her means would be of concern.  During the adjudication process, generally, an evaluation is made on a number of variables about the person’s life over a sufficient period of time, and an examination of information, both favorable and unfavorable, occurs to reach a determination.   If asked on any Federal application or background investigation documents, financial- and court-related matters are required to be reported.  

Estimate the date (month and year) to the best of your ability and check the "EST" checkbox, indicating that this is an estimated date.

Sir or Madam, After you Certify your request, there are 5 additional steps you are directed to follow to complete the process.  -Step 1 provides instructions on signature pages, attachments, and archival copy.  -Step 2 allows you to view, print, and save your archival copy.  Click the  hyperlink “Display the Archival Copy of the Investigation Request for Printing” to open your archival copy.  Please review carefully your information.  While your document is open, save and print.  -Step 3 is your signature pages.  Please click the hyperlink “Signature Pages” to open your document.  Once you have opened your document, please print out the signature pages. You will need to provide these to your sponsoring agency.  -Step 4 allows you to upload or use the fax solution to provide your documents to your sponsoring agency.  Select “Yes” to “ Do you have a document and/or file that you would like to associate with this request?”  Select “Next” to proceed to the next screen.   There are multiple choices.  Select method of submission from Upload File, Direct Fax or Expect.  Once method is selected, click “Next.”  Based on your method, you will receive an additional screen for your attachments.  If you selected "Upload File,” you will receive the screen to select your file and upload.  If you selected “Direct Fax,” you will receive the screen to print the fax coversheet for each document.  The coversheet will include the fax number for your documents.  If you selected “Expected,” you will receive a screen to identify which documents you will mailing.  -Step 5 is where you release your request to your sponsoring agency.  You must complete all 5 steps in order for your request to be released to your sponsoring agency.  If you have any questions, please contact your sponsoring agency for assistance.   

No. It is not possible to "pre-apply" for a security clearance. Not all Federal employees/contractors have security clearances. Individuals who are tentatively selected for government jobs (or as Federal contractors) will be investigated as appropriate. If access to National Security Information is required, you will need to complete a security questionnaire and an investigation will be conducted. If the investigation results are favorable, a security clearance will be granted if appropriate.

e-QIP can only retrieve data previously entered into the e-QIP system. Data from previously completed paper forms or data from other automated systems has not been loaded into this system.

Select 0 (zero) for inches and submit.

After your data has passed validation you should click on the "Display" link in the upper left hand corner of the screen to verify your data and to ensure that your answers are complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Then select "Validate, Certify, and Release" from the Navigation Bar in the top right-hand side of the screen and follow the additional instructions. After certifying your data, you will not be able to edit your form.

Click the "Help" link located upper left hand corner of each page for additional instructions on completing specific questions, or you may wish to contact the agency that sponsored you for assistance in completing your investigative form.

Questions about an agency’s action or whether that action is required to be reported on an investigative form should be referred to the agency that took the action.  In the context of the question on the Standard Form (SF) 86, a debarment refers to a suitability action that denies an individual  examination for, or appointment to, a covered position.  A covered position, as defined in title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, part 731 is one in the competitive service or one in the excepted service where the incumbent can be non-competitively converted to the competitive service, or a career appointment to a position in the Senior Executive Service.