To qualify for public trust clearance, you must meet specific eligibility requirements: U.S. citizenship (usually), clean enough background history, and financial stability. You’ll also need extensive documentation—addresses for 7-10 years, employment history with supervisor contacts, and personal references. Here’s the complete checklist of requirements for SF-85, SF-85P, and SF-86 applications.
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Public Trust Clearance
Before you can apply for public trust clearance, you must meet certain baseline eligibility requirements. These apply regardless of which risk level (low, moderate, or high) you’re applying for.
Citizenship Requirements
U.S. citizenship is required for most public trust positions. Unlike some private sector jobs, federal positions of trust typically require you to be a U.S. citizen—not just a legal permanent resident.
There are limited exceptions:
- Some contractor positions may accept lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Certain agencies have specific waivers for non-citizens with specialized skills
- The job posting will specify citizenship requirements—read it carefully
Dual citizenship: Having dual citizenship doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it may raise additional scrutiny, especially for high-risk positions. You’ll need to disclose all citizenships and foreign passports.
Age Requirements
There’s no specific minimum age for public trust clearance itself, but you must be old enough to legally work in the position (typically 18 for federal employment). Some positions may have additional age requirements based on the job duties.
Employment Requirement
You can’t apply on your own. Public trust clearance applications must be sponsored by an employer—either a federal agency or a government contractor. You’ll receive a conditional job offer first, then begin the clearance process.Documentation Requirements: What You’ll Need to Provide
The documentation requirements vary based on which form you’re completing. Here’s exactly what information you’ll need to gather:
SF-85 Requirements (Low Risk)
The SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) is the shortest form. You’ll need:
Personal Information
- Full legal name and any former names (maiden name, previous married names)
- Social Security Number
- Date and place of birth
- Citizenship information
Residence History (5 Years)
- Complete addresses for every place you’ve lived in the past 5 years
- Dates (month/year) for each residence
- Name and contact info for someone who can verify each residence (landlord, roommate, neighbor)
Employment History (5 Years)
- Employer names and addresses
- Position titles
- Supervisor names and phone numbers
- Start and end dates for each job
- Reason for leaving each position
Education
- Schools attended (high school and higher)
- Dates attended
- Degrees or diplomas received
References (1-3 People)
- Names and contact information
- How they know you and for how long
SF-85P Requirements (Moderate Risk)
The SF-85P (Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions) is more extensive. You’ll need everything from SF-85, PLUS:
Extended History (7 Years)
- Residence history: 7 years instead of 5
- Employment history: 7 years instead of 5
Financial Information
- Bankruptcy filings (past 7 years)
- Tax liens
- Wage garnishments
- Delinquent debts over 120 days
- Debts currently in collection
Legal History
- Arrests (regardless of outcome)
- Charges filed against you
- Convictions
- Court dates, case numbers, and outcomes
- Probation or parole details
Drug Use History
- Illegal drug use (past 7 years, or ever for certain drugs)
- Types of drugs used
- Dates and frequency of use
- Drug treatment or counseling
Additional References (3+ People)
- People who know you well (not family)
- Current contact information
- How long they’ve known you
SF-86 Requirements (High Risk)
The SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) is the most comprehensive. It’s the same form used for security clearances. You’ll need everything from SF-85P, PLUS:
Extended History (10 Years)
- Residence history: 10 years
- Employment history: 10 years
- Education: All post-secondary education
Foreign Contacts and Activities
- Foreign national contacts (close relationships)
- Foreign travel (past 7 years) with dates and purposes
- Foreign financial interests
- Foreign government contacts
- Dual citizenship and foreign passport information
Family Information
- Spouse/cohabitant information
- Relatives’ names, dates of birth, citizenship
- Contact information for immediate family
Mental Health and Counseling
- Court-ordered mental health treatment
- Mental health conditions affecting judgment (limited circumstances)
Note: Routine counseling (marriage counseling, grief counseling, stress management) does NOT need to be reported. Seeking mental health treatment is not disqualifying.
Pre-Application Checklist: Gather This Before You Start
Before logging into e-QIP, gather all this information. Having it ready makes the process much faster and reduces errors.
Documents to Have on Hand
- ☐ Social Security card (for your SSN)
- ☐ Birth certificate or passport (for place of birth, citizenship)
- ☐ Driver’s license or state ID
- ☐ Naturalization certificate (if applicable)
- ☐ Name change documents (marriage certificates, court orders)
- ☐ Divorce decrees (if applicable)
- ☐ Court records for any arrests or charges
- ☐ Bankruptcy discharge papers (if applicable)
Information Lists to Prepare
- ☐ List of all addresses (7-10 years) with move-in/move-out dates
- ☐ List of all employers with supervisor names, phone numbers, addresses
- ☐ List of schools attended with dates and degrees
- ☐ List of references with current phone numbers and addresses
- ☐ List of foreign travel (dates, countries, purposes)
- ☐ List of foreign national contacts (for SF-86)
Reference Requirements
Your references are critical. Here’s what you need to know:
- Number needed: 3 references minimum for SF-85P and SF-86
- Who qualifies: People who know you well personally—coworkers, friends, neighbors, mentors
- Who doesn’t qualify: Family members (unless specifically requested), people you’ve lost contact with
- What they need: Current phone number and mailing address
- Give them a heads-up: Let references know they may be contacted by federal investigators
Investigation Requirements by Risk Level
Different risk levels require different investigation depths. Here’s what investigators will examine:
Low Risk Investigation Requirements
- National Agency Check (NAC): FBI fingerprint check, Defense Clearance and Investigation Index check
- Written Inquiries: Verification of employment and education
- Credit Check: Basic review
Moderate Risk Investigation Requirements
Everything in Low Risk, PLUS:
- Subject Interview: In-person or phone interview with you
- Reference Interviews: Investigators contact your listed references
- Developed References: Investigators may contact people your references mention
- Court Records Check: Criminal history in jurisdictions where you’ve lived
- Financial Records Review: Credit report analysis, bankruptcy records
High Risk Investigation Requirements
Everything in Moderate Risk, PLUS:
- Expanded Subject Interview: Detailed in-person interview covering all aspects of your history
- Neighborhood Canvass: Investigators may speak with neighbors at current and previous residences
- Employment Verification: Direct contact with former employers, coworkers, supervisors
- Education Verification: Direct contact with schools attended
- Foreign Influence Review: Assessment of foreign contacts, travel, and financial interests
Ongoing Requirements: After You Get Clearance
Getting clearance isn’t the end—you have continuing obligations:
Self-Reporting Requirements
You must report certain events to your security officer promptly:
- Arrests or criminal charges — even if charges are dropped
- Significant financial changes — bankruptcy, foreclosure, major debt
- Foreign travel — depending on agency requirements
- Foreign contacts — new close relationships with foreign nationals
- Marriage or cohabitation changes — new spouse or partner
- Mental health issues affecting judgment — in very limited circumstances
Reinvestigation Requirements
- Frequency: Every 5 years (may vary by agency)
- Process: Updated forms, new background check
- Continuous Evaluation: Some agencies now use ongoing automated checks between reinvestigations
Documents That May Need Notarization
In some cases, you’ll need to provide notarized documents as part of your application or to address issues that arise during investigation:
- Affidavits — Sworn statements explaining gaps, discrepancies, or circumstances
- Name change documentation — If original documents aren’t available
- Character statements — Third-party statements vouching for your reliability
- Financial agreements — Payment plans, settlement agreements
- Foreign document translations — Certified translations may need notarization
Get Documents Notarized Online with BlueNotary
If you need affidavits, sworn statements, or other notarized documents for your public trust clearance application, BlueNotary offers fast, convenient online notarization.
With BlueNotary:
- Connect with a licensed notary via video call in minutes
- Get documents notarized without leaving home
- Available 24/7—don’t let notarization delays slow your application
- Receive legally valid notarized documents immediately
Need to notarize supporting documents for your clearance? Visit BlueNotary.us to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic requirements for public trust clearance?
The basic requirements include U.S. citizenship (usually), a job offer from a federal agency or contractor, ability to pass a background investigation, and financial stability. You’ll need to complete either SF-85, SF-85P, or SF-86 depending on the risk level of the position.
What documents do I need for public trust clearance?
You’ll need personal identification (SSN, birth certificate or passport), residence history for 5-10 years, employment history with supervisor contacts, education records, and references with current contact information. For higher risk levels, you’ll also need financial records, court documents for any legal issues, and foreign travel history.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen for public trust clearance?
Most public trust positions require U.S. citizenship. Some contractor positions may accept lawful permanent residents, but this varies by agency and position. Check the specific job posting for citizenship requirements.
How many references do I need?
SF-85 requires 1-3 references. SF-85P and SF-86 require at least 3 references who can speak to your character and reliability. References should not be family members and must have current contact information.
How far back does my history need to go?
SF-85 requires 5 years of history. SF-85P requires 7 years. SF-86 requires 10 years for most items. Some questions (like felony convictions) may ask about your entire lifetime regardless of the form.
What financial requirements are there for public trust clearance?
You must disclose bankruptcies, tax liens, wage garnishments, debts over 120 days delinquent, and accounts in collection. There’s no specific credit score requirement, but significant financial irresponsibility raises concerns. Having a payment plan and showing improvement helps.
What are the ongoing requirements after I get clearance?
You must self-report significant life changes: arrests, financial problems, foreign contacts, marriage changes, and certain other events. Reinvestigation occurs every 5 years. Some agencies also conduct continuous evaluation between formal reinvestigations.
What’s the difference between SF-85, SF-85P, and SF-86?
SF-85 is for low-risk positions (shortest, 5-year history). SF-85P is for moderate-risk positions (7-year history, financial disclosure). SF-86 is for high-risk positions (most comprehensive, 10-year history, foreign contacts). Your employer tells you which form to complete based on the position’s risk level.
The Bottom Line on Public Trust Clearance Requirements
Public trust clearance requirements vary by risk level, but the fundamentals are consistent: U.S. citizenship, a sponsoring employer, and the ability to pass a background investigation that examines your personal history, finances, and character.
Key requirements to remember:
- Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required for most positions
- Documentation: 5-10 years of addresses, employment, and education history
- References: 3+ non-family references with current contact info
- Financial disclosure: Bankruptcies, liens, delinquent debts (SF-85P/SF-86)
- Ongoing obligations: Self-reporting of significant life changes, reinvestigation every 5 years
- Honesty: Disclose everything—lies are often worse than the underlying issue
Start gathering your documentation early. Having complete, accurate information before you begin e-QIP makes the process faster and reduces the chance of errors that could delay your clearance.
Need notarized documents for your application? BlueNotary offers fast, convenient online notarization from home.
