SF-86 Subject Interview Prep: What to Expect and How to Get Ready
After you submit your SF-86, an investigator may sit down with you to go over it. Here is what that interview is, what to bring, and how to make sure what you say lines up with what you wrote.
The Short Answer
The subject interview is a one-on-one conversation with a background investigator. According to DCSA, an investigator may interview you to verify, expand upon, or clarify the information you provided on your questionnaire. It is not a test with right answers. It is a check that your form is complete and accurate, so the best preparation is knowing your own form well and having your records ready.
What the Interview Is
- Who runs it. A DCSA investigator or a contractor investigator working for DCSA. DCSA notes that investigators may call, email, or text to schedule, and interviews may happen in person, by phone, or by video. If you are unsure a contact is real, use DCSA's Verify Your Investigator page.
- What it covers. The investigator goes through your SF-86 section by section, confirms details, and asks follow-up questions on anything you listed, plus anything that came up in record checks or reference interviews.
- Why it matters. DCSA warns that withholding, misrepresenting, or falsifying information can affect your eligibility and job status. Being complete and truthful is the whole point.
What to Bring
- Photo ID. The DCSA SF-86 guide for applicants says you will be asked for photo identification, such as a valid state driver's license, and possibly other documents to verify your identity.
- Your archival copy of the SF-86. Re-read it the day before so the details are fresh.
- Supporting records for anything you listed: court dispositions, payoff or payment plan letters, discharge papers (DD-214), travel dates, and foreign contact details.
- Anything the investigator asked for when scheduling. Never bring classified information, and don't write Social Security numbers in your notes.
Common Topic Areas by Section
Every interview is different. These are typical areas, with one sample prompt each. The free Interview Practice Tool has more.
| Section | Sample prompt |
|---|---|
| Section 11: Where You Have Lived | Walk through each address you listed, from the oldest to now, with move-in and move-out months. |
| Section 12: Where You Went to School | Which schools did you attend in the coverage period, and for what dates? |
| Section 13: Employment Activities | For each job, what were your title, duties, supervisor, and dates? |
| Section 15: Military History | Confirm your branch, dates of service, and type of discharge. |
| Section 17: Marital and Relationship Status | Confirm your current marital status and your spouse or cohabitant's details. |
| Section 18: Relatives | Confirm your relatives' names, citizenship, and where they live. |
| Section 19: Foreign Contacts | Describe each foreign national you have close and continuing contact with: how you met, how often you talk, and how. |
| Section 20: Foreign Activities and Travel | Walk through each foreign trip: dates, countries, and purpose. |
| Section 22: Police Record | Describe each arrest, charge, citation, or court appearance you listed: what happened, dates, and the outcome. |
| Section 23: Illegal Use of Drugs | Describe any drug use you reported: what, how often, the date range, and the last time. |
| Section 24: Use of Alcohol | Has alcohol ever caused problems at work, with the law, or in relationships? |
| Section 26: Financial Record | Walk through each debt, delinquency, or bankruptcy you listed: amount, cause, and current status. |
| Section 27: Use of Information Technology | Have you ever accessed a system without authorization or misused an employer's IT systems? |
| General: Anything Else | Is there anything you left off your form, or anything that has changed since you submitted it? |
How to Stay Consistent With Your Form
- Know your own dates. Most inconsistencies are honest memory slips on dates and addresses. Reviewing your form and records closes that gap.
- Answer from your memory and records, not a script. The investigator wants your account in your words. Rehearsed answers tend to leave out the details they need.
- Say "I don't remember" when that is true. Offer to look it up and follow up rather than guessing.
- Give the full picture. Context, like what caused a debt and what you have done since, helps an investigator record an accurate account.
How to Correct Mistakes
- Before the interview: tell your FSO or security office. Your sponsoring agency may return the form in eApp so you can correct and re-certify it.
- At the interview: raise it at the start. Explain what was wrong and what the right information is. The investigator can record the correction.
- After the interview: if you remember something new or realize an answer was wrong, contact the investigator or your security office promptly.
Get the Printable Checklist
Print a one-page prep sheet with what to bring, topic areas, and a review checklist: Download the Subject Interview Prep Checklist (PDF). Then practice with the free Interview Practice Tool.
Try the Practice ToolDownload the Free Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the subject interview required?
Not for every case. DCSA says an investigator may interview you to verify, expand upon, or clarify the information on your questionnaire. Whether you are interviewed depends on your investigation type and what comes up.
Can I bring notes or my copy of the SF-86?
Many people bring their archival copy and their supporting records. Ask the investigator what is allowed when you schedule. Your answers should come from your own memory and records, not a script.
What if I realize I made a mistake on my form?
Tell the investigator at the start, explain what is wrong and what the correct information is, and let your FSO or security office know. Correcting something yourself is far better than having it found later.
Can this guide tell me how my interview will affect my clearance?
No. Nothing here predicts any outcome. Adjudicators weigh the whole person under the national adjudicative guidelines.