Application Help (SF86)

Anyone applying for a job requiring national security clearance must fill out SF 86, or Standard Form 86. It is a questionnaire that helps the government investigate an individual's background and determine if he or she qualifies for a national security position or for a position requiring access to classified information.

The form is exhaustive. Anyone who completes it must be careful and accurate in their answers, which have serious consequences.

The government form says:

"Any information that you provide is evaluated on the basis of its recency, seriousness, relevance to the position and duties, and consistency with all other information about you. Withholding, misrepresenting, or falsifying information will have an impact on a security clearance, employment prospects, or job status, up to and including denial or revocation of your security clearance, or your removal and debarment from Federal Service.

This form is a permanent document that may be used as the basis for future investigations, security clearance determinations, and determinations of your suitability for employment. Your responses to this form may be compared with previous security questionnaires. It is imperative that the information provided be true and accurate to the best of your knowledge."

After someone submits the form and a background investigation is complete, the information goes to the Federal Agency Security Adjudication Officer, who decides whether or not to allow the person a security clearance or access to national security information.

The Decision May Not Be Fair

At times, a denial to give security clearance can be capricious, arbitrary or contrary to the law. Sometimes the government might unjustly deny security clearance based on someone's sexual preference, previous behavior, race or political views.

Once an application is submitted, a person has little recourse to reverse an unfavorable decision by the Federal Agency Security Adjudication Officer. According to a Supreme Court ruling, the decision to allow security clearance should, for the sake of caution, "err on the side of denials." The application process is rigorous and cedes no advantage to the applicant.

Seek Help from an Experienced National Security Clearance Attorney

For these and other reasons, it is best to hire an attorney with extensive experience to help you from the start of the application process to guide you through the thicket of the investigation. The Edmunds Law Firm has attorneys who can help you complete your application and lead you through the entire investigative process.

To find out how an national security clearance attorney can help you, please contact us today.