The form typically used to request a background investigation depends on the type of position and level of clearance required. For U.S. federal government positions, the most common forms are:
- Standard Form 86 (SF-86) : Used for national security positions requiring a security clearance. It is the primary form for background investigations related to sensitive government roles
- Standard Form 85 (SF-85) : Used for non-sensitive or low-risk positions
- Standard Form 85P (SF-85P) : Used for public trust positions requiring moderate risk background checks
These forms collect detailed personal, employment, education, and other relevant information necessary for the investigation. The SF-86 is specifically designed for national security positions and supports investigations such as ANACI, NACLC, MBI, BI, and SSBI, which may include interviews, record checks, and credit checks
. In addition to these forms, employers often require:
- Authorization to conduct a background check : A consent form signed by the applicant allowing the investigation
- Disclosure form : Explains the background check process and how the information will be used
For FBI criminal history checks, a signed Applicant Information Form and fingerprint card are required
. In summary, the primary form to request a background investigation is the SF-86 for security clearance positions, while SF-85 and SF-85P are used for other federal roles. Proper completion of these forms is critical to initiate and expedite the background investigation process
