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Top 10 Reasons DISCO and OPM Reject Security Clearance Requests

Check out this just released list of top 10 reasons that security clearance requests are rejected. You may have thought drug use or credit issues were to blame, but it’s not nearly as juicy as that. It’s mundane simple mistakes, such as missing information, lack of fingerprint cards or not providing information for relatives who were born outside the U.S.

Don’t be part of the statistics. Work closely with your security officer and expedite the process by double-checking that all your information is correct. And make sure your fingerprints are properly rolled.

DISCO’s Top 10 Reasons for Rejecting Investigation Requests

These issues are responsible for 99% of rejections:

1. Missing employment information
List all employment, include the company which is submitting the clearance request as current employer

2. Missing information on relatives born abroad (U.S. citizen/national)
Provide complete proof of relative citizenship information, including document identification numbers

3. Incomplete information concerning debts or bankruptcy
Disclose all financial obligations which are delinquent, and all information pertaining to bankruptcy. Include dates, amounts, account numbers, and name of the organization to which debt is/was owed

4. Missing social security number for adult co-habitant
Provide complete information for each field. If cohabitant is a U.S. citizen born outside the United States, provide complete proof of citizenship information, including document identification numbers

5. Missing Selective Service registration information
A male applicant born after December, 31, 1959 who has not registered for Selective Service must fully explain the reasons for not having registered, with reference to any applicable legal exemption(s). Persons can verify their Selective Service registration and obtain their registration information online from the Selective Service System at the web site http://www.sss.gov or telephonically at 1-847-688-6888

6. Request ID number on e-QIP does not match the number on the Certification and/or Release(s)
Pages printed from e-QIP contain the request ID of the questionnaire completed by the applicant and must match the investigation request ID being submitted to OPM. The Request ID number cannot be hand written

7. Illegible Certification or Release Forms
Provide complete information for each field and ensure there are no stray marks on the forms before and after scanning. Ensure the top, bottom and sides of each document are present after scanning attachments. Type or legibly print the name, SSN, address and dates. Use the date format mm/dd/yyyy

8. Missing education information
Provide complete name and address of the school and a person who has knowledge of the applicant. If the most recent degree falls outside the scope of the investigation (7 or 10 years), provide information regardless of how long ago the degree was obtained.

9. Missing Certification or Release Forms
The personnel security investigation cannot proceed without a signed and current release form. Scan and attach the forms in JPAS. The Fair Credit Reporting Disclosure and Authorization form is required.

10. Name disparity on Certification / Release forms and SF-86
Type or legibly print the name as it appears on the questionnaire. Do not use a middle initial if a full middle name is given on the questionnaire.

OPM’s Top 10 Reasons for Rejecting Investigation Requests

These issues are responsible for 97% of rejections:

1. Unclassifiable (illegible) fingerprints
Become familiar with the appearance of a properly rolled set of fingerprints.

2. Fingerprint cards not submitted with the required timeframe
Fingerprint cards must be provided to OPM within 14 days of approval by DISCO. More details on when and how to submit fingerprint cards is available on DSS.mil

3. Illegible or missing information on release forms
Provide complete information for each field and ensure there are no stray marks on the forms before and after scanning. Ensure the top, bottom and sides of each document are present after scanning attachments. Type or legibly print the name, SSN, address and dates. Use the date format mm/dd/yyyy

4. Certification / Release forms do not meet date requirements
Use the date format mm/dd/yyyy. The forms cannot be older than 120 days.

5. Erroneous place of birth information
Provide City, County and State; or Country if born outside of the U.S.

6. Erroneous date of birth information
Date of birth must be accurate and consistent with other forms. Use the date format mm/dd/yyyy

7. Request ID number on e-QIP does not match the number on the Certification and/or Release(s)
Pages printed from e-QIP contain the request ID of the questionnaire completed by the applicant and must match the investigation request ID being submitted to OPM. The Request ID number cannot be hand written

8. Missing references (character, residential, employment, or educational)
Provide complete and accurate information for at least two individuals, with complete U.S. addresses and phone numbers

9. Certification / Release forms not submitted
The personnel security investigation cannot proceed without a signed and current release form. Scan and attach the forms in JPAS. The Fair Credit Reporting Disclosure and Authorization form is required.

10. Missing employment information
List all employment, including the company which is submitting the clearance request as current employer

Information provided by DSS.