What Form is Used to Request a Background Investigation?
A background investigation is a crucial step in the hiring process for many organizations, including government agencies, law enforcement, and private companies. The purpose of a background investigation is to verify an individual’s identity, check their criminal history, and gather information about their personal and professional background. In this article, we will explore the form used to request a background investigation.
What is a Background Investigation?
A background investigation is a thorough review of an individual’s background, including their criminal history, employment history, education, and personal references. The investigation is typically conducted by a third-party provider or a government agency. The goal of a background investigation is to provide a comprehensive picture of an individual’s background to help employers make informed hiring decisions.
What Form is Used to Request a Background Investigation?
The form used to request a background investigation varies depending on the type of investigation and the agency conducting the investigation. However, most background investigations use a standardized form that requires the individual being investigated to provide personal and biographical information.
Standard Form 86 (SF-86)
The Standard Form 86 (SF-86) is a commonly used form for requesting a background investigation. The SF-86 is used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other government agencies to conduct background investigations for employment, security clearances, and other purposes. The form requires the individual being investigated to provide detailed information about their:
- Personal and biographical information
- Employment history
- Education
- Military service
- Criminal history
- Foreign travel and associations
- Personal and professional references
Other Forms Used for Background Investigations
While the SF-86 is a widely used form for background investigations, other forms may be used depending on the agency or organization conducting the investigation. Some examples of other forms used for background investigations include:
- Background Investigation Form (BIF): This form is used by the Department of Defense (DoD) to conduct background investigations for military personnel and contractors.
- National Agency Check (NAC) Request Form: This form is used by the DoD to conduct background investigations for personnel and contractors who require access to classified information.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Form FD-258: This form is used by the FBI to conduct background investigations for employment and security clearances.
Key Sections of the SF-86 Form
The SF-86 form is divided into several sections that require the individual being investigated to provide detailed information. The key sections of the SF-86 form include:
- Personal and Biographical Information: This section requires the individual being investigated to provide personal and biographical information, including their name, date of birth, and social security number.
- Employment History: This section requires the individual being investigated to provide a detailed employment history, including their job title, dates of employment, and salary.
- Education: This section requires the individual being investigated to provide information about their education, including their degrees, diplomas, and certifications.
- Military Service: This section requires the individual being investigated to provide information about their military service, including their branch of service, rank, and dates of service.
- Criminal History: This section requires the individual being investigated to provide information about their criminal history, including any arrests, convictions, and pending charges.
- Foreign Travel and Associations: This section requires the individual being investigated to provide information about their foreign travel and associations, including any trips to countries that are considered high-risk or countries with which the United States has diplomatic tensions.
- Personal and Professional References: This section requires the individual being investigated to provide the names and contact information of their personal and professional references.
Conclusion
A background investigation is a critical step in the hiring process for many organizations. The form used to request a background investigation varies depending on the type of investigation and the agency conducting the investigation. The Standard Form 86 (SF-86) is a commonly used form for requesting a background investigation and requires the individual being investigated to provide detailed information about their personal and biographical information, employment history, education, military service, criminal history, foreign travel and associations, and personal and professional references.
Table: Key Sections of the SF-86 Form
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Personal and Biographical Information | Provides personal and biographical information, including name, date of birth, and social security number. |
| Employment History | Provides a detailed employment history, including job title, dates of employment, and salary. |
| Education | Provides information about education, including degrees, diplomas, and certifications. |
| Military Service | Provides information about military service, including branch of service, rank, and dates of service. |
| Criminal History | Provides information about criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and pending charges. |
| Foreign Travel and Associations | Provides information about foreign travel and associations, including trips to high-risk countries. |
| Personal and Professional References | Provides the names and contact information of personal and professional references. |
Bullets List: Benefits of a Background Investigation
• Provides a comprehensive picture of an individual’s background
• Helps employers make informed hiring decisions
• Identifies potential security risks
• Enhances national security
• Supports the hiring process for sensitive positions
