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Find the Forms You Need to Join the U.S. Department of State Family

In order to view and print out several of the application forms you may need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You may download Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website. Please refer to the Adobe Acrobat Reader website for further help with Acrobat. Upon opening the file you can type the required information directly into the form. However, the information you type into the form cannot be saved unless the user system has the full version of Adobe Acrobat. You MUST print out the form to save it. The full version of Adobe Acrobat is NOT the same application as the Adobe Acrobat Reader mentioned above.

PLEASE NOTE: The forms below are on the State Department website. If you experience difficulties downloading a standard form, please go to the Office of Directives Management, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website or use the GSA website. Depending upon one's computer and software, some sites appear to work better than others.



Civil Service Forms:

What to prepare and bring to the Assessment Center (For Foreign Service Generalist and Specialist candidates)

  1. All invited candidates, bring to gain entrance to the Assessment Center:
    • Valid U.S. state or federal government-issued photo identification
  2. For Foreign Service Generalist invited candidates Only, bring for submission:
  3. All invited candidates, bring to show or submit if you pass the oral assessment (FSOA):
    • Valid U.S. passport or original U.S. birth certificate or certificate of naturalization
    • The Social Security numbers of your dependents (while it is not a requirement that you bring these to the FSOA, it will facilitate the hiring process)
    • If you are married, engaged, married but separated, or in a romantic relationship with a cohabitant who is a U.S. citizen, a DS-7601 Spousal Release (32kb, PDF), signed by your spouse, fiancé(e), estranged spouse, or cohabitant.
  4. Unless you have a Top Secret (or higher) clearance that was granted or updated by a U.S. Government agency within the 24-month period prior to your oral assessment date,* all should also do the following:

  5. Prepare electronically and certify (but do not submit on line) SF-86 Security Form (35kb, PDF) on e-QIP. To do this:
    • Please wait at least one week after receiving this letter and until you are within 90 days of your FSOA, and then go to http://careers.state.gov/forms/e-qip_instructions.pdf (46kb, PDF) and follow the instructions.
    • Please note that although the SF-86 asks for places you have lived and employment activity going back seven (7) years, in order to comply with investigative standards, we ask that you go back ten (10) years. E-QIP will automatically ask you for ten years' worth of information. Please use the continuation sheet if necessary.
    • If you have previously filled out an e-QIP application, the information should be on file. Once you are re-initiated into the system, you should be able to update your information simply.
    • Bring the printed SF-86, along with unsigned release forms generated in the e-QIP application, to the FSOA.
  6. If you have a spouse, estranged spouse, co-habitant of a romantic nature, or a fiancé(e) who is not a U.S. citizen but who has a Social Security number:
    • E-mail FSOAQuestions@state.gov to initiate the necessary background investigation process for this person to complete an electronic version of the SF-85P Questionnaire for Public Trust (pdf, 500kb) and SF-85PS Supplemental Questionnaire for Selected Positions (pdf, 55kb). Please include "Initiate Security Clearance" in the subject line of your e-mail and your partner's full name, Social Security number, and date and place (city and country) of birth in the body of the email.
    • Bring the completed SF-85P (pdf, 500kb) and SF-85PS (pdf, 55kb), along with the associated signed release forms to the FSOA.
  7. If you have a spouse, estranged spouse, co-habitant of a romantic nature, or a fiancé(e) who is not a U.S. citizen and who does not have a Social Security Number:
    • You cannot use e-QIP. Print out the SF-85P (pdf, 500kb) and SF-85S (pdf, 55kb) and have them completed in hard copy.
    • Please bring to the oral assessment the printed, signed, completed SF-85P (pdf, 500kb) and SF-85S (pdf, 55kb).

* If you have a Top Secret (or higher) clearance from the Department of State or another U.S. Government agency, that has been issued or updated within the last two years, then please send an e-mail to SecurityClearance@state.gov with a cc to FSOAquestions@state.gov, giving the details of your clearance.

Employment Forms for Foreign Service Generalists or Specialists

The forms below are intended as a resource for those candidates who have received conditional offers of employment after their Oral Assessment.

  1. DS-1622 Medical History and Examination for Foreign Service - for children 11 and under (398kb, PDF)
  2. DS-1843 Medical History and Examination for Foreign Service - for persons 12 years and over (571kb, PDF)
  3. I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification (321kb, PDF) Be sure to bring the required documents with you to prove identity and employment eligibility, as indicated on the I-9 form, to include a photo ID.
  4. W-4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate (PDF)
  5. SF-1152 Designation of Beneficiaries (167kb, PDF)
  6. SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (335kb, PDF)
    NOTE: The SF-85 is to be completed and signed by the spouse or person with whom the candidate is romantically involved AND who is not an American citizen.
  7. SF-85-P Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions
  8. SF-85-PS Supplemental Questionnaire for Selected Positions (520kb, PDF)
  9. SF-256 Self-Identification of Reportable Handicap (186kb, PDF)

Student Program Forms

PRE-EMPLOYMENT:

The forms below are intended for students who would like to apply for STUDENT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES at the Department of State.

  1. DS-1950 Application for Employment (534kb, PDF)
    CAUTION: You MUST print out and mail, or fax, the DS-1950 signed form to be considered. We are unable to accept e-mailed forms and/or electronic signatures.
  2. DS-4002 Authorization for Release of Credit Report (151kb, PDF)
  3. DS-4018 Statement of Interest Student Employment (44kb, PDF)
  4. SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions
    • Electronic SF-86
      • If you have been instructed to process your SF-86 through e-QIP, click here. (18kb, PDF)
    • Hard Copy SF-86
      • If you are filing a hardcopy SF-86, click on State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security Instructions. (44kb, PDF)
      • Please note that although the SF-86 asks for places you have lived and employment activity going back seven (7) years, in order to comply with investigative standards, we ask that you go back ten (10) years. Please use the continuation sheet if necessary.
  5. SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (335kb, PDF)
    NOTE: The SF-85 is to be completed by the spouse or person with whom the candidate is romantically involved AND who is not an American citizen.
  6. SF-85-P Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions (520kb, PDF)
  7. SF-85-PS Supplemental Questionnaire for Selected Positions (55kb, PDF)
  8. SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions (639kb, PDF)
    Please note that although the SF-86 asks for places you have lived and employment activity going back seven (7) years, in order to comply with investigative standards, we ask that you go back ten (10) years. Please use the continuation sheet below if necessary.
  9. SF-86-A Continuation Sheet for Questionnaires SF-85, SF-85P and SF-86 (166kb, PDF)
  10. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security Overseas Activities Contact Data Sheet (28kb, PDF)
  11. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security Foreign relatives, friends and associates data sheet. (45kb, PDF)
  12. Pickering Application Form (438kb, PDF) - Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs/Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program application. For more specific information visit the Student Programs' Selection Process page.
  13. Security Forms Instructions (15kb, PDF)
  14. Medical Information (31kb, PDF)

EMPLOYMENT:

The forms below are intended for those SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE in the Department of State's Student Programs. Students assigned to domestic posts (outside of the Washington D.C. area) should bring the appropriate forms to orientation. Students assigned overseas or to field offices should bring the appropriate forms when entering on duty.

FORMS (PDF files) DOMESTIC OVERSEAS
1. Guidance for Completing Appointment Paperwork (61kb, PDF) Y Y
2. Appointment Affidavits (SF-61) (347kb, PDF) Y Y
3. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) (321kb, PDF)Be sure to bring the required documents with you to prove identity and employment eligibility, as indicated on the I-9 form, to include a photo ID. Y Y
4. Statement of Prior Federal Service (SF-144) (213kb, PDF) Y Y
5. Declaration of Federal Employment (OF-306) (92kb, PDF) Y Y
6. Pre-Appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service (15kb, PDF)   Y
7. Locator Sheet (25kb, PDF)   Y
8. Statement of Understanding (52kb, PDF)   Y
9. Unemployment Insurance Benefits (1500kb, PDF)   Y
10. Voluntary Separation Incentive (1137kb, PDF)   Y
11. Form W-4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate (PDF) Y Y
12. Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form (SF-1199A) (71kb, PDF) Y Y
13. Designation of Beneficiary (SF-1152) (166kb, PDF) Y Y
14. Privacy Act Information Y Y
15. Time and Attendance Sheet (T&A) (2230kb, PDF)   Y
Planning Schedule for 2006 (44kb, PDF): Calendar with holidays, paydays and time/attendance sheet submission dates.

The following survey is not mandatory, but are provided here for honest feedback on how our program can be improved upon, and to evaluate the interns' work experience.