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Frequently Asked Questions Personnel Documentation

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What goes in my Official Personnel Folder?

Your Official Personnel Folder contains records the Government needs to make accurate employment decisions throughout your Federal career.

These documents:

  • Show your Federal appointment was valid (Examples: the Appointment Affidavit; the Declaration for Federal Employment).
  • Verify your military service credit for leave, reduction-in-force, or retirement (Examples: the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty; the Military Service Deposit Election).
  • Establish your employment history - your grades, occupations and pay (Example: the Standard Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action).
  • Record your choices under Federal benefits programs (Examples: the Health Benefits Registration Form; the Designation of Beneficiary under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program).

Check Chapter 3 of The Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping PDF File [588KB] for more detailed information on what goes into the Official Personnel Folder.

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