User:Sunnytravels/sandbox

When gathering information to fill out the e-QIP form, visit the e-QIP website to preview questions. Both Secret and Top Secret clearances require 10 years worth of history for residences, periods of employment and unemployment, and foreign travel. When you are eligible to access e-QIP, you will be notified by the sponsoring organization that initiated your security clearance application. Your sponsoring organization might provide additional instructions, such as a deadline. If you have problems logging onto the eQIP site, contact your sponsoring organization.

To avoid having your application rejected due to errors, carefully follow the instructions on the form. Be sure to answer questions completely. Rejection due to errors causes e-QIP to reset many responses to blank fields; if this happens, you will have to re-answer the blank questions.

The following are errors that e-QIP will not flag:

1. In Section 11 (Where You Have Lived), do not use relatives or in-laws to verify your residences. Do not use a P.O. Box as a residence; the address must be a physical location.

2. In Section 12 (Where You Went to School), you must answer Yes to one of the two questions “Have you attended any schools in the last 10 years?” and “Have you received a degree or diploma more than 10 years ago?” Otherwise, you must note in a comment that you did not graduate from high school and do not have a GED.

3. In Section 13A (Employment Activities), you cannot list yourself or an unemployment office as a verifier for a period of unemployment; instead, list a relative or cohabitant. If you were self-employed, do not list yourself or a relative.

4. In Section 14 (Selective Service Board), if you are a male born after December 31, 1959, go to http://www/sss/gov/ for Selective Service information and to look up your Selective Service number. Do not assume you have an exemption, and do not use your Social Security number as your Selective Service number.

5. In Section 16 (People Who Know You Well), provide a complete physical address for each of your three references. Do not answer “I don’t know” for both phone number and address of any single reference.

6. In Section 17 (Spouse/Cohabitant Social Security Numbers), you cannot check “not applicable” for Social Security number if your spouse/cohabitant is a citizen of the United States.

7. Also, in Section 17 (Spouse’s Other Names), if you are a married man, do not select “not applicable” for other names used by your wife if she had a maiden name.

8. In Section 18 (Relatives), do not omit relatives if they are deceased, if you are not close to them, or if you lack information. You will have the opportunity to explain when you make the entry.

9. Also in Section 18, you must provide a citizenship documentation number for foreign-born living relatives who are U.S. citizens. If you cannot, you must make a good-faith effort and provide a credible explanation as a comment.

10. In Section 20C (Foreign Travel), the “many short trips” box is intended for border crossings near your permanent residence. Otherwise, you must make separate entries for each visit to a foreign country.

11. In Section 26 (Financial Record), if you have debts, you must supply the loan or account number, even if the field allows a response of “I don’t know.” Likewise, you must enter complete addresses for courts or banks. If you do not have the information, look it up on the court or bank website. Incomplete information will result in rejection of your investigation request.

12. If there is a section on your form for Additional Comments (SCI Instructions) and you were advised to direct your e-QIP to a specific agency, be sure to include the comment in this section.

When you have completed your e-QIP and are ready to submit it:

1.	Validate and Certify your answers. Note: you cannot edit your answers after you Validate and Certify them.

2.	Print an archival copy of your e-QIP.

3.	Print the signature pages and sign them. Be sure your date of birth and Social Security number are entered in the appropriate fields.

4.	Follow your organization’s instructions on how to submit your submit your signature pages.

The process of applying for a security clearance includes having your fingerprints taken. Unless your organization makes the arrangements, you are responsible for finding a military installation or law enforcement agency to take your fingerprints. You might have to take your own FBI FD-258 Applicant Cards. To avoid having the FBI reject this part of your application, be sure the person taking your prints uses two of these particular cards. To ensure that ridges are easily visible on the fingerprint cards, ink should be evenly distributed on the fingertips. Experienced fingerprint takers know how to properly roll the fingers on the card to produce prints that are not too dark, too unevenly distributed, or too light.

If you have fingerprints taken electronically at a military installation, have your e-QIP ready to submit immediately. Your fingerprints must be received with your clearance package.