Standard Form (SF) 87 Fingerprint Charts

Completed by applicants as the basis of a criminal history check to establish that an individual is suitable for Federal employment or should be granted a security clearance. Executive Order 10450, as amended, requires that investigations be conducted on all persons entering Federal service. E.O. 10450, as amended, also requires that each investigation include a check of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) fingerprint files to identify any criminal records on the subject. Although roughly 60% of all submissions are received electronically, the need remains to conduct checks based on hardcopy requests. The Standard Form (SF) 87 is a fingerprint chart submitted to the FBI in order to fulfill that part of the background investigation. The SF 87 is a fingerprint card, which is utilized to conduct a national criminal history check, which is a component of the background investigation. The SF 87 is completed by individuals who are under consideration for appointment to or retention in a Federal position or performance of work on behalf of the Government. The SF 87 fingerprint chart is used in background investigations to establish that such persons are eligible for logical and physical access to Government facilities and systems; suitable or fit to perform work for, on behalf of, the Federal Government; suitable for employment or retention in a public trust position, suitable for employment or retention in a national security position, and/or eligible for access to classified national security information. The SF 87 form is only utilized when a hardcopy fingerprint chart must be obtained, as opposed to the electronic collection of fingerprints. Due to the SF 87 form’s small size and the fact that it may be maintained in multiple systems of records, it does not list all potentially applicable routine uses under the Privacy Act. Accordingly 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3)(C) requires that an agency issuing the SF 87 form must also give the subject a copy of the routine uses for the applicable system of records and FBI’s Privacy Act Notice and Privacy Rights. OPM proposes to add clarifying language to the Purpose, Authority, and Privacy Statement to further explain uses of the form.

The latest form for Standard Form (SF) 87 Fingerprint Charts expires 2021-01-31 and can be found here.

Fingerprint Charts

Federal Enterprise Architecture: General Government - Central Personnel

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