ClearanceJobsBlog.com is a great resource: if you’re looking for insights on security clearances, government careers, and the occasional deep dive into polygraph horror stories. But if you’re turning to it for dating advice, it might be time to reassess your strategy.
On a serious note, a recent thread started with what seemed like a simple dating question: should someone with a security clearance pursue a relationship with a Ukrainian woman living in the U.S.? But like most things on that forum, it quickly turned into less of a dating discussion, and more of a crash course in self-reporting.
“I have a friend who is trying to setup me up with this woman. She has been in US for 3 years, owns her business and while she is a Ukrainian, she has lived in Switzerland prior to coming to US. I did ask my friend of her resident status in US- I guess it’s probably business visa vs green card or asylum. Here’s my thinking: if she’s PR, I will ask my security officer if it’s worth dating her- if the officer comes back after asking client and gives me green light, is everything most likely going to be ok? Provided I fill in foreign contact forms etc., of course. Or I should just say no, no matter what? I do have a TS and going to get an FSP.”
The overwhelming response from the cleared community on this topic was surprisingly consistent: you’re overthinking it. Multiple commenters pointed out that dating a foreign national isn’t prohibited, it just needs to be reported if it becomes a “close and continuing” relationship.
The advice boiled down to:
- If you like her, go out with her
- If it becomes serious, report it
- Don’t create a problem that doesn’t exist yet
One user summed it up bluntly: go on the date first, deal with paperwork later.
REPORTING FOREIGN CONTACTS
Not every interaction with a foreign national needs to be reported…only those that meet a specific “close and continuing” threshold defined on the SF-86. To require disclosure, a relationship must satisfy four key criteria: it involves ongoing or meaningful contact (not a one-time or casual interaction), includes the applicant (or their spouse/cohabitant), occurred within the past seven years, and involves a bond such as affection, influence, shared interests, or obligation. In practice, this means routine or passive connections—like most social media contacts—typically don’t count, while deeper, ongoing relationships do, and applicants are encouraged to use common sense and seek clarification when unsure.
So, if you date her and things continue, time to report.
The consensus:
- Dating a foreign national is allowed
- Reporting requirements matter
- You don’t need pre-approval to go on a date
At the end of the day, the stories on ClearanceJobsBlog might help you protect your clearance status, but it’s not going to help you figure out your love life. You’ll have to go on the date to do that.
Much about the clearance process resembles the Pirate’s Code: “more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules.” For this reason, we maintain ClearanceJobsBlog.com – a forum where clearance seekers can ask the cleared community for advice on their specific security concerns. Ask CJ explores questions posed on the ClearanceJobs Blog forum, emails received, and comments from this site. This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
