Your security clearance background investigation is considered a federal record. Under the Privacy Act (and sometimes the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA), you’re allowed to request access to records about yourself.
Because you’re requesting your own file, your request is typically processed under the Privacy Act, which often allows for broader access than a standard FOIA request.
One ClearanceJobsBlog subscriber asks:
I received my CJO from the NSA in June 2021 and my offer was rescinded this month because of the hiring freeze. I had no SI, no psych, and no poly over those 4 years. They said the delay was due to foreign contacts.
Would a Privacy Act request cause issues for future clearance processes?
HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY
Adjudicative records for the DSS investigative Records Repository (IRR), Defense Central Index of Investigations (DCII), Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission (SWFT), or DISS are all available through a Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act request to the DCSA Freedom of Information and Privacy (FOI/P) Office for Investigations. Requests may be submitted via mail, email, or fax.
- Mail: Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
ATTN: FOI/P Office for Investigations
PO Box 618
Boyers, PA 16018 - E-mail: dcsa.boyers.dcsa.mbx.inv-foip@mail.mil
- Fax: (724) 794-4590
Read more here.
Privacy Act vs. FOIA: What’s the Difference?
While both laws provide access to federal records:
- Privacy Act requests apply when you’re requesting records about yourself.
- FOIA requests are generally used to request government records more broadly.
If you’re seeking your own background investigation, the agency will process it under the Privacy Act, which is specifically designed for this situation.
Requesting a copy of your background investigation isn’t unusual and it doesn’t impact your clearance status or the ability to obtain one. Whether you’re reviewing your record for accuracy, preparing for future employment, or simply want to understand what’s on file, the process is well-established and accessible.
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.
