Making mistakes in your personal life doesn’t automatically disqualify you from obtaining a security clearance. But how you handle those mistakes absolutely matters.
In this case, a reader shared that they had a brief, sporadic relationship with a married foreign national (who holds dual citizenship). The relationship has ended, contact has been cut off, and they’re preparing to complete the SF-86 for a Secret clearance.
Evening_Gap_59631 writes on the ClearanceJobsBlog:
I’m single and had a sporadic affair (only met up a few times over a period of months). The guy is a foreign national with dual citizenship (also married) so while the SF-86 doesn’t ask about this, I might have to bring it up if asked about this contact during an interview. I have officially ended things and cut contact.
I will be filling out the SF-86 soon. I am open to discussing it and have already talked about this with some friends and family. I’m also single so I really don’t have anything over me to be blackmailed over.
I know this was stupid and it doesn’t excuse anything I did but during this time period, I also had major life stressors such as job loss, accident, and family situation that made me very vulnerable. I’d never had an affair before and I would never do it again.
I have accepted a new offer at a defense company and the clearance level is Secret, not TS. Should I continue to apply for other jobs if this hurts me and I get denied anyways?
The SF-86 does not explicitly ask about romantic relationships or affairs. However, it does require you to report close and continuing contact with foreign nationals.
The key question is: Did this relationship rise to the level of “close and continuing contact”?
Even if the meetings were infrequent, a romantic or intimate relationship (especially one involving a foreign national) can reasonably fall into that category. When in doubt, disclosure is the safer path.
Even if you don’t list it, investigators may ask broader questions during your interview, like, “do you have any relationships with foreign nationals?” or “have you had any contacts that could present a vulnerability?”
If asked directly, you must be honest. Investigators are often less concerned about the behavior itself and more concerned about whether you’re forthcoming.
What to Report for Foreign Contacts
Security clearance holders must report close or continuing foreign contacts that involve bonds of affection, influence, common interests, or obligations, as per SEAD 3 guidelines. Reportable contacts include spouses, cohabitants, or close friends who are foreign nationals, requiring disclosure of regular social media interactions or close relationships.
- Close/Continuing Contact: Relationships involving bonds of affection, personal obligation, or intimate contact.
- Foreign Travel: Any personal travel outside the U.S. or foreign contact while traveling.
- Attempts at Exploitation: Any incident where a foreign national requests classified or sensitive information.
- Changes in Relationship: A casual acquaintance becoming a close friend or romantic partner.
- Roommates/Cohabitants: Any foreign national living with you.
You should be reporting foreign contracts during the initial investigation or periodic reinvestigations (covering the past seven years).
If you have a security clearance, you should report this info to your Facility Security Officer (FSO) or agency security office as soon as the contact meets the criteria.
When in doubt, report it. It is better to report a contact and have the security office deem it irrelevant than to fail to report it. And as always, be honest + transparent. Do NOT hide foreign contacts, as trustworthiness is crucial to mitigating security risks regarding foreign influence.
**Failing to report foreign contacts can result in security concerns under Guideline B (Foreign Influence) of SEAD 4, potentially leading to the suspension or revocation of your clearance.
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.
