EEasy Filing Hub

Federal Employment

Public Trust Background Questionnaire Prep (Form SF-85P)

Prep your federal public trust background check.

We'll guide you through it, step by step

  • ✓Simple questions in plain language — no legal jargon
  • ✓We fill in the official form and check for common mistakes
  • ✓Private — no document uploads

Free to start • No credit card • Official form

Not sure this is the right form? Take the free eligibility check

Estimated fee

No government fee

View official fee calculator ↗

Typical timeline

1 to 6 months (agency-dependent)

Category

Federal Employment

Who qualifies

Federal job applicants, civil service employees, and contractors required by their sponsoring agency to complete a moderate or high-risk public trust investigation.

The step-by-step roadmap

  1. 1

    Gather Residence and Work History

    Collect exact addresses and dates for everywhere you lived, worked, or studied over the required period.

    Watch out: Gaps of even a single month between jobs or homes will trigger automated rejections.
    Common rejection reason: Unexplained timeline gaps or missing verifier contact details.
  2. 2

    Document Financial and Legal Records

    Assemble records on past-due debts, bankruptcy filings, tax delinquencies, and any criminal or police contacts.

    Watch out: Omitting an unpaid collection account or expunged arrest can be seen as intentional falsification.
    Common rejection reason: Failure to disclose delinquent federal debt or civil court judgments.
  3. 3

    Select Verifiers and References

    List reliable individuals who knew you at each residence and workplace, ensuring they are not relatives.

    Watch out: Using the same reference across multiple addresses or listing relatives where prohibited.
    Common rejection reason: Invalid phone numbers or references who state they do not know the applicant.
  4. 4

    Review and Enter Data in Agency Portal

    Cross-check all dates and details for consistency before copying them into the federal portal.

    Watch out: Inconsistencies between your resume and your official questionnaire create delays.
    Common rejection reason: Signature discrepancies or unverified electronic signature packages.

Documents you'll need

  • 7-Year Employment & Residence History

    Complete list of physical addresses, supervisor contacts, and reference verifiers.

    Note: P.O. Boxes are not permitted as residential addresses.

  • Financial & Debt Documentation

    Credit reports, proof of payment plans, tax compliance records, and bankruptcy discharges.

    Note: Keep documentation of active payment arrangements for any delinquent accounts.

  • Legal & Police Records

    Court dispositions, citations, and expungement records for any past legal incidents.

    Note: Public trust forms require reporting even expunged or sealed records.

Ready to start?

Run the free eligibility check first, then get your personalized roadmap and document checklist.

Check my eligibility

Fees and timelines are as published by the relevant agency and may change — verify before filing. This guide is general information, not legal advice.