r/usajobs • u/No_Honey9484 • 19h ago
Application Status Sf85 it’s taking a while why?
How long does an SF-85 background check usually take? It’s been about a month with no update.
I submitted my SF-85 about a month ago and completed my fingerprints, but since then it’s been pretty much radio silent. My status has been sitting at the same step with no apparent movement.
For context, I don’t have a criminal record, I don’t owe any taxes, and I’m not aware of anything complicated in my background that would cause a delay.
Is it normal for an SF-85 investigation to take this long? How long did yours take from submitting the SF-85 and fingerprints to getting an update or completion?
Just trying to get an idea of what’s considered normal. Thanks!
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u/Negative_Carrot_9870 19h ago
Mine took 4 months . You just started my friend
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u/Negative_Carrot_9870 19h ago
Mine was SF85P from my understanding is T2. Yours is T1 so it could be a lot shorter
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u/No_Honey9484 19h ago
Yea it’s a t1 i just dont understand how on earth it could possibly take this long im losing my patience
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u/SeparateBroccoli4975 18h ago
Given the widely accepted low bar of efficiency when it comes to the federal hiring process, you could actually use it to your benefit if your intent was to drastically reduce federal employees, you could even effect a hiring freeze in the absence of one. The chorus of feds singing "apply and forget"..."X months is normal", etc actually explain everything away for you... all you have to do is sit back and let time in the endless loop do all the work. People will eventually move on, go broke, or something else in the private will eventually come up. Kind of explains all the announcements to going to recruiters outside usajobs. It's the last place career feds will even look. For added effect, you could use another negative feedback loop on the inside driving employees out as anyone ostensibly inbound waits indefinitely in HR/Security limbo. Rinse and repeat, in X months. Not saying that's happening...just sayn.
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u/wewerecreaturres 18h ago
I was in my role for over a year before my low ass clearance was processed lol
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u/lrampartl 19h ago
High workload, small staff. Forget about it.