To definitively determine if your security clearance is active, you must directly contact your organization's Security Officer. This individual or department serves as the official point of contact for all inquiries regarding your clearance status and the adjudication of your background investigation.
Your Primary Resource: The Security Officer
Your Security Officer is the most reliable and appropriate resource for checking the status of your security clearance. They have access to the necessary systems and information to confirm whether your clearance is current, pending, or inactive.
- Who is your Security Officer? This is typically a designated individual or a security department within your current or former employer, contracting agency, or the government agency you support. If you are unsure who this is, start by asking your supervisor, HR department, or administrative support staff.
- Why them? Security Officers are responsible for managing personnel security. They initiate background investigations, maintain clearance records, and act as the liaison with the government agencies that conduct and adjudicate these investigations.
Understanding the Clearance Adjudication Process
While your Security Officer provides the status, it's important to understand the process behind it. The agency that requested your background investigation is ultimately responsible for adjudicating your completed investigation and officially granting your security clearance. Your Security Officer facilitates communication and provides updates based on information received from this adjudicating agency.
When to Check Your Clearance Status
There are several common reasons why you might need to confirm your clearance status:
- Starting a new position: Many jobs require an active security clearance as a prerequisite.
- Transferring within an organization: Your clearance might need to be verified or updated for a new role or department.
- Contract changes: If you are a contractor, your active clearance is crucial for maintaining eligibility for current and future projects.
- Career planning: Simply wanting to know your current status for future professional opportunities.
What "Active" Means for Your Clearance
An "active" security clearance means that your eligibility for access to classified information has been formally granted and remains valid according to government regulations. Clearances are not indefinite; they require periodic reinvestigations (e.g., every 5, 10, or 15 years, depending on the level of clearance) to ensure continued eligibility. An inactive clearance could indicate that it has expired, been revoked, or administratively withdrawn.
Steps to Confirm Your Clearance Status
Follow these steps to effectively check your clearance status:
- Identify Your Security Officer: Locate the contact information for the Security Officer or security department at your current (or most recent) organization that sponsored your clearance.
- Prepare Your Information: Have your full name, date of birth, and any relevant employee or personnel numbers readily available.
- Initiate Contact: Reach out to your Security Officer through official channels (email, phone, or in-person). Clearly state your request to inquire about the current status of your security clearance.
- Understand the Response: The Security Officer will be able to tell you if your clearance is active, inactive, or if an investigation is still pending adjudication. They may also provide information on its expiration or last reinvestigation date.
Important Considerations
- Confidentiality: Security clearance information is sensitive. Always use official channels and discuss your status only with authorized personnel.
- Official Records: Your Security Officer draws information from official government databases. Trust their response as the definitive answer for your employment purposes.
- No Public Database: There is no publicly accessible website or database where you can independently check your security clearance status. All inquiries must go through an authorized Security Officer.
