past Federal Employment

Hello Heather A. Donnelly 

Thanks for posting on History Hub!

If you are no longer in the federal work service and did not get a copy of your SF 50 before losing access to your agency’s internal network, here is some information that should help you:

According to the Office of Personnel Management’s web page, OPM - Frequently Asked Questions, it typically takes 120 days from the date of separation for a former employee’s personnel folder to be transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Civilian Personnel Records Center, or CPR, which is located in Valmeyer, Illinois.

• If it has not been 120 days since your separation, contact the Human Resources department of your former agency for help.
• If it has been 120 days or more, submit a written request to the Civilian Personnel Records Center. 

NOTE: While some people use the SF 180 to request their SF 50, the SF 180 isn’t exactly set up for that purpose but is more for requesting military documents. When such requests come to the National Personnel Records Center, and the SF 180 indicates the need for the SF 50, those requests are forwarded to the CPR, therefore do not worry if you used the SF 180 for that purpose.  Just note that there is no specific form for requesting the SF 50 and if using the SF 180, be sure to indicate you are requesting your SF 50 and sign the form before sending it.

It is perfectly acceptable to submit a written request on a sheet of plain paper if you are requesting your SF 50 and (this part is important) all the following information:

• Your full name. Be sure to put the name used while in federal service even if it has changed since then.
• Your date of birth.
• Your Social Security Number.
• The name of the agency or agencies in which you were employed.
• The dates of employment (approximate dates will work if you don’t have exact dates).
• Where to send it – please note that at this time, SF 50s cannot be emailed for security reasons so be sure to include your mailing address or a safe fax number.
• The purpose of the request, (e.g. employment). If it is an emergency, please state the reasons your SF 50 is urgently needed.
• Most importantly, it must contain your signature!  Requests submitted without a signature cannot and will not be processed.  Why such a strict rule? Because your signature is considered your authorization for the release of your personal identifying information (PII).

There are 3 ways to submit your request

1. Mail it to the National Personnel Records Center, Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL 62295
2. Fax it to 618-935-3014 or 618-935-3019
3. Email it to cpr.center@nara.gov

If emailing your request, you must still submit a signature! Simply sign a sheet of paper saying you authorize the CPR to release your SF 50 and be sure to both print and sign your name. Then scan and upload that document or PDF to your email to the CPR.

Once the CPR receives your request, they will process it through all their systems to determine if they have a possible record.  If no record is found, they will send a negative response letter.  If a record is found, it will be sent to the address or fax number provided.

For more information, please see the History Hub blog The SF 50: That Elusive Form Everyone Needs ASAP.

We hope this is helpful!

Hello Heather A. Donnelly 

Thanks for posting on History Hub!

If you are no longer in the federal work service and did not get a copy of your SF 50 before losing access to your agency’s internal network, here is some information that should help you:

According to the Office of Personnel Management’s web page, OPM - Frequently Asked Questions, it typically takes 120 days from the date of separation for a former employee’s personnel folder to be transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Civilian Personnel Records Center, or CPR, which is located in Valmeyer, Illinois.

• If it has not been 120 days since your separation, contact the Human Resources department of your former agency for help.
• If it has been 120 days or more, submit a written request to the Civilian Personnel Records Center. 

NOTE: While some people use the SF 180 to request their SF 50, the SF 180 isn’t exactly set up for that purpose but is more for requesting military documents. When such requests come to the National Personnel Records Center, and the SF 180 indicates the need for the SF 50, those requests are forwarded to the CPR, therefore do not worry if you used the SF 180 for that purpose.  Just note that there is no specific form for requesting the SF 50 and if using the SF 180, be sure to indicate you are requesting your SF 50 and sign the form before sending it.

It is perfectly acceptable to submit a written request on a sheet of plain paper if you are requesting your SF 50 and (this part is important) all the following information:

• Your full name. Be sure to put the name used while in federal service even if it has changed since then.
• Your date of birth.
• Your Social Security Number.
• The name of the agency or agencies in which you were employed.
• The dates of employment (approximate dates will work if you don’t have exact dates).
• Where to send it – please note that at this time, SF 50s cannot be emailed for security reasons so be sure to include your mailing address or a safe fax number.
• The purpose of the request, (e.g. employment). If it is an emergency, please state the reasons your SF 50 is urgently needed.
• Most importantly, it must contain your signature!  Requests submitted without a signature cannot and will not be processed.  Why such a strict rule? Because your signature is considered your authorization for the release of your personal identifying information (PII).

There are 3 ways to submit your request

1. Mail it to the National Personnel Records Center, Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL 62295
2. Fax it to 618-935-3014 or 618-935-3019
3. Email it to cpr.center@nara.gov

If emailing your request, you must still submit a signature! Simply sign a sheet of paper saying you authorize the CPR to release your SF 50 and be sure to both print and sign your name. Then scan and upload that document or PDF to your email to the CPR.

Once the CPR receives your request, they will process it through all their systems to determine if they have a possible record.  If no record is found, they will send a negative response letter.  If a record is found, it will be sent to the address or fax number provided.

For more information, please see the History Hub blog The SF 50: That Elusive Form Everyone Needs ASAP.

We hope this is helpful!