security clearance

For a Secret clearance, processing time once a completed application is submitted, is about 60 days, but each case is different.

Processing of a clearance where circumstances are of an unusual or questionable nature can take up to 18 months dependent upon the nature and depth of research, secondary interviewing and investigation necessary to determine the nature and associated risk or those circumstances. This is a direct quote from my investigator when my clearance was being processed for DoD. My sin was being American, living in Canada and having travelled to Saudi Arabia on direct orders, Dept. of the Air Force, in support of Operation Southern Watch and later, Desert Fox. Something else to keep in mind is that mine was an upgrade of clearance and not an initial issue/investigation.

The time will vary depending on the case load and competence of your investigator and the priority of the request, if applicable.

It took over a year for my Secret to go from interim to full Secret. I have friends who are going for TS and it has been over two years for these people.

It depends on how many flags come up that they have to investigate.

Mine took 4 months and I have never left the country.

Lee