10 | The Washington Center
Criminal History
• Any arrests or citations (even if charges were dropped)
• Drug use (type, frequency, dates)
• Alcohol-related incidents
• Restraining orders
Psychological & Emotional Health
• Mental health counseling (within certain timeframes)
• Hospitalizations
• Current conditions being treated
Preparation Checklist
Start Collecting Now:
• Complete address history for past 10 years (street, city, state, zip, dates)
• List all employers with exact dates (month/day/year)
• Document all schools attended (dates, degrees, contact info)
• Create list of foreign nationals you know (name, country, relationship, frequency of contact)
• Record all international travel (dates, countries, purposes, contacts made)
• Gather financial documents (credit reports, loan statements, tax returns)
• Compile references (name, address, phone, email, how they know you)
• Document any arrests, citations, or legal issues
• List drug use honestly (substance, dates, frequency) if applicable
• Note any mental health treatment (provider, dates, reason)
Tips for Success
Be Absolutely Honest
• Investigators will verify everything
• Omissions are worse than admissions
• Minor issues rarely disqualify you; lying always does
Be Thorough
• Account for every gap in employment or residence
• Include short-term jobs and addresses
• Don't round dates - be as specific as possible
Be Organized
• Keep a master document with all information
• Use a password manager for the online portal
• Save your progress frequently
