National Personnel Records Center

What is an Official Personnel Folder (OPF)?


Official Personnel Folders (OPF) are primarily administrative records used by the government to make accurate employment decisions throughout a federal employee's career. The government uses these documents to:

  • establish and reinstate federal employment (Standard Form 50 - Notification of Personnel Action which lists grades, occupation and pay);
     
  • to verify and show the validity of federal employment (Appointment Affidavit and Declaration for Federal Employment);
     
  • to verify military service credit for leave, reduction-in-force or retirement (DD 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and the Military Service Deposit Election);
     
  • and to record an employee's choices under the federal benefits programs (Health Benefits Registration Form and the Designation of Beneficiary under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program).