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### Resources For

          - New / Prospective Employees
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# Personnel Documentation

# Overview

Our Agency issues Governmentwide guidance on documenting individuals' Federal employment. OPM and the agency human resources offices use these documents to make decisions about employees' rights and benefits throughout their careers. Here you'll find instructions for Federal agencies' human resources offices on preparing personnel actions and keeping the Official Personnel Folder.

## Related Information

                      - How to create, use and transfer Official Personnel Folders
                      - How to Reconstruct a Personnel Folder
                      - Creditable Service for Leave Accrual
                      - Updates Via Email

# Guide to Processing Personnel Actions

The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions (GPPA) posted on this site is the most current version. Chapters of the GPPA are being revised on an ongoing basis.  As a chapter is revised, the date it was last updated is noted beside each chapter title. This document contains information on how to prepare and process personnel actions, Standard Form 52 (SF-52), and Standard Form 50 (SF-50).

The **GPPA Quick Sheet: Understanding the Basics**provides a basic understanding of the OPM GPPA and the Standard Forms (SFs) used to process personnel actions for federal civilian employees.

**Note**: As GPPA chapters are being revised, changes and/or deletions to information contained in chapters are documented as follows:
                - Changes in text or data are documented using angled right and left brackets surrounding the changed text or data in dark red font. Example:  >Changed Textspan>Deletion of text or data is documented by three green asterisks. Example: ***
All symbols referencing historical changes made to previous versions will be removed from revised chapters.
- Cover Page
- Table of Contents
- Chapter 1 -   The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions  (Effective 07/15/22)
- Chapter 2 - Reserved
- Chapter 3 -   General Instructions for Processing Personnel Actions  (Effective 02/29/24)
- Chapter 4 -   Requesting and Documenting Personnel Actions   (Effective 02/15/24)
- Chapter 5 - Reserved
- Chapter 6 -   Creditable Service for Leave Accrual  (Effective 06/29/23)
- Chapter 7 -   Documenting Veterans' Preference  (Effective 04/18/23)
- Chapter 8 - Reserved
- Chapter 9 -   Career and Career-Conditional Appointments  (Effective 07/14/22)
- Chapter 10 -   Nonstatus Appointments in the Competitive Service  (Effective 07/14/22)
- Chapter 11 -   Excepted Service Appointments  (Effective 06/29/23)
- Chapter 12 - Reserved
- Chapter 13 -   Senior Executive Service (SES)  (Effective 02/29/24)
- Chapter 14 -   Promotions, Changes to Lower Grade, Level or Band, Reassignments, Position Changes and Details  (Effective 02/29/24)
- Chapter 15 -   Placement in Nonpay or Nonduty Status and Documentation of Written Warnings  (Effective 04/17/24)
- Chapter 16 -   Return to Duty from Nonpay Status  (Effective 04/10/23)
- Chapter 17 -   Pay and Step Changes  (Effective 10/27/23)
- Chapter 18 -   Exceptions to Reduction in Force Release  (Effective 04/17/24)
- Chapter 19 -   Continuance  (Effective 06/29/23)
- Chapter 20 -   Name Change  (Effective 04/18/23)
- Chapter 21 -   Realignment and Mass Transfer  (Effective 05/19/23)
- Chapter 22 -   Change in Federal Employees Group Life Insurance and Election of Living Benefits  (Effective 09/28/23)
- Chapter 23 -   Change in Duty Station  (Effective 04/18/23)
- Chapter 24 -   Change in Work Schedule/Change in Hours  (Effective 08/02/23)
- Chapter 25 - Reserved
- Chapter 26 -   Change in Tenure  (Effective 10/12/23)
- Chapter 27 -   Phased Employment/Phased Retirement  (Effective 10/12/23)
- Chapter 28 -   Change in Data Element  (Effective 04/10/23)
- Chapter 29 -   Bonuses and Awards  (Effective 04/10/23)
- Chapter 30 -   Retirements  (Effective 09/28/23)
- Chapter 31 -   Separations by Other than Retirement  (Effective 09/28/23)
- Chapter 32 -   Interim Relief Actions, Corrections, Cancellations and Replacement Actions for Cancellations  (Effective 02/29/24)
- Chapter 33 -   Documentation of Volunteer Service  (Effective 09/28/23)
- Chapter 34 -   Topic Index  (Effective 03/13/24)
- Chapter 35 -   Glossary of Terms Used in Processing Personnel Actions
- Back Page

Back to Top

Updates reflecting changes to pages in the Guide are reflected below. Collectively, updates are already included within the Guide available on this site.
Updates to the Guide to Processing Personnel ActionsUpdateEffective DateChapter(s) ImpactedUpdate 10004/17/2418Update 9904/17/2415Update 9803/13/2434Update 9702/29/243Update 9602/29/2432Update 9502/29/2414Update 9402/29/2413Update 9302/15/244Update 9210/12/2326Update 9110/27/2317Update 9010/12/2327Update 8909/28/2333Update 8809/28/2322Update 8709/28/2331Update 8609/28/2330Update 8508/02/2324Update 8406/29/2319Update 8306/29/2311Update 8206/29/236Update 8105/19/2321Update 8004/18/2320Update 7904/18/2323Update 7804/18/237Update 7704/10/2328Update 7604/10/2329
Update 75 - Chapter 15

Update 75 - Chapter 16
04/10/2315, 16Update 7407/15/221
Update 73 - Chapter 9

Update 73 - Chapter 10
07/14/229, 10Update 7203/05/173, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 21, 24, 35Update 7101/10/16
3, 4, 11, 13, 14, 30, 31
Update 7011/01/15
1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
Update 6901/11/15
3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 14, 29, 30, 31, 32
Update 6811/06/1411, 13Update 6711/06/14
3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 28, 30, 31, 34, 35
Update 6604/04/1417Update 6502/09/14
4, 11, 13, 14, 17, 30, 31
Update 6410/06/13
4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 30, 31
Update 6307/28/13
6, 9, 10, 11, 15
Update 6204/07/136, 11, 15Update 6101/27/13
6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 28
Update 6010/18/12
9, 10, 11, 14
Update 5907/10/12
1, 4, 9, 10, 11, 14, 21, 28, 29, 33, 34
Update 5805/22/1215Update 5703/11/124, 6Update 5601/01/1215, 16Update 5510/09/1114, 29Update 5403/01/11
3, 9, 11, 34
Update 5309/12/10
1, 3, 4, 10, 14, 26, 32, 35
Update 5203/28/10
9, 15, 16, 34, 35
Update 5109/13/09
3, 6, 9, 10, 14
Update 5006/07/09
9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 32
Update 4902/01/096Update 4812/21/08
3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 19, 28, 29, 31
Update 4712/23/07
1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 17, 28, 29, 31, 34, 35
Update 4601/07/07
4, 6, 9, 14, 17, 29, 34, 35
Update 4508/06/06
1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 24, 28, 29, 30,  31, 32, 35
Update 4104/06/03
1, 3, 4, 11, 17
Update 4006/30/02
3, 6, 11, 17, 18, 34, 35
Update 3901/27/02
10, 15, 16, 17, 24, 29, 30
Update 3811/04/01
4, 9, 11, 13, 14, 20, 28, 31
Update 3706/03/01
4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17,  29, 35
Update 3612/31/00
6, 11, 33
Update 3510/01/00
3, 4, 6, 9, 14, 15, 17, 29,35
Update 2302/02/97
9, 10, 11, 17, 29, 33

Back to Top
GPPA Quick Sheets- Understanding the Basics
Receive GPPA Notifications- Email  Persaction@opm.gov  to subscribe to the GPPA list and receive email notifications for GPPA updates and announcements. 
On This Page- Updates to the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions
Contact Information- Email us at  persaction@opm.gov .   Please note:  The  persaction@opm.gov  mailbox is utilized to respond to requests received from Human Resources personnel regarding processing personnel actions for the Federal workforce.  If you are a current or former Federal employee, please contact your current or former servicing personnel office for assistance.  Current and formal Federal employee requests received will not be responded to via this mailbox – these requests will be responded to with instructions to the requester to seek assistance from their servicing personnel office.   
Personnel Recordkeeping (GPR)
Personnel recordkeeping regulations are found in part 293 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations. These regulations establish policies and minimum requirements governing the creation, development, maintenance, processing, use, and disposition.

The Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping is written in plain language and provides guidance to assist agencies with day to day personnel recordkeeping requirements.

The most recent Updates reflecting changes to pages in this Guide are reflected below. Updates, recent or otherwise, are archived. Collectively, Updates are already included within the Guide available on this site.
Updates to the Guide to Personnel RecordkeepingUpdateDateUpdate 13 Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping06/01/2011Update 13a07/01/2017Update 812/14/2001Update 705/31/2001Update 610/31/2000Contact Information- Email us at  persdoc@opm.gov .
Requesting Official Personnel Folder (eOPF)Current Employees
The Official Personnel Folders (OPFs) and electronic official personnel folders (eOPF), including SF 50s, for current Federal employees are stored at the employee’s current employing agency. If you are a current Federal employee seeking guidance regarding specific circumstances of your employment, SF-50, records or if you want to access your OPF or eOPF or have questions about the same, contact your employing agency’s Human Resources Office for assistance.
OPF/eOPF Amendments
If you feel that your official personnel folder is in error, please contact your agency’s HR office.
Former Employees
The Official Personnel Folders (OPFs), including SF 50s, for most former civilian Federal employees are stored at the address below. Please mail your request to:

National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)1411 Boulder BoulevardValmeyer, IL 62295

Or you may fax your **hand signed request** to the NPRC at telephone number 618-935-3014. More information is available on the NPRC website.

The location of records of former military employees varies depending on the branch of service and date of separation from service. Please visit NARA’s site on Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) for details.
OPF/eOPF Amendments
If you feel that your official personnel folder is in error, please submit a written request to:U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of the Chief Information Officer Chief, Records Management and Data Policy 1900 E Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20415-7900

Your request must include your hand written signature and all of the following information:
- Social Security Number
- Date of birth
- Name of last agency where employed
- Approximate date when you left Federal service
- Details of the error you wish to be addressed

Have questions? Check out our Personnel Documentation Frequently Asked Questions or contact us at persdoc@opm.gov.
FAQs