You’ve submitted your SF-86, you’ve been through the interview, and now you’re waiting… and waiting. Each day that passes without an update fuels your anxiety. You’re trying to plan your future—career moves, job security, housing, even healthcare benefits—and it all hinges on one thing: your security clearance coming through. But the process is taking forever. What’s going on?

At National Security Law Firm, we’ve worked with countless military members, federal employees, and government contractors facing these same worries. We know how painful the limbo can be—and more importantly, we know what causes these delays and how to fix them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common reasons for slowdowns in the clearance process, and the steps you can take to get things back on track.

Bottom line? You don’t have to sit around and wait. You can take action—and we’re here to help.

Common Causes of Clearance Delays

Incomplete or Inaccurate SF-86 Forms

The SF-86 is the backbone of your background investigation. If it’s missing information, inconsistent, or contains errors—even small ones—it can trigger follow-up investigations, re-submissions, and massive backlogs.

Example: Suppose a defense contractor accidentally leaves out a foreign travel disclosure from three years ago or provides inconsistent employment dates. That discrepancy might flag them for additional interviews, delaying the process by months.

✅ How to avoid it: Have an experienced attorney review your SF-86 before submission. We spot potential red flags and help you frame answers truthfully but strategically.

Learn more about our SF-86 Review Services. 

Extensive Foreign Contacts or Foreign Financial Interests

Foreign influence (under Guideline B) and foreign financial interests (Guideline C) are leading causes of additional scrutiny. If your form lists close and continuing contact with foreign nationals or foreign investments, the government may require additional documentation, interviews, or even third-party verification.

Hypothetical: Imagine you’re a naturalized U.S. citizen with close family still living abroad. If this isn’t properly contextualized and explained, the adjudicator may need to dig deeper, delaying your case.

✅ How to avoid it: Be proactive. Collect documentation in advance, and work with an attorney to frame these relationships and holdings in a way that highlights your loyalty to the United States.

Criminal History, Drug Use, or Financial Problems

These issues trigger red flags under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct), G (Alcohol Consumption), H (Drug Involvement), J (Criminal Conduct), and F (Financial Considerations). Even if you’ve addressed these issues, the mere presence of them in your background can stall progress as the government gathers records and verifies rehabilitation or mitigation.

✅ How to avoid it: Be upfront, not vague. Trying to downplay past conduct or provide incomplete answers can backfire. Our attorneys help you develop full mitigation narratives from the start so your case moves faster.

Inconsistent or Missing Fingerprint/Background Check Data

Sometimes the delay isn’t your fault at all—it’s administrative. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), or another investigating agency, may be waiting for fingerprint cards, FBI background check results, or other inter-agency coordination.

✅ How to avoid it: Stay engaged. If your clearance seems stuck for more than 90–120 days, there’s a good chance something simple is holding it up. We can submit status check inquiries, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and even escalate with the appropriate agency when warranted.

Reference: DCSA Consolidated Adjudications Services

Lack of Communication Between Agencies or Contractors

If you’re a contractor waiting on clearance to start a position, delays can be caused by a lack of sponsorship or poor communication between your employer and the sponsoring agency. Sometimes you’ve done everything right, but the agency hasn’t submitted the proper paperwork or hasn’t responded to follow-ups.

✅ How to avoid it: We interface directly with security officers and sponsoring agencies to ensure your case is moving forward. Don’t wait for HR to chase things down—let us step in.

How Much We Charge—and Financing Options

Our pricing for security clearance matters is transparent and flat-fee based:

  • SF-86 Review: $950

  • Response to Letter of Interrogatory (LOI): $3,500

  • Response to Statement of Reasons (SOR): $5,000 (includes $3,000 credit if we handled the LOI)

  • Full Hearing Representation (including travel): $7,500

We also offer flexible payment plans through Pay Later by Affirm, so you can get the representation you need now and pay over time. Learn more about financing options here.

Why Choose NSLF?

At National Security Law Firm, we do one thing and we do it better than anyone else: we win security clearance cases.

Here’s why clients nationwide trust us:

  • ⭐ 4.9-star reviews from hundreds of happy clients—read them here

  • Our attorneys include former DOHA prosecutors, military judges, and federal government lawyers

  • We hold security clearances ourselves and understand the process inside and out

  • Weekly “Attorney Review Board” meetings to workshop complex cases and give you a team-based strategy

  • Rapid response times, customized mitigation plans, and unmatched attention to detail

We don’t just help you get a clearance—we help you reclaim your future.

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

Additional Resources

If you’re worried about delays in your security clearance, there’s a good chance other concerns are also keeping you up at night. Head back to our main Security Clearance page to explore more helpful content like:

  • Top Mistakes to Avoid During the Clearance Process

  • How to Win Your Clearance Appeal

  • Proven Strategies to Mitigate Red Flags

  • Common Myths About Security Clearances

  • What to Look for in a Clearance Attorney

These resources are designed to answer your questions, ease your stress, and help you move forward confidently.

Ready to Move Things Forward? Let’s Talk.

The sooner you take action, the sooner you can stop worrying—and start planning your future. Clearance delays don’t fix themselves. But with the right team, you can get answers, find solutions, and finally move your career forward.

We’ll tell you exactly what to do next to get the best possible outcome. The quicker you reach out, the better your chances of resolving the delay and getting back to work, restoring your income, and sleeping soundly again.

The quickest and easiest way to speak with a clearance lawyer is to book a free consultation online. There’s no pressure, no upfront commitment—just experienced legal guidance from a team that knows exactly how to help.

Let’s get this fixed. Book now.