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OPM Standard Form 15 is a form used by applicants claiming a 10-point preference in federal hiring based on a service-connected disability or deriving from their status as a spouse, widow, widower, or parent of a veteran. The form requires detailed information to confirm eligibility for this preference, such as the nature of the disability, military service details, and documentation supporting the claim, such as a Department of Veterans Affairs rating decision or military discharge papers (DD Form 214). The purpose of this form is to assist in determining eligibility for veterans’ preference in federal employment, which can significantly influence the hiring process and priority for job placement within federal agencies.
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What it is: Standard Form 15 is the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, to be used by veterans and relatives of veterans.
Where and when to file: The SF-15, along with supporting documentation, should be submitted with your application to the agency where you are applying for Federal employment.[2]
Submit photocopies of documents because they will not be returned.
A. Documentation of Service and Separation. Any official document or statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge or release from active duty is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge). Note: Only the branch of service in which the individual served can certify active duty service was performed “Under Honorable Conditions.”
B. Documentation of Non-Compensable Service-Connected Disability (less than 10%); Purple Heart, and Nonservice-Connected Disability Pension. Such documents include, but are not limited to: An official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying to the present existence of the veteran's service-connected disability of less than 10%.
B. Purple Heart. Such documents include, but are not limited to: An official citation, document, or discharge certificate, issued by a branch of the Armed Forces, showing the award to the veteran of the Purple Heart.
B. Nonservice-Connected Disability Pension. Such documents include, but are not limited to: An official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, certifying that the veteran is receiving a nonservice-connected disability pension.
C. Documentation of Compensable Service-Connected Disability (10% or more). Such documents include, but are not limited to: An official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veteran has a service-connected disability of 10% or more.
C. Such documents include, but are not limited to: An official document or retired orders from a branch of the Armed Forces, showing that the veteran was retired due to a service-connected disability or has been transferred to a Disability Retirement List with a service-connected disability of at least 10% or more.
For spouses and mothers of disabled veterans, who checked item 7 or 9, submit an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying: the present existence of the veterans service-connected disability; the percentage and nature of the service-connected disability or disabilities (including the combined percentage); and a notation as to whether or not the service-connected disability is rated as permanent and total.
For D, Documentation of Veteran's Death: If death occurred while not on active military duty, submit certified copy of death certificate.
E. Submit documentation of service or death during a war or during the period April 28, 1952, through July 1,1955, or during a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized.
For F, Documentation of Deceased or Disabled Veteran's Mother's Claim for Preference because of Her Husband's Total and Permanent Disability: Submit a statement from husband's physician showing the prognosis of his disease and percentage of his disability.
For G, Documentation of Annulment of Remarriage by Widow or Widower of Veteran, submit either: Certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs that entitlement to pension or compensation was restored due to annulment; or A certified copy of the court decree of annulment.
Under PERSON APPLYING FOR PREFERENCE, enter your Name (Last, First, Middle) in Box 1 and your Home address (Street Number, City, State and ZIP Code) in Box 2.
Under VETERAN INFORMATION, which you provide as the person applying for preference, enter the veteran's name (Last, First, Middle) exactly as it appears on Service Records in Box 3. In Box 4, Periods of service, enter the Branch of service, the Date entered active duty and the Date Separated or Released from Active Duty (if applicable).
Check the block indicating your veterans' preference claim. Answer any questions associated with a block.
Check Box 5 for veterans' preference based on non-compensable service-connected disability; award of the Purple Heart; or receipt of disability pension under public laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Required documentation: A and B.
Check Box 6 for veterans' preference based on a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more as determined by the DVA or disability retirement from a Military Service Department. Required documentation: A and C.
Check Box 7 for veterans' preference for a living veteran's spouse based on the fact that the veteran, because of a service-connected disability, has been unable to qualify for a Federal Government job, or any other position. In Box 7, mark Yes or No to a. Are you currently married to the veteran? If No, you are not eligible. Required documentation: C and H.
Check Box 8 for veterans' preference for a veteran's widow or widower. In Box 8, mark Yes or No to a. Were you married to the veteran at the time of death? If No, you are not eligible for preference. In Box 8, mark Yes or No to b. Have you ever remarried? (Do not count annulments.) If Yes, you are not eligible for preference. Required documentation: A, D, E, and G (Submit G when applicable.)
Check Box 9 for veterans' preference for a mother of a veteran who has a service-connected disability that is permanent and totally disabling, or who is deceased provided you are or were married to the veteran's father and: your husband is totally and permanently disabled; you are widowed, divorced, or separated from the veteran's father and have not remarried; or you are widowed or divorced from the veteran's father and have remarried, but are now widowed, divorced, or separated from the husband of your remarriage.
In Box 9, mark Yes or No to a. Are you married? b. Are you separated? If Yes, go to question D. c. Is your husband totally and permanently disabled? d. Did the veteran die on active duty? If No to question C or D, you are not eligible for preference. Required documentation: Disabled Veteran C, F, and H; Deceased Veteran A, D, E, and F.
Under Documentation of Veteran's Inability to Work Because of a Service-Connected Disability, answer questions 1-7.
Mark Yes or No to 1. Is the veteran currently working? If No, go to Item 3. 2. If currently working, what is the veteran's present occupation? 3. What was the veteran's occupation, if any, before military service? 4. What was the veteran's military occupation at the time of separation?
Mark Yes or No to 5. Has the veteran been employed, or is he/she now employed, by the Federal civil service or D.C. Government? Then enter A. Title and Grade of position most recently, or currently, held; B. Name and address of agency; and C. Dates of employment From: To:
Mark Yes or No to 6. Has the veteran resigned from, been disqualified for, or separated from a position in the Federal civil service or D.C. Government along the lines of his/her usual occupation because of service-connected disability? If Yes, submit documentation of the resignation, disqualification, or separation.
Mark Yes or No to 7. Is the veteran receiving a civil service retirement pension? If Yes, give the Civil Service annuity (CSA) or Federal employee retirement annuity number in CSA#.
The Required Documentation column refers you to information provided on the back of this form regarding the types of documents that are acceptable proof of your claim for preference.
Standard Form 15 Revised October 2013 All other previous editions are unusable.
Standard Form 15 is the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, to be used by veterans and relatives of veterans. The Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 authorizes the collection of this information.
An official document or statement from the Armed Forces must show the veteran's separation, discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge). Your claim is one of Boxes 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, and the Required Documentation column refers you to the back of this form for proof. Eligibility for veterans' preference is governed by 5 U.S.C. 2108, 2108a, and 5 CFR part 211. All conditions are not fully described on this form due to space restrictions.
[1] Standard Form 15 (Revised October 2013), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (the Official source link on this page).
[2] opm.gov, submission_method (opm.gov). Accessed October 20, 2026.